The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1890-11-29

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
Twas to be discharged from the hospital
The last night of my stay in the hospital
arrived, and at very early hour I
sought my couch and was soon fast
| asleep
am not naturally dreamer, but am
very sound sleeper. 1t did not seem
| that l dreamed that night, but suddenly
| | found myself in 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. I was
standing on the old bridge which SPAN
ned winding stream not far from my
boyhood home. Suddenly flash of
lightning showed me Ediena hurrying
along the bridge.
Startled and amazed that she should
be there at such time, was about to
make my presence known, when an
other fash showed q second person on
the bridge. Plainly saw his dark,
Inustached, evilly handsome face, and
plainly l heard Ediena's cry of surprise
and fear as he confronted her midway
on the trestle. Then through the dark
ness foated his triumphant exclama-
ton:
"Ah-ah! Ediena Wyldmere, | have
you now! Twice J ',cye asked you to
be my wife, only to meet with refusal
and scorn. Tonight I swear you shall
consent to marry mo. or you meet your
death in tho waters Of Crooked river!"
Then came another fash Of light that
showed my darling struggling in his
vile clasp. To my ears came cry that
stirred every drop Of blood in my veins:
In an instant | leaped forward and
TORE ner 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 finging
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 plunged 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 I'M
til awoke in the morning to find my
self in the hospital And in the morning
my memory was fully restored to it's
natural condition. | found that l knew
my own name and the names of my
friends. That day left the hospital.
l 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
a swift train, and in the morning / stood
by my darling's bedside. She was just
recovering from 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 me
from Cyril Staythorne's hands,"
What do you mean" I hoarsely
gasped, scarcely able to credit my ears.
Then she described a scene just as
had witnessed and taken part in my
dream. She finally said
II was over to Mabel Gray's, where l
intended to spend the night. when the
thunder storm came up. I don't know
why | did it, but | resolved to return
home, and started out despite the pro-
tests Of both Mabel and her mother. i
met Staythorne ga the bridge. He seized
me in his vile grasp, and called for
help. Then you came and snatched me
from his hands, at the same time hurting
him off the bridge. Icaught one glimpse
of your face as it was revealed by the
lightning, and then / tainted. When l
recovered consciousness it was raining
and was alone on the bridge"
"And Cyril Staythorne?' asked.
"Was found the following day float
ing corpse on Crooked river"
My story ends here. | have already
told you that Ediena is my wife. I can
not explain the mystery of my dream. I
can only write the question that have
asked myself a thousand times:
Was it dream?