The Argosy — page 320: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

Two Dreanis. 301, Mrs. Hott tro Mrs. PERCEVAL. ‘“ The Priory, August roth. “ My DEAR Mrs. PERCEVAL,—We were much relieved to hear of Effie’s safe arrival, and trust that under your care her nerves may before long recover from the dreadful shock they have sustained. We are very glad poor Susan’s wounds are healing so quickly. It has, indeed, been a fearful tragedy, and both Fred and I are quite unstrung by it all. I, for one, shall never refuse to believe in dreams again. But that reminds me I have yet to tell you the strangest part of the story. “The brother of the poor wretched man came to see my husband a day or two ago. He was naturally in the deepest distress, for a ereat affection had existed between him and his brother. He told us that about eighteen months ago, ever since a visit we had paid to Lord D——, where he had gone with us, his brother had taken to betting and gambling, and going out at night to play cards at a public house there is 1n the village. ‘The result of all this was that he lost every penny of his savings, and ran deeply into debt. He was engaged to a very foolish, vain woman, who only cared for him for what he could give her, and did nothing but abuse and reproach him when no more money was forthcoming, and altogether made his life a burden to him. ‘About this time he heard us at dinner and at other times talking of Effie’s diamonds, and of how she was coming on a visit, and was to bring them with her. He had confided his many troubles to his brother, who happened to have a month’s holiday and had taken lodgings in the village, and his brother lent him money enough to clear him. ‘The fatal love of play, however, still clung to him, and now comes the strange part of my tale. “The night of the third of August last year he had a terrible dream. Having promised his brother to keep from play, he had gone to bed early, instead of going out as he had been in the habit of doing. But he could not sleep, and tossed from side to side; his mind filled with visions of Effie’s diamonds, which had again been the subject of con- versation at dinner. About dawn he fell into a troubled sleep, and dreamed that you and Effie had arrived, and that she had come down to dinner resplendent with diamonds, the sight of which, to use his own words, raised the devil within him. ‘The passion for gambling seized on him with renewed force, and he at once determined to steal the diamonds and make off to America. He felt he would not even stop short of murder itself in order to accomplish his desire. In his dream he waited at table and performed all his duties as quietly and as perfectly as ever, but his resolution did not waver. ‘The house was shut up for the night, and he found himself in the pantry searching among the knives for the one which he considered best suited to his purpose. Armed with it, he stole up to Effie’s room about two o’clock in the morning. Entering very softly, he stood for a moment cConnicloooks (CO) —