The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1897-12-24
IN DREAMLAND.

The wind soughed through the trees i'll
finul gusts, and the bouehs bent their
heads before it in harmony. 1t vas a
night 1 shall never forget, as coupled
with it is one of the strangest Gdven-
lures Of my eventful career
was seated on the veranda Of the
house in which l boarded. 1t was quite
late-yes, remember hearing the tower
clock strike H. There is nothing i'll the
world that will occupy mans atten-
ton when seated alone in the dark like
meditation. Suffice it to say that 1 was
thinking.
How long l would have sat there do
not know. But as l happened to glance
at the sky noticed faint light far off
coming toward me. At first it was moth
ing but speck dotting the heavens, but
as it approached it grew momentarily
larger. Bewildered, watched it come
on, and, as it got within 200 feet of me,
/ noticed that twas gigantic balloon.
At last it arrived within so feet of me
and landed. At the expiration of five
minutes form stepped out of the bas-
ket, and as the person got between my
self and the light which hung from the
balloon noticed that it was a woman.
She walked straight up the garden path
and on to the veranda and then to me.
Placing her hand on my shoulder, she
said:
My dear Henry, would you like to
take journey with me in my balloon
on peculiar errand?"
Her dear Henry The woman was
evidently mistaken, as my name was not
Henry.
But before I had time to reply or col.
lect my thought she went on:
81 knew you would, and it was need
less to ask you. Henry, when stated
loved you centuries ago it was indeed
true, and when you died and left me
thought my heart would break, and
vowed then and there to watch over you
and sacredly guard your remains. WheI
you came-1eturned from-well, wheI
you entered upon this second life knew
your heart was no longer for me, but
still maintained my watchfulness, ant
what did l see? beheld you week aft
er your return to life-in a room will
your arms around her. Well, to make {
long story short, have come tonight t
. show you her infldelity."
My God, was the woman insane
What did she mean by a second life
What did she know about centuries ago
And, then, who did she take me for
However, I made up my mind to Sc,
the thing out, so I replied:
"Well"-I was going to address he
by name, but 1 knew none and woult
not make a foolish guess-"pet, hov
) was / to know where you were? In vail
did l seek you. p
= But she interrupted me with:
"Let it pass, Henry; let it pass. ]
: can make no material difference now
But answer me. Would you like to Sc
your present lover"
/ / admitted that would, and seate
myself in the basket and watched he
I manipulate the machinery of the bal
: loon. 1t was unlike any other balloon
+ had ever seen-very large, but square j
form. She inflated it by simply touch
:. ing lever and then reversing it. Their
was no ballast in the basket. I watche
her preparing for our aerial fight an
scanned her face closely. TWAS beau
d tiful one, one which haunts me to thi
very day.
She touched small button, and th
massive structure swayed for moment
then with the gracefulness Of a Dir
8 sprang into the air and started upon il
It journey.
will not attempt to describe whS
= followed. remember vaguely of hole
ing that strange being in my arms an
l. rashly kissing her pretty lips as "
swooped through the air.
q Releasing herself from my embract
/ she sprang to the mechanism of the ba
e loon and pulled back the largest levC
: with quick jerk. We seemed to hove
~ in one spot for a moment and then shC
i swiftly downward. How far we droppe
', ] had no means of ascertaining. But
II had the satisfaction of seeing the thin
!. settle easily down and Heavens, no
did the woman know that house? "
ID had settled By the side of the house
r. :, which the young lady lived to whom
was then engaged.
W About ten feet from where we we
was a window, through which brigl
light shone. This was very unusual
k this house, considering the lateness
:. thehour.
Climbing out # the basket, / walEt