The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1877-01-20
gelert StOrg,
DREAM-LOVE.
A MOST SINGULAR NARRATIVE.
BY II. sAVILLE CLARKE.
CHAPTER 1.

On the night of the fifth Of September,
exactly ten years ago, had dream
which changed the current of my life.
And yet, as will be seen, it was not very
striking one-indeed it might be called in
a measure common place; but nevertheless
il stamped itself upon my memory in the
strangest fashion, and face | saw ia it
has, from that time to this, been the one
star Of my life.
saw smooth sea Of deep blue, with
white cliffs in the far distance, and winter
gulls winging their way above it, trail of
smoke from passing steamer in the sky,
and boats and cordage on the beach where
the fishermen piled their business. And
] walked by that dreamland sea in com
pany with woman, whose face, seen with
unusual distinctness--much palmer than
any other face had seen in a dream
1lled me with unutterable longing and
aove, such as | had never felt before. No
need, you may say to attach much impor-
sanoe to this, Many men have been
smitten, as the phrase is, with faces seen
% dreams, bat they have passed away and
been forgotteu-fair visions through the
gate of ivory which fade before the light
Of morning.
This dream-face did not pass away. |
found myself remembering its lineaments
and pondering over them; and as natural
consequence | dreamed of it again aud
again. Days, and even weeks, would pass
sometimes; but it was sure to recur to me
sooner or later, and the infatuation and
ioye for it grew upon me to such an extent
that | became pale and worn, and my
friends were anxious about my health.
The ofteher | saw it, with its sweet state
iines, soft cluster of hair, and eyes that
thrilled me through and through, the more
tfantic | became with hopeless and con-
suming love had told no one-I was
ashamed to tell any one-and while tried
70 reason with myself against what was be-
coming a species Of mania, and at times
had thoroughly convinced myself of my
Insane folly, the dream would come again,
and | was more madly IL love than ever.
l have said my friends became anxious.
l was an only sou, and therefore consider
ably over.estimated by my parents, espec-
ially by my mother, My father, wealthy
ccntractor, was very anxious | should
spend plenty Of money in good society,
and expected that one day l should make
. marriage which would increase the glory
Of the family. Noticing that / was emo.
ping, as he called'it, he advised me to 90
abroad and amuse myself But although
very fond Of the Continent, | had strange
disinclination to go there, and persisted in
remaining at home. And | nursed my
foolish fancy so wildly just at the time that
fell into strange nervous condition,
causing me to feel mentally as If was 10 a
clairvoyant state, making me at the same
time really physically i'll.
My mother noticed it, and being in
london, insisted that | should 60 and see
. famous physician. knew he had moth
aug in his pharmacopea that would suit
my malady; but thinking should only be
eonnded aud looked ut in the ordinary
way, and receive prescription for harm.
less tonic, and also wishing to alay ma
teFnal apprehensions, went to Dr..
II is his own desire that suppress his
name.
Now, as you may imagine, | had not the
slightest intention of making con6dant
ofthe doctor. Itneyer entered my thoughts
that could tell any one about my dream;
but went to a man Of rare psychological
kaowledge, and with this result | was
ushered into the doctors room, aud, in re-
ply to his first question as to my ailment,
leaid had felt little nervous, and so
iofth, but that should not have come to
nm except at my mothers earnest request.
iie nodded, and then made careful ex-
animation of me, sounded me, and then
sAid
Sound in wind and limb Have you
told me everything?"
Yes" said. at is just as thought;
here Is nothing the matter with me.