Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1898-08-13
A BELIEVER IN DREAMS
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4 the top of steep hill .tv

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A 4 the top of a steep hill two
y young men sat on a stone wall
Il Aby the roadside. resting.
It was late on a Sunday afternoon in
October Stretching away on every
side. with here and there the roofs OF
farm-houses visible. We're the bright
colors of ripening foliage. Four miles
away toward the west was the haZy
outline of the city.
h There had been silence for some time
between the two companions. At
length Howard Crane spoke. He was
an athletic fellow, with a healthy color
in his alert smOoth-Shaven face.
Il suppose this is our last walk to-
gether for this year" he said. Il shall
be lonesome enough without you all
winter. l wish you had not got to go
south"
And I wish you could go south with
me-" said John Brant, smiling. He was
tall and spare. with pale, sensitive
face. But of course the law can't get
on without YOU"
| can leave now. I'd like to be with
you. only I'd hate to waste so much
time, and was never particularly fond
of loafing around doing nothing"
II know I'm lazy" said Brant, good
humoredly. but where's the use in my
doing anything? 1t would only be tax
ing the bread out of some poor fellows
mouth"
AS the sun went down they left the
wall and set out al brisk pace toward
the city.
"Of course" said Crane. after a
pause, Il don't want you to stay here
If your health can't stand it. Queer
freak of your lungs to go back on you
this way, when they've never given
YOU any trouble before. A winter in
the South will fix you all right, but it,
going to be lonesome for me. You
know you are the only one | am at all
chummy with" He sighed deeply.
You are not going to be so lonely as
YOU think" said Brant, with Il quiet
smile
What do you mean|'
tie apologetically: Il know you'll think
I'm a silly old woman to believe it, but
had dream about you a little while
ago. and | can't get 1t out of my head
1t was 50 real"
We'll, what was IT." prompted
Crane, as his friend paused.
THAT you would be married in less
than a year"
There's nothing I'm less likely to
do said Crane, laughing.
but feel sure you will, said Brant
earnestly. The dream was so vivid
more like a vision. | saw you, and
where you lived, and you We're very
happy"
ITS utterly absurd" said Crane
Such a 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 I'm married when you come back.
you must come and see u.s., he said,
lightly. But sha'nt be. l haven't
any faith in dreams"
Eyes, you WILL" said Brant, positive
ly, "and I'll be sure and visit you.
GoOd-by."
Slowly and dejectedly Brant walked
along the brightly lighted streets to
his home. Leaving his coat and hat
In the hall, he went to his room. and.
cropping his way across 1t, sat down in
the dark. With his head resting on his
hands, the same perplexing, harassing
thoughts which had troubled him for
the month past chased through his
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 1t had never
oeen better. He was going away 10
exile, leaving his family, all his ac-
quaintances, Crane, and, worst Of all
Mildred.
And for what? Because In that
wretched dream he had seen Mildred
happily married TO Crane.
lie was tempted even now, at the
eleventh hour, to go to Mildred and ask
ner to be his wife. But the spell of the
uream was upon him still, and he felt
mat he could not betray his friend.
Even If he could. what reason had he