The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1886-01-14

uxot SiSut u nor ou8oS0WCut kiuBs Oub
that Is what Annie did.
For the pretty shining thing seemed
only the symbol of her trouble ami
pcrplexitv.
Sho knew perfectly that her right
course was to pat the ring on the
proper finger. 60 boldly to Mr. bod
son. and explain its position there.
She did. indeed. get as far as putting
il on, and gazing at II fondly, and adj
miringly, and tearfully. from every
conceivable point of view; but there
her courage failed her.
Dear old Uncle Dodson! How could
she dash his well-meaning hopes to the
ground with cruel word or two? Ho
was so far from strong, besides, sud-
den disaSpointments always did harm
him.
She had dried her eyes as these de-
spairing thoughts came over her, and
started mechanically for Mr.. Dodson's
room.
Dir. Dodson sat facing the window,
rs 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 cor
ner of the room, with a newspaper in
his hand, and his feet disposed COM
fortably, if not gracefully, on second
chair. He rose hastily as Annie en-
tered.
''He is asleep he remarked after a
timid pause.
Il had observed it." said Annie
shortly. not deigning to look at the
speaker.
The young man looked confused.
He had laid down his paper. and
passed his hand over his closely
cropped head in troubled way, and
finally offered her chair.
There seemed to be nothing else TO
do, and Annie sat down stiflly.
Mr.. Hobart took the other chair. Ii
Annie had glanced at him, she might
have seen that pleading look filled
his boyish face; but she looked coldly
over his head at the wallpaper.
There was silence for several mo-
ments.
Then the young man, with ner-
vous clutch of his chair-back, and with
visible effort, began desperately:
He said he had told you his-his
plan"
Annie was cruelty unresponsive.
May l inquire what you think of
it?' said Mr.. Hobart, with face
grown pale with agonised embarrass-
ment.
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. Dod-
son. ut can't possibly be-"
The occupant of the armchair
moved restlessly; he was waking up.
Annie lowered her voice as she went
on severely:
II am already engaged. /"
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 IT,
Annies severity vanished. Her cold
gaze gave way TO a quick smile of SYM
patty.
Are you, Mr.. Hobart?" she cried.
I'm so glad.
Don't call me Mr.. Hobart" said
the young man impetuously. Call
me bud. Everybody calls me bud"
Annie laughed. and they sat down
again in friendly way.
81 have only been engaged since this
morning." said Annie confidentially.
"See-hc has just sent me a ring.
You'll think SO when you see him."
''He ought to be the happiest," said
bud gallantly. taking her hand to cx-
anime the ring.
They had lowered their voices care
fully; further than that. Mr.. Dodson's
presence was ignored.
The ring | gave Gcncyieve was
something like it," bud continued
briskly. Pretty name-Genevieve-
isn't it?"
Very pretty" said Annie
A'Sho's a pretty girl, too" said bud
warmly. II just wish you could know
her! She's only seventeen; but you
wouldn't think it. Here, I'll show you
uSt piCbuic.
He took it out carefully from an in
ner pocket, and held it out triumph
antly.
''She is pretty said Annie, locking
down approvingly at the fair young
face in the picture.
81 knew you'd think so" said bud,
looking gratified.
II have Towards picture in tho
album downstairs. said Annie. "Tll
run down stairs and get it. )"
She tripped away softly, and came
hurrying back breathless. with the
plush-c0yercd book ia her hand.
HE looks as though he had some
thing ia him." was DSd's masculine
comment.
''Well, he has said Annie with a
proud smile. "Of course" she went
on hesitatingly- 1--WE must tell Uncle
Dodson?'
''Of course!" said bud rather family.
Their eyes met; they smiled guilty..
10 tell the truth" said tho young
man candidly, I'D rather be shot!'
MY case exactly" Annie respond
cd.
You see," said bud, looking anx-
ious, 'he means it all as favor, a
benefit to US; and TO go and knock all
his plans endways in that style-Id
just as lief be let ont of it. for my
nart'i