Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1901-01-07
'lade & Cos immense dry goods

about the counters; haraSsed sales
women pulled down innumerable
boxes and answered unlimited ques-
tions; and the little baskets chased
one another along the wires to the
cashiers desk.
At further counter, where pretty
toilet articles held sway, Annie Rogers
stood gazing at her own fair image
in plate glass hand-mirror with Rus
! sia-leathpr back.
He'll be sure to like it," she said,
looking up at the young man who
stood waiting at her side. "I'll take
! it," she added, turning to thG girl be-
hind the counter and producing her
purse. It's his birthday, you know"
she went on, as the hand glass went
flying down wire. I'VE always
make birthday presents to each other.
Dear old Uncle Dodson"
"Uncle Dodson'' he has always been
to her, though she was only an Or
phaned relative of his dead wife,
adopted in her infancy.
Hes a lucky person, with you to
care for him." said Howard Candy,
: taking charge of the hand-mirror as
1t reappeared in its neat wrappngs.
you'll let me walk home with you?"
he went on, as they stepped out into
| the crowded street.
More than one hurrying shopper
noted them admiringly as they walked
slowly down the avenue together-the
graceful girl, in her soft, light dress,
her cheeks grown pink and her eyes
| bright in the fresh air, and the tall
young man, not far behind her in per-
sonal advantages, bending to talk to
her.
But they were not aware of these
approving glances; they were not con-
scious of anything beyond their own
absorbing conversation, hint of
which may be gathered from their
parting words. For as they mounted
the broad steps of the big Dodson
house, Annie was murmuring:
what will Uncle Dodson say"
He'll give us his consent and bless
ing, of course, my dear girl said
Howard, cheerfully.
And he gave Mr. Dodson's birthday
present into her possession, pressed
her hand with whispered word and
went down the steps reluctantly.
A large valise stood in the hall, and
an unfamiliar hat hung on the rack.
Annie looked at them sharply. Prob
ably it was some friend of Uncle Dod-
son come to see him-he was some
thing of an invalid.
But the hat-a smart. speckled
straw, with blue hand-had an un-
mistakably youthful air. She ran up
the stairs wonderingly
Mr. Dodson was sitting in a large
armchair before the window, where
most of his time was spent. A young
man of two and twenty, or thereabouts,
noticeable for nothing unless for the
cheerfulness of his rather boyish face,
sat near him.
Mr. Dodson looked up with a vel
coming smile, rs Annie entered.
"My nephew, Dudley Howard, my
dear" he said
The young man rose and bowed
rather constrainedly, Annie thought.
Mr. Dodson regarded her anXiously.
"Sit down." he said.
Annie sat down at his side, feeling
that something unpleasant was com
ing; and the young man quietly with
drew.
HE is my nephew-my only rela
fiNrn - fp no1cpn Tt4;II
inherit my property, my dear"
"Well?" said Annie, cheerfully.
"Well," Mr.. Dodson repeated, strok-
ing her hand, "he will inherit my
property, but you must be provided
for, too. There seems to me but one
way. 1 have thought of it much but
the best way seems to me-that you
should marry. SO l have sent for
him." said Mr.. Dodson, going on hur-
riedly. "And-we have been talking
of it, my dear"
Poor Annie had listened silently.
Was this kind-hearted Uncle Dodson
who was saying these dreadful
things?
"a little too busness-like to suit you,
: eh?' said Mr.. Dodson, noting her dis
j tressed face. Eyes, of course. | ex-
} pected that, Young folks nowadays
have an idea that their elders shouldn't
have word to say about these
things-not a word! But don't you
see, my dear" he went on, kindly
"that it's all the same thing? Suppose
] had got Dudley here without men
tioning my little plan? Well, you'd
have been pretty sure to fall in love
with each other He's as nice d fell
low as you'll find, Annie, and he knows
a pretty girl when he sees one,
imagine. Well, then, why should you
hold back, either of you. merely be-
cause | give little push to a sure
enough affair.""
The girl at his side turned her
troubled face away hastily
1t was Il very simple thing, surely,