Santa Fe new Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1898-1951, 1898-09-30
HER GUARDSMAN.

dress, while her long three yards and a
half Of white satin train trailed behind
her. A maid knelt Oh 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 a rebellious curl. 81 feel excited.
I can't help it. Oh, mother, ! wish ii
were like a story, the country mouse
being taken to court and a real live
duke or earl falls in love with little
mouse l shall be in the midst of this
great world 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 v%iolets. and her heart gave a
quick throb.
There was a somebody" then. Per-
haps no belted earl nor strawberry
leaved duke, but q handsome, s%unburned
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 firing" said
Marjorie, "and ! am so hungry"
1.-THE gates are opened. We shall soon
be in, my dear, said Lady Hamilton,
taking a 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
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.
Vas she dreaming or was there dis
tinct recognition in that soldier glancel
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.
ITO whom, may l ask, were you
bowing?" said Lady Hamilton severely.
IT 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 mar was the only cause
for that kind of emotion" she thought
sagely.
Marjorie almost forgot that f1eeting
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 b%arrenness
Of barrack surroundings, but he 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 it
we'll.
And what was he writing, scheming
lover, full Of ardent fervor? His last
testl 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
or, and l am ready to face the future
with you. l will meet you once again,
but I can no longer keep it secret"
"Bad young manl' he chuckled, and
Marjorie Beauohamp that same day re-
ceived this epistle:
Dear, sweet Marjorie, companion Of
my thoughts and highest aspirations,
when | saw you a fortnight ago, I was
determined fate should never sever US
again. Darling, how good you have
been to me, and I shall not try that Low.
ing heart another day. You are ever in
my mind, my best thoughts are Of you,
and my 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 a
walk.
Mother, she said, going over to her
and turning very pale; mother, I can
mot 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 I was there, I met q love-
~ girl, Constance Ferguson. Do you re-
member my telling you how ] helped
nurse herr And-and a brother Of hers,
Charlie Ferguson, had just arrived from
Australia.
"Well, my child, what Of it,"
~ was only 10. mother, and he said