The Opelousas courier., 1886-07-03

GOuISc was 10 put LAS Ing EPS
finger, go boldly to Mr.. Dodson ana ex-
plain its position there.
She did, indeed, get as far as putting
it on, and gazing at it fondly and adj
miringly, and tearfully, from every con-
teivable point of view; but there her
courage failed her.
Dear old Uncle Dodson! how could
she dash his welI-meaning hopes to the
ground with a cruel word or tTo2 He
was so far from strong, besides. Sud
den disappointments always did him
harm.
She had dried her eyes, as these
despairing thoughts came over her, and
started mechanically for MIR. Dodson'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 back
corner of the room, with a newspaper in
his hand, and his feet disposed comfort
ably, if mot gracefully, on a second chair.
He rose hastily as Annie entered.
ssHe is asleep" he remarked, after a
timid pause.
81 had observed it," said Annie,
shortly, not deigning to look at the
speaker.
The young man looked confused. He
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 stifiy.
Mr.. Hobart took the other chair. If
Annie had glanced at him, she might
have seen that a pleading look filed his
boyish face; but she looked coldly over
his head at the wall paper.
There was silence for several moments.
Then the young man, with a nervous
clutch of his chair-back, and with a visi-
BILE effort, began, desperately:
"He said he had told you his-his
plan"
Anne was cruelty u~nresponsive.
"May / inquire what you think of it2'
said MIR. Hobart, with a face grown pale
with agonized embarrassment.
Annie rose sharply.
Words could not express what | think
of It'll" she said, flashing an indignant
glance toward the young a ut is
absurd and abominable. He is dread
fully mistaken" she went on, more
mildly, indicating Mr.. Dodson. ut
can't possibly be!n
The occupant of the armchair moved
restlessly; he was waking up.
Annie lowered her voice as she went
on, severely:
IT am already engaged. II
She pau ed in bewilderment. The face
of her listener had been suddenly trans
formed with unmistakable relief and JOY.
He seized her hands warmly
Engaged? Well, if we aren't in the
same boat! So am I!n
Armies severity vanished. Her cold
gaze gave way to a quick smile of sym
pathy.
care you, Mr.. Hobart2n she cried.
I'm SO gladi'
Don't call me Mr.. Hobart!" said the
young man, i~mpetuously. "Call me
bud. Everybody calls me Dud."
Annie laughed; and then they sat
down again, in a friendly way.
II have only been engaged since this
morning." said Annie, c~onfidentialIy.
sssee; he's Just sent the ring around. He's
the incest fellow in the worldl You'll
think SO when you see him.
9sHe ought to lie the happiest," said
Dud, CALAMITY, taking her hand to ex-
anime the ring.
They had lowered their voices care
fully: further than that, MIR. Dodson's
presence was ignored.
THE ring I gave Geneyieve was some
thing like it, Dud continued, briskly.
t.Pretty name-Genevieve-isn,t it21
VERY prettyl' said Annie.
.4she's a pretty girl, tool" said Dud,
warmly. Il 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 inner
pocket, and held it out triumphantly.
ssShe is pretty said Annie, looking
down approvingly at the fair young face
in the picture.
II knew you'd think So" said Dud,
gratiied.
Il have Howlrd's picture in the album
down stairs, sud Annie. I'LL run down
aad get it,
she tripped away softly, and came hur-
rying back breathless. with the plush
book Id her hand.
sHe looks as though he had some
get-up to him. was buds masculine
aWeli, he has, said Annie, with q
proud smile. a0f course, 2 she went on,
he~sitatingly, we must tell Uncle bod
tsOf coursero said bud, rather family.
Their eyes met; they smiled guiltily.
ITO fell the truth said the young
man, eandidly, I'D rather be shoti!n
my case exactly Annie responded.
ssYou see, ! said Dud, looking anxious,
The means it all as q favor, a benefit to
as; and to 90 and knock all his plans
endways in that style-Pd just as lief be
let out of it for my part!0
HPreeisely as 7 feel, Z murmurad Annie.
ssWhat shall we do2n
aDont ask me, said Dud. e%ntreat-
An uneasy pause, filed by a helpless
contemplation Of each other with
Wrinkled brows.
asOf coarse, I we must tell him = Annie
repeated, irresolutely.
ssOf course said bud, again.
But that was as far ais it went.
A rushing sound from Mr.. Dodson's
armchair reused them to d sudden sense
Of his presence.
fare ou awake, Uncle Dodson2n said
getting ur, slowly to 90 60 him,