The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1898-08-02
HER GUARDSMAN.

girl of IS stood i'll her presentation
dress, while her long three yards and a
half of white satin train trailed behind
her. A maid knelt on the ground, pick
ing out here and there leaf from the
sprays Of lilies of the valley.
Marjorie looked in the mirror and
patted rebellious curl. II feel excited.
can't help it. Oh, mother, wish it
were like a story, the country mouse
being taken to court and a real live
duke or earl falls in love with little
mouse. | shall be in the midst of this
great world soon. l 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 a
quick throb.
There was somebody then. Per-
haps no belted earl nor strawberry
leaved duke, but a handsome, sunburned
face looked into hers, the mellow voice
had whispered.
1t 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 am SO hungry"
The gates are opened. We shall soon
be in, my dear, . said Lady Hamilton,
taking a sip of sherry from 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
RE, 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 in that soldier 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 smiling response; impulsively she
waved her hand.
ITO whom, may I ask, were you
bowing?'' said Lady Hamilton severely.
81 recognized some one, auntie, in
the crowd, " faltered Marjorie.
And her aunt, noting the sudden rush
of color and shining eyes, grew sus-
picious ga 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 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 pipeolaying, the
brass rags could be chucked away,
the parade ground need hear no longer
the tread of Corporal Ferguson S feet, no
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 Earring 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, scheming
lOxro1. fill IF or1ar
test A sweet little letter, scented deli
cately, lay next to his heart. This is
what she said:
"Do not lead me to do wrong or to
deceive. You must let me tell my moth
er, and l am ready to face the future
with you. | will meet you once again,
but can no longer keep it secret.
Bad young manl' he chuckIed, and
Marjorie Beauchamp that same day re-
ceived this epistle:
Dear, sweet Marjorie, companion. Of
my thoughts and highest aspirations,
when l saw you a 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,
aud 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.
Mother" she said, going over to her
and turning very pale; "mother, can
not keep my secret from you any Ion
ger. F."
"a secret, dear chiId2 Why, no, of
course not, said Mrs. Beauchamp ten
derby, and put out her hand.
Mother, do you remember two years
ago l went on visit to our old cousin
James. When was there, 1 met love-
ly girl, Constance Ferguson. Do you re-
member my telling you how I helped
nurse her? And-and brother of hers,
Charlie Ferguson, had just arrived from
Australia. y
"Well, my child, what of itP''
II was only l6, mother, and he said
1 was SO young, and he had hard life
in front of him. He had quarreled with
his uncle and was practically cast off.
Mother, can't you guess? l have seen
him again-I 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. y
"But what is he now, Marjorie?"
"He is in the guards, mother"
"In the guardsp' said the poor lady,
bewildered. "Then he must be very
we'll off indeed. "
"No, mother no. He enlisted. He is
only corporal. "
"Only a corporalr' cried Mrs. Beau
champ, clasping her hands. "In dread
full red coat You have been seen out
with him Good heavens, Marjoriep
ooh, mother, don be so Mortified
call him my pillar box, and he says /
was the bravest 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-''i it ism t the coat that makes |
the mani And, mother. may go and
meet him and bring him back?'
"Oh. Marjorie y cried her poor moth
er, "what would your aunt say? 1 sup
pose must consent to seeing him. He
certainly writes charming letter.
"In the face of everybody, not
ashamed" said Ferguson little quiz