_ One _ DREAMS Night fell .
The red waters of grew sinister and sullen .
The tall pines lost their slimness and stood in wide blurred blotches all across the way , and a great shadowy bird arose , wheeled and melted , murmuring , into the black-green sky .
wearily dropped heavy bundle and stood still , listening as the voice of crickets split the shadows and made the silence audible .
A tear wandered down brown cheek .
were at supper now , whispered -- and , away back yonder beyond the night .
were far away ; would never be as near as once had been , for had stepped into .
And the cat and -- ah , but was a lonely thing , so wide and tall and empty !
And so bare , so bitter bare !
Somehow had never dreamed of as lonely before ; had fared forth to beckoning hands and luring , and to the eager hum of human voices , as of some great , swelling music .
Yet now was alone ; the empty night was closing all about in , and was afraid .
The bundle with earthly treasure had hung heavy and heavier on shoulder ; little horde of money was tightly wadded in sock , and lay hidden somewhere far away in the shadows .
wondered how far was ; looked and harkened , starting at own heartbeats , and fearing more and more the long dark fingers of the night .
Then of a sudden up from the darkness came music .
It was human music , but of a wildness and a weirdness that startled as it fluttered and danced across the dull red waters of .
hesitated , then impelled by some strange power , left and slipped into , shrinking , yet following the song hungrily and half forgetting fear .
A harsher , shriller note struck in as of many and ruder voices ; but above it flew the first sweet music , birdlike , abandoned , and crept closer .
crouched ragged and black at the edge of .
An old chimney leaned drunkenly against , raging with fire and smoke , while through the chinks winked red gleams of warmth and wild cheer .
With a revel of shouting and noise , the music suddenly ceased .
Hoarse staccato cries and peals of laughter shook , and as stood there peering through the black trees , abruptly the door flew open and a flood of light illumined the wood .
Amid this mighty halo , as on clouds of flame , was dancing .
was black , and lithe , and tall , and willowy .
garments twined and flew around the delicate moulding of dark , young , half-naked limbs .
A heavy mass of hair clung motionless to wide forehead .
arms twirled and flickered , and body and soul seemed quivering and whirring in the poetry of motion .
As danced sang .
heard voice as before , fluttering like a bird 's in the full sweetness of utter music .
It was no tune nor melody , it was just formless , boundless music .
forgot and besides .
All darkness was sudden light ; dazzled crept forward , bewildered , fascinated , until with one last wild whirl paused .
The crimson light fell full upon the warm and velvet bronze of face -- midnight eyes were aglow , full purple lips apart , half hid bosom panting , and all the music dead .
Involuntarily gave a gasping cry and awoke to and night and fire , while a white face , drawn , red-eyed , peered outward from some hidden throng within .
" Who 's that ? " a harsh voice cried .
" Where ? "
" Who is it ? " and pale crowding faces blurred the light .
wheeled blindly and fled in terror stumbling through , hearing strange sounds and feeling stealthy creeping hands and arms and whispering voices .
On toiled in mad haste , struggling toward and losing until finally beneath the shadows of a mighty oak sank exhausted .
There lay a while trembling and at last drifted into dreamless sleep .
It was morning when awoke and threw a startled glance upward to the twisted branches of the oak that bent above , sifting down sunshine on brown face and close curled hair .
Slowly remembered the loneliness , the fear and wild running through the dark .
laughed in the bold courage of day and stretched .
Then suddenly bethought again of that vision of the night -- the waving arms and flying limbs of , and great black eyes looking into the night and calling .
could hear now , and hear that wondrous savage music .
Had it been real ?
Had dreamed ?
Or had it been some witch-vision of the night , come to tempt and lure to undoing ?
Where was ?
Where was -- ?
_ _ must have been real ; had to live and dance and sing ; must again look into the mystery of great eyes .
And sat up in sudden determination , and , lo !
gazed straight into the very eyes of dreaming .
sat not four feet from , leaning against the great tree , eyes now languorously abstracted , now alert and quizzical with mischief .
seemed but half-clothed , and warm , dark flesh peeped furtively through the rent gown ; thick , crisp hair was frowsy and rumpled , and the long curves of bare young arms gleamed in the morning sunshine , glowing with vigor and life .
A little mocking smile came and sat upon lips .
" What run for ? " asked , with dancing mischief in eyes .
" Because -- " hesitated , and cheeks grew hot .
" knows , " said , with impish glee , laughing low music .
" Why ? " challenged , sturdily .
" was a-feared . "
bridled .
" Well , reckon 'd be a-feared if was caught out in the black dark all alone . "
" Pooh ! " scoffed and hugged knees .
" Pooh !
've stayed out all alone heaps o ' nights . "
looked at with a curious awe .
" do n't believe , " asserted ; but tossed head and eyes grew scornful .
" Who 's a-feared of the dark ?
love night . "
eyes grew soft .
watched silently , till , waking from daydream , abruptly asked : " Where from ? "
" . "
" Where 's that ? "
looked at in surprise , but seemed matter-of-fact .
" 's away over yonder , " answered .
" Behind where the sun comes up ? "
" Oh , no ! "
" Then ai n't so far , " declared .
" knows where the sun rises , and knows where it sets . "
looked up at its gleaming splendor glinting through the leaves , and , noting its height , announced abruptly : " ' se hungry . "
" So 'm , " answered , fumbling at bundle ; and then , timidly : " Will eat with ? "
" Yes , " said , and watched with eager eyes .
Untying the strips of cloth , opened box , and disclosed chicken and biscuits , ham and corn-bread .
clapped hands in glee .
" Is there any water near ? " asked .
Without a word , bounded up and flitted off like a brown bird , gleaming dull-golden in the sun , glancing in and out among the trees , till paused above , and then came tripping and swaying back with hands held cupwise and dripping with cool water .
" Drink , " cried .
Obediently bent over the little hands that seemed so soft and thin .
took a deep draught ; and then to drain the last drop , hands touched hers and the shock of flesh first meeting flesh startled both , while the water rained through .
A moment eyes looked deep into each other 's -- a timid , startled gleam in hers ; a wonder in .
Then said dreamily : " ' se known all lives , and -- before , ai n't ? "
hesitated .
" Ye -- es -- reckon , " slowly returned .
And then , brightening , asked gayly : " And 'll be always , wo n't ? "
" Yes , " said at last , slowly and solemnly , and another brief moment stood still .
Then the mischief danced in eyes , and a song bubbled on lips .
hopped to the tree .
" Come -- eat ! " cried .
And nestled together amid the big black roots of the oak , laughing and talking while ate .
" What 's over there ? " asked pointing northward .
" . "
" And yonder to the west ? "
" . "
started joyfully .
" !
What ? "
" . "
" ? "
" Yes . "
The tone was disdainful .
" Why , that 's where 'm going .
was a-feared was a long way off ; must have passed in the night . "
" hate it ! " cried , lips tense .
" But 'll be so near , " explained .
" And why do hate it ? "
" Yes -- 'll be near , " admitted ; " that 'll be nice ; but -- " glanced westward , and the fierce look faded .
Soft joy crept to face again , and sat once more dreaming .
" Yon way 's nicest , " said .
" Why , what 's ? "
" , " said mysteriously .
" And what 's beyond ? "
crouched beside and whispered in eager , tense tones : " Dreams ! "
looked at , puzzled .