Republican news item. [volume] (Laport, Pa.) 1896-19??, 1900-11-22

AelpieSS tears uTOpplIS.
Her recent purchase was still in her
hands.
II have brought little present for
your birthday, Uncle Dodson," she
said, chokingly, and she laid it on his
knees.
1t was not until rather late hour
that afternoon that Annie found cour-
age to visit Mr.. Dodson's room again.
She had carefully avoided Mr.. Ho-
bart.
Hobart! 1t was certainly the ugli-
est name she had ever heard.
She had taken lunch in her room,
and she had not been out of it since.
At 4 o'clock messenger-boy had
brought very small parcel, adj
dressed to herself in Hobarts we'll
known writing which, when she had
opened it eagerly, had found to con-
glittering stone.
1t is mos unnatural proceeding
for young lady to burst into tears
at the first sight of her engagement
ring; but that is what Annie did.
For the pretty, shining thing seemed
perplexity.
She knew perfectly that her right
course was to put the ring on the
proper finger, go boldly to Mr.. Dod-
son and explain it's position there.
She did, indeed, get rs far as put
ting it on, and gazing at it fondly and
admiringly. and tearfulIy. 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?
He was so far from strong, besides.
Sudden disappointments always did
him harm.
She dried her eyes, as these de-
spairing thoughts came over her, and
started for Mr.. 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 back
Corner of the room, with news
paper in his hand, and his feet dis
posed comfortably, if not gracefully,
on a second chair. He rose hastily as
Annie entered.
''He is asleep" he remarked, after
d timid pause.
Il had observed it." said Annie,
shortly, not deigning to look at the
speaker.
The young man looked confused. He
laid down his newspaper, 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 stifiiy.
Mr.. Hobart took the other chair.
if Annie had glanced at him. she
might have seen that II pleading look
filed 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 nervous
clutch of his chair-back, and with
visible effort, began desperately:
HE said he had told you this-his
PLAN
Annie was cruelty unresponsive.
May l inquire what you think Of
itE' said Mr.. Hobart, with Il face
grown pale with agonized embarrass-
ment.
Annie rose sharply.
Words would not express what l
think of it," she said. flashing an in
dgnant glance toward the young man.
1T can't possibly be-
The occupant of the armchair moved
restlessly; he was waking up.
Annie lowered her voice as she weat
on. severely:
Il am already engaged. I"
She paused In bewilderment. The
face of her listener had been suddenly
transformed with unmistakablc relie-
and JOY. He seized her hands warm
ly,
Engaged? Wen. If we aren't in the
s-me boat! So am IT,
Annies severity vanished. Her cold
caZe gave way To Il quick smile of
sympathy.
Are YOU. Mr.. Hobart?" she cried.
81 m So glad,'
Don't call me Mr.. Hobart, said the
.oung man. impetuously. Call me
bud. Everybody calls me Drd.'
Annie laughed: and they sat down
agan, in ii friendly way.
| have only been engaged since this
moinng." said Annie. conlldentialiy
"'irci ne .ust sent the ring around
Hes the incest fellow In the wogi.l.
oull think ~ when you see him.
They had lowered their voices care
FULL, further than that Mr.. Dodson's ;
.isstnce was ignored
'ihc ring ! gave Geneyleve was
something like IT," Dud continued.
brlskly. 'i'retty name-Genevieye-
ISN'T ~"
"very pretty" sald Annie.
~ c's u pretty PIrl. too" sad I'D.