Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1908-12-03

something" answered Darlington. "Bil-
". I've had a dream-a horribly realis-
tic dream-and I'm not altogether sure
that Pm awake yet
Forget IL, Charlie" sung out Laugh
ton between the puts of his cigarette.
"was II finding money in the street
or burying your relatives?" suggested
LArghton. but without sarcasm.
At this moment Hall entered. bearing
q tray with steamlng hot coffee.
1.-Two ladies to see you. sir" Hall an
nounced as he put the tray on table
at the bedside.
"Impossiblev' exclaimed Darlington.
Probably Aunt Dora and Charlotte. /"
suggested Laughton as he rose. Then.
turning to Darlington, he added "Quiet
down, old man. It's all right. You're
dreaming, that's all"
Charlotte and her mother were stand
ing In the doorway, and Darlington
stared at the two figures.
zone minute, Billy" said Darlington
as he put forth very stir arm. 'Tf
I'm dreaming, and 1 believe am.
for the love of humanity don't wake
me-
els he delirious?" Charlotte inquired
of Billy.
"Not any more so than usual" as
sured Billy. with friendly brutality.
"Did you bring those flowers for him p
continued Billy, nodding in the direc-
ton of the bed, whereat Charlotte
glowered at him and Mrs. Comstock
said something about ''unseemly lev
fly"
"Will you ever forgive me, Mr.. OAR
lingtonT Charlotte was saying. IN
never forgive myself; but, you see, I
thought IL 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 serious minded girl. Could she be
I'D to some trick now with her cousin,
Billy Laughton2
"When that horse knocked you down
and kicked you" continued Charlotte
well. l just thought never wanted to
speak again, but you're only Just badly
bruised. not seriously hurt. they tell
me You're not, are your"
A sudden CLEAN as II knowing
whereof she spoke came TO Darlington
81 remember" he began as he took
Charlotte's hand.
"Good Lord, deliver u.s." cried Billy
"He's going to 'reminisce.' Come on,
Aunt Dora. I'm afraid this ordeal
would be too much for woman OF
your years. III take you in the sitting
room and show you Charlotte's colec-
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 Billy's irrelevant
remarks and his kind departure.
"when you and were coming out Of
Balston's and were crossing the street?
l darted forward. and you started to
draw me back. Then the horse SHE'D
at something and kicked YOU
"And all the time" cried Darlington.
II thought IL was n dream. But now 1t
all comes back to me. recall the SEN
sation as fell. Thought what an ass
1 had been never to have told you that
i loved YOU and that now maybe IL
was too late
Its darned sight too hate 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 l 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 significant little
squeeze.
"Am too later 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 later asked Mrs Comstock as the
trio reached the street
"Ah. don't pay any attention to hin"
put in Billy. "He was dreaming
that's ALL"