The circle banner. [volume] (Circle, Mont.) 1914-1939, 1918-09-20
THREE DREAMS
BY JACK WALTON.


De IOunO. Inc one TepOSlnR IN IHe
safe could have no special value be-
cause across Its back was written in
bold letters. "This will is void.
later document may be found, leaving
all to the niece whom we have learned
truly loves u.s." n
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 ad-
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
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. ~
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 1t make? Either one of
us should be willing to divide with
the other"
"Of course, dear" Mary hastily
agreed, but line showed between her
pretty brows. She was thinking anx-
lousy 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 and to live there with old
Mammie Delia-when Martha should
be married.
Earnestly she looked over the
months that were gone; could 1t 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, Mary7" But as
quickly she laughed. "Of course you
wouldn't, loyal SOUL" she said
So weeks went by with no solution
If the difficulty.
"P'raps, Missile Jane an Mister Hor-
ice weren't shuah decided which loved
EN- best befoah dey went, honey"
dammie Della suggested.
"They probably agreed to leave
hings as they WERE" he said And af-
er the three had exclusively tailed
he subject over one evening, Mary
vent to her room and had a dream;
t least 1t must have been q dream,
hough to her at the time 1t all seemed
cry real. She had unbranded her long
air before the glass, and turned to
1t down in her favorite rocker. when,
! their usual easy way, Aunt James
nd Uncle Horace entered the ROOM
10Th were dressed in an old familiar
tanner, as arm In arm they stood for
moment looking down upon her.
"OhI Aunt Jane" she cried, "and
ncle. I have wanted you so much"
ut though both old faces were Hum
led with wonderful smile, Uncle
GRACE motioned her back; his eyes
,ught the timepiece upon the mantel
"Oh, not yeti" begged the girl,
please do not go" But they were
,ne.
Stupidity she raised her head from
e back of the rOcker-she had been
leep. And as she still sat blinking,
artha burst into the room. Martha's
'es were wide and dark her cheeks
ere crimson.
ooh, Mary' she exclaimed. II have
ID such a terrible dream, though 1t
asn't in the least like dream. I
IS reading before the fire, when the
or opened and Uncle Horace came
Yes, he did, with Aunt Jane be-
nd him. They seemed to wait until
-cuib tohti VI my tii+ diit tutn OllClt
)race looked toward the clock, and
at once 1t came to me, like flash,
w was my opportunity TO learn
out the will, so I managed to blurt
out: Where did you Iut the last
ll?' / asked. who gets the prop
ty? Speak quick gasped, but they
re gone"
Trembling, Martha sank down upon
; bed. 1T was terrible !" she re-
ated.
Across the room came the telephone
/. Mary fastened to answer Miss
came the old lawyers voice.
lie hour is late, but felt must call
j up. The second will has been
ind, and through the strange process
q dream. 1t is actually difficult to
.suade myself that the experience
ough which have passed, was
'am. Pardon my incoherence-the
ident has unsettled me. was pom
ing over our recent conversation,
en- II seemed that your old uncle
cred my study. In businesslike
nner he Immediately proceeded to
safe, tapping q space beneath