The Forrest City times., 1904-05-06
THE DREAMER.
BY JOHN wIcKLIFFE GRAY.

The wind was grooming necessarily. Now and then it grew to a piercing shriek, as it whirled snow under the caves and in the corners or the big bay window. It 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 landlady who would keep the fire burning for him so long, Herbert unused. ITO 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 perched on the fender, for the fifth. time since the office closed that afternoon, he pulled out a 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 Mill 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.
 T am glad to know that business will soon permit you to take a yaea- tion Are you thinking of coming south? l know you must be, though, for there's hardly anywhere else to go, now that everything up there is ice and 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 have determined to use them. see the coun- try thoroughly and get healthy trop- ical tan.
 Wire me if you can come. And if you can, be sure to bring your bicycle It will be indispensable 10 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 inyol- 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- tion and joyousness in one anothers 8 presence. Yes, bicycles, and the inti- mate companionship they bring. seemed strangely interwoven in their lives.
 wen go wheeling. wheeling. wheeling
 Down the Misunderstanding pike, Hearts a-feeling, feeling, feeling,
 All the joy that's in bike"
 He had heard the doggerel parody of popular song somewhere. and the lines continued to repeat themselves in drowsy fashion:
 Wen go wheeling. wheeling. wheel"
 His pipe fell from nerveless fingers One foot slipped from the fender.
 He and Mildred were resting on the sod beneath towering palm tree. Not far off several people of their party were laughing and talking together He saw the surf come rolling in not 20 yards away, dwindling from mighty waves 10 smooth, even flow as they reached the higher beach Beside them were their bicycles Cries of strange birds were heard, and a bright plumaged fellow flew over their heads and fiuttered away inland
 How beautiful Mildred was, She was looking straight into his eyes. And in the big gray orbs he saw her soul shining there. It was shining for him. all for him. He knew it, and that was enough.
 You are mine" he was saying. "A!l these years l 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 tho chime of bells. One-two-three-fo -five-six-And still it rang.
 The sleeper awoke with start ThA clock claimed his attention first, for it