The daily Alaskan., 1905-05-30
WHAT DREAMS
 MAY COME

Ll crackled 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 A cold, rainy evening at a popu- lar summer hotel Is something to be re- membered-and avoided.
 Near the fireplace at a 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 shufllng feet drew many people thither,
 Streeter, lounging in a chair near the desk, alternately read 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 moment
 q 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.
 "I can see at a glance that you are bored to death and in search of diver sion at any cost" she said.
 Your diagnosis is correct" said he, 'T am suffering from that unhappy malady, or I was until I caught sight of you. You know that it was because you recommended this place that l came here. Now, you must do your best to dispel the gloom that has de scended upon me"
 What shall I doI' she asked lightly, "Introduce you to some of Mrs. Pot ter's proteges or get Mrs. Nandent to give you the personal history of every one here?"
 "I think" said Streetcr, 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 Streeter's unutterable delight they found 1t quite deserted. Strccter turned out the lights and lighted two little rel shaded candles on the plano.
 Just right now for the tfth 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 faintly by the candle light. And as he listened to the rain beating against the windows he realized the good that a 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 thcm? she asked "rn play another"
 Do you know" he said quickly, "l have often dreamed of some such situ ation as this"
 "A long, drcary evening at storm bound summer reSOitf" she laughed.
 No" he said seriously; "of piano and candles with little rcd shades and of you playing nocturncs to me like this"
 She began another nOCturne, ever 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 Strcetcr was at loss tC decide.
 He silently listened to the nocturnC and studied the girls profile intently but the profile was noncommital He leaned forward in his chair and spoke very softly.
 ''It was a very pretty dream" he said ''one of those intangible bits of hap plness that makes one loath to como to prOsaic earth again. There was one thing about those dreams, how ever, quite different from this partla realization"
 And what was thatT' she asked.
 "The piano and the little rcd shaded candles-and-and you were in my owr house." he said.
 The nocturne grew trife louder The girls glance was turned to th' other side of the room.
 What a presumptuouS dreamr shC said.
 Was itY'' said Streeter meekly. '1 couldn't help dreaming it, you know"
 There was a long pause, Then h' said slowly:
 Perhaps it was preSumptuous. You see, I wasn't asleep when dreamed it."
 The nocturne came to an abrupt end ..... e...., At,