Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1886-05-29
THEIR UNCLE'S PLAN.

pulled down innumerable boxes and
answered unlimited questions; and the
little baskets chased one another a,ong
the wires to the cashiers desk.
At further counter, where pretty
toilet articles he'd sway, ANNE Rogers
stood gazing at her own fair image in
plate ga s hand-mirror with Russia
leather back.
Hell b. sure to like it," she said,
looking up at the young man who stood
waiting at her side. II II take it." she
,ded, turning TO the gill behind tie
soanter and product g her purse, "It's
his birthday, You know" she went on,
as the han l ass wen; flying down
wire. owe Away make birthday pres
euts to ca; h other. Dear old Uncle
Dodsonm
''Un lie Iod on he had always been
to her, though she was only an orphaned
le'aivc of Lis dead wife, adopted in her
Infancy.
'.He's a lycky person, with you to care
fer him." sal Howard Candy. taking
charge of the hand mirror as it reappeared
in its neat wraprirgs. You'll let me
walk home with you" he went on, as
they stepped out INTO the crowded street
More than enc Eurrying shopper noted
them admiringly as they walked slowly
down the avenue togcther-thc graceful
girl, in her soft, light dress, her checks
grown pink and her eyes bright in the
fresh air, and the tall young man, not far
behind h in re sonal advantages, bend
ing to talk to her.
But they were not aware of these APP
proving glances they were not conscious,
In fact, of anything beyond their own
absorbing conversation, hint of which
may be gathered from their parting
words. For, as they mounted the broad
steps of the big Dodson house, Annie
was murmuring:
"What will Uncle Dodson say2"
"He'll give US consent and blessing, of
course, my dear girl" said Howard,
cheerfully.
And he gave Mr.. Dodson's birthday
present int her possession, pressed her
hand with whispered word, and went
down the steps reluctantly.
A large valise stood in the hall, and an
unfamiliar hat hung on the rack.
Annie looked at them sharply. Proba-
bly, it was some friend of Uncle bod
sons come to see hm-he was something
of an invalid.
But the hat-a smart, speckled straw,
with blue band-had an Enthusiastically
youthful air. She ran up the stairs Won
deringly.
Mr.. Dodson was sitting in the large
arm chair before the window, where most
of his time was spent. A young man of
and-twenty, or Whereabouts, notice
able for nothing unless for the cheerful
ness of his rather boyish face, sat near
him.
Mr.. Dodson looked up with a welcom-
ing smile as Annie entered.
"My nephew, Dudley Hobart, my
DEAR" he said.
The young man rose and bowed
rather constrainedly, Annie thought.
Mr.. Dodson regarded her anxiously.
est down." he said.
Annie sat down at his side, feeling that
something unpleasant was coming; and
the young man quietly withdrew.
''He is my nephew-my only relative"
Mr.. Dodson began. "He will inherit nv
property. my dear"
"Well?" said Annie, cheerfully.
"Well," Mr.. Dodson repeated, strok-
ing her hand, che will inherit my prop
erty; but you must be provided for, too.
There seems to me but one way. have
thought of it much; but the best
way seems to be-that you should marry.
So have sent for him, said Mr. Dodson,
going on hurriedly. "And-we have
been talking Of it, my dear"
Poor Annie had listened 81 emily. Was
this kind hearted Uncle Dodson who
was saying these dreadful things
"A little too busincss-like to suit you,
eh 2" said Mr.. Dodson, noting her dis
tressed face. "Yes, of course. l ex-
pected that. Young folks nowadays
have an idea that their elders shoaldu't
have word to say about these things
not word! But don't you see, my
DEAR" he went on, kindly, THAT it's al
the same thingG Suppose 1 he'd got
Dudley here without mentioning my little
plano Well, you'd have been pretty sure
to fall in love with each other. He's as
nice fellow as you'll find, Annie, and
he knows pretty girl when he sees one,
imagine. Well then, why should you
hold back, either of yon, merely because
give little push to sure-enough
affair 2"
The girl at his side turned her troubled
face away hastily.
1t was very simple thing surely to
put an end to all this. The mere men
tion of Howard Candy would do it, she
was sure, for Uncle Dodson was not an
ogre.
And yet, how could she meet his pos
fib,e dspleasure and his certain disap-
pointment?
The words died away on her lips.
"a rashful pair of youngsters you
arc, I vowW said Mr.. Dodson, with a
laugh. "If Dudley didn't behave the
same way! Oh, well, you'll get over it,"
Annie opened her lips, hcsitated, clio ed
them again, with weakness and cow
ardice of which she WIS painfully con-
scious, and rose, with helpless tens
d Topping.
Her re, cnt purchase was still in her
hands.
~ have brought little present for
your b birthday, Uncle Dodson," she said,
chokingly, and laid it ON his knees.
1t was not until rather late hour that
afternoon that Annie found courage to
visit Mr.. Dodson's room again.
She had carafnlly avoided Mr.. Hobart.
At four C ock messenger boy had
brought very small parcel, addressed
to herself in Towards wel-known writ
ing, which, when size had opened it
eagerly. lad been foand to conta n lit
tie band of gold, set with gitt ring
stone.