The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1890-09-21
DIR. STUDH0LME'S DREAM.

come about is still but a confused tangle in
my own mind. only one thing stands out
clearly before me. and that is the wretched
dream which has been in some mysterious
way the cause Of all that has followed.
Yes, 1t is as clear to my mind to-day rs
was year ago, when ] dreamed it.
| can see the bedroom, furnished with
every comfort and luxury. The fire burns
brightly in the fireplace, and two figures
" man and wOman-mOye about the
room. They seem by their gestures 10 be
holding an animated discussion. Yet
hear no voice. no spoken word. They are
evidently unconscious Of my presence. and
feel an intense longing 10 let them know !
am there, and 10 mediate between them, for
| can see clearly that they are engaged in
quarrel. The man stands gazing into the
fire, his hands thrust into his pockets, ana
horrible nervous twitcblng about his
mouth and brow. which il rendered more
tlsagreeable hy the flicker Of the freight.
The woman stands al her pier glass, and
1 sec the reflection Of her face therein, lit
up by the wax toilet candles.
II is beautiful face. and is rendered
more beautiful by the emotion which
heayes the bosom Of It's owner and sutluses
her checks with the likelihood coursiug
through her veins. Rich masses Of raven
black hair fall around her shoulders, and
form a striking contrast with their alabas-
ter whiteness.
The man is tall and rather fair. His fore
head is high and broad, and his whole face
of an intellectual and refined cast. His
hair and beard are curly and OF an auburn
tint.
Both man and woman are in evening
dress.
As | stand gazing first at one and then at
the other, the two faces seem 20 burn their
images into my soul.
Presently the man turns toward the wO-
man. with a look of fierce anger on his face
and with Outstretched hands evidently adj
crosses some words to her. 4 look Of I'M
utterabe scOrn comes over her face as she
replies. and the next moment, 10 M I'M
spcakable horror, he grasps her lovely
throat in his powerful hand, and | can see
that he is choking her, ] strive with all
my strength 10 speak or move TO her assist
ance. but am parayzed. st last, with a
fearful effort, utter piercing scream, and
wake--oh, with what thanklulness to ma
IL Il but a dream.
Yes. only dream, but differing from ali
dreams ever dreamed before in this one
respect that every detail of it the bed
room, the furniture, the faces Of the actors
are MS clear as if | had seen them with
my bodily ewes but yesternigh!.
Long did that dream haunt me. and had
tosummon all my philosophy in order to
shake myself free from its morbid inilu-
cncc sufficiently to devote my whole mlnu
10 my patients.
Bnl The two faces remained clear TO my
mental vision, and often speculated upon
the chance Of my ever seeing their prOtO-
types in the flesh.
What am now going 10 write is sim
ple record of facts. ! have no intention of
pretending TO explain them. ! can see
plainly enough how certain links OF the
chain are connected, but there IL one wide
zap which battles explanation.
\ year had gone by since my dream. and
| was attending a conversazione at Guys
Hospital, given 10 commemorate the OPEN
ing Of the new wing.
There was a good display of interesting
objects, and especially Of microscopes, eN-
hibited by one OF the principal makers. !
had been for some moments peerng into
one of these, when gentleman standing at
the next instrument said, evidently address
ing myself
"IIere is a remarkably good specimen Of
the amwba, if you are Interested in these
examples of primitive life
raised my head from the microscope ]
was examining. and turned toward the
speaker. No sooner had my eyes rested
upon his face than became aware that II
was the face of the man in my dream. )es.
in every detail, the same ! was 50 stag
yered 10y this discovery. that | stood rudely
staring in his face. until he said politely:
81 beg your pardon. / have disturbed
YOU in YOUR examination OF something
which perhaps was more interesting tOlOu
than this little chap under my glass
stammered out some excuse for my rude
ness, bent over his microscope, and duly
praised the specimen. This led TO con-
yersation which soon proved that we were
both interested in microscopy and as we
were both alone at the cOnVcrsaziOnc we
wandered through the wards together and
talked ''pOllywOgs" the whole evening.
lie was man Of considerable culture-a
barrister, he told me, but fond Of science,
particularly Of microscopic studies. hap
pened to have some rather good specimens
OF my own, and as every microscopic j.
hail-fellow-wel-met with every other. |
asked him to visit me and see my cOllec-
ton. He came, and returned the visit.
which led to friendship between Us and
frequent visits 10 each Others houses.
One evening my new acquaintance.
whom will call !le0nell, called upon me
and said he wished O. take me TO the house
of friend, certain West End physician,
who he said. had a magnificent collection
Oi slides. readily consented. and we were
soon on our way.
IIennell was very communicative as we
walked along, and allowed his talk TO take
"A somewhat personal turn, which was I'M
usual with him. as he rarely INDUCED in
anything bordering on egotlsm. He told
me that his visits 10 DIR. Warren's had an
interest in them beyond that of polly
wOgs," as we called our anmalcula
which, IN short, was nothing less than love
tor the physicians daughter, of whom he
spoke in the warmest terms OF admiration.
any dear StudhOlme, she is simply per
lection in mind and person, as yOuswill
readily admit" said he.
~ replied that was quite prepared TO see
~ Qale paragon, rs knew that he was
lafNxho would not be easily satisfied with
a wolnA,
We arf'sNed at DIR. warrcn's, and by his
lesire wereSs1hQwn iuto his study, where we
ound HIM a&Ndy busy selecting some Of
his choicest sisSmens for our edlication.
and We were 500. MI three deep in the ex. |
animation Of slideoossVd living specimens
rom the large glass It ~ ia which the doc
Tor kept his live stock. Mr..
IN hour or 80 passed az >,and we were |
80 intent upon our studies t.a1NNhad not OBJ
served the entrance of a fOurtii$A.son until |
heard soft, quiet voice say:
"1OOd evening, Mr.. Iennell a. Won
are not TOO deep in the my steries of lcr&si.
iefa ana other dreadful creatures, pr-,~l
troduce me TO your friend"
Hennell rose quickly IRON his microscone |,
with heightened color and extended hand
Good evening, Miss Warren: allow me- :
10 Introduce 10 you DIR. Studholme.v
Great heavens. what strange fatality was .
pursuing me; Standing before me. sure a. !
death, was the woman of my DREAM / fell ..
that my heart was standing still and thai
the blood had left my lips. could see nv
own condition reflected In the embarrass. ,
ment Of the young lady before me. and | -,
made desperate effort 10 control myselfI {,
and 90 through the formalities Of an intro
iuction. The task was rendered more diff .
icult by the knowledge on my part that
lennelfs keen eyes We're fixed upon both :
II US and were taking in all that was pass ,
ne. However, good breeding, Of course.
prevented his making any remark at the 4,
ime upon what must have appeared /
TRANCE behavior on my part. and Mirs
Warren speedily recovered her compOsure ,
nd invited us 10 come and take some re- !,
reshments.
MY father and usually dine early in I
rider that he may have long evening with h
Is microscope, and 80 We generally have a a
ght supper she explained.