The Lewiston teller. (Lewiston, Idaho) 1900-1905, 1902-09-18
HIS LADY OF DREAMS

preSSlOn, out Six months without any
further developments, waking or sleep
ing had dulled his keen conviction of
It's psychic value. Meanwhile, a COM
Portable check from the magazine had
seemed to take the thing out Of the pro-
vince Of psychic research.
Ashe was modest man. but not too
much so to find little lionizing quite
to his taste. and he went to afternoon
teas and cOtillions with feeling that
to morrow would be some one else's
day, and he must gather his roses
while he might. So he entered Mrs.
Fosters long drawing-room prepared
to smile as he listened to his verse mis-
quoted by fair fatterers: he retained
that serene attitude of mind while he
shook hands with Mrs. Foster, and net
one minute longer. For beyond Mrs.
Foster. standing just outside the ring
Of light from tall lamp. was the Lady
Of his dreams, with her white gown
that chung to her shoulders and round
waist and fiared with heavy folds at
her feet. This time she wore q fan
vi IAC AOh8 6AVCA SAtAiA AAV0oO A4CA
neck, and she had no hat nor veil. 80
Ashe sould see that she was regarding
him with the frankest interest from q
pair Of most attractive brown eyes.
He flushed with surprise, and his re-
marks to Mrs. Foster died on his lips.
She was not dream, then, his prin-
cess! A sudden recollection Of the
check from the Hundred Years. made
him warm, and as a corollary came the
realization of his narrow escape from
the Society Of Psychic Research-good
heavens!
Meanwhile Mrs. Foster was saying
graciously. $50 good Of you to come,
Mr.. Ashe, and not to forget your old
friends, now you are such q celeb
rity. And to reward you, l am going
to introduce you to very dear young
friend Of mine, Miss Gregory, who ad-
mires your poems SO much"
And Ashe found himself before his
princess. while Mrs. Foster went on
fiuently, Constance, my dear. this is
Mr.. Ashe," and turned to greet another
guest. All remnants of his self-pos-
session vanished at the sound Of the
names. and interrupting Miss Gregory's
polite expressions Of delight at making
his acquaintance. Ashe asked abruptly:
Are you princessY
She opened her brown eyes wider
and looked at him in surprise.
'Do-do you believe in telepathy and
astral bodiesy' he went on after a
moments pause. 'Or are you only a
dream"
Dear mev' said the girl "Mrs. Fos-
ter said you were so nice, and not
startling-that no one would know that
you were a poet or anything else at all
awe-inspiring, and here you have called
me three alarming names In as many
minutes. Is this poetic license. Mr..
Asher
Ibid you really mind Cissy Loftus?"
he asked anxiOusly. "You see, she's
my favorite pipe. but she's rather old,
and I'm afraid she's little too strong
to be pleasant to strangers. But l
didn't expect you, you know. when you
came in 80 suddenly"
The girls face was gravely puzzled,
but her eyes looked amused. I'm
afraid Mrs. Foster has a mistaken idea
of you," she said with shake Of her
head.
Where do you live?" inquired Ashe.
when you are not In dream, you
know-when you are not in the Thurs
toms libraryf'
"Well," said Miss Gregory, II am re-
lieved. l am glad to find that can
at last take an intelligent interest in
the conversation. The Thurstm's H.
brary-isn't it fascinating placer"
"You weren't in 1t long enough to
find out" objected Ashe. "And do you
think 1t was quite kind Of you to make
me bump my head?"
Long enough! I've spent hours In
the Thurston's library" said the girl
in mock indignation. "And never
made you bump your head"
well, perhaps not consciously" adj
mitted Ashe. but it was under your
SPELL" Miss Gregory looked at him
with a smile beginning to show at the
corners Of her mouth
''Y0u are certainly casting a spell
over me-" she said. Really, Mr.. Ashe,
l don't know what you mean-Im sure
never had anything to do with your
humping your head, but I'm not sure
that it wouldn't do it good
'Cruelw said Ashe. well. since you
won't admit 1t, let's begin again. /
am very glad to meet you. Miss Greg
DRY. Mrs. Foster is too good to me.
Do you know, your face is very famil-
|ar-haven't l met you befOreT'