Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1901-01-07


get-up to him." was Dud's masculine
comment
well, he has," said Annie with a
proud smile. "Of course" she went
on, hesitatingly, I'VE must tell Uncle
DodSon%'
''Of course" said Dud rather faint
ly.
Their eyes met; they smiled guiltily.
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 favor. a
benefit to MS: and to go and knock all
his plans endways in that style-Id
just as lief be let out of it for my
partw
Precisely as l 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.
'0f course said bud again.
But that was as far as he went.
A rustling 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.. Dodson's reply was a strange
one. 1t was a 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 humorously-stern gaze
'
upstart, eh?'
Poor Annie could only stare, be-
wildered.
"And you, SIR Mr.. Dodson went
on, turning to his nephew-"you've
tied yourself to some little chit of a
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
Not word, sir-not a wordv" said
Mr.. Dodson, coolly.
You're clairvoyant thenw eja-
culated the young man, half belev-
ing it.
Mr.. Dodson laughed again, in evi-
dent enjoyment of their confusion.
And you We're afraid to tell me.
eh?" said he. you We're going to
deceive a poor, helpless, old MANI"
mo, no" said Dud, in weak pro-
testation.
But Annie's face expressed only
growing wonder.
How did you know, Uncle Dod-
son?' she said, beseechingly.
For answer, Mr.. Dodson took up the
ndmirror-Annie's birthday pres
ent-from it's satinlined case, held it
before his eyes, and motioned the two
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 twinkling
eyes into Annie's astonished face
when l saw you exhibiting dia-
mond ring which appeared to be d re-
cent acquisition, and bringing up the
album to show-well, let us say old
Mrs. Presley's picture-and when 1
saw you, sir, whipping out an ab-
surd little tin-type and actually talk
ing about it as though it were some
thing worth looking at drew my own
conclusion.'
You aren't angry, dear Uncle Dod-
son:' said Annie, timidly, queer mix
ture of relief and apprehension ia her
face.
But l am" said Mr.. Dodson, with
a smile which refuted his words, land
| think ! shall leave my money to
well, say to a 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.
81 suppose | shall divide it equally
between YOU said Mr. Dodson, mus
ingiy. but You don't deserve itr'
Mr. Dodson was among the liveliest
of the gay gathering at Annie's we'd
ding, few months later.
He gave away the bride; he made
stirring speech, and he led quadrille.
But his word of congratulation to
young Mrs. Candy was puzzle to the
bystanders:
L 4TT Ill