The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1904-04-30
KISSING THE SLEEPER.

twenty moved rapidly down one of
the long corridors of Grace Hospital,
New York, one bright winter morn
ing in 1900. She looked carefully at
each numbered door she passed, until
she finally stopped and noiselessly
pushed one open, entered, closing it
softly behind her. She stood listen
ing moment just inside, then whisp-
ering softly, He's asleep" stole on
tiptoe to the side of the bed, which
stood in the farthest corner of the
room, and looked down upon the oc-
cupant.
A low, astonished exclamation
burst from her lips, though it did not
awaken the sleeper, who, evidently,
under the influence of an opiate, slum-
bered on.
A moment the girl stood irresolute,
as though hewildered, when suddenly
a look of relief came into her eyes,
and a smile replaced the perplexed
expression on her face.
II must be ON the wrong floor"
she said, glancing around. "The
room is an exact duplicate of
Georges" Then with lingering
look at the sleeper, Hes very
handsome. How pale he is Poor
fellow! Lust believe since L m here,
pll-well, kiss him for his mother. >"
A blush suffused the fair, plying
face as she stopped and lightly press
ed her lips TO the sick mans forehead,
then turned and swiftly left the room.
Three months later Raymond
Winton, some little time restored to
health, sat before large easel in his
studio, putting the final delicate
touches to wonderful painting in
oil.
1t represented room in hospital.
Upon the bed the patient-a man
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preston that he was young and hand
some. A sense of familiarity between
the face of the artist and patient was
also dimly felt.
Above the bed, in half STOPPING
posture, as though about to kiss the
sleeper, was a tall, graceful girl, her
beautiful face full of such pity as to
almost seem a caress. She was at
tired richly in long, black, clinging
cloth gown, with jacket of the same
material. An ermine collar and muff
accentuated the sombreness of the
robe and large feather-trimmed hat,
at the same time bringing into deli
cate relief the exquisite transparency
of her skin, the gold of her hair, and
the turquoise blue of her eyes.
1t was a striking picture unique
in design, splendid in workmanship
and finish. No wonder the artist,
from time to time, contemplated it
with delight.
"Ah, my dream lady, you are real
enough there to exist in flesh and
blood. No one would take you to be
the fgment of a dream. Lucky
thing that illness OF mine If 1 mis-
take not this picture will bring me
greater fame than any other. Inever
could love any girl except the original
of that picture, and she exists only
in my imagination. Queer, though,
should have had such dream and
been so impressed by 1.-THE effect ol
the opiates, suppose. No wonder
so many people become addicted tc
their use if they induce dreams as
beautiful Heigho ! Time to gel
ready for that reception at Mrs. Nor
mans, so I'll put you aside for the
night, my queen"
"Oh, Mr.. Winton, so glad to SCI
you Allow me to introduce you tc
my niece, Miss Selden. Lillias, my
dear, Mr.. Winton."
With difficulty Raymond Wintor
suppressed the exclamation of sur
prise and delight that came involun
tarily at sight of that girl before him
Tall, sweet and fair as some Greciar
goddess she stood in her soft, cling
ing gown of white, the exact counter
part of his beautiful 'lady of dreams.
There was, however, no recognition II
her eyes as she acknowledged th
introduction and then chatted quietl,
with him upon the latest societ
topics.
X X x x
"Well, Lillias, how did you enjo
the reception, and-Raymond Win
ton. He is unassumming, and yet
talented artist with rapidly GROWN
reputation. He was very i'll severs
months ago, but since his recover
has been painting very superio
picture, It's said a masterpiece in II
J way. Now when I think of it, b
was in the hospital where George wa:
and about the same time, too. Wit
the exception of one or two reporter
no one has seen the picture, althoug
d it is finished, or nearly so. 1t seen
the inspiration came to him throug
a dream he had during his illness ;
: the hospital. He has christened
MY Lady of Dreams. We seem
: be especially honored, for last nigh
on leaving he invited me to bring yo
to the studio to see it. It's to
placed on exhibition next week, an
he particularly mentioned that |
desired you to see it before that tim
You certainly must have made a dee
impression upon him.