Semi-weekly interior journal. [volume] (Stanford, Ky.) 1881-1905, 1890-12-16

way improving mentally. Try as
might | could not recall names. Ire
mcmbered my home, Ediena, Cyril Stay
thorne. everything; but | could not
speak the name of single place or per-
son. although scores of times | seemed
on the point OF doing so.
Finally, had so far recovered that ]
was informed that on the following day
| WAS to be discharged from the hospital
The last night of my stay in the hospital
arrived, and at a very early hour
sought my couch and was soon fast
asleep.
am not naturally dreamer, but am
a very sound sleeper. II did not seem
that dreamed that night, but suddenly
found myself in a familiar spot. 1t
was night and thunderstorm was rap
idly coming on. The black heavens were
scanned with fire, and deep thunder
roared like an enraged monster. was
standing on the old bridge which span
ned a winding stream not far from my
boyhood home. Suddenly flash Of
lightning showed me Ediena hurrying
along the bridge.
be there at such time, was about to
make my presence known, when an
other flash showed second person ON
the bridge. Plainly | saw his dark,
mustached, evilly handsome face. and
plainly heard Ediena's cry of surprise
and fear as he confronted her midway
| on the trestle. Then through the dark
ness Hoated his triumphant exclama-
! ton:
"Ah-ah! Ediena Wyldmere, I have
/ you now! Twice | have asked you 70
be my wife. only 20 meet with refusal
/ and scurn. Tonight | swear you shall
| consent to marry Inc, or you meet your
I death in the waters Of Crooked river!"
/ Then came another fash of light that
showed my darling struggling in his
/ vile clasp. To my ears came "A cry that
stirred every drop of blood in my veins:
In an instant leaped forward and
tore her from his arms; at the same time
dealt him terrific blow that sent him
reeling against the railing of the bridge.
The rotten guard gave way. and flinging
up his arms, with the look of unuttera-
BILE horror ON his face plainly revealed
by the vivid glare, he uttered one wild
cry and plugged downward into the
dark water Ediena uttered one joyful
cry:
Jasper! Jasper"
Then she sank unconscious at my feet.
From that moment | knew no more un-
til | awoke IN the morning 10 find my
self in the hospital. And in the morning
my memory was fully restored TO its
natural condition. | found that knew
my own name and the names of my
friends. That day left the hospital
remained in the city "A week. and
during the entire time my strange
dream-if dream it was-worried me
constantly. Was Ediena in trouble,
Did she need my protection?
As "a final result, one night | boarded
swift train, and in the morning | stood
by my darling's bedside. She was just
recovering from a brief but severe i'll
ness As she chung to my hand and
shed tears Of joy she sobbed reproach
fully:
"Oh, Jasper. Why did you leave me
there on that bridge after rescuing IN,
] tTtIl NIli NtdI lnuiucS ililuSs
What do you mean" l hoarsely
gasped. scarcely able to credit my ears.
Then she described scene just as
had witnessed and taken part in my
dream. She finally said
Il was over 10 Mabel Gray's, where
intended 10 spend the night. when tn,
thunder storm came up. l don't know
whyI did it, but | resolved to return
home. and started out despite the pro
tests Of both Mabel and her mother.
met Staythorne on the bridge. He seizeC
me in his vile grasp, and | called 70
help. Then you came and snatched M
from his hands, at the same time hurting
him of the bridge Icaught one glimps'
Of your face as it was revealed by tn
lightning, and then tainted. When
recovered consciousness it was raining
and was alone on the bridge"
And Cyril Staythorue| asked.
WAS found the following day float
ing a corpse on Crooked river"
Ny story ends here. | have alread.
told you that Ediena is my wife. | can
not explain the mystery of my dream.
can only wrlte the question that l hav
asked myself a thousand times:
: Was it a decentralization 7. Pattel
in Yankee Blade.