The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1880-05-06
4 Gala.


still, and one might fancy the woman's
soul was lowering about the room wait
ing to ascend the shining stair, followed
by the whisk of golden Autumn leaves
by the windows.
"Oh, my Nella my poor little wife
Ito think that YOU are no more. How
shall | live to endure the agony that is
bowling me down. Oh, Nella my dsr-
ling, my lost dove Can naught avail
to win back your precious life
would freely give mine in exchange for
one more glance from those eyes-for
one endearing word. Speak to HE,
darling; [ will gladly answer thee.
Speak, say I am still alive, and thine
forever But no the hand 7 would
take in mine is cold Oh, hideous
dream it is NO, real--not real Ny
Nella dead r and the grief stricken
husband sank down by his dead wife's
side completely overcome by lis Attic
ton.
The good doctor covered his ewes and
turned away. Grief was no stranger to
him, but somehow he could not control
his feelings now. There was not dry
eve in the room and not a sound save
the sobs of the stricken husband.
''He takes it very much to heart. l
think some one had better take him out
into the ope air, remarked lady to
the doctor.
"No, let him alone for the present.
His sorrow must have its vent, and I
rather like its vehemence. True sor-
row ike that will have healthy flow,
ending after while in perfect calm,
let us hope.
The spectators gradually dropped
away, leaving none there but the be.
reaved husband and TIE doctor. They
went out like shadows perfectly noise
less-then strange silence reigned over
the house.
"Come, my dear Trevslyn," said the
doctor, taking the other by the arm.
"We will 60 Out in the garden for a
brief walk.
The sorrowing man suffered himself
to be led out of the room.
"A great pity nature has suffered this
flower to be broken off its STEM" said
the doctor, STOPPING and plucking from
the earth 3 full grown calla-symbol of
purity and faith. "Here, Maurice"
handing it to the bereaved husband.
The other took it, gazing vacantly at
its dazzling whiteness in utter silence:
"His sorrow is so deep rooted that it
blunts his sensibilities," thought the
doctor.
After short walk the two arrived at
a rear portico overlooking the garden,
beside a wide reach of landscape and
meadow land, with mountains in the
background. Both assembled the steps
and sat down.
doctor, you have witnessed my
grief a, the death of her who was my
dearest friend on earth. You may
think the violent type of grief soon
worn out by its umultuousness-per-
haps your long experience may have
given you that idea-but / beg to as
sure you that in her loss | have parted
from more than an ordinary wife, that
is, in the opinion OF the world Listen,
and will reveal to you a ,ae which |
viii astonish you as much as my grief.
1t was one bright June day fifteen |
years ago this Winter, that emerging
from my lodgings in the west end OF
Chapman's Terrace, London, l took the
shortest way to st. James Park. Not |
outstanding that the streets were
crowded with pedestrians, and vehicles |
of every kind had to be lodged, l ar
rived there in a short time The
weather being quite warm /, of course,
found large assemblage, mostly juven- /
lies and their nurses and mammas, it
being in the afternoon. ] sat down and
opened a fresh paper, at the same time
admiring the foliage on the trees and the
flowers that bordered the walks. Soon
l was completely lost in an article re
lating to the troops in India. The mo-
ments passed by all UNDECIDED by me,
when on a sudden attracted by a foot
step near me, | looked up.
Please, sir, buy some flowers
some violets-fresh violets, sir"
The questioner, graceful girl of eight
or nine years Of age, with English roses
in her cheeks and head of light brown
hair. and blue eyes with dark lashes.