Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1886-03-20
A DREAMER OF DREAMS.

Temple Bar.
James Bond had reached the mature
age of forty when the casual smile of a
woman changed the whole tenor of his
existence. He met her in Westbourne
Grove, one autumn afternoon, and though
she smiled not at him, but at an old
crossing sweeper who was thanking her
with excessive volubility for sixpence,
yet her beautiful face was SO charged
with sweetness that there arose within
him new sensation which he could not
define.
Scan this be lover" he asked himself,
gazing earnestly after the graceful figure
disappearing around the corner "Pshaw!
1t is absurd. | don't even know her
name"
He continued his walk more slowly
toward Kensington Gardens, where he
was accustomed to go for his daily con-
stitutional.
"What is love?" he proceeded. Unity
the dovetailing of angels-the meeting
OF extremes; therefore dependent upon
the logical faculties which alone can
classify, separate. and unite. Conse-
guently, without thorough knowledge,
love is impossible. Yet her smile was
sweet At the thought lof that exquisite
vision the dull gray eyes frightened, and
the saIlow, careworn face wore pecu-
iarly soft expression.
Bond rented lodgings-dingy rooms,
Uttered with books and papers, from
which his landlady was forbidden to re-
move the dust. He was seldom there,
however, for he lived in dreams, the con-
struction Of which occupied most of his
time, to the exclusion of more solid
work. Why should he work? He him.
self did not see the need, for the pro-
ceeds of a Fellowship supplied him with
food and books. If his clothes were
shabby it was from want of thought
rather than from want of means A tall,
gaunt, black bearded man, with round
ed shoulders, he went about like scare
crow. most tempting object for the small
boys in the neighborhood to pelt with
jokes and orange peel
Walking homeward through back
street he met number of them just
turned loose from a..boarding school. They
were engaged in tormenting cat held
firmly by string round its neck. At
another time Bond would have gone
swiftly by, anxious only to escape to
peace and quietness, but now it was diff
ferent-why, he could not tell. Some
causes are too subtle for analysis.
"My good children" he said, advanc-
ing nervously, "you shouldn't do that,
you know"
Tney turned and faced him, dubious
group ready to assail or flee, according
as he showed weakness or strength.
"Why do you beat the unfortunate
animal:" be pursued.
Sos it's mine," replied the red headed
young urchin who held the string.
"Highly illogical, my boy"
"Findin's is keepin's you know, guv'
nor. Master wollops me, so [ wollop
my cat"
"Human, no doubt, but not humane "
said Bond with smile. "Will you sell
it,"
They opened their eyes and grinned at
one another. After pause the young
spokesman demanded: ~ say, gov'nor,
what'n yer give?"
''Ten shillings See, here they are.
Is that enough?"
Needless to say the bargain was struck
on the spot. Bond paid the money, put
the cat under his arm, and walked of,
followed by yells of laughter. In bis
threadbare clothes he certainly looked
an ungainly figure at any time, but the
struggle of the sleek and handsome tabby
to free herself from his embrace made
him more than usually remarkable
object.
Snow, why did I buy this creature?"
he asked himself. ''Was hatred of
cruelty the sole motive? No; each act is
the resolution of two or more forces.
Though the comparison may be carried
too far, the cat naturally suggests woman;
she is the old maids companion; why
not the old bachelors as well? 1 am
lonely. There we get to the bottom of
the -selishness under the guise
of benefcence. Not quite the bottom,
however; why more lonely to-day than
yesterday But say; only a fool searches
for first causes. All, yes; her smile was
very sweet"
Though the weather was by no means
cold he had fire lighted in his sitting
room, in order that his new pet should
enjoy the cheerful blaze. Abundantly
provided with milk, the cat soon made
herself quite at home. Her master after
silently contemplating her for few
minutes, let his thoughts wander away
into the realms of fancy.
He had already given name to the
fair unknown. and that name was Eulalie
the prettiest one he could thing OF:
He depicted her in her home, surrounded
s1bv smiling faces-father, mother, sister,
bfother-all uniting to render homage
TO the beautiful Eulalie; and then he saw
her in another home no less happy
himself her yis-a-vis and sole admlrer
! Gomehow or other the cat purring on
sths hsarth-rug at his feet seemed to be
ink between them. 1t was absurd, nc
doubt: he tried to struggle back into
moro rational mood-but all In vain; h'
.oomed TO haze drifted INFO another
snhere in which reason was unknown.
Next morning Bond went out into TIM
~,roya again. He was out or sorts, III
PA himself and wanted a walk badly
And vet he fingered among the shops
looking absently into the windows; ant
nth fnrative anxiety at the passers by
Rnt Of a sudden he turned scarlet, for OF