The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1902-08-29
DREAMSAND REALITY
NV ELLIOTT HIBBARD.

Il u. i IN 80 kAdQs oAAN
I've been dreaming such lot, and-Weii,
I'm sure there must be something in It.
II haven't the least doubt about that,
replied thinking OF those charming, II
slightly indigestible, suppers which we had
\ been having
perhaps if you could tell me some OF
the dreamsg" l suggested.
"Wen. last night / narrowly escaped be-
ing burned to death in a ire in the mouse
at which | was staying
mo difficulty there l said, promptly
at means marriage.
"Not-not death:" she asked, somewhat
anxiously.
Death? No. What put that into your
head:"
'The night before l dreamed that l saw
coffin, and
MY dear Bea! You must allow me to
! congratulate you
20, if you wish" she returned. but
/ why!"
st is quite evident that you are to be
married soon"
"A second marriage
"No-I mean it corroborates the fire.
She looked at me with some distrust.
| 81 hope you know what you're talking
about Hugh" she said, gravely. The
coffin couldn't well corroborate the fire, as
it came first, and"
"Ah, you don't understand Dreams l
cut in, anxious to restore her faith IN my
powers. In real life, OF course, the cor
roboration couldn't come first, but 1t s quite
different in dream life.
"O-O!" She waited for a moment
or two and then added: 81 suppose dreams
always mean something exactly opposite
She seemed anxious that | should answer
the question in the affirmative, so, OF course,
| FASTENED to do so.
"That is the case I've never heard OF a
dream episode being enacted in real lie.
She gave a sigh of relief, imagined.
"Three nights ago | dreamed that l
was being married. she said. What did
that mean? That l am to be an old maid
81 meant" | said, and then paused.
| Tt was my earnest wish that she should be
married to me.
81 am sure | have puzzled you now" she
said, with quiet satisfaction.
"Anything but" l returned. Il was
only wondering whether-was the man taIr
or dark"
dreams always go by contraries, you
remarked" studying my golden locks IN
tentlv. Eyes; he was fair, very fair.
Tall or SHORTY
She took in my six feet one.
"Tall."
"Stout or thin?'
Medium"
| Like p"
Like yourself" she interrupted. But
| of course that doesn't matter, so tar as l
can see. All | want to know is, what does
dreaming about marriage mean! You say
that it cannot mean marriage!
Il didn't say anything of the sort, Bea.
| It-er--does mean marriage. The only ques-
| tion is as to the man you are gong to
marry. That's why | required particular
description of him.
She shook her head.
"You certainly said that a dream must
mean the opposite she insisted.
But surely you don't mean to hold me
| down to foolish settlement of that KIND,
| [ objected with some heat.
"a foolish statement! Why, Hugh, !
| thought-do you know anything about
dreams at all ?" she asked, suspiciously,
foresaw trouble if / attempted to keep
up the role of interpreter.
s.To be candid, | do not Bea. But"
'Then why did you profess to he able to
help me?'
because I wanted to help you. 1t is my
one desire"
"Your one desire? Not much ambi'
ton"
Zone of my DESIRES" l corrected.
She prepared to move away.
"Well. I'm sorry that we have wasted
80 much time" she said. I'm going now
10 see Aunt Sarah. I'm sure she knows all
about dreams, and-and that coffin really
troubles me"
"Don't CO. impored. 1.-THE fact is,
Bea, | can help you-if you'll let me"
81 gave you the opportunity, she SAID.
80 I know. but | can't mean-I-"
She sat down and gazed at me.
"What do you mean" she asked.
az drew in my breath and prepared to
make a plunge.
81 mean that l can interpret your coffin
dream, for
''But you admitted a moment ago that
you couldn't" she said.
"You might allow me to finish | said
"The dream may mean marriage, or t may
mott don't know. But you can make II
mean marriage if you like.
She still looked mystified.
Marry me, | said, and then--and then
the dream can't mean anything else.
1t was out at last, and waited anXiousl,
, for her next remark.
"And if don't?" she asked.
"If you don't" | replied, firmly, though
, nv heart was in my mouth, Il refuse to an
, swer for the consequences. The dream
; might mean something awful In fact, In
sure it would
She gave little SILVER.
go, anything rather than that. Hugh,
am yours"
| sealed the bargain with a kiss. but SIN
didn't respond to the cares. Vt was evi
dent that she had something on her mind
'What is it? asked, presently.
/, 81 suppose" she replied, slowly, eta
whether | had dreamed about coffin o
/, not you would have
"Have asked YOU to marry me- ] cu
in. eagerly. OF course ! should.
'And soft doesn't really matter wheth
or | dreamed or not"
: "Bea! What 40 you mean?" ] asked,
, AZ hate to have every one wondering
when we are going to become engaged. sh
| -, I hos oil ms 1 tara