The St. Mary banner., 1901-01-12
VOL. XII

store WIS cEONUtu.
Charmingly-a ladies swarmcd
about the counters: harasScd sales
women pulled down innumerablG
boxes and answered unlimited QueS
tions; and til" little. baskets chased
one another along the wires 70 the
cashiers desk.
At Il further counter, where pretty
toilet articles held sway, Annie Rogers
stood gazing at her own fair image
in n glass hand mirror with Rus.
sia-leathcr back.
Hell be sure to like It," she said.
looking up ut the young man who
stood waiting at her side. "Ill take
it." she added turning to the girl be-
hind the counter and producing her
purse. Its 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.
"He's Il lucky person, with you to
care for him. said Howard Candy.
taking charge of the hand-mirror as
it reapnearcd in its neat wrappings.
you'll let me walk home with your
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 checks 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 glanccs; they were not con-
scious of anything beyond their own
absorbing conversation, a 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?"
"Hc'll give us his consent ana bless
ing, Of course. my dear girl" said
Howard cheerfulIy.
And he gave Mr.. Dodson's birthday
present into her possession, pressed
her hand with n whispered word, and
went down the steps reluctantly.
A large valisc stood in the hall. and
an Unfamiliar hat hung OH the rack.
Annie looked at them sharply. Prob
ably it was some friend of Uncle DCd-
son come to sec him-he was some
thing of an invalid.
But the hat--a smart, spcckled
straw, with a blue hand-had an un-
mistakab!y youthful air. She ran up
the stairs wonderngly
Mr. Dodson was sitting in large
armchair before the window. where
most Oh his time was spent A young
man oftwo and twenty, or whereabouts,
noticeable for nothing unless for the
cheerfulness Of his rather Doyish face,
sat near him.
Mr.. Dodson looked up with wei
coming smile. as Annie entered
"My nephew. Dudley Howard, my
DEAR" he said
Ihe Young man rosc and bowed
rather constraincdly, Annie thought.
Mr. Dodson regarded her anXiously.
"Sit down. he said.
Annie sat down ut his side. feeling
that something unpleasant was COM
ing; and the young man quietly with
drew.
He is my nephcw-my only rela-
uve,' Mr.. Dodson began. lie will
'nncrit my property, my dear"
Wcll!' said Annie. chccrfully. 80
Well Mf. nodSon repeated. stroE-,.
ing her band, ''hc will inherit my
property, hut you must be provided
ior' TOO. There seems to me bat one
way. l have thought Of it much: but !
'ne p:st way seems to mc-that you
should marty. SO have sent for
u'm. said Mr.. Dodson, going on hur-
'leulE "And-we have been talking
Of it. my dear"
Ioor Annie had listened silently.
vas this hearted Uncle Dodson
VINO was saying these dreadful
things:
lltle too business like to snit you.
.p' said Mr.. Dodson. noting her dis
.'ssed fac" Yes, OF course. eN-
pseUa that. Ioun. folks nowadays
ave an idea thai their elders shouldn't
uave word to say about these
.u'nss-not a word! But don't you
.ee' :. my, dGcr."r lie went on. kindly.
!, mat IT'S sll the same thing? Suppose
:, nau got Dudley here without men,
: laon'iis my little plaza? Well. you'd
...,, 80 oeen pretty sure to fall in love
s.. ""n each other Hes as nice fcl-
""as youil find. Annie. and he knows
2. pretty srl whch hehe secs one, l
ine. Wen. then. why should you
w hsr,;, eitllcr Of you. merely be-
s've q little push to q sure
'snoegh alairs'
-ue elf-i at E:s side turned her
sauied face away hastily.
= very simple thing. surely,