The Aberdeen Democrat. (Aberdeen, South Dakota) 1???-1909, 1904-05-13
THE DREAMER.
BY JOHN WICKLIFEE GRAF.

SlIlCh, 40 IL iCh SLio' ]1'Nt 'N>
caves and in the Orners OF he big bay
window. 1t laid an icy grasp on the
frames and shook them angrily, en-
yiously, because it could not enter and
destroy the scene of comfort within.
She was a jewel of a landlady who
would keep the fire burning for him SO
long, Herbert unused. TO keep the
chill out" Mrs. Williams had told him
once, and his words of thanks did not
fully convey his gratitude for her
mothering him.
He lighted his ~redolent briarwood
pipe, pulled the big leathern chair be-
fore the fender, leaned back in its
depths and The luxurious folds OF his
lounging robe. His feet percned on
the fender, for the fifth time since the
Office closed hat afternoon, he pulled
out a dainty little blue linen envelope.
He read his W name and address
two or three times before he took out
the sheets within.
Round and firm, and-just like Mil
dred," he unused.
He spread out the sheets on his knee
and read:
Dear Herbert-We are having a
glorious time trying to forget the snow
and ice up north. The weather is per-
feet, except for an occasional misty
day, and outdoor amusements are the
rule with everybody.
Il I'm glad to know that business
will soon permit you to take a vaca-
ton. Are you thinking Of coming
south? l know you must be, though,
for there's hardly anywhere else to 60,
now that everything up there is ice
and snow-bound.
What do you think Of joining our
party here at Palm Beach? We will
remain here another week, when we
have planned an altogether original
tour of either Jamaica or San Domingo
on bicycles. All Of us brought our
wheels from home, and these suggested
the trip. We have discarded the auto
mobile idea because two or three ma
chimes would be required for the nine
of us, two in the crowd are Indifferent
chauffeurs, and because we are not
certain about the roads down there.
Bicycles will go anywhere and we HAYS
determined to use them, see the coun-
try thoroughly and get a healthy trop-
ical tan.
Wire me if you IAN come. And if
you can. be sure to bring your bicycle.
1t will be indispensable to a thorough
ly good time.
Mary begs to be remembered 70
AS ever, Mildred Halcomb."
Then:
"P. S.-Don't forget the bicycle
The warm freight was having it's
effect after coming in from the cold
outer air. He was Growsy. An invol-
untary yawn showed two fine rows of
as he placed the letter on the
He and Mildred had BEEN chums
since childhood. They alS as cor
when one or the o.her was
away. And in the past few months
be had come to realize that he could
not live without her. There had been
no VOWS, but since as children they
had roamed the parks together on
bright, new bicycles, they had
been conscious of a mutual exhilara-
ton and joyousness in one another's
presence. Yes, bicycles, and the init
companionship they bring,
strangely interviewer in their
ives.
Well go wheeling, wheeling. wheeling
Down the misunderstanding pike;
Hearts affecting, feeling, feeling,
All the joy that's in a bike"
He had heard the doggerel parody of
popular song somewhere, and the
ines continued to repeat themselves in
lrowsy fashion:
'We'u go wheeling, wheeling. wheel-"
His pipe fell from nerveless fingers.
One foot slipped from the fender.
He and Mildred were resting on the
beneath a towering palm tree. Not
off several people of their party
we're laughing and talking together.
saw the surf come rolling in not 20
Yards away, dwindling from mighty
waves to a smooth, even flow as they
the higher beach. Beside
hem were their bicycles. Cries of
strange birds were heard, and a bright
olumaged fellow flew over their heads
Ind futtered away inland.
How beautiful Mildred was! She was
cooking straight into his eyes. And in
he big gray orbs he saw her soul
there. 1t was shi:aing for him,
Ill for him! He knew it, and that was
enough.
you are mine," he was saying. "All
-hese years / have loved you, and
waited for you. And now we must
part no more. Your life shall be my
life, and mine shall be yours"
Out of the distance he heard the
,hime of bells. one-tWorthree-four
-five-six-And still it rang.
The sleeper awoke witha start. The
lock claimed his attention first for it
vas striking u. He rose quickly, and
Is he did SO a telegraph blank on the
able caught his eye.
Better write 1t now and send the
1rst thing in the morning. ne thought.
Rapidly his pencil traced the words:
Miss Mildred Halcomb, Hotel -,
Palm Beach, Fla.-Be there Thursday
with bicycle. Herbert.