Walker Lake bulletin. (Hawthorne, Nev.) 1883-1926, 1898-08-10

Il Aby the roadside. resting
1t was late on a Sunday afternoon in
October. Stretching away ON every
| farm houses visible, were the bright
| colors of ripening foliage. -Four miles
away toward the west was the hazy
outline of the city.
There had been silence for some time
between the two companions. At
length Howard Crane spoke. He was
an athletic fellow, with 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. | wish you had not got to go
south"
"And | wish you could go south with
me-" said John Brant, smiling. He was
tall and spare, with a pale, sensitive
face. but of course the law can't get
on without you"
Crane laughed. 81 don't just see how
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 loafng around doing nothing"
81 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 fellow S
mouth"
AS the sun went down they left the
wall and set out at brisk pace toward
the city.
"Of course said Crane, after a
pause, 81 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 IL
the South will fix you all right, but It's
going to be lonesome for me. You
know you are the only one | am at al
chummy WITH He sighed deeply.
"You are not going to be SO lonely as
you think" said Brant, with a quie
smile.
what do you meanT
Brant hesitated and then said, a lit
tie apologetically; Il know you'll thinl
I'm silly old woman to believe it. bu
! had a dream about you little Will,
ago, and | can't get it out of my head
1t was so real
"Well, 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 t'
do" said Crane, laughing.
but feel sure you WILL said Brant
earnestly. "The dream was so vivid
more like vision. | saw you. anC
where you lived, and you were yer!
happy"
ITS utterly absurd" said Crane
"Such a thing hasn't entered my head
They became silent, AS they nearet
the city, each occupied with his OWL
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'n't be. | haven
any faith In dreams
"Yes, 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 tt
his home. Leaving his coat and ha
in the hall he went to his room, and
cropping his way across il. sat down ii
the dark. With his head resting on his
hands. the same perplexing, harasslnl
thoughts which had troubled him fol
the month past chased through his
tired brain.
Was he fool, he asked himself fol
the hundredth time. He had deceived
his friends, making them think ht
must leave home on account of hi
health. when in reality 1t had neyel
been better. He was going away II
exile. leaving his family, all his ac
ouaintances. Crane, and, worst of all
Mildred.
And for what? Because IN tina
wretched dream he had seen Mildred
happily married to Crane.
He was tempted even now, mt tn
eleventh hour, to go to Mildred ana ash
her to be his wife. But the spell OF th'
dream was upon him still, and he lei
that he could not betray his friend.
Even II he could, what reason had Ii