Forest City press. (Forest City, Potter County, D.T. [S.D.]) 1883-19??, 1915-06-23
CHAPTER xI.--(Continued).

He undressed In the dark, leaped
into bed and although the night was
very warm, pulled the coverlet over his
shivering frame, and closed his eyes
90 tightly that they hurt. in the eff
fort to go to sleep instantly whether
his brain willed 1t or no. Many minutes
passed and sleep came not because he
cOurted 1t so %Zealously. He heard the
muffled strokes OF the ancient clock
In the hallway below. He remembered
that 1t was out of repair-it had bee
ever since he could recall-and was as
likely to strike Is as ii was one; it
never struck the correct number. The
hour was 3. he knew. but he found
himself wondering how far out of the
way the futile timepeace would prove
to be. He counted IL. Then the silence
was more deathlike thar before. The
ihcongruous thought dashed through
his mind that his uncle. being a me-
thodtcal person, was singularly remiss
IN allowing the clock to go on such u
prolonged tantrum AS this.
Suddenly he remembered that he
had not said his prayers. He never
had missed saying them before. Mr..
Presbrey a been particularly imper-
had knelt at the rail of the bed to say
them, but OF late he had been num-
bling them In bed. asserting an inde-
pendence that rather pleased him, all
though he was careful not to apprise
Mr.. Presbrey of the departure. Inn
PEELED by a strange w which would
not be resisted. he slipped out of bed
and knelt once more In the old. ac-
copied way. Before he knew what had
happened, in the curse OF the set
prayer which h minister had pre-
pared for him, he mumbled h sem
tence. bless Uncle Horace and Aunt
Rena and Cousin Chetwynd n bless
my e sister,
But there he stopped. Chetwynd!
The name seemed to strike Jack at his
lips. The prayer was ended.
AS he started to rise, a long. quaver-
Ing cry came from Mary's room. He
sprang to his feet. electrified, his
whole body rigid from the shock to his
overweight nerve With bated breath
and glazing eyes, he waited for a repe-s
tition OF the sound. 1t came a mo-
ment later, this time louder and with
q note Of terror.
It was Mary's voice after all. A wave
Of relief surged over him. In two
bounds he was at her door.
What 10 1t? What Is the matter,
Nary"
lively. 'Oh. I've had such q terrible
dream. Please light the gas, just for
9 minute. 1t was so real. l wonder II
Il could have been true. Did you hear
any one go out of my door?' Z
NO." he replied, stopping in the
middle Of the o conscious of a
strange premonition. You were dream-
Ing. No one has been here"
Light the gas. l am SO nervous I
thought Chetwynd vas in the room,
standing at the side Of my bed. with
hts hands reaching out to grab hold
Of me. He had the most awful look
In his face. He was saying something
to me. I couldn't catch all OF the words.
{ was SO frightened, and his voice was
60 thick and hoarse. But / did UNDER
I don't know why / should dream such
things. Won't you light the gas.
Eric, please?"
But he stood there as If turned to
stone-the blood In his veins concealed.
h heard strange, mumbled words on
his lips.
"Oh. God, 1 wonder If he was here.
Can he be here now. in this room?'
mo. no. ninny," cried she. with
i shrill little laugh. "Of course. it was
q dream. I'm wide awake now. Pm
sorry I disturbed you, Eric. But
please stay with me for a little while.
Il was SO real, and I'm such a cow
You know how frightened l am
DC him, anyway. Sit down on the bed.
Eric"
~ snan.t light the gas" he said res
0lutely. He would not let her see his
face. That was out OF the question.
He sat down on the edge OF the bed.
IN the darkness her eager little hand
sought his, and found 1t as cold as Ice.
How cold your hand ID" she cried.
'.Ieit?" he asked mechanically.
Listen. Eric. and I'll tell you why
I had the dream. They say there Is no
explanation Tor ones dreams. but I
don't believe 4. i think. II h a only,
4oNback q ones mind. In some little
forgotten corner Of Il, he win be sure
4 \ m men ~ ' thpt viii furnish iH1a. ny 6a.c Cause se.
Tor every single dream. Sometimes we
may have 10 so back Of u present ex-
iotence. n the before this. or
mAyho we project ourselves into q fu-
tul0 incarnation. but we
Don't talk Mary he In
gruffly.
nc isn't nonsense" she cried. .Joan|
and 4 were talking about r~eincarnation
:eodAy. She believes In Il. Just as I do.
ne thlnkn when wcsdie souls pass
01fStO another body. and the rood In IN
grown while ehefsbad decreases."
ssIen nj; Whist caused this dream OF
m hama began 10 trsmble. Il ousht
IA p9 W1llfaQ1ual5eisRith Chetwynd. You
-Secs a.M Esis. row might DO some,
xhat. a. instance." he asked de-
4 must prsmiss mo firststhat you
Isss.ssyeas &ai.z ses your temper 81
III has q sald O. yoa-what has
af SNof ~ demanded her brother. hts
l. l1ktSN4 tor htg#sC0u1in hitting Itself