Williston graphic. (Williston, Williams County, N.D.) 1895-1919, 1904-06-09
THE DREAMER.
BY JOHN WICKLIFFE GRAY.

The wind was grooming necessarily
Now and then it grew to piercing
shrek, as it whirled snow under the
caves and in the corners OF the big bay
window. 1t laid an icy grasp on the
frames and shook them angrily, en-.
viously, 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 sc
long, Herbert mused ITO keep the
chill out" Mrs. Williams had told him
once, and his words of thanks did no.
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 that afternoon, he pulled
out dainty little blue linen envelope.
He read his own 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 am glad to know that business
will soon permit you to take 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 wo
have planned an altogether original
tour of either Jamaica or San Domingo
on bicycles. All of us brought our
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.
will go anywhere and we have
determined to use them, see the coun-
try thoroughly and get healthy trop-
ical tan.
Wire me if you can come. And II
you can, be sure to bring your bicycle
1t will be Indispensable to thorough
ly good time.
Mary begs to be remembered to
you. 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
teeth as he placed the letter on the
table,
He and Mildred had been chums
since childhood. They always cor
responded when one or the other was
away. And in the past few months
he 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
their bright. new bicycles, they had
been conscious of mutual exhilara-
ton and joyousness in one anOther's
n
mate companionship they bring,
seemed strangely interviewer in their
ives.
We'll go wheeling, wheeling, wheeling
Down the misunderstanding pike;
Hearts affecting, feeling, feeling,
All the joy that's in bike"
He had heard the doggerel parody Of
! popular song somewhere, and the
ines continued to repeat themselves in
lrowsy fashion:
Well 60 wheeling, wheeling, wheel"
His pipe fell from nerveless fingers.
)ne foot slipped from the fender.
He and Mildred were resting on the
'od beneath towering palm tree. Not
ar off several people of their party
we're laughing and talking together.
He saw the surf come rolling in not 20
'ards away, dwindling from mighty
waves to smooth, even flow as they
cached the higher beach. Beside
hem were their bicycles. Cries of
TRANCE birds were heard, and bright
,lumaged fellow flew over their heads
md futtered away inland.
How beautiful Mildred was! She was
ooking straight into his eyes. And in
he big gray orbs he saw her soul
Inning there. It was shining for him,
IL for him! He knew it, and that was
"You are NINE" he was saying. "All
hese years l have loved you, and
waited for you. And now we must
art no more. Your life shall be my
lie, and mine shall be yours"
Out of the distance he heard the
hime of bells. One-two-three-
-five-six-And still it rang.
The sleeper awoke with a start. The
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