The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1897-03-08
A WILLFUL WOMAN

RudFuldn, mayor CuHlpDtH IoHo was WIN
full, 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 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 the--the Lancers
After her fathers 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 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 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 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 stayed at
home to receive me. y
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, 1t was ten to one
you would change your mind at the last
moment and decide not to come at all. 3"
"Then'it was very impcrtinent of him."
Grace repeated "Mab am certain
shall think him ugly and disagreeable
"You can't really think him so, F" 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 dsagreeable.
"Is he firt?" ..
"No. don't think he ever gave any
girl in the world second thought until
lately" with quiet significance.
"What do you mean, Mab?" Grace asked
sharply, with just pang of-could it be
jealousy"
"Oh don't know any of the particu-
lars, " Nab said, II couldn't t expect him
to tell me. Only am sure there is some
girl he is awfully fond Of"
"How do you knowf' There was al
most 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. And he
Is supposed to be half engaged to me"
ooh, no, Gracol 1t is not compulsory
on either side, and you've always said you
wouldn't havc him, Nab returned. "You
wouldn't even see him when he called on
you in London, so l suppose he considers
himself at liberty to go a-wooing else
where"
"Oh, certainly" replied Grace, biting
her lip, Especially as 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 lovelyi Are you en-
agged to himp"
an o.o-o," hesitatingly "In fact, we
haven't even spoken hardly yet. But-but
l thought, Nab, you were so anxious for
me to marry your brother, in hurt and
aggrieved tone.
YES dear" said Nab, $50 was once.
But as you always seemed SO averse to 1t,
have given up the idea now"
Grace gave little exclamation of impa-
tience, but said nothing.
"rcll mo about him., Nab said.
II meet him everywhere, " her friend
told her, warming at 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 mo quite well by
sight"
wonder who he can be?'
"Once, on the staircase at the Lyceum,
l dropped my fan-quite accidentally of
course-and he picked it up and handed 10
to me, with bow. 1 am quito sure felt
II pressure Oh my llnRerS.
"And do you really fancy you are in
love with him, Gracie?" Nab asked her.
Fancy" cried the girl at is nothing
of the kind, Nab How can your l am
certain, If thero is such thing as love at
first sight, that 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 catter of horses hoofs
on tho gravel outside, she sprang up and
ran to the window.
"Hcre arc the men back from huntingt"
she said, Come here, Oracle, and I'll
tell you which is which.
"Therc is my guardian patting tho
dogs" Oracle said. (which is your fiance,
Mab?"
"Therc, just dismounting nearest papa
the one with the lovely cavalry mus
tachc," replied Nab with vivid blush rs
her lover looked up
She was startled by scream from Graco.
"'Tis he, It's he! I am certain of it,"
she cried trenblingly.
"WhoP" inquired Mabel. "Are you ill,
GraceP"
"No, no. Oh Nab, look There Is my
handsome strangcr-my fate. Oh, do tell
me who he is qnicklyl"
(Which one do you meant" asked Mabel.
"That tall, soldcrly man with the long,
fur mustache-the one with his foot on
the steps-and, see, he looks this way.
He is lifting his hat now Nab, If you
love me tell me who he is"
Mabel laughed softly. "Why, you goose,
that is my brother Godfrey"
"Men were deceivers ever" said Grace,
smiling happily as she stood in that same
window week later with Gcoffrey, her
head on his shoulder and his arm around
her waist
"And to think that naughty Aunt Beo
knew it all the time" Grace continued.
II will never forgive her. -"
But she did.-Forget Me Not.