The Opelousas courier., 1901-01-12
MIR, D0DSON'S HAND MIRROR.
BY EM1A A. OPPER.

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 q messenger-boy had
brought O very small parcel, ad-
dressed to herself In Hobart's we'll
known writing, which, when she had
opened 1t eagerly, had found to con-
tain a little band of gold, set with q
glittering stone.
It Is q most unnatural proceeding
for a 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
only the symbol of her trouble and
perplexity.
She knew perfectly that her right
course was to put the ring on the
proper finger. go boldly to MI. Dod-
son and explain its position there.
She did, indeed, get as far as put
ting it on, and gazing at it fondly and
admiringly, 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 a 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 q sigh of relief; he was
asleep.
Dudley Hobart was sitting In a back
corner of the room, with a news
paper in his hand, and ais feet dis
posed comfortably, If not gracefully,
on a second chair. He rose hastily as
Annie entered.
"He Is asleep" he remarked, after
a timid pause.
" 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 yer his closely-cropped
head in a troubled way, and finally
offered her q chair.
There seemed to be nothing else to
do, and Annie sat down stifiy.
Mr.. Hobart took the other chair.
IL Annie had glanced at him, she
might have seen that a pleading look
filed his boyish face; but she looked
coldly ove his head at the wallpaper.
There was silence for several mo-
ments.
Then the young man, with a nervous
clutch of his chair-back, and with a
visible effort, began desperately:
HE said he had told you this-his
plan"
Annie was cruelty unresponsive.
"May ! inquire what you think of
1T" said Mr.. Hobart, with a face
grown pale with agonized embarrass-
ment.
AAthiC AOSC SAd1 plys
Words would not express what I
think of itr' she said, flashing an in
dignant glance toward the young man.
1T can't possibly bew
The occupant of the armchair moved
restlessly; he was waking up.
Annie lowered her voice as she weat
on. severely:
II am already engaged. l."
She paused i'm bewilderment. The
face Of her listener had been suddenly
transformed with .unmistakable rel'ee
and joy. He seized her hands warm
~.
Engaged? Well, If we aren't In the
same boat! So am Iv
Annie's severity vanished. Her cold
gaze gave way to a quick smile Of
sympathy.
Are you, Mr.. Hobart?" she cried.
aim so glad"
Don't call me Mr.. Hobart, said the
voung man, impetuously. Gall me
bud. Everybody calls me Dud."
Annie laughed; and they sat down
again, in a friendly way.
4 have only been engaged since this
mmning," said Annie, confdentially.
sec? he Just sent the ring around.
He's. the incest fellow in the world:
iou'n think so when you see him.
They had lowered their voices care.
fully further than that Mr.. Dodson's
PRESENCE was ignored.
The ring l gave Genevieve was
something like it" bud continued,
briskly. Pretty name-Genevieve-
isn't it,"
Every pretty" said Annie.
"s1 e's a pretty girl, too" SAID DID,
warmly. II just wish you could know
Ter. She's only II; but you wouldn't
think 1t. Here. I'll show you her pic
ture."'
He took it out carefully from an in
ner pocket, and held it out triumphant
".
'She is pretty said Annie, looking
down approyingly at the fair young
face iii the picture.
4 knew you'd think 80" said bud.
looking gratifed.
Il have Towards picture In the al
bum down stairs" said Aonie. I'll
run down and get it"
Sfs tripped ,iway softly, and carLc
hlrrying tack 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.