Five Mile Beach weekly journal., 1909-01-08

something answered Darlington. "Bfl.
~, I've had a dream-a horribly realis-
tic dream-and I'm not altogether sure
that I'm awake yet"
Forget 1t, Charlie" sung out Laugh
ton between the puffs of his cigarette.
"Was 1t finding money In the street
or burying your relatives? 2" suggested
Laughton, but without sarcasm.
At this moment Hall entered, bearing
a 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.
"Impossiblei" 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 a very stiff arm. "1f
I'm dreaming, and 1 believe 1 am,
for the love of humanity don't wake
me-"
is he delirious? ?" Charlotte inquired
of Billy.
"Not any more so than usual" as
sured Billy, with friendly brutality.
did you bring those flowers for himY'
continued Billy, nodding in the direc-
ton Of the bed, whereat Charlotte
glowered at him and Mrs. Comstock
said something about "unseemly lev
ity."
"Wil you ever forgive me, Mr.. OAR
lington?" 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 hat horse knocked you down
and kicked you," continued Charlotte
"well, l Just thought | never wanted to
OICdh uBuAig OuC JOo IL ObAJ JhSt Od0AJ
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 a woman Of
your years. III take you In the sitting
room and show you Charlotte's 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 Billy's irrelevant
remarks and his kind departure,
'when you and l were coming out of
Balston's and were crossing the street?
I darted forward, and you started to
draw me back. Then the horse SHE'D
at something and kicked YOU
49, all the time cried Darlington,
/ sauagAe - was-4 e.scani out now AZ
all comes back to rle. / recall the SEN
sation as | fell. Thought what an ass
| had been never to nave told you that
l loved you and hat now maybe it
was too late
IT'S 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 l are starving for u
luncheon. As for you, old slippery
elm, III 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 I 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 late 2" 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"