The Topeka state journal., 1898-02-11
MABEL'S MISTAKE.

guardian, Major Campbell. She was will
ful, and therefore, because her late father
and the major had hoped and arranged
(both being willing) 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 Godfrey
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 -th 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 Geoffrey never
repeated his visit or made any further
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
81 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"
Eyes, 3" said Nab. "He said so himself
~
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 vas very ilnpertinent of him, -
Grace retorted. "Mab, 1 am certain I
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'
SIS he firt?"
"No. I don't think he ever gave any
girl in the world a second thought until
lately" with quiet significance.
"What do you mean, MabP" Grace
asked sharply, with just pang of-could
it be jealousy?
"Oh. I don't know any of the particu-
lars, p" Nab said. Il couldn't expect him
to tell me-. Only I am sure there is some
BAGA NE ID dW1u1Ay AOuu OA
"How do you know?' There was al
most a tone of anxiety in Grace's voice.
He wears her photo in his breast
pocket, for one thing
"That is very nioe,'' Grace said, con-
trolling herself with an effort. ''And he
is supposed to be half engaged to mer'
"Oh, no, Gracel 1t is not compulsory
on either side, and you've always said you
wouldn't have him." Nab returned
"You wouldn't even see him when he
called on you in London, so suppose he
considered himself at liberty to go a-woo-
ing elsewhere"
"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 a face full of interest, and
said:
"ReallyP Oh, how lovelyl Are you en-
gagged to him?"
MOO" hesitatingly. SIN fact, we
haven It even spoken hardly yet, but-but
I thought, Nab, you were SO anxious for
me to marry your brother, - in hurt and
aggrieved tone.
eyes, dear" said Nab, $50 was once.
But as you always seemed so averse to it
have given up the idea now"
Grace gave little exclamation of impa-
thence, but said nothing.
Tell me about him. Nab said.
81 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 1 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 romantioP' Nab remarked. "I
wonder who he can be?'
''Onee on the staircase at the Lyceum
dropped my fan-quite accidentally, of
course-and he picked it up and handed it
to me, with a bow. am quite sure felt
a pressure of my fingers
"And do you still fancy you are in love
with him, Graceq' Nab asked her.
"Faneyri cried the girl "It is nothing
of the kind Nab. How can you? am
certain, If there is such a thing as love at
first sight, that I love him, and I think
it is mutual. He is my fate, and if-if he
ever asks me viii 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 from huntingl''
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 fance,
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
' 'Tis he, tits hel I am certain of itF'
she cried, trembling
''Whos'' inquired Mabel. care you i'll,
Grace?''
mo, no. Oh, Nab, lookI There is my
handsome stranger-my fate. Oh, do tell
me who he is quicklyP'
(which one do you mean?" asked Ma
bel
''That tall, soldierly man with the long,
fair mustache, the one with his foot on
l. l. =