The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1890-11-29
n, Carbon County. Penns., November 90. 1890.

growing better physically, but in no
way improving mentally Try as
might l could not recall names. re-
membered my home, Ediena, Cyril Stay
thorne, everything; but could not
speak the name Of single place or per
son, although scores of times I 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 very early hour /
sought my couch aud was soou fast
asleep.
am not naturally y dreamer, but am
a very sound sleeper. 1t did not seem
that dreamed that night, but suddenly
found myself in familiar spot It
was night. aud 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 fash 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 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-
tion:
''Ah-ah Ediena Wyldmere, l have
you now! Twice l have asked you Ia
be my wife, only to meet with refusal
and scorn. Tonight | swear you shall
consent to marry me, or you meet your
death in the waters of Crooked riverl"
Then came another flash 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 l leaped forward and
tore her from his arms; at the same time
l dealt him terrific blow that sent him
reeling against the railing of the bridge
The rottenguard gave way, and fiinging
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:
"Jasperl Jasperl"
Then she sank unconscious at my feet
From that moment l knew no more un.
til awoke in the morning TO find my
self in the hospital. And in the morning
my memory was fully restored to itS
natural condition l found that knew
my own name and the names of my
friends. That day left the hospital
remained in the city week, and
| during the entire time my strange
dream-if dream it was-worried me
constantly. Was Ediena in trouble
Did she need my protectioni
AS final result, one night l boarded
swift train, and in the morning stood
by my darEng's bedside She was just
recovering from a brief but severe i'll
ness, As she clung to my hand and
shed tears Of JOY she sobbed reproach
fully:
"Oh, Jasperl Why did you leave mt
there on that bridge after rescuing IN,
from Cyril Staythorne's hands,"
What do you mean I 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
II was over to Mabel Glay's, where
intended to spend the night. when tn,
thunder storm came mp. 1 don't know
why did it, but l resolved to return
home, and l started out despite the pro
tests of both Mabel and her mother
met Staythorne on the bridge. He seizeI
me in his vile grasp and | called TO
help. Then you came aud snatched ms
from his hands, at the Same time hurhnl
him off the bridge. Icaught one glimps
Of your face as it was revealed by tn
lightning, and then tainted. When
recovered consciousness it was raininl
and was alone on the bridge"
"And Cyril Stsythorney asked
WAS found the following day float
ing corpse on Crooked river"
My story ends here. 1 have alread,
told you that Ediena is my wife. / can
not explain the mystery of nay dream
can only write the question that hav
asked myself thousand times;
Was it a dream?-William I. Patte
in Yankee Blade.