The Press., 1898-09-08

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Dear, sweet Marjorie, companion of
my thoughts and highest aspirations,
when l 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 q
walk.
''MoNl4er," 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, = said Mrs Beauchamp ten
DERBY, and put out her hand.
mother. do you remember two years
ago went on a visit to our old cousin
James. When was there, met love-.
~ girl, Constance Ferguson. Do you re-
member my telling you how helped
nurse her? And-and brother of hers,
Charlie Ferguson. had just arrived.from
Australia
"Well, my child, what of it?"
81 was only l6, mother, and he said
was so young, and ne had hard life
in front Of him. He had quarreled with
his uncle and was practically cast of.
Mother, can't You guess? have seen
him again. love himP'
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 Off. !"
"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
well off indeed"
"No, mother, no. He enlisted. He is
only corporal.
''Only a corporal!'' cried Mrs. Beau
champ, clasping her hands. ''In a dread
full red coat! You have been seen out
with himi Good heavens, MarjorieP'
"Oh, mother, don It 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 alp
winding up her incoherent speech dra-
matically-''i ism t the coat that makes
the man! And, mother. may I go and
meet him and bring him back?;'
"Oh. Marjoriel" cried her poor, moth
er, "what would your aunt say? II sup
pose must consent to seeing him. He
certainly writes charming letter"
"In the face of everybody, not
ashamed?'' said Ferguson little quiz
zically, as he and his sweetheart got up
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?"
81 love you, she whispered. blush
ing holly. "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.
'sLook, Charlie, I" cried Marjorie, her
face dimpling into mischievous laugh
ter; there auntie just passed as, driv-
ing. Look; she's turning back to look
at us. Oh, her facet Isn't it picture?'
Lady Hamilton alighted from her
carriage simply trembling with indig-
nation. She swept into her sister s
room, her silk dress knocking down a
table, vase and some books, the plumes
in her bonnet nodding fornidably.
"Helena, she cried, something too
terrible has occurred. Your daughter
my niece-is out walking with a COM
mon soldier. y
"My dear Eliza, l can explain fall
tered Mrs. Beauchamp. don 't-don' t
be angry. The young man is on his way
here now
ION his way now'' almost shrieked
Lady Hamilton. "You are. going to let
a man in red coat and white belt en-
ter a lunatic asylum. This-this is ap-
palling."
They heard 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 lovely look? And a
CLEAN of mirth in her eyes too. And
the mother saw one of the finest looking
fellows she had seen in her life fill up
the doorway with his tall figure
"Mother-auntie-let me introduce
you to my lover, the gnardsman, and
soon to be my husband-the Earl OF
Desart -
please forgive me, Mrs. Beau
champ" he said in winning way. II
claimed my discharge today, only to
take orders, though, in another service. -
And here Marjorie's hand was clasped
in his.
Lady Hamilton year later presented
the son and heir with silver ifsug and
box of tin soldiers. Forget Me- N OF.
General GOrdOn's Seal.
The seal which General Gordon used
on all the documents he signed while
| shnt nm in Khartum had Hsshi StOrv