Rock Island Argus., 1905-02-08
DAILY SHORT STORY
WHAT DREAMS MAY COME.

o'clock il was a veritaIie doWnpour,
rattling steadily on the tin roof of the
hotel piazza and beating against the
windows in spiteful fashion.
1t was cold. too. and a cheerful fire
cracked and sputtered sturdily in the
big fireplace in the hotel office, but de
spite the fire and the lights and the gay
chatter of the guests cOngregated in
the big palm lined room the effect of
the storm outside was glaringly evi-
dent. \ cold. rainy evening ut IA popu-
lar summer hotel is something to be re-
membered-and avoided.
Near the fireplace at score of little
tables the energetic Mrs. Potter had
started game of progressive euchre,
and in the big hall the orchestra had
been pressed into unwilling service by
some of the younger guests, and the
strains Of the latest popular waltzes
and the sound of shuffling feet drew
many people thither
Streeter. lounging in chair near the
desk, alternately read a morning paper
for the third time and tried TO find
some interest in the attempts of the
other guests to amuse themselves.
In sheer desperation he was perusing
the want column" when he saw Miss
Gale come down the broad stairs. He
was by her side in a moment.
Il wanted to claim you before Mrs.
Potter kidnapped you or some one else
dragged you off to dance" he explained
lauGhingly.
The girl smiled amusedly and shook
a finger at him.
Il can see at glance that you are
bored to death and in search of diver
sion at any cost" she said.
Your diagnosis is correct" said he.
Il am suffering from that unhappy
malady, or / was until 1 caught sight
of you. You know that 1t was because
you recommended this place that
came here. Now, you must do your
best to dispel the gloom that has de-
scended upon me-"
What shall l do?' she asked lightly.
Introduce you to some of Mrs. Pot
ter's proteges or get Mrs. Vandent to
give you the personal history of every
one hereF'
Il think" said Streeter. that Chopin
in the music room would be the best
antidOte."
"You are very modest in your de
mands.' she laughed. Chopin you
shall have until you cry for mercy.
Come on!'
They made their way TO the little
music room far down the corridor, and
to Streeters unutterable delight they
found it quite deserted. Streeter turned
out the lights and lighted two little red
shaded candles on the piano.
Just right now for the fifth noe
turne," he said as he surveyed the two
spots of color in the gloom.
The girl ran her fingers over the
keys. and Streeter drew a chair near
her and sat down. She began to play
the fifth nOcturne very softly, and
Streeter. leaning back comfortably,
watched the pretty profile outlined
fnintly by the candle light. And as he
listened to the rain beating against the
windows he realized the good that IL
seemingly i'll wind had blown him.
The nOcturne died away as it had be
gun, very softly. and he drew his chair
into the little circle of light.
The only trouble with that noe
turne." he said gravely, "is that. like
all things temporal, it comes to an
end"
Are you fond of them?" she asked
I'll play another"
do you know" he said quickly. Il
have often dreamed Of some such stu
alton as this
"A long. dreary evening at a storm
bound summer resort she laughed
No" he said seriously; "Of a piano
and candles with little red shades and
of you playing nocturnes to me like
this"
She began another nOcturne. even
more softly. that it might not inter
| rupt their conversation.
Dreams very seldom come true
she said And whether or not her tone
was mocking Streeter was at loss to
decide
He silently listened to the nocturnG
and studied the girls profile lntently
but the profile was noncommital. He
leaned forward in his chair and spoke
very softly.
1T was very pretty dream" he said,
zone OF those intangible bits of hap
piness that makes one loath to come
to proSaic earth again. There was
one thing about those dreams, how.
ever. quite different from this partial
realization"
And what was that:' she asked.
The piano and the little red shaded
midland you were in my own
house" he said.
The nocturne grew a trifie louder
| The girls glance was turned to the
other side of the room.
What a presumptuous dream" she
said
Was itT' said Streeter meekly. 81
couldn't help dreaming il. you know"
There was a long pause Then he
said slowly.
Perhaps il was presumptuous You
see. I wasn't asleep when 1 dreamed
it"
The nocturne came to an abrupt end
/ ing. The girl rose from the piano
You're not angry said Streeter in