The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1918-05-16
THREE DREAMS
BY JACK WALTON.


be found. The one reposing in the
safe could have no special value be-
cause across its back was written In
bold letters. This will is void. A
later document may be found. leaving
all to the niece whom we have learned
truly loves u.s."
1t was perpleXing situation. The
twin orphaned nieces, Mary and Mar
tina, had lived since infancy, upon their
relatives bounty, and Uncle Horace
and Aunt Jane had denied them moth
ing Both girls enjoyed the same adj
vantages; both had objected terderly
when the drawing of the will was dis
cussed.
"Do not let us talk about such
things" murmured Mary.
"Do as you think best with your
property" Martha had unselfshly ad-
vIsed
The first will divided the estate
equally between the sisters-why the
elderly couple had seen fit to change
their minds was a problem. Vaguely
troubled, the girls aided in the search,
with no success. Alone, they looked
into each others faces. Had either
one Of us grieved them?" asked Mary.
Martha shrugged her shoulders. 81
think we've been pretty grateful"
she said, Staying with them night af-
ter night. And Uncle Horace was not
the easiest person to manage, after
Aunt Jane went. However, what diff
ference does it make? Either one of
us should be willing to divide with
the other"
"Of course, dear" Mary hastily
agreed, but a line showed between her
pretty brows. She was thinking anx-
iously about the man whom Martha
was determined to marry. His ex.
travagances were well known The
division of property Mary considered
just but she wished wistfully that she
might have been able to keep up the
dear home ana to live there with old
Mammie Delia-when Martha should
be married.
Earnestly she looked over the
months that were gone; could II be
possible that she had offended? They
had been so good to her, so kind al
ways. And Martha, too, looked back.
They could not have been preju-
diced against Lester Blake" she re-
marked with satisfaction, "because
they had not heard of his intentions.
You did not tell Mary?" But as
quickly she laughed. "Of course you
wouldn't, loyal soul" she said.
So weeks went by with no solution
of the difficulty.
"P'raps, Missile Jane an Mister Hor-
ace weren't shuah decided which loved
'em best befoah dey went, honey"
Mammie Della suggested.
"They probably agreed to leave
things as they WERE" he said And af-
ter the three had eXhaustively talked
the subject over one evening Mary
went to her room and had a dream
Mt least ii must have been a dream.
though to her at the time 1t all seemed
very real. She had unbranded her long
sit down in her favorite rocker when,
In their usual easy way, Aunt James
and Uncle Horace entered the room.
Both were dressed in an old familiar
manner, as arm in arm they stood for
moment looking down upon her.
"Ohl Aunt Jane" she cried "and
uncle. | have wanted you so much"
But though both old faces were illum-
ined with wonderful smile, Uncle
Horace mOtioned her back; his eyes
sought the timeplece upon the mantel.
"Oh, not yet" begged the girl,
please do not go" But they were
gone.
stupidity she raised her head from
the back of the rocker-she had been
asleep. And as She still sat blinking
Martha burst into the room Martha's
eyes were wide and dark, her cheeks
were crimson.
"Oh, Maryw she exclaimed. 81 have
had such a terrible dream, though II
wasn't in the least like a dream. I
was reading before the fire, when the
door opened and Uncle Horace came
In. Yes, he did, with Aunt Jane be-
hind him. They seemed to wait until
| could contro myself and then Uncle
Horace looked toward the clock, and
all at once it came to me- like n flash,
now was my opportunity to learn
about the WILL so | managed to blurt
1t out: Where did you put the last
willT ! asked who gets the prop
erty? Speak quick | gasped, but they
were gone"
Trembling, Martha sank down upon
the bed. at was terrible" she re-
peated.
Across the room came the telephone
call. Mary fastened to answer Miss
wilkins" came the old lawyers voice
THE hour Is late, but felt must call
YOU up. The second will has been
found, and through the strange process
OF dream. II Is actually difficult TO
persuade myself that the experience
through which | have passed, was n
dream. Pardon my incoherence--the
incident has unsettled me- was pom
dering over our recent conversation.
when 1t seemed that your old uncle
entered my study. In a busInessllke
manner he Immediately proceeded to
my safe, tapping a space beneath n
certain drawer, then he vanished.
Carried by an uncomfortable impulse,
fastened to your home whore | am
now I'm the library. Della admitted