Fair play., 1904-05-07
THE DREAMER.
BY JOHN wIcKL1FFE GRAY.

Now and then it grew to piercing
! Shrek as IT. whiTled 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-
yiously, because it could not enter and
destroy the scene of comfort within.
She was a jewel OF landlady who
would keep The FIRE burning for him 50
long. Herbert unused. 10 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.
lie lighted his redOcnt briarwood
pipe, pulled ti5 big leathern chair be-
fore the fender leaned back in its
depths and the luxurious folds of his
lounging robe. His feet perched on
the fender for the fifth time since the
office closed that afternoon, he pulled
out a dainty little blue linen envelope.
lie read his own name and address
two or three times before he took out
the sheets within.
Round and firm, and-just like Mill
dred," he mused.
He spread out the sheets on his knee
and read: I
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 tho
rule with everybody.
Il am glad to know that business
will soon permit you to take a vaca-
ton. Are you thinking of coming
south? / know you must be, though,
for there's hardly anywhere else to gos
now that everything up there is ice
and snow-bOuud.
What do you think of joining our
party here at Palm Beach? We Will
remain here another week, when VIC
/ 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 haye
| determined to use them, see the coun-
| try thoroughly and get healthy trop-
/ ical tan.
"Wire me if you can come. And IL
/ you can, be sure to bring your bicycle.
/ 1t will be Indispensable to a thorough-
/ ly good time. :
Mary bess to be remembered TO
/ you. As ever, Mildred Halcomb."
Then:
"P. S.-Don't forget the bicycle"
The warm freight was having it5
effect after coming in from the cold
outer air He was Growsv An invol-
uutary yawn showed two fine rows OF
/ teeth as he placed the letter on the
table
lie and Mildred had been chums
. since childhood They always corr
/ 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 eNhilara-
] A4N4l anu .hh bNNti'7.. lli 'slf nlAhi4l'A u
/ presence Yes bicycles, and the iu,i-
mate compauionship they bring,
/ seemed strangely interviewer in their
/ lives.
Gwen 20 vnsc,fre wheeling Wheeling
/ Down the d.s,anc.4 4"naaus pike,
",1'' ,, H.. .-.-, ,,.''.-'
-, ...-..,.
ne ma" H'''" INC uo55e'o' p"louy u
| d pop"''I So"5 SouIe" mere ana ms
'I,'oS l"'-,'',',gu ~ ''t''' '''i'''''''' - ~
0''"S' '"S'-'''''
wen 60 wheeling. Wheeling, "hee.-'
HIS pipe leil from neryeless fingers.
| One foot slipped from The fender.
He and Mildred were resting on the
/ sod beneath a towering palm tree. Not
/ far of several people of their party
/ were laughing and talking together.
| lie saw the SUR come rolling in not 20
/ yards away dWIndIins from mighty
/ waves to a smooth, even flow as they
/ reached the higher beacn. Beside
| them were their bicycles. Cries OF
rIumarad faIIov fay nyrr' rboir hasd.,
| and Huftered away inland
/ How beautiful Mildred was, She yos
/ IooEing straight into his ewes And in