The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1892-05-05

tory only a few minutes when Van
Orden appeared in & nearby doorway,
and shot me and died"
Good gracious!' exclaimed, invol-
unfairly.
singular, wasn't it? Well, month
later dreamed that l was lying in
hammock in grove, which, in my
dream, l knew to be somewhere in the
tropics, when Van Orden suddenly APP
peared, and strangled me-"
Zone moment" | cried. Were you
and Van Orden enemies or rivals in any
sense?'
Not in any sense. 1 had meant to
say that at the start. We were the best
of friends, and cannot remember that
we had even a difference of opinion.
Not that we were chulnmy, understand,
because we met but seldom, but when
we did, we were very congenial. And
that reminds me of something else. In
all these dreams there was one point of
resemblance apart from the killing.
Van Orden never appeared furious or
vengeful; his expression was invariably
one Of sorrow or pity, so far as could
judge. 1t left an impression on me, in
an odd way, that Van Orden had to kill
me-
Eyes, understand. Any more?'
1.-Two more. In one met him in n
secluded by-street where was walking,
and was stabbed; and in the fifth, and
last, we were guests at banquet.
Van Orden passed me glass of wine,
and knew it was poisoned. but took
it and drank its contents, looking all
the while into his great soulful eyes,
realizing that he pitied me, but was
urged on by fate, or whatever you may
call it,
| felt a certain sense of uneasiness
creeping over me as my friend con-
Guided. In spite of the fact that knew,
as philosopher, that the five dreams
were but five fantasies, felt, as
friend, feeling of dread.
and that was ALP" l queried, after
trying to think of something more con-
selling or explanatory to say.
"All of the dreams-yes, replied
Frank. but there is something else to
tell. First, about Van Orden. l am
not philosopher like you, Amos, and
SO am not ashamed to say that this
series of dreams impressed me deeply.
They not only alarmed but bewildered
me. Had they been the same scene re-
peated-say, the cliff would have
made VOW. and kept it, to never go
near such place, but could not avoid
hammocks, by-streets, banquet-halls,
and bathrooms as we'll, without being
downright hermit"
But you could avoid Van Orden,"
suggested.
university. Yet l determined to avoid
him as much as possible, and I did SO.
Mind. felt no resentment, but as days
passed on gradually formulated the
terrifying theory that Van Orden was
destined to kill me. Do you remember
the story of the young man in the Ara
bian Nights whose horoscope revealed
that on certain birthday he was to be
killed by a certain prince? His father
took the young man to a remote island
and immured him in an underground
chamber, there to remain alone until
the fatal day had passed. Well, this
~ lLlSS w nav W dS lllS hdulS.
"Agib, wasn't it?'
Eyes, that was his name. Well, Agib
was up tree on the island when the
young man was hidden, and when the
old father and servants are out of sight,
he descends, and makes the acquaint-
ance of the fated youth. When the I'M
lucky day arrives, he kills the boy with
table knife, just as had been pre-
dicted, although the killing was purely
kill him."
And you reasoned that Van Orden
might do likewise?"
Precisely. He might kill me in a
hundred accidental ways-on the play
ground or in the gymnasium, at table,
in the street, am sure thought of a
hundred possibilities. The idea took
such a hold of me that actually turned
aside to avoid meeting him, even in a
crowd. He noticed my behavior, l
know, and felt justly offended-he has
told my friends as much-but made no
explanation. What could l explain?
TO rehearse my dreams as I have done
to you, and offer them as an excuse for
my conduct, would subject me to ridi-
Guile. Besides, l wanted him to avoid
me, so as to reduce the chances
II see; and it seems to have reduced
the chances considerably. Van Orden
has not killed YOU
'No, nor never WILL" Frank laughed.
was rather surprised at the sudden
change of demeanor, but before had
time to make comment he became
grave again.
Amos he said, with sigh. your
theories are perfectly correct: there is
nothing in dreams. l have told you
that have had five most vivid dreams,
so realistic that cannot recall them
without feeling cold chill creeping
over me, and yet they have come to
naught.'
Wait bit," objected, becoming at
once logical and argumentative: You
cannot be certain of that. will never
believe that dream is in any sense a
prophesy OF good or evil, but on your
part you can never be certain that Van
Orden will not kill you until you are
drawing the last breath of natural
decease."
"Oh, yes, 1 can, most wise logiciau!'
cried Frank. ''You have omitted one
maj or premise suppose Van Orden dies
frst?"
"ls he dead2'' / cried in turn.
For answer Frank turned up the stu
dent lamp until the light flooded the
| apartments; then he took from near
by cabinet a polished skull and stood it
on the table before him.
This is Van Orden," he said, briefly.
Van Orden" l repeated, recoiling
slightly.
Don't be alarmed said Frank, after
an outburst of merriment. Il can
read your thoughts, Amos. No, did
not kill him, although an acute reason
err like yourself might have argued that
was justified. No, poor fellow.
dropping again into melancholy tone
he died a natural death, if disease is
| natural"
And how did you become possessed
of this ghastly memento?'
"ln roundabout but perfectly legit-
l