The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1885-01-02
A MYSTERIOUS STORY.

When the fever peculiar to Brazil
seiZes upon new conner, said the friend
who told me this story, it deals hardly
with him. So it was with me. / was
Just conscious that Twas not likely to
live, yet not strong enough to think Of
any Of the many preparations ! should
have made II my hours were num-
bered.
had sunk into heavy feverish half
sleep. through which / heard some one
say, HE will 60 off like that" and was
beginning to dream without being en-
tirely unconscious of my surroundings,
when the door of our long, low, white
washed room opened and lady en-
tered.
She was woman with dark eyes,
and golden hair, with bit Of blue
about it somewhere. She carried q
bowl in her hand.
The bowl was of thin transparent
china rarely seen, painted with leaves
and buds of brilliant colors, and here
and there gorgeous sort Of butterfly.
1t was full of water, the purest and
clearest ever saw.
care you thirstyP" she asked. as
simply as a mother might ask her
child.
Eyes, madame" answered, land
the doctor will not let me drink"
but WILL" she said.
She put the bowl to my lips; ere she
withdrew it 1t was empty.
Goodnight and pleasant dreams, ="
she said, and smiled and left me.
I slept then sweetly, dreamlessly, for
knew not how many hours. When ]
awoke the fever was gone, and l rapid
ly recovered strength. One morning /
said:
~ should like to thank that lady, for
she cured me with her petty bowl Of
water"
My companions smiled.
"fhere's been no woman here for
months" one of them said. THAT
was a dream. One of your fever dreams;
quinine did the business for YOU"
1t was hard to convince me, but at
last they proved to me that at least
they had seen no woman; that no ono
lgaye me anything to drink, to their
knowledge; and I began to believe in
|ministering angels. II was as certain
Y to me that I had seen this fair, tall.
dark-eyed lady, with her blue-veined
hands holding that curious china bowl,
as II was certain that had been Ill.
However, many other matters en-
crossed my thoughts. ! ceased at last
10 tall-thn- stony since -ssesi~S
answer was that In a fever one fancies
everything; and ten years from that
time was in Virginia.
had been driving with friend, and
we were riding past fine old mansion,
with beautiful garden. when lady
walked slowly down the path, and
paused to pick rose.
Her figure was tall; her hair golden;
her eyes dark. Her motions were
graceful.
With little exclamation Of astonish-
ment I recognized the lady of my
dream, If dream II were. She looked q
little older--nay, good ten years older
but otherwise was unaltered.
know not In what words ] COM
municated this fact to my friend, but I
know ended by saying:
II must speak to her. She will re-
member"
My friend uttered an imperative neg
alive.
"She would think you mailman, !"
he said. "Come on. You may get
Yourself shot for staring at another
mans wife. They do those things
promptly in the South. / will. find out
who She Is If you like"
| assented eagerly. We rode on.
Talk to me as much as you like, !"
he said, "but never expose yourself to
strangers. 1t Is possible this lady was
In Brazil in 18-.and brought you some
thing to drink when you were left
alone. In that case doubt that
troubles you will be satisfied. You
can, with all propriety, call on her and
thank her"
But. though he spoke in this way, I
knew he did not imagine it could DO so.
That evening we smoked our cigars In
Colonel LIS company. and my friend
automatically introduced the subject.
THAT beautiful house with the large
garden" he said, ''is quite feature of
the place. Who owns itp'
IA lonely woman, widow Of Mr.. W."
said the colonel .'She was belle In
her girlhood. She might still be one II
she chose"
perhaps we saw herin the garden, :"
said my friend, beginning minute de-
scription. ;, :,
Exactly. 1t was no one else" said
the colonel.
MY friend paused moment and
then said:
"Ehe reminds B.. OF some one he met
In Brazil. In fact he almost believed
her the same person.
stNo, no." said the colonel. Mrs.
v. has never left Virginia. We have
known the family ever since she was
two years old. It Is only the other day
that we spoke OF that, and she lament
| ed that she had not travelled more
/ felt pang Of disappointment, but
found courage to say:
81 should greatly like TO DO intro.
! duced to her"