The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1868-02-28
THE1AWrER'S oLp DESK.
CONCLUDED.

that I may interpret it, )" I said, laugh
ingly. dreams always go by con-
traries, you know; terrible dream
will certainly bring the best of good
fortune to the dreamer"
Stella shook her head. 81 wish
that I could think So" she said. 81
know that I am very childish, but
since that dream, my presentiments
of evil have been almost more than
can bear. fear-ohl I fear, Mark
that I shall never see Edward again"
She buried her face in her hands for
one moment, and then raised it again,
covered with tears. "I dreampt that
we were walking together in wood"
she said, speaking in low, tremu-
lous tone-''you and your sister, and
Edward and land that at turning
in the path, we came suddenly to the
bunk of river; willow tree bent
over the water, and close beside it %
little boat was tied. We were laugh
ing and talking merrily, when sud
denly / felt my blood curdling in my
veins, and knew that something
unearthly was at my side. I turned
with shudder, and saw huge
black thing, With wings, holding
long lance in his skeleton hand.
"A good place to make grave, he
whispered. 'Lookl good place to
make a grave He pointed to the
willow tree, and there I saw grave
dug. screamed and turned towards
Edward, but he was not there. I
strove to fly, but the day had sud
denly grown dark, and I could not
find my way, nor see anything but
the gaunt figure at my side, and,
with feeling of despair 1 cannot
even bear to remember, 1 seemed to
swoon away. Oh, Markl I fear that
dream foretold my Edwards doom.
Think of the perils of the ocean and
of the sword! I cannot rest nor
sleep. shall die if he does not cone
soonp
Again she wept, and I soothed her,
telling her that death meant mar
riage, and laughing at her supersti-
ton, yet feeling strange foreboding
at my own heart.
The day passed slowly by, but
brought no sorrow. One bright
morning, a ringing step was heard
upon the pathway, clear, manly
voice sounded through the hall, and
Stella wept with Joy upon her lovers
bosom. He was there, he was safe;
she had no fear now-her dream was
forgotten in the living vision of pre-
sent and future.
A few days more, and I had listen
ed to the words which made my
Stella another's. I had been tho
first to salute her as bride, and
thanked my God that He only read
the anguish OF my soul.
She was to leave us soon, and one
pleasant afternoon we walked out to-
wards the woods for the last time
Stella leantupon her happy husbands
arm, and l followed with nv sister.
1 had fallen into reverie, from
which was aroused by Edward
Warnings voice:
"A boat!" he cried. ga boat!
Now, if we can find the owner, we
may have glorious sail. Whose is
it? do any of you know?"
cit is Mr.. Browns" said my sister,
STOPPING to examine name upon
the post to which it was chained.
"He is friend of ours, and Will
lend US the key with pleasure. Yon-
der is his house, among the trees, /
will go and borrow it for you"
Away sho tripped. and Edward
Waring followed her. "I'll be back in
a moment" he said; "don't run
away with my wife while L am gone,
Mark" And he looked back, laugh
1ngly, as he vanished through the
bushes.
He had scarcely gone, when a low
peal of thunder broke upon our ears.
L looked up at the sky-it was fast
clouding over.
eve are to have a Storm" 1 said.
''The boat will be of no use. | wish
they would come back"
Stella turned as spoke, and her
face grew deadly white. "Markl