The Delaware ledger. (Newark, Del.) 1879-19??, 1886-06-12

I'LL aNSShN PAASAAooS "N' ANt'A
and she took it up.
81 have brought a present for
your birthday, Uncle Dobson," she
said chokingly, and laid it on his
knees.
1t was not until rather a late
hour that afternoon that Annie
found courage to visit Mr.. Dobson's
room again.
She had carefully avoided Mr..
Hobart.
Mr.. Hobart 1t was certainly
the ugliest name she had ever
heard.
She had taken lunch in her room,
and she had not been out of it since.
At four O'Clock a messenger boy
had brought a very small parcel, ,
addressed to herself in Howard's
well-known writing, which, when
she had opened it eagerly, had
been found to contain a little band
of gold, set with a glittering stone.
She knew perfectly that her right
course was to put the ring on the
proper finger, go boldly to Mr.. Dob
son, and explain its position there.
She started mechanically for Mr..
Dobson's room with the ring ON her
finger.
Mr.. Dobson sat facing the window
as usual. His head was thrown
back and his eyes were CLOSED.
Annie drew sigh of relief he
was asleep.
Dudley Hobart was sitting in a
corner of the room, with a newspa-
per in his hand, and his feet dis
posed comfortably, if not gracefully
on second chair He rose hastily
as Annie entered.
"He is asleep" he remarked po-
litely.
"I had observed it" said Annie.
The two looked confused. He
laid down his paper, and passed his
hand over his closely-cropped head
| in a troubled way, and finally offer
ed her a chair.
There seemed to be nothing elsC
to do, and Annie sat down stifily.
Mr.. Hobart took the other chair.
Then the young man, with
nervous cluch of his chair-back, ant
with a visible effort, began despair
ately:
"He said he had told you his
his plan"
Annie was cruelty unresponsive.
"May l inquire what you think
of ?" said Mr.. Hobart, with a fac,
grown pale with agonized embar
rassment.
Annie rose sharply.
"Words could not express what
think of it'll" she said, flashing al
indignant glance towards the younI
man. "It is absurd and abomina
BILE He is dreadfully mistaken,
she went on more mildly, indicat
ing Mr.. Dobson. at can't possibl.
be |"
The occupant of the armchai
moved restlessly ; he was waking
up.
Annie lowered her voice as sh
went on severely
"I am already engaged. ="
She paused in bewilderment
The face of her listener had beei
suddenly transformed with unmis
taxable relief and joy. He seize,
her hands warmly.
Engaged ? Well, if we arn't il
the same boat So am l !"
care you Mr.. Hobart ?" she crie'
"I'm so glad"
"Don't call me Mr.. Hobart" sale
the young man impetuously. "Cal
me Dud. Everybody calls mt
Dud."
Annie laughed, and they sat dow
again in friendly way.
II have only been engaged sine
this morning" said Annie confden
TALLY.
"See he has sent me a ring"
"The ring I gave Genevieve wa
something like it," Dud replied. {"
just wish you could know her Sh
is only seventeen but you woul
not think it. Here, I'll show yo
her picture"
He took 1T from an inner pocke
and held it out triumphantly.
"She is pretty" said Annie, look
ing approvingly at the picture.
81 knew you would think so"
: have Howard's picture in tn
album downstairs" said Ami,
an run down and get it."
; She tripped away softly, an
came hurrying back brcathless, wit
the plush covered book in her hanC
"He looks as though he ha
something in him." was Dud
: masculine comment.
! | 1 y L,