The Press., 1898-09-08
HER GUARDSMAN.

In 8 small house in Charges street Q girl of Is stood in her presentation dress, while her long three yards and 8 half of white satin train trailed behind her. A maid knelt on the ground, pick ing out here and there a leaf from the sprays of lilies of the valley.
 Marjorie looked in the mirror and patted rebellious curl. "I feel excited. I can't help it. Oh, mother, I wish it were like a story, the country mouse being taken to court and @ real live duke or earl falls in love with little mouse. I shall be in the midst of this great world soon. I wish something really romantic could happen.
 You'll have to take the taskmaster, Love, into your bargain with Fate, dear, said Mrs. Beauchamp. And Marjorie hid her face in her lovely bouquet of lilies of the valley, white orchids and white violets, and her heart gave 8 quick throb.
 There was "somebody" then. Per haps no belted earl nor straw berry leaved duke, but a handsome, sunburned face looked into hers, the mellow voice had whispered.
 It was later on the same day, the car riages in endless strings down the mall, an eager crowd pressing close to all the windows, making their remarks freely.
 'This waiting is very tiring," said Marjorie. land I am so hungry"
 "The gates are opened. We shall soon be in, my dear," said Lady Hamilton, taking sip of sherry from a convenient flask. They had come now to the line of sentries the guardsmen standing like statues.
 The sunshine coming out in a great sheaf of splendor almost dazzled Mario rie, as looking through the glass windows she was conscious of one of the guards men on duty watching her intently. His bearskin almost hid his eyes and brow.
 Was she dreaming or was there dis tinct recognition ill that soldier 5 glance: The sweeping brown mustache concealed his mouth. She looked at him again. the carriage moved forward, he smiled. She bent forward, and her face dimpled into a smiling response; impulsively she waved her hand.
 "To whom, may I ask, were you bowing?' said Lady Hamilton severely.
 "I recognized some one, auntie, in the crowd" faltered Marjorie.
 And her aunt, noting the sudden rush of color and shining eyes, grew sus- picious. "A man was the only cause for that kind of emotion" she thought sagely.
 Marjorie almost forgot that fieeting look while making her bow to her maj esty. But the guardsman did not intend she should forget. A brilliant scheme had entered his mind.
 
 Truly, only a guardsman scribbling away for dear life, in all the barrenness of barrack surroundings, but be knew | he had finished forever with the long, tedious marches. The pipeclaying, the "brass rags" could be chucked away, the parade ground need hear no longer the tread of Corporal Ferguson's feet, nc more lonely watches in the tower, when the thought of Anne Boleyn's ghost to keep him company was not cheering. Goodby to the arduous life of Trough ing, " goodby to the jarring influences which had surrounded him for two years-years of stern discipline and hard training. He had come out of il we'll.
 And what was he writing, schemine lover, full of ardent fervor? His last testi A sweet little letter, scented deli cately, lay next to his heart. This ii what she said:
 "Do not lead me to do wrong or tt deceive. You must let me tell my moth CT, and am ready to face the futur, with you. will meet you once again but I can no longer keep it secret"