The daily morning Alaskan., 1903-04-21
WAS IT A DREAM
toriEinaLl

Snatchlng bis handbag. which was ready. he hurried to the depot and took the first train. It was o'clock in tha evening In June, that month chosen by % many lovers in which to consum- mate their happiness, and the foliage along the route had In it the hrst freshness Cf summer. But Edward Holmes did not notice lt He was far away. fearing. hoping. On reaching N., a large summer psort, be was nexpresslbly distressed Co ind that the train went no farther. He must walt for one that passed at II o'clock. lt was still twilight. and be walked to e hotel not half a mile from the station. The house was brilliantly lighted, while the guests were Hitting about In pie turesuue costumes preparatory Co a fancy dress ball. This was no place for one in anxiety. but Holmes. not relish luz waiting at the station, took a wick CT chair ln dark corner of the piazza.
 There he spent the evening. When n dance was finished, couples would promenade on the piazza. Holmes found fl a relief 10 watch them, and the time passed more quickly for hls mind be ing distracted till half past 10. Then impatient Co be again iu motion, he was about to rise and return Co the sta tion when. glancing aside and slightly behind him. he saw what at first he took for a shear Of light coming through a window. Then he noticed that it was woman. Her dress was of white though of what material be could not tell. Looking mp at her face, he saw that it was masked also with white. He would have risen, but at the mo- ment he felt hand rest lightly on his shoulder.
 A great deal passed through Edward Holmes mind in very few moments. Who was this girl. for she had the ap- pearance Of a young person, and what was her interest in hlmy It did not oc- cur to him that she could be stranger 10 him. She must be one of the guests, some friend of his who had seen him when he arst reached the hotel and had sought him out Doubtless she would amuse herself with his efforts to dis cover her identity.
 For a moment he sat still. Then, not wlthstnnding the hand on his shoulder, be rose and faced his visitor.
 You are He paused The form seemed familiar, but there was too lit. , tle light for him to Identify it- She did not answer his question, but slipped her hand within his arm and led him for walk. not toward the entrance, | brilliantly lighted, but 10 Q dark end of | the pinzza. She did not speak, and | Holmes. who was In no mood for such an adventure. could think uf nothing to say to her. He thought Of conhding his anxiety Co her; but, after all she might be stranger. One thing made him start. On passing a chink in window blind he noticed orange blossoms on her head. His own wedding, set for the morrow would it be a wedding or a funeral? Would the flowers be orange blossoms or tube roses: It !t had been | difficult for hlm Co speak 10 hs com naulou before. iJ was well nigh impos- Jllr now. \ strange dread came over hlm. Then during a momen,ary breeze from behind a light substance touched hls baud. It must be a bridal veil.
 Was rfc costume ot a bride an un- usual or common one for such Occa- sonS? lie could not recall in an his so- clal experience having s,cu Cne. A strange influence seemed tp be passing | from the girl Co him. lt camc in waves, now happiness. now grief. Whatever it was. hc did not wish lt tU end. He took no thought of time forgetting that be was waiting for a Jruu to take him to Lillian.
 She spoke no word, nor did he wish her to speak. His senses seemed to become gradually benumbed. There was a mystical mingling of chat music and laughter besides the dripping of a fountain in the center of lawn be- fore the hotel Then the sounds all melted away together.
 Suddenly he was awakened as from a dream by clock striking. He was still sitting in the dark corner, and his com panlOn was not with him. He looked up and down the piazza, but she was not to be seen. Had he fallen asleep and dreamed? No; it was all too real. He arose and strOde back and forth to make sure he was awake. Then he heard train approach the station and | knew that he had not time Go reach it | before it should start on. Hurrylng to the hotel office, be inquired the hour of leaving for the next train and was shocked Co hear that he could not get lway from the place till morning.
 Who was this girl who had kept him away from his beloved, lying on a sick bed and doubtless listening every moment to catch the sound of his step? .o,, could ic huve been SO affected by lcr presence as to forget the passing t.mc: There was nothing now for hlm lo do but take a room and go to 'cd This he did. but not to sleep.
 He rnse early and went to the stu. ton. The time came for the train. but no train came Locomotives hurried by, some cr crying box cars, and one bore wrecking apparatus.
 Whats the matter?" he asked of the !