Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1901-01-09
MIR. DODSGE,S HAND-MLRROR.
slade s Co.'S immense dry-goods
BY EMr1A A. OPPER.
lNeNNN,eNeoNNN0N NNeANAAeeee

about the counters; harassed sales.
women pulled down innumerable
boxes and answered unlimited ques-
tons; and the little baskets chased
one another along the wires to the
cashiers desk.
AT ia further counter, where pretty
toilet articles held sway, Annie Rogers
stood gazing at her own fair image
in plpte-glass hand-mirror with Rus
sia-leather' back. ~ - ,-r
SaHe'n be sure to like It." she said,
look ing up at the young man who
stool waiting at her side. "I'll take
it." she added, turning to the girl be-
hint the counter and producing her
pune. "It's his birthday, you know"
she went on, as the hand-glass went
fyfg down wire. 1--WE always
mate birthday presents to each other.
De ir old Uncle Dodson"
HJnele Dodson" he has always been
toher, though she was only an or
pinned relative of his dead wife.
adlpted in her infancy.
He's a lucky. person, with you to
caf for him." said Howard Candy,
ta4ng charge of, the hand..mirror as
1t teappeared in its neat wrappings.
"9u'H let nae walk home with you?"
be went on, as they stepped out into
tho crowded street.
More than one hurrying shopper
nofd them admiringly as they walked
sloFly down the avenue together-the
grfeful girl, in her soft, light dress,
her cheeks grown pink and her eyes
britht in the fresh air, and the tall
yo,hg man, not far behind her in per-
sonal advantages, bending to talk to
her
Bit they were not. aware Of these
approving glances; they were not con-
sci@s of anything beyond their own
absarbing conversation, hint of
whsh may be gathered from their
parting words. For, as they mounted
the broad steps of the big Dodson
houR. Annie was murmuring:
what will Uncle Dodson say?"
''He'll give US his consent" and bless
ing,sof course;:g-my dear GIRL" said
Howard, cheerfully.
Ard 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 1t was some friend of Uncle Dod-
son come to see him-he was some
thing of an invalid.
But, the hat-a smart, speckled
strarawith a blue shand-had an un-
mista ably youthful air. She run up
the ST yirs wonderingly. gly.-----~-----.
Mr.: bodson was sitting in large
arm-cNtir before the window. where
most Of his time was spent. A young
man ottwo and twenty, or rthereabouts,
noticeable for nothing unless for the
cheerfuness Of his rather boyish face,
sat near him.
Mr.. Dodson looked up with well
coming smile; as Annie entered.
"My nephew: Dudley Howard, my
dear be said. p
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-
tive" MrN Dodson began. HE will
inherit my property, my dear"
"Well?" said Annie, cheerfully.
"Well," Ar. 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. I have thought of it much; but
the best wg seems to me-that you
should marry. So I have sent for
him." said Mr.. Dodson, going on hur-
riedIy. "And-we have been talking
of it, my dear"
Poor Annie. had listened silently.
Was this kina-hearted Uncle Dodson
who was saying these dreadful
things?
"a little too oobusiness-like to suit you,
eh?" said Mr.. sDodson, noting her dis
tressed face. ,s"Yes. of course. ex-
pected that Young folks nowadays
have an idea that their elders shouldn't
have a word to say about these
things-not 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 IL love
with each other. He's as nice a fell
low as you'll find, Annie, and he KNOWS
a pretty girl when he sees one, I
imagine. Well, then, why should you
hold back, either of you, merely be-
cause I give little push to g sure
enough AFFAIR.""
The girl at nls SIDE turned her
troubled face away hastily.
It was very simple thing, surely.
TO put an end to all this. The mere
mention of Howard Candy would do
Il. she was sure, for Uncle Dodson
was not an ogre.
And yet, how could she meet his
possible displeasure and his certain
disappointment?
The words died away on her lips.
"a bashful pair Of youngsters you
are. I voww said Mr.. Dodson, with a
laugh. ''If Dudley didn't behave the
same way! Oh, well, you'll get over
it,!
Annie opened her lips, hesitated,
closed them again, with weakness
and cowardice of which she was
,;,fuIIv conscious and rose with