The daily Alaskan., 1908-12-28

something" answered Darlington. "Bii- Iy, I've had a dream-a horribly realls- tie dream-and I'm not altogether sure that Pm awake yet"
 Forget 1t, Charlie" sung out Laugh ton between the pufis of his cigarette. "Was 1t finding money in the street or burying your relatives| suggested Laughton, but without sarcasm.
 At this moment Hall entered, bearing tray with steaming hot coffee.
 1.-TWO ladies to see you, sir" Hall an- nounced as he put the tray on a table at the bedside.
 "Impossiblew exclaimed Darlington.
 "PrObably Aunt Dora and Charlotte" !" suggested Laughton us he rose. Then, turning to Darlington, he added: "Quiet down, old man. It's all right. You're dreaming, that's all."
 Charlotte and Der mother were stand ing In the doorway, and Darlington stared at the two figures.
 "one minute, Billy" said Darlington as he put forth a very stlff arm. "If I'm dreaming, and I believe l am, for the love of humanity don't wake me-"
 "Is he delirlousY" Charlotte inquired of Billy.
 "Not any more so than usual" as- sured Billy, with friendly brutality. "Dld you bring those flowers for him" continued Billy, nodding in the direc- ton of the bed, whereat Charlotte glowered at him and Mrs. Comstock said something about "unseemly lev ity."
 "Wnl you ever forgive me, Mir. Dar- llngton?' Charlotte was saying. "I'll never forgive myself; but, you see, l thought it was safe for me to cross and"-
 Darlington looked at the girl closely. He had loved her for many months, but had never had the courage to tell her so. She had always impressed him as a serious minded girl. Could she be up to some trick now with her cousin, Billy Laughton?
 "When that horse knocked you down and kicked you," continued Charlotte "well I just thought I never wanted to speak again, but you're only just badly bruised, not seriously hurt they tell me You're not, are youT"
 A sudden gleam as If knowing whereof she spoke came to Darlington. q remember" he began as he took Charlotte's hand.
 Good Lord, deliver us" cried Billy "He's going to remlnisce.' Come on, Aunt Dora. I'm afraid this ordeal would be too much for woman of your years. I'll take you in the sitting room and show you Charlottes collec- ton of mugs" and, taking Mrs. Com stock by the arm, he led her Into the adjoining room.
 Don't you remember" continued Charlotte, unheeding Bnly's irrelevant remarks and his kind departure, "when you and I were coming out of Balston's and were crossing the street? I darted forward, and you started to draw me back. Then the horse shied at something and kicked you'-
 And all the tlme," cried Darlington, oI thought 1t was dream. But now 1t all comes back to me. l recall the sen- sation as I fell. Thought what an ass I had been never to have told you that I loved you and that now maybe it was too late
 "Its a darned sight too late for a healthy brute like you to be lying in bed" chimed in Billy as he and Mrs. Comstock returned at this inOpportune moment. "Come along, Charlotte. Aunt Dora and I are starving for our luncheon. As for you, old slippery elm,, I'll be back this afternoon and read aloud to you extracts from Pipes, the Greatest Dream Book of the Age.'"
 Charlotte extended her hand to the invalid. He gave 1t a significant little squeeze.
 Am too late" he demanded in an undertone.
 You're just in time," answered Charlotte, blushing to the roots of the soft brown hair above her forehead.
 "What did Charlie mean about being too lateY asked Mrs. Comstock as the trio reached the street.
 "Ah, don't pay any attention to him." put in Billy. He was dreaming that's all"