Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1902-03-18
THE DAILY
SHORT STORY.
A STRANGE DREAM

left me to amuse myself. One morn
ing / was strOllins about when l came
TO Il thin place in the hedge, leaving a
looking at the beautiful grounds of an
adjoining place. There was a summer
house in one corner, covered with
vines. which looked very tempting. I
hesitated awhile; but. not seeing any
one about. concluded to 20 there.
Reaching the steps leading up to the
entrance, l espied a lady lying asleep
in a hammock. She was dressed in a
becoming morning gown, trimmed with
lace. and n little foot. peeping out from
under her skirts. displayed n dainty
slipper. She was ruddy as peach and
plump as partridge. l couldn't apol-
ogize to one who was asleep. l stood
looking at her irresolutely. thinking ev-
cry moment that she would open her
eyes, but she slept on. / gave slight
cough. 1t failed To waken her.
could have gone away and thus got
out of the difficulty. but by this time 1
had no desire TO do so. l rather felt
inclined TO stay there as IL sort of pro-
tectOr, though what l was to protect
her from except myself | did not know.
| drew near and stood looking down at
her l could not see her eyes, for they
were closed, but her mouth was eX
quisite. About her neck was Il strip of
black velvet upon which hung locket.
/ stopped nearer to examine the trinket
and caught the fragrance of her warm
breath. Then-well. then | lost my
NJ 81 ~
stupidity, presumption. recklessness
there are not enough words in the
dictionary to serve the purpose) of the
action and. bending still lower, touched
her lips lightly with mine.
There was a faint, convulsive move
ment l was filed with horror, eX-
pecting to see her open her eyes. For
moment there was n slight move
ment ut the corners of her mouth, fol
lowed by Il muscular contraction of the
brows. Il breath of extra length; then
she was as quiet as if her lips had not
been deseerated.
BY this time 1 had made,up my mind
that if did not leave at once l would
end 10y landing in Jail. or deserve to
land there. so l tiptoed out of the sum-
mer house and went through the hedge
and back TO the Veranda, where l. spent
the rest of the morning between shud-
dering at what l had done and re-
membrance of the kiss had stolen.
That evening number of people
from the neighborhood We're invited to
meet me. My host took me up to the
guests TO present me, Mt last stopping
before one the sight-of whom made me
catch my breath-the lady l had kissed
in the morning. She fixed Il pair of
black eyes upon me for a moment, as
women do at making Il new acquaint-
ance, then began to chat with me. At
first 1 could find nothing to say and
when 1 succeeded spoiled it 10y STAN
mering. But her manner was so charm
ing that she soon put me mt my ease.
do you reside near by?" l asked.
''In the adjoining place"
Indeed. 1 took Il glance at Your
premises this morning through break
in the hedge. The grounds are very
attractive"
I'VE think so. l am out of doors
nearly all day in summer. l was dane
ing till > o'clock this morning. Papa
won't allow any of us to be absent
from the breakfast table. so | am
obliged to make up my sleep later.
This morning 1 had n splendid nap in
the summer house"
c"rhank heaven" l muttered to my
self, ''she was really sound asleep!O
''In the summer house,
Yes. and l had such n singular
dream, or rather nightmare"
Indeed"
81 dreamed that a horTid little man,
with hair and eyes black as a coal and
red beard. came to the summer
house"
That's n singular combination" j
remarked. inwardly alarmed.
"Such things are always singular in
dreams. He stood for n moment ON
the steps. then came into the house.
/ couldn't cry out-you know people in
nightmare never can cry out, though
they try ever so hard-and he stood
there looking at me with his fiendish
green eyes
Il thought you said his eyes were
black
Ibid 1? Well. they were green.
Then he bent over me so close that
could feel the tip of his ugly white
beard brushing my cheek
You mean his red beard"
"No; it was white-I said white.
Then, STOPPING lower and lower. while
L felt every moment that | should die
of fright, ut last he kissed me-"
what did you dog"
DO? | tried to cry out. but could
only gasp"
But people in nightmare in attempt
ing to cry out make a sound"
80 did l."
NO. you didn't. You lay still as a
mouse"
The girl burst into,a merry laugh.
She laughed and laughed till it seemed
she would never cease laughing. while
turned red. white. all conceivable
colors. like the beard of the man in the
dream.
.EyVhat are You laughing atT' / ask