Clinch Valley news. [volume] (Jeffersonville, Va.) 18??-2019, 1902-09-12
SUBSTANTIAL DREAM

Julian Blair was a lawyer without
practice. He had proposed for Alice
Howard, but had no hope that her
father would overlook his poverty.
One night while lying In a sort of
delirium a man came into his room
who introduced himself as a lawyer
from London and told Julian that his
uncle had died and left him 100000.
Il must leave IN half an hour for
New York." he said, but you may ex-
pect me in n week or so. and then the
necessary arrangements will be COM
pleted for placing you in possession of
your Inheritance"
With Thu tkH stranger vanished. and
Julian Biam, - he raised himself on
his elbow and looked about the room,
asked himself whether he was awake
or dreaming.
~ sudden drowsiness overcame him.
and when he again opened his eyes it
was morning.
WAS ii n dreamT he cried MS he
dressed himself. "No. 1t is impossible.
There Is the chair the man sat in.
remember his features distinctly and
every word he said and even the tone
Of his voice. Thank God, it was no
vision! 1t was n reality"
Julian found after making his toilet
thas he was still little feverish. with
strange fullness in his head. but
glance at the mirror showed that he
was looking unusually well.
One thing startled him not n little in
the course Of the morning. After n
brief interview with one OF the bankers
OF the town he walked out on the street
with $500 in his pocket
a sudden doubt struck him rs he
reached the sidewalk Had he made n
mistake I'm telling the banker of his
good fortune? If the whole thing was
only a dream, as he sometimes suspect
ed, he had done n very bad thing.
"Pshaw," he said to himself. II am
sick and nervOusl How can it be a
dreamT
by degrees his confidence was re-
stored, and later in the day. when be
saw Mr.. Howard, his manner was well
calculated 10 impress the millionaire.
He told the story OF his legacy. and
the rich man took him by the hand
and told him that no man in the wide
world would suit him better as SON
in-law
a week passed away delightfully."-.
Blair found himself the lion of the
town, but he spent most of his leisure
time with his aflianced.
one morning the young lawyer arose.
cool and clear headed, without a trace
OF fever. He looked back upon the
events OF the past week In amazement
He no longer had any belief In the
visit of the man from London. 1t was
n dream and nothing else.
81 am in a disgraceful fxp' he
groaned. 81 have He'd to Mr.. Howard
and to Alice. 1 have borrowed money
under false pretenses. Nothing will
ever convince people that l am not a
swindler''
The card in Julian's hand bore the
address of Henry Merely. solicitor.
Middle Temple, London, and as the
owner of the card was ushered into
the office the young lawyer looked at
him In blank surprise.
1t did not take long for Mr.. Morelv
to state his business.
My young friend" he said rather
pompously, lit is a genuine pleasure to
me to be the bSarer of good tidings.
have been two weeks in the country
looking you up. Your uncle. John
Blair, died recently in Liverpool, where
he left large estate, and there is half
million for you"
us 1t another dream?" whispered
Julian.
Il don't understand" said the Eng
Hshman, somewhat mystified. "This is
no dream. 1t is business"