The Press., 1898-09-08

"Bad young manp' he chuckled, and Marjorie Beauchamp that same day re- ceived this epistle:
 Dear, sweet Marjorie, companion of my thoughts and highest aspirations, when saw you fortnight ago, was determined fate should never sever us again. Darling, how good you have been to me- and shall not try that low ing heart another day. You are ever in my mind, my best thoughts are of you. and my one great longing is to win you for my very own"
 She looked very sweet in her picture hat covered with violets as she walked into her mothers room, dressed for walk. .1#
 "Mot4Ier," she said, going over to her and turning very pale; "mother can- not keep my secret from you any lon- ger"
 "A secret. dear child? Why, no. of course not, ss.id Mrs. Beauchamp ten derly, and put out her hand. ~s-
 "Mother. do you remember two years ago I went on a visit to our old cousin James. When was there, met love-. ly girl. Constance Ferguson. Do you re- member my telling you how helped nurse her? And-and brother of hers, Charlie Ferguson, had just arrivedfrom Australia. ."
 "Well, my child, what of it?''
 "I was only l6, mother, and he said was so young, and he had a hard life in front of him. He had quarreled with his uncle and was practically cast of. Mother, can't you guess? I have seen him again-I love himr'
 The bright head was bowed and hot tears splashing down.
 Read this, mother. He wishes me to meet him today in the park. and he says he has some great news to tell me. He is better of" /"
 "But what is he now, Marjorie?' "He is in the guards, mother.''
 "In the guards !'' said the poor lady, bewildered. "Then he must be very we'll off indeed"
 "No. mother. no. He enlisted. He is only a corporal.
 "Only a corporal P' cried Mrs. Beau champ, clasping her hands "In dread full red coat! You have been seen out with himl Good heavens, Marjoriep" "Oh, mother, don't be so mortified! call him my pillar box, and he says was the brayest girl he knew to meet him, and after did he said he would come and see you and explain. And am to marry him. And, after all''- winding up her incoherent speech dra- matically-"it ism the coat that makes the man! And, mother. may go and meet him and bring him back?'' "Oh. Marjorier r' cried her poor moth CT. "what would your aunt say? Il sup. pose must consent to seeing him. He certainly writes charming letter" 
 "In the face of everybody, not ashamed?" said Ferguson a little quiz. zically, as he and his sweetheart got uI from their chairs in Rotten row. She looked up half shyly at the tall, hand some guardsman.
 "And now that you know everything Marjorie, will you forgive my putting you to such a test?"
 "I love you," she whispered. blush ing hotlv. But, oh, how glad mother | will be!''
 They were walking along gayly, she the perfection of dainty prettiness, trip ping along at his side, many curious and even inquisitive glances following the pair.
 Look, Charlie" Y" cried Marjorie, hel face dimpling into mischievous, laugh ter; "there's auntie just passed us, driv ing. Look; she's turning back to lool at us. Oh, her facel Isn't it picture?'
 Lady Hamilton alighted from hel carriage simply trembling with indig nation. She swept into her sister, room, her silk dress knocking down { table, a vase and some books, the plume' in her bonnet nodding formidably.
 "Helena, she cried, "something to< terrible has occurred. Your daughter my niece-is out walking with a com mon soldier.''
 My dear Eliza, can explain" fal tered Mrs. Beauchamp. "Don't-don' be angry. The young man is on his way here now"-
 "On his way nowr almost shrieket Lady Hamilton. You are going to le . man in a red coat and white belt en ter this housei Helena, you should en ter & lunatic asylum. This-this is ap palling."
 They heard a joyous little laugh And Lady Hamilton rose to face them Mrs. Beauchamp felt faint from emo tion. What could be wrong when Mar jorie wore such a lovely look? And , gleam of mirth in her eyes too. Ant the mother saw one of the finest looking fellows she had seen in her life fill u] the doorway with his tall figure.
 "Mother-auntie-le me introduc you to my lover, the ghardsman, ant soon to be my husband-the Earl O Desart."
 "Please forgive me, Mrs. Beau champ" he said in a winning way. |" claimed my discharge today. only t. take orders, though, in another Service. And here Marjorie's hand was claspes in his
 Lady Hamilton a year later presentet the son and heir with a silver ihug ant a box of tin soldiers. Me- N ct | General GOrdOn's Seal.