Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1903-07-03

| pOTldui, III NY WY VI Ail+iAiii1' N'''
he should write down an accurate de
scription of the room. and he might
seal this document in an envelope Ia
be opened after his death. In case he
felt unwilling 10 discuss the matter
openly at present. Before my mother
received the letter containing this sug.
gestlon Stanley Winthrop had set out
upon his travels
He was absent about eighteen
months. returning in late June when
the pretty town is at its best | was in
formed that he had aged very much
and that his wanderlngs had done him
no good.
1t had been my intention to spend
that summer in Maynard and | was
glad To know that Winthrop was TO be-
there. for | had come TO like him ex-
ceedingly during my brief sight of him
after his affection. ! arrived in May
nard on the LIST day Of July. and In the
afternoon called on Winthrop. 1t was
a very hot day, and he was In his room.
which. because OF its location. is excep-
tionally cool In summer. The window
seat had been extended and cushioned
since the date OF my last view OF the
apartment, and IL made a sort OF couch.
very comfortable and inviting. When
| Winthrop arose and came forward to
greet me perceived that he was quite
feeble. II seemed impossible that
man whose figure still declared the
great strength which he had once pos
sessed should walk with the slow eau
ton of an invalid while yet free OF any
grave disease. However. one may al
most call grief disease If one looks
only at the symptoms, and certainly
the continuous brooding upon an ir-
remediable loss may be a matter for
the anxious consideration OF a doctor.
lied cneerfully to Winthrop. saying
that he was looking very well.
you're mighty comfortable here"
added. They've changed the room all
about since | had the pleasure OF see
ing il last. That's great nook you
have there by the window"
Standing by my side. he surveyed il
with smile.
Curious idea" he said. waving his
hand toward the farther end of the
window seat. where something like the
rolling arm of an old fashioned ma
hogany sofa had been placed to sup
port the cushions. did you ever see
anything like it,"
"Never." replied.
Marion did all this while / was
away" said be. Il think she believed
that this room had exercised n bad in
nuence upon me. | had left it just as
as IL used 10 be when-you under
stand"
cts much more cheerful now"
fastened TO say. marion is a great
sister. You ought 10 be very good to
her"
II am going to be so good to her"
he replied. that shall never tell her
what she has done. | shall offer my
thanks to her in secret. but am going
10 tell YOU because you're a notorious
skeptic and. furthermore, because you
are man who may be trusted to keep
his own counsel. This thing may in
terest you"
He went 70 a desk in the corner and
unlocked a drawer. from which he
took Il sealed envelope. Upon it were
written in his hand this line. TO be
opened after my DEATH" and n date.
Just before | went away" he said.
putting his finger upon the date. II
carried this envelope with me-and
brought il back.
The last words were added with
peculiar expression. At that instant
snew what was In the envelope. The
same idea that had expressed to my
mother had come to Winthrop. At his
request broke the seal and took from
the envelope sheet Of paper upon
which was a rude diagram with some
lines of description. Beyond a doubt
the furnishings and what may be call
ed the arrangement of that room
were set down upon that paper.
You did not recognize it as your
own | asked THAT seems strange"
"Ah. SO you know all about my
dream" said he. 1T may indeed seem
strange that did not know this place.
yet ! did not. TO be sure, the outlines
are regular; there was really nothing
except the furniture by which it might
De recognized. 1t has been repapered,
nic rugs and the hanglngs are differ
INT
Il should have thought that the view
from the windows began. But
perhaps you did not look out"
There is one OF the peculiar facts
about this DREAM" said he. There
was no view from the windows; ii was
night The room seemed to be dark.
and yet | perceived all that was in it
and had an Impression of the things
just ms If | had seen them"
His manner far more than his words
produced upon me an effect of awe
absurd OF course, for what is death or
the view of death TO shake a mans
heart?
Il don't understand why you should
conceal this from your sister" said l.
your revelation was dumb as To time.
That you expect TO die in your own
chamber some day cannot alarm your