The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1886-02-20

Annie was cruelty unresponsive.
"MaY inquire what you think Of itp"
said Mr.. Hobart, with face grown pale
with agonzed embarrassment.
Annie rose sharply.
''Words could not express what l
think of it, she said, flashing an in
dignant glance towards the young man.
at is absurd and abominable! He is
dreadfully Mistaken" she went on
more mildly, indicating Mr.. Dodson.
''It can't possibly ber'
The occupant of the armchair moved
restlessly; he was waking up.
Annie lowered her voice as she went
on severely:
81 am already engaged. L"
She paused in bewilderment. The
face of her listener had been suddenly
transformed with unmistakable relief
and joy. He seized her hands warmly.
"EngagedP Well, If we aren't in the
same boat. So am Ir'
Annie's severity vanished. Her cold
gaze gave way to quick smile of sym
pathy.
care you, Mr.. HobartP" she cried.
"I'm so glad"
Don't call me Mr.. Hobart" said the
Young man impetuously. "Call me
Dud. Everybody calls me Dud."
Annie laughed, and they sat down
again in friendly way.
81 have only been engaged since this
morning." said Annie confidentially.
"Sec--he has just sent me ring. He's
the incest fellow in the world. You'll
think so whom you see him."
"Hc ought to be the happiest," said
Dud gallantly, taking her hand to ex-
anime the ring.
They had lowered their voices care
fully; further than that, Mr.. Dodson's
presence was ignored.
THE ring gave Genevieve was some
thing like it," Dud continued briskly,
"Pretty name-Genevieve-isn't it?"
Every pretty" said Annie.
"She's pretty girl, toop' said Dud
warmly. 81 just wish you could know
her! She's only seventeen; but you
wouldn't think it. Here, I'll show sou
her picture"
He took it out carefully from an inner
pocket, and held it up triumphantly.
"She is pretty" said Annie, looking
approvingly at the fair young face in the
picture.
81 knew you'd think so," said Dud,
looking gratified.
81 have Howard's picture in the al
bum downstairs" said Annie. "I'l
run down and get 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 Duds masculine
comment.
"Well, he has," said Annie with a
proud smile. "Of course" she went on
hesitatingly, 1--WE must tell Uncle Dod-
son?"
"Of courser' said Dud family.
Their eyes met; they smiled guiltily.
"To tell the TRUTH" said the young
man, "Td rather be shotr'
"My case exactly" Annie responded.
"You sec," said Dud, looking anxi-
Gus, she means it all as favor, bene-
fit to us; and to 60 and knock all his
plans eudways in that style-rd just as
lief be let out of it, for my partr'
Precisely as feel" murmured An
ME. "What shall we do?"
"Don't ask me-" said Dud.
An uneasy pause, filled by 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''
armchair reused them to a sudden sense
of his presence.
"Are you awake, Uncle Dodson 2'' saIt
Annie, getting up slowly to 60 to him
Dud following.
"Wide awake, my DEAR" said Mr.
Dodson promptly.
"Does your head acheP" said Annie
bending over his chair and feeling deep
ly hypocriticaL
Mr.. Dodson's reply was a strange one
1t was a short, sarcastic laugh.
His companions exchanged startle,
glances. Could he have overheard
them? No; il was impossible.
: But he turned upon them abruptly.
$50 you've gone and encouraged tina
good-fo-nothing young Candy, have you
. miss?" he began, fixing Annie with
! humorously stern gaze-''thrown your
self away on that young upstart--ehP"
Poor Annie could only stare, bewild
= cred.
"And you. sir" Mr.. Dodsop went on
turning to his uephew-''you've tie
yourself to some little chit OF a school
girl not out of bibs yet, + suppose? !
nice pair you arer
His listeners stood speeehless.
5 "Did yOu.-overhear us?' murmure
Dud, at last finding his voice with a
r effort.
S "Not a word, sir-not wordr' sal
-, Mr. Dodson coolly.
e you're clairvoyant, thenW ejacu
lated the young man, half believing it.
a Mr.. Dodson laughed again, in eviden
enjoyment of their confusion.
= "And you were afraid to tell me, eh?
said he. "You were going TO deceive
e poor helpless old man9"
S "No, nor said bud in weak prote:
a ta'ion.
a But Annie's face expressed only
/ growing wonder