Daily Republican. [volume] ([Wilmington, Del.]) 1874-1890, 1886-11-22
She DIDN'T CARE.
BY GERALDINE FLEMING.

CONT care, pretty Settle declared
with frown and o p0ut.
But you must care, dear" Aur
jean said, kindly and Rraveiy. an
young siri eau afford to quite DEFY IA
opinions and prejudices OF the peopl
among whom she lives"
II do not choose to slight Mr.. Brau
aon Just because the stupid people her
have prejudioes against him." Setti
ietorted, with . disdainful toss of he
dark, gypsy head.
"Yov ere not expected to elipht hin
precisely" was the pleasant apswst
You are only advised against friend
Illness that may be damaging 70 Won,
good name, Settle, and of which Won,
promised husband might not approve
why would be nol?" the girl criet
with little artful oxaggeration OF ip
credality. "William, himself sua
gested Mr. Brandon's visit here.d
but We do not know that" Aun,
Jean said. very seriously, and
should not be in the least amazed n III
that were one Of Mr.. Brandon's bril-.
liant fables. He may not be What III
pretends, and, dear, II you value your
lovers esteem and your own peace.
charge you to forego his society nj
least be more circumspect while Wi.
liam remains away. Unpleasant com.
ments have already been made abou,
You. Settle"
81 don't care" Settle itersted. net
ttshly. And all the same, intend II
receive Mr., Brandon or 20 out with
him, just whenever WISH"
The elder lady sighed. But she re-
Trained from apy further remonstrapce.
that, she knew, would avail nothing
with her willful nieca-the gleeful /.
way ward, unreiecting Settle, who out.
RACED the sentiments OF caution and
wisdom, Rrieved truest hearts, and
never cared sught.
81 don't care" was ever Settles nd :
concern ed answer to every argument,
counsel, or warning.
She had all n girls fondness for
amusement and admiration; and she
liked to assert her profound disregard
OF all criticism-especially that of un.
duly precise people
But daring and careless ne she was,
she did not feel entirely com fortabIe
that particular morSing. There was that
In the distressed aspect, in the foi bear.
ing silence, of her good Aunt Jean
which filled her with n vague dissatis.
faction OF herself and of Martin Bran.
don, whose rather pronounced after :
tioDs she had too coquettishly per-
mitted.
he had proposed o jaunt Of pleasure
"A day in the city, an evening 81 the
theatre and drive home beneath the
splendid harvest moon-:o which the
girl had readily assented.
There is no harm going" she
stought-"although, Of course, Ill.
natured persons will chatter about Il.
But don't care. l do not intend 10
assume the prim snd exclusive, and
deny myself every sort Of enjoy ment,
nst because / happen to be engaged TO
But somehow, before the day was
over, she began TO feel more unoom-
'ortable than she would have been
Wiling to admit.
Mr.. Brandon was very handsome,
very stylish aud very polished: but his
manner toward her WAS becoming far
ess formal than was pleasant; and, b..
ides, on different occasions. she had
Ancied that different individuals had
'tared at him with q curiously know
ng and sinister look. A -promenade ON
RlitterinR Broadway did
lot lessen her sudden unaasiness and
the promise of the evening
play and . moonlight drive with her
q UGH too devoted escort hlled her with
strange new sensation of timidity and
"Oh, daaIl" she once murmuIed, half
do wish had not come. |"
Her companion seemed 10 perceive
Ter discontent; and for an instant a
7sxed expression, unmistakable and
hateful, came into his smiling eyes.
lyon are tired, Ssttie, are you notP''
le inquired, with q proprietary air that
InDos ed the girl, as he drew her before
great, gorgeous window, whore q pro
usion of dazzling attractions was dis.
'layed for tue observation OF passers.
'Tne Fplendors OF this roaring Broad.
way are too such for you-is 1t not sc?
and you half wish yourself back nom @
With solemn old Aunt Jean and the
est OF them," he added, with certain
isrespect in his accents that Sett le
resented.
"Aunty is neither old nor solemn"
he said, in quick rebuke. "And II eie
Vere, should still love snd honor her
ast The same"
~ and provoking laugh, yet with the |
nsidioIs persuasion OF tone and expree.
ION that characterized him. III had |
opposed that you were not so fond Of |
our aunt, and that you were not hapuy /
nth her. Indeed, Settle, you have
ivsn me reason to believe that you
'o1ld be glad to leave her-to leave |
err, l mean, for one who would care
lore tor you." |
The girl lifted her gypsy eyes vito q
glance that might have warned = msn
leis oonoeit, or, perhaps, OF lees
'merity. But she did not utter sylA.
lie, she felt too mortified and con.
hence stricken to right herself with |
acrity-she began to realize that she |
al indeed given him reason TO suppose |
sr q frtvilous and FESTIVE young per-
10, with q sufficient pArtiality for him
Ill Alb, Settle WAS beginning to care |
great Deal about many things inst
lenl
He did not seem to heed the inauspi-
Gus change In her CONFERENCE.-The |
ormy flushing OF the startled face, me
OF the pretty lips, the breath
ushed as before o tempest Of saathi1
nGer. Il
"You are 80 fond Of every thing mirsh-
u and bright that you have no doubt
lie martyred in that tremendously dull
lace" he continued, In his bland and
ibdned voice, while he still affected
a intense interest In the glories Of that
arvelous window, before which ne
played her closely, lest some too OBJ
rvant parser might note the littls di.
'ession OF the promenade, that WAS
,rtainly less tasteful THAI possibly un
,mmon. II should like 10 have you
it'll me always, my pretty Settle; and
you choose. you need never 90 back
the tiresome aunt, and to the be.
othed lover, for whom, you have A.
rdec me cause to believe, you have no
'al Affection" he seid, 80 confidently
IL L