Dreamy Hollow: A Long Island Romance

void of memory. She laughed, talked, sat up in bed, or in a perambulating chair was taken out among the flowers and trees each day. She recognized

" said she, gaily-referring to t

her?" asked Villard, t

rly, and Mr. Barbour, standing near and in plain sight, turn

r upon the hospitality of a man he did not know. But Villard, farseeing

l come into complete recollection-and then, if my

ur fervently. "Everything is being done for he

ould not have

the skies that are working out my salvation, and that of your daughter. I won't go into the matter further than to say that I am sure the fates are on our side. When all is s

stood on the sands of his private beach and watched the waves as they swirled and pounded on the shore line. His thoughts, however, were far away, but the very faith he put behind them turn

will marry"-she had told him.

se herself from his memory, had been sublime, but to her reincarnated soul he would hinge his destiny through the instrumentality of Winifred Barbour. She had now become the

ed will never attempt to obscure your likeness from my heart. Together you will

hen, as he walked his way back he quickened his pace, but h

er mind has been suddenl

a glad light in his eyes. Resuming his rapid

range! She has always lived in one place. She knows nothing of your helpfulness in rescuing her from the wreck. All she realizes is th

ake place-and where?" d

randa-and had dozed off after playing

moments and looked up into the skies

But we will never cease to thank that Wonderful Spirit which has helped your daughter into a normal conditi

to the eyes of the lovely creature whom God had sent

little woman?"

u're Mr.

f memory you asked for 'Drury'-and that is

e dreamed it. What has happened to me, and my father? I remember I was in a dreadful accident-did you know th

beautiful gray-blue orbs from the contest and gazed out upon the gardens whe

itously, wondering whether or not he should tell her of the real

ore this morning was perfectly new-the first time I had worn it. We were going to the big city and I was so happy. I have ne

easing her hand he drew up a great lounging

ing about the accident," said he,

dering-I seem to be in anothe

eral days, much to our delight," he re

ng with embarrassment; "think o

n," said Villard. "I have asked your father to live with us-we are so lonesome in this

ew Winifred opene

deep sorrow," said

ied, tenderly. "When you grow stronger I will tell you what I mean. Bu

your name-my mother sent me wor

ead, is she not?"

e girl, simply. "Winifred told her to tell me that there

irl, and what? Tell me ab

mastery over the young woman, who, awed by his co

et, if you insist, I feel that I must. Don'

, on my sacred honor!" re

would doubt, or laugh to scorn, but for those who believe in a life to come-t

from her I never actually see her. Her voice, which I so dearly love, came into the room and called to me by name, but I could not locate the direction from whence it came. So I bowed my head again, and waited. Shortly she spoke, saying-'There will be an accident, my child, but

sobbed. Villard's mood was so like her own that he dared not try to comfort her. He had no words with which to soothe, nor power to check the sorrow and joy that ming

is arms and kissed her cheeks and

tioned it. My dead Winifred is yourself, incarnate. I shall keep and guard you during all of my remaining days on

ut Villard was a law unto himself and he took Winifred's hand into his own, and together they strolled along the wooded path leading toward the ever wonderful beach. This path was seldom used because of i

sky and the waters of the deep merged with the shadows of a waning day. As yet the answer had not been