Capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1893-1895, 1894-07-28
TT WAS A DREAM.

Mrs. Warrenton sat in her little blue
and white parlor in a beruffied white
muslin, her blond hair in classic knot,
her blue eyes filled with we'll bred ennui
and her feet in coquettish blue and
white canvas slippers idly prodding the
lazy old Maltese tabby lying just out OF
range of the rocker.
Mrs. Warrenton sighed deeply and
looked at her guest sideways.
Good gracious, Bob, you are enough
to provoke n Saintl" she broke out. with
sudden petulance
''If you were anything but the great
dull boy that you are, - continued his
hostess aggrieyedly, you would see
that am dying of stagnation. You're
the only interesting person know, and
now you come here and talk about the
hot weather and look out of the window
and DOM offer an original suggestion or
q new idea when I'm fairly verging on
intellectual starvation. Do something,
say something or go homev
'The weather Is too warm for much
mental energy, but think if you famed
me for five minutes might evolve a
thought. I'd go home only it's shut up
for the summer, and I'm sick of the
club, and you are the only available
amusement.
Mrs. WaTTenton arose majestically,
possessed herself of a largo palm leaf fan
and began tanning the thinker.
You're sure you re thinking? Don't
dare to go TO sleepp' she exclaimed as
the brows unlimited into peaceful So
renity. Times upp'
Mr.. Vinton unclosed his eyes and sat
bolt upright.
"You look" said he irrelevantly,
"lilSe Dresden china shepherdess in all
those white ruffios and pink ribbon. Put
OH the big hat with pink roses. and you
can play Phyllis.
SIS that all you've thought out?"
NO" continued Bob radiantly.
1--WE thought further. You play Phyl-
lis, and I'll be Strephon, and We'll go
to Arcadia"
Suppose. Bob, you should tip me
over
"Strephon, remember, Strephon"
prompted Bob as he padded out slowly
into the stream in the red glow of the
sunset skies.
"Well, Strephon, thenr' and Mrs
WmTenton dabbled her finger tips in
the water and forgot to repeat her ques-
ton. II didn't know the Charles was
so beautiful What all that green bank
and bridges and shady nookery up
there?'
Arcadia, " said Bob sententiously.
Mrs. Warrenton leaned back, nestled
her pretty head against the shawls and
looked picturesque.
Mr. Vinton padded industriously and
gazed straight ahead toward his destina-
tion.
"You look ever so handsome in your
shirt sleeves. | always like men better
in their shirt sleevcs-they're SO much
more picturesque. Why don't you paint
your next hero in shirt sleeves, pad
ding canoe with pretty girl-that's
|, of course, +" looking sentiment at him
Look sentiment at me, Phyllis, and
| will, " said Bob lightly.
"All right, Strephon, but what shall
we talk about?"
"Do you remember, Phyllis, the aft
ernoon taught you to skate out on the
marshes? And going home in the early
dark winter afternoon you slipped on
the ice and hurt your ankle and cried
you were only girl of l2 then-what
pretty girl, though land / put my arm
around you and helped you home and
kissed you sweetheart kiss in the base
ment vestibule. That was good many
years ago, Phyllis.
"You were a nice boy, Strephon. but
you were always bold, " said Mrs War
renton. And then she added, with a
touch of coquetry, Would you believe
it, I've the valentine you sent me-the
one in box with pink roses and CupidS"
81 used to think you'd settle down TO
marrying me when you tired of flirting
with Jack Warrenton That's why
didn't shoot him before nc ever married
you, Nell''-
"Phyllis, Phyllis. she interrupted.
smiling But he did not smile.
"Phyllis, mean-but my going of
TO Rome that summer was fit Of pique.
You said you didn't care, and when
came back you were married, and I'm
sure I've acted like an angel ever since
wonder If You ever did care?"
81 wonderl" murmured Mrs Warren
ton dreamily. "And now, 4" she contin-
ued, you're going TO marry that nice
little girl Of yours down at Newport and
be a steadygoing Benedict and never
any more spend afternoons In Arcadia
with Phyllis "
"Factl' returned Bob little bitter
", and as a streak Of dying sunlight
struck across his face through the