Connecticut western news., 1878-08-15
The Vision of Love.

Alice and had been spending some months with our grandmother, and were to leave in few days for our home in Philadelphia. Our own mother was dead; and the warm-hearted, though rather gay and fashionable step-mother who had taken her place, did not come so near to our hearts as did the gentle old lady at the farm. A part of every year we spent with the latter, always leaving her with regret. I should men tion that my step-mother had son, the fruit of former marriage, who had been absent several years in India, and at this time had just returned As we had no brother of our own, Frank Baldwin, who was few years older than I, had filled nearly brothers place to Alice and mysef. He was now to be our escort home, as our father was prevented by some business from coming for us him. self.
 had been on visit to some friends, and returning, had reached the spot where, hours before, I had left my sis- ter, when was startled by perceiving what seemed in the uncertain starlight to be her figure reclining on the grass under the thorn-trees. InvoluntariIy I paused, half in doubt, half in fear. With sudden thrill called her name, but in @ low, frightened voice. There was no answer and springing forward, knelt beside the figure of my sister, lying fast asleep upon the grass. Her flushed cheek rested on her white arm, and smile like that of dreaming infancy parted her beautiful lips. Lifting her long hair, on which the night dew glis- tened, I took her hand, exclaiming, "Alice Alice Vane !! what are you thinking. of, asleep in this damp night air ?"
 Slowly she opened her large eyes and gazed around with bewildered ex- pression.
 "Dear Alice, do rouse yourself,'' I cried. (" It is past ten o'clock, and grandma will be crazy"
 She obeyed the movement of my hand, sat up, and allowed me to wrap my shawl about her. I gathered up her scattered drawing materials, and again begged her to rouse herself and go home.
 Yes, we will go, she said; 'sbut I have been dreaming so long, can scarcely find the boundary line between my dreams and reality.''
 What were you dreaming of ?'
 ooh, so many things I must have been sleeping long time, for the last I can remember the sun was setting, and I thought you would soon be here. I was awake then, am sure of it. All at once there came from far up the glen a faint sweet strain of music. Then I distinguished voices singing, and pres ently l was surrounded by crowd of people thronging all about me. Their garments brushed me, and their fingers touched my hair, but they never seemed to see me. Suddenly they vanished, one beautiful lady alone remaining. She stood just there, behind that long branch. She was all in green, and l could scarcely distinguish her from the trees She spoke to me with charm ing smile, and then lifting her white hand, waved it slowly through the air. I looked, and papa stood beside me. ] could not move or speak, but his dea1 eyes looked into mine for a moment then the figure slowly faded. As gazed, other figures came by, brighten ing and fading before my eyes. I saw yourself and Frank, mamma just as she used to look, and many more, all familiar faces, all persons who have had some part or influence in my ife Last of al came one l did not know. I turned tt ask the lady who he was. She made nc answer, but smiled and held up ring I thought knew him for my fut,1r, husband, and turned to look at hin again. As did so, thought he ben over and kissed me on my lips !; thel slowly faded as the otkers had done The next remember, you were callinl me. Now don't laugh, Charlotte" !" sh added, catching the expression of m face.
 Indeed, love, I shouldn't think C such thing. I am too deeply i'm pressed by your doubtless prophet vIsion.''
 Alice was up early next morning, nc whit the worse for her greenwood nar and very busy with her drawing. l sur posed she was finishing the thorn-tre sketch but happening to look over he shoulder when she had been at work fc an hour, I saw t was portrait on whic