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

hurrymg Lack breathless, with the
plush covered book in her hand
"He looks as though he had some
get-up to him." was Dud's masculine
comment.
We'll, he has," said Annie with
proud smile. 'Of course" she went
on. hesitatingly, 1--WE must tell Uncle
Dodson?"
"Of course!' said Dud, rather faint
ly.
Their eyes met; they smiled guilt!ly.
''To tell the truth said the young
man. candidly, I'D rather be shot"
my case exactly" Annie responded.
You see," said Dud, looking anx-
ious, ''he means it all as a favor, a
benefit to us; and to go and knock all
his plans endways in that style-Td
just, as lief be let out of it for my
partv'
Precisely as 1 feel murmured
Annie. "What shall we do?"
Don't ask me-" said Dud, entreat-
ingly.
An uneasy pause ensued. 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 he went.
A rustlng sound from Mr.. Dodson's
armchair reused them to sudden
sense of his presence.
Are you awake, Uncle Dodson?"
said Annie, getting up slowly to go to
him, Dud following.
"Wide awake, my dear" said Mr..
Dodson, promptly.
Does your head ache?' said Annie,
bending over his chair and feeling
deeply hypocritical.
Mr.. Dodsons reply was strange
one. 1t was u short, rather sarcastic.
laugh.
Annie and Dud exchanged startled
glances. Could he have overheard
them? No; it was impossible.
But he turned upon them abruptly.
80 you've gone and encouraged
that good-for-nothing young Candy,
have you. miss?" he began, fixing
Annie with humorouslyster gaze
thrown yourself away on that young
upstart. eh?'
Poor Annie could only stare, be-
wildered.
"And you, SIR" Mr.. Dodson went
on, turning to his nephew-"you're
tied yourself to some little chit of q
schoolgirl not out of bibs yet, ] sup
pose? A nice pair you are!'
His listeners stood speechless.
Did you-overhear us?" murmured
Dud. at last finding his voice with an
effort.
Mr.. Dodson, coolly.
You're clairvoyant. then" eja-
culated the young man, half believ.
ing it.
Mr.. Dodson laughed again. in evi-
dent enjoyment of their confusion.
And you were afraid to tell me.
eh?" said he. "You Were going TO
deceive a poor. helpless, old man.
NO. nor said Dad, in weak pro-
teStation.
But Annie's face expressed only a
growing wonder.
How did you know, Uncle Dol
SOM" she said. beseechingly.
For answer, Mr.. Dodson took up the
d-mirror-Annies birthday pres.
ent-from its satinlined case, held il
hnf iS I., txx..,
to look into it.
1t reflected. with wonderful dis.
tinctness. the entire rear of the room.
including the chairs in which they
had sat.
when saw you. my dear" said Mr.
Dodson, looking up with twinkl!ng
eyes into Annie's astonished face
when l saw you exhibiting a du.
mond ring which appeared to be re.
cent acquisition, and bringing UP the
album to show-well. let us say old
Mrs. Presley's p.cture-and when
saw you. sir, whipping out an ab-
surd little tin type and actually talk.
ing about it as though it We're. some
III
conclusion"
You aren't angry. dear Uncle Dod-
son:" said Annie timidly. a queer mix
ture of relief and apprehension Ia her
face
But l am" said Mr.. Dodson. with
smile which refuted his words. "and
think | shall leave my money to-
well, say To Il Home for Destitute
Dogs. Neither of you deserves it,
But neither of us want it, said
Annie, tenderly. you'll enjoy it your.
self for long time yet"
Dud echoed her words
II suppose | shall divide 1t equally
between YOU" said Mr. Dodson. mus
ingly, "but You don't deserve IT,"
Mr.. Dodson was among the ilvellest
of the gay gathering at Annle's we'd
ding, a few months later.
lie gave away the bride; he made a
stirring speech. and he led quadrille.
But his word of congratulaton to