The St. Mary banner., 1901-01-12
Annie laughed; and they sat down

ltt $ the incest fellow In the wo:rl.
loull think so when you see him.
They had lowered their voices care.
fully, further than that Mr.. Dodson's
iItatnce was ignored.
The ring l gave Genevieve was
something like it." Dud continued,
briskly. Pretty name-Genevieve-
isn't it?"
Every pretty" said Annie.
81 c's a pretty girl. too.' sad D.d,
warmly. 81 just wish you could know
her. She's only i; 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
ly.
"She Is pretty" said Annie, looking
down approvingly at the fair yo,ln,
face III the picture.
II knew you'd think so.' said Dud,
looking gratitied.
Il have Howard's picture in the al
bum down stairs" said Annie. iii
run down and get it."
Sr' trippcd away softly, and ca,.c
hurrying 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
'Well, he has" said Annie with a
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 guilty.
ITO tell the truth said the young
man, candidly, I'd rather be shot,"
"My case exactly" Annie responded.
"Iou see," said Dud, looking anx-
ious, 'he means it all as favor, a
benefit to us; and to 60 and knock all
his plans endways In that style-I'd
just as lief be let out Of it for my
part"'
'Precisely as l feel murmured
Annie. "What shall we dog
Don't ask me-" said bud, 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 q sudden
sense Of his presence.
care 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 n 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-ste gaze
thrown yourself away on that young
upstart. eh:'
Poor Annie could only stare, be-
wildcrcd.
''And you, SIR" Mr.. Dodson went
on, turning to his nephew-"you'vc |
tied yourself to some little chit of 4
not out of bbs yet, sup
pose? A nice pair you are"'
His listeners stood speechless.
"Did you-Overhear u.s." murmured
Dud. at last finding his voice with an
effort
"Not a word, sir-not a wordw said
Mr. Dodson, coolly.
you're a 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.
ph?" said he. You were going to
deceive a poor. helpless. old man:'
mo, no.' said bud, in weak pro-
Lestation.
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
hand d-mirror-Annie's birthday pres
,nt-from its satinlined case, held it
before his eyes. and motioned the two
% look into it.
1t reflected, with wonderful dis
.inctness. the entire rear of the room,
including the chairs in which they
lad sat.
"NNhen I saw you, my dear" said Mr..
Dcdson, looking up with twinkiing
yes into Annie'S astonished face
when l saw you exhibiting a dia-
nond ring which appeared to be d re-
'ent acquisition, and bringing UP the
Ilbum to sbOw-well, let us say old
Ars. Presley's picture-and when I
;aw you, sir. whipping out an alb
J,rd little tin-tyDn and actually talk