The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1897-03-09
A WILLFUL WOMAN.

to the station to meet her old schoo1fe1lov
ard her fathers ward, Miss Marlowe.
It was Grace Marlowe's first visit to hen
guardian, Mayor Campbell She was viii.
ful, and, Therefore, because her late father
and the mayor had hoped and arranged
(both being willing) that 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 Geofrey
Campbell
She would not even see him, and could
never be persuaded to visit Crane Court,
the beautiful home of the Campbe1ls- But
Mabel spent many happy weeks with her,
and on every occasion was loud in the
praises of her handsome brother, Captain
Campbell of the-the Lancers.
After her fathers death she elected 60
live entirely with her maiden aunt, Miss
Beatrice Marlowe, and Aunt Bee, without
appearing TO do SO, manag ed her bette1
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 Piecs's
rudeness-
Evidently she found the young man very
G1g6I AOE CH6 pair E6InA2DGQ 6QUt
up together for over an hour and parted on
the best of terms
But, to Grace's annoyance, Godfrey
never repeated his visit or made any fur
ther attempt to see her. The wiIlful 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.
IT should have thought" said Grace
presently, that since it is my first visit
here my guardian might have stayed at
home 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
moment and decide not to come at an
Then it was very inapertinent of him.
Grzce repeated. NAB, I am certain
shall think him ugly and disagreeable- -
You can't really think him so, - re-
turned Nab. You might say you did.
Geof is considered the handsomest man in
his regiment, and-well, women don't
usually find him disagreeable-"
lis he firt?'
mo. I don't think he ever gave any
girl in the world a second thought until
lately" with quiet significance.
'tWhat do you mean, Mab?' Grace asked
sharply, with just pang of-could it be
jealousy
''Oh, I don't know any Of the particu-
lars, Nab said 81 couldn't expect him
to tell me. Only 1 am sure there Is some
girl he is awfully fond of
How do you know2'' There was al
most q tone of anxiety in Grace's voice.
''He wears her photo in his breast pocket,
for one thing
'That is very NICE Grace said, con-
trolling herself with an effort land he
&c cd 80 I,o1f -
"Oh, no, Gracel 1t is not compulsory
on either side, and you always said you
wouldn't have him, Nab returned You
wouldn't even see him when he called on
you in London, SO I suppose he considers
himself at liberty to go a-wooing else
where
''Oh, 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 face full of interest, and
said:
Really oh, how lovely Are you en-
jagged to himy''
''N-o-o-o,'' hesitatingly s'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 was once.
y.
have given up the idea now"
Grace gave a little exclamation of inpa-
thence, but said nothing.
Tell me about him, - Nab said
''I 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 a proper
manner. Yet he knows me quite well by
sight
'How romanticP' NAB answered at
wonder who he can bef''
''Once, on the staircase at the Lyceum,
dropped my fan-quite accidentally of
course-and he picked it up and handed it
to me, with bow. I am quite sure felt
q pressure of my fingers
'And do you really fancy you are In
love with him, Graeie?'' Nab asked her.
Fancy cried the girl "It is nothing
of the kind, Nab. How can yous I am
certain, If there is such thing as love at
| first sight, that 1 love him And think
it Is mutual He is my fate-and if-if 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 clAtter of horses hoofs
on the gravel outside, she sprang up and
ran to the window.
Here are the men back fro hunting, -
she said Come here, Oracle, and in
tell you which is which -
There is my guardian patting the
dogs Oracle said (Which is your hance,
Mab?''
There, just dismounting, nearest papa
the one with the lovely cavalry mus
tache, - replied Nab with q vivid blush as
her lover looked up.
She was startled by scream from Grace
Ills he, It's hel I am certain of it, -
/ she cried remblingly.
''Whof" inquired Mabel care you Ill,
1 Grace9''
mo, no. Oh, Nab, 1ookI There is nv
handsome stranger-rny fate Oh, do tell
me who he is quicklyIi'