Richmond daily palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1876-1904, 1898-04-20
BRANT'S DREAM.

AT the top Of steep hill two young
men sat on stone wall by the road
side, resting.
There had been silence for some time
between the two companions. At length
Howard Crane spoke.
II suppose this is orr last walk TO-
gether for this year. - he said. II shall
be lonesome enough without you all
winter. | wish you had not got to go
south.
"And l wish you could go south with
me, said John Brant. smiling. He we
tall and spare, with pale. sensitive
face. but of course tine law can't get
on without you.
Crane laughed. Il don't just see how
can leave now. I'd like 10 be with
you, only I'd hate 10 waste SO much
time. and l was never particularly fond
of loafing around doing nething'
II know | am lazy" said Brant
good humoredly, but where's the use
in my doing anything? II would only
fellows mouth.
AS the sun went down they left the
wall and set out at brisk pace toward
the city.
Its going to be lonesome for me, =
said Crane. You know you are the
only one | am at all chummy with
You are not going to be SO lonely
as you think, said Brant, with a quiet
smile.
What do you mean?''
Brant hesitated, and then said. lit
tie ALPHABETICALLY, Il know you'll think
I'm silly old woman to believe it, but
had dream about you awhile ago,
and can get it out of my head, it
was so real
well, what was it?'' prompted
Crane. as his friend paused.
"That you would be married in less
than year.
There's nothing I'm less likely to
do, +" said Crane, laughing.
but l feel sure you will" said
Brant earnestly. 1.-The dream was so
vivid; more like vision. ! saw you,
and where you lived. and you were very
happy
Its utterly absurd" said Crane
such thing hasn' t entered my head. -
They became silent as they neared
the city, each occupied with his own
thoughts. AT Cranes door they parted
IF m married when you come ba, :.
you must come and see u.s. De said
lightly. "But | shan't be. / haven't
any faith in dreams.
Eyes, you WILL said Brant positive
ly, land I'll be sure and visit you.
Goodhy."
Slowly and dejectedly Brant walked
along the brightly lighted streets to his
home.
Leaving his coat and lat IN the hall,
he went to his room, and cropping his
way across it sat down in the dark
With his head resting on his hand, the
same perplexing, harassirg thoughts
which had troubled him for the month
past chased through bis tired brain.
Was he fool, he asked himself for
the hundredth time. He had deceived
his friends, making them think he must
leave home on account of his health,
when in reality it had never been bet
ter He was going away TO exile, leav-
ing his family, all his acquaintance,
Crane, and, worse of all-Mildred.
And for what: Because in that
wretched dream he had seen Mildred
happily married to Crane.
He was tempted even now, at the
eleventh hour, to go to Mildred and ask
her TO be his wife. But the spell of the
dream was upon him still, and he felt
that he could not betray his friend.
Even if he could, what reason had he
to think that Mildred returned his love?
And supposing she did, it would be
wrong to her. for he told himself, with
self depreciation, that Crane would |
.al- ID. hot
No, he would carry out his plan to !
the bitter end. The dream was SO real
to him that he did not for a moment
doubt its coming true. He smiled lit
tie grimly as he thought how every one
believed him to have one foot in the
grave and how his naturally pale face
had helped to deceive them.
Mildred would not expect to hear
from him, thinking him not able to
write. Then Crane would begin to show
her little attentions, and
But here he broke off his reflections,
and found himself feeling glad that he
would be away and would not have to
see the affair going on. When he came
back, he would be able to meet her with
no outward show of emotion.
All winter Brant wandered from
place to place. Crane wrote twice at the
first, but he was poor correspondent, |
and Brant's third letter remained unan
swered.
a home the winters SHOWS melted,
the days grew longer, spring came and
in May Brant returned.
AS he walked along the street from
the station he heard his name spoken,
and moment later Crane was shaking
his hand saying words of welcome.
Il m in a hurry now, said Crane,
but come around TO the office later and
go home TO tea with me.
"You see, he went on, smiling,
i've been married a month. It's all
just as you said it would be, and be-
lieve in dreams now-your Dreams at
any rate.
"Well. goodby for the present. Be
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