The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1885-12-17


first sight of her engagement ring; but
that is what Annie did.
For the pretty shining thing seemed
only the symbol of her trouble aud
perpiex;ty.
She knew perfectly that her right
course was 10 put the ring on the
proper finger, go boldly to MIR. Dod-
son, and explain itS position there
She did, indeed. get 5 far as putting
it on, and gazing 1T it foni!v, and ad-
miringly, and t1arfully, from every
conceivable point of yiewi but there
her courage failed her.
Dear Old Uncle DJdson! How could
she dash his weil-mcaning hopes to the
grnuu,i with tracl word or twoP He
was so far from strong, besides, sud-
den disappointmcnis always did harm
him.
She had dried her eyes as these de-
spairing thoughts came over her, and
started mechanically for Mr.. Dodson's s
room.
Mr.. Dodson sat facing the window,
as usual. His head was thrown back
and his eyes were closed.
Annie drew a sigh of relief; he was
asleep.
Dudley Hobart was sitting in a cor
ner of the room, with a newspaper in
his hand, and his feet disposed COM
fortably, if not gracefully, on second
chair. He rose hastily as Annie en-
tered.
HE is asleep" he remarked after a
timid pause.
II had observed it," said Annie
shortly, not deigning to look at the
speaker.
The young man looked confused.
He had laid down his paper, and
passed his hand over his closely
cropped head in a troubled way, and
finally offered her a chair.
There seemed to be nothing else to
do, and Annie sat down stiffiy.
Mr.. Hobart took the other chair. If
Annie had glanced at him, she might
have seen that a pleading look filled
his boyish face; but she looked coldly
over his head at the wall paper.
There was silence for several mo-
ments.
Then the young man, with a ner-
vous clutch of his chair-back, and with
a visible effort, began desperately:
He said he had told you his-his
plan"
Annie was cruelty unresponsive.
MAY L inquire what you think of
itP" said Mr.. Hobart, with face
grown pale with agonised embarrass-
ment.
Annie rose sharply.
.'Words could not express what 1
think of it!'' she said, flashing an in
dignant glance towards the young
man. ut is absurd and abominable!
He is dreadfully mistaken" she went
on more mildly, indicating Mr.. Dod-
son. at can't possibly be!''
The occupant of the armchair
moved restlessly; he was waking up.
Annie lowered her voice as she went
on severely:
II am already engaged. /"
She paused in bewilderment. The
face of her listener had been suddenly
transformed with unmistakable relief
and Joy. He seized her hands warmly.
Engaged Well, if we aren't in
the same boat! So am IT.
Annie's severity vanished. Her cold
gaze gave way to quick smile of sym
pathy.
.Are you, Mr.. Hobart?" she cried.
"l'm SO glad.
Don't call me Mr.. Hobart" said
the young man Impetuously. Call
me Dud. Everybody calls Ine Dud."
Annie laughed, and they sat down
again IN friendly way.
Il have only been engaged since this
morning" said Annie coniidentially.
''See-he has just sent me a ring.
He's the incest fellow in the world.
You'll think so when you see him."
He ought to be the happiest," said
Dud gallantly, taking her hand to ex-
anime the RUG.
They had lowered their voices care
fully; further than that, Mr.. Dodson's
presence was ignored.
The ring 1 gave Genevieve was
something like it, Dud continued
briskly. "Pretty name-Genevieve-
isn't itP"
Very pretty" said Annie
''She's pretty girl, too!'' said Dud
warmly. 'I just wish you could know
her! She's only seventeen; but you
wouldn't think it. Here, I'll show you
her picture"
He took it out carefully from an in-
ner pocket, and held it out triumph
antly.
''She is pretty" said Annie, looking
down approvingly at the fair young
face in the picture.
81 knew you'd think So" said Dud,
looking gratified.
IL have Howard's picture in the
album downstairs said Annie. ''pn
run down stairs and oct it. ~
She tripped away softly, and came
hurrying back breathless, with the
plush covered book in her hand.
HE looks as though he had some
thing in him." was Dud's masculine
comment.
.Well, he has," said Annie with a
proud smile. "Of course" she went
on hesitatingly, I've must tell Uncle
DodsonP"
..Of courser' said Dud rather family.
Their eyes met; they smiled guiltily.
"To tell the TRUTH" said the young
man candidly, ''Pd rather be shot!
MY case exactly" Annie respond
ed.
You see," said Dud. looking anx-
ious, ..he means it all as a favor, a
benefit to us; and to 60 and knock all
his plans endways in that style-Id
just as lief be let out of it, for my
part!"
Precisely as l feel" murmured
Annie. What shall we dop"
Don't ask me-" said Dud entreat-
ingly.
An uneasy pause. filled by a helpless
contemplation of each other with
wrinkled brows.
''Of course we must tell him,
Annie repeated irresolutely.
''Of course" said Dud again.
But that was as far as it went.
A rustling sound from Mr.. Dodson's S
armchair reused them to a sudden
sense of his presence.
"Are you awake, Uncle Dodson?'
said Annie, getting up slowly to go to
him, Dud following.
wide awake. my dear" said Mr..
Dodson promptly.
Docs your head ache?" said Annie,
bending over his chair and feeling
hypocritical.
MIR. Dodson's reply was a strange
one. 1t was short, rather sarcastic
laugh.
He onpopon nions oxoboorad startl or