The Bolivar bulletin. [volume] (Bolivar, Hardeman County, Tenn.) 1865-1888, 1885-07-31
"YYhat will Uncle DoIson sayy"

]
And he gave Mr.. Dodson's birth
day present into her possession, presa-
ed her hand with whispered word
and went down the steps very reluct-
antly.
A large valise stood in the hall and
/ an unfamiliar hat hung on the hat
rack.
Annie Looked at them sharply.
Proba bly, it was some friend of Uncle
Dodson's come to see him--he was
something OF an invalid.
But the hat-a smart, speckled
straw, with blue band-had an un-
mistnkably youthful air. She ran up
the stairs wonderingly.
Mr.. Dodson was sitting in the large
arm chair before the window, where
most Of his time was spent. A young
man of two-and-twanty OF therea bouts,
noticeable for nothing unless for the
cheerfulness OF his rather boyish face,
sat near him.
Mr.. Dodson looked up with vel
coming smile, rs Annie entered.
"My nephew, Dudley Hobart, my
dear" he said.
The young man rose and bowed
rather constrainedly, Annie thought.
Mr.. Dodson regarded her anxious-
ly.
"S.t down." he said.
Annie sat down at his side, feeling
that something unpleasant was com
ing; and the young Inan quietly with
drew.
"Hc is my nephew-mY only reia-
tive" Mr. Dodson began. lie will
inherit my property, ms dear
Well" said Annie cheertully.
"Well, Mr.. Dodsou repeated, strOk-
ing her hand, che will inherit my
property; but you must be provided
for, too. There seems 10 me but one
way. have thought of it much; but
tue beat way seems to be-that you
should nlsrry. So have. sent for
him." said Mr.. Dodson, going on
hurrledly. "And-we have been talk
ing of it, my dear"
Poor Annie had listened sileutly.
Was this kindhearted Uncle Dodsou
who wEs saving these dreadful things7
"A little too businces-hke TO suit
you, CHI" enid Mr. Dodson, noting
her distressed face. Il Is, of course.
OK I.cctcd that. Young folks now
adays have An idea that their elders
shouldn't have a word TO say about
thcee tbings-not WORT! But don't
you see. Iny dear" he went OH, kind
ly, "that lis all the same thing?
Suppose / had got Dudley here with
out mentioning nay little plaiF Well,
you'd have been pretty sure to fall i'll
loYe wHh each other. He'e As nIce y
fellow as you'll find. Annie, and he
knows It pretty girl when he sees one,
/ Imagine. Well, then, why should
you hold back, either Of you, merely
because / give You little push to
surc-t nough affair"
The girl at his side turned her
troubled iace awny hastily.
II wns simple thing surely to put
an end to ali this. The mere men
iion of Howard Candy would do it,
she Was sure, for Uncle Dodson was
not an ogre.
And yet, how could she meet his
possible displeasure and bis certain
diHappointmcnt?
The words dIcd away on her lips,
"A bashful pair Of youngsters you
are, yow!" said MIR. Dndson, with a
laugh. IF Dudley didn't behave the
same way! Oh. well. you'll get over
III"
Annie opened her lips, hesitated,
closed them again, with 8 weakness
and cowar,iice of which che was
painfully conscious. and rose. with
he'll lees tears dropping.
Her recent purchase wae stlll ia her
handF.
II have brought little present
for your birthday, Uucle Dodspn, site
said, choklingly. aud laid it ON lis
knee.
Ii was not until rnthe. late hour
that afternoon that Annie found
courage TO visit Mr. Dodson's room
again,
She had carefully avoided Nh
r. hart
Hobart! 1t whs certainly the
u.-licst name she had ever heerl.
She had taken lunch in her room,
AID she had not been out of il since.
At four o'clock a messenger oey had
brought very small parcel, address
e,l to herseIrin Towards vel known
= ~rsiil5g. which, when she had aJsened