The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1895-03-30
A WILLFUL WOMAN.


for the arrival Of the carriage which had
gone to the station to meet her old school
fellow and her fathers ward, Miss Mar
lowe
1t wac Grace Marlowe's first visit to
her guardian. Major Campbell. She was
willful. and therefore, because her late ia
Their and the major had hoped and ar
ranged (both being Willingly the daughter
of the former should marry the son of the
latter, she had taken it into her head that
she would have nothing to do with Geof-
frey Campbell.
She would not even see him and could
never be persuade! to visit Crane Court,
the beautiful homo Of the Campbells. But
Mabel spent many happy weeks with her,
and on every occasion was loud in the
praises of her handsome brother, Captain
Campbell of 6Eie--the Lancers.
After her fatt er's death she elected to
live entirely with her maiden aunt, Miss
Beatrice Marlowe, and Aunt Bee, without
appearing to do SO, managed her better
than any one else.
When Captain Campbell called upon
them, Grace absolutely refused to see him,
and after scolding and entreating in vain
poor Aunt Bee, almost in tears, had to
go down to the drawing room alone and
make the best excuse she could for her
niece'S rudeneSs.
Evidently she found the young man
very entertaining for the pair remained
shut up together for over an hour and part
ed on the best of terms.
But, to Grace's annoyance Godfrey
never repeated his visit nor made any fur
Their attempt to see her The willful girl
had her way; but. with the inconsistency
of her sex, didn't like it when she got it.
And that was how it was she came to
be expected on a visit to the Campbells
while Godfrey was at home on leave.
II should have thought, said Grace
presently, that since it is my first visit
here my guardian might have staid at
home for once to receive me-"
Yes said Nab. He said so himself;
but you know, he is master of the hounds
and ought to be present if possible. Be-
sides, as GeOf told him, it was ten to one
you would change your mind at the last
minute and decide not to come at all.
Then it was very impertinent Of him, -
Grace retorted 9 Nab, am certain shall
think him ugly and disagreeable. -
''You can't really think him SO, - re-
turned Nab. 'sYou might say you did.
Geof is considered the handsomest man
in his regiment, and-well, women don't
usually find him disagreeable'-
lis he 1irt?'
"No. 1 don't think he ever gave any
girl in the world a second thought until
lately" with quiet significance.
what do you mean, Mab?' Grace ask
ed sharply, with just pang of-could it
be jealousy?
''Oh, 1 don't know any of the partic-
ulars, - Nab said. Il couldn't expect him
to tell me. Only am sure there is some
girl he is awfully fond of. -
How do you know?' There was al
most tone of anxiety i'll Grace's voice.
He wears her photo in his breast pock
ct, for one thing. "
THAT is very NICE Grace said, con-
trolling herself with an effort. And he
is supposed to be half engaged to me-"
''Oh, no, Grace! 1t is not compulsory
on either side, and you've always said you
wouldn't have him, - Nab returned 8 You
. wouldn't even see him when he called on
you in London, SO I suppose he considered
himself at liberty to go awooing else
where.'
ooh, certainly" replied Grace, biting
her lip, especially my heart is also
given to another
Instead of being indignant, as Grace
hoped and expected, Nab only looked up
quickly, with a face full of interest, and
said:
Really Oh, how lovely Are you
engaged to hilnf''
MOO" hesitatingly. "In fact, we
haven't even spoken hardly yet but-but
I thought, Nab. you were SO anxious for
me to marry your brother" in hurt and
aggrieved tone.
Yes, DEAR said Nab, $50 I was once.
But as you always seemed SO averse to it
have given up the idea now"
Grace gave little exclamation of impa-
tience but said nothing.
Tell me about him, ;" Nab said.
Il meet him everywhere, - her friend
told her, warming at once. Riding in
the row, at the opera and theaters, in the
park. But he is always alone SO have
no means of finding out who he is, or of
getting introduced to him in proper
manner. Yet he knows me quite well by
sight"
How romanticI' Nab remarked II
wonder who he can be?''
"Once, on the staircase at the Lyceum,
I dropped my fan-quite accidentally, of
course-and he picked it up and handed
it to me- with bow I am quite sure
felt a pressure of my fingers. -
"And do you really fancy you are in
love with him, Gracies'' Nab asked her.
"Fancy'' cried the girl. 1T is nothing
of the kind Nab. How can you? 1 am
certain, if there is such a thing as love at
first sight, that love him. And think
| it is mutual. He is my fate, and tiff he
! ever asks me will never marry any one
else
''What fun if he should turn out to be
married already" laughed saucy Nab
Then, hearing the CHATTER of horses hoofs
on the gravel outside, she sprang up and
ran to the window.
Here are the men back from hunting"
she cried. Come here, Oracle, and I'll
| tell you which is which,
''There is my guardian patting the
dogs" Oracle said. (which is your fiance
Mab?"
There, just dismounting, nearest papa
the one with the lovely cavalry mus
tache, - replied Nab, with vivid blush as
her lover looked up.
| She was startled by a scream from Grace
- Ills he; tits hel 1 am certain of it, -
| she cried, trembling.
''Who?' inquired Mabel. Are you i'll,
! Grace?'