Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1880-05-14
A Gala.

tor, placing his ear to the pale face to
ascertain if respiration had ceased.
All was still, and one might fancy the
womans soul was lowering about the
room waiting to ascend the shining
stair, followed by the whisk of golden
autumn leaves by the windows.
"Oh, my Nella ! my poor little
wife-to think that you are no more.
How shall l live to endure the agony
that is bowling me down. Oh, Nella
my darling, my lost dove F.! 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 me,
darling; l will gladly answer thee.
Speak, say I" am still alive. aud thine
forever But no ! the hand l would
take in mine is cold. Oh, hideous
dream it is not real--not real. My
Nel,a dead" and the grief stricken
husband sank down by his dead wife's
side completely overcome by his afilic-
ton.
The good doctor covered his eyes and
turned away. Grief was no stranger
to him, hut somehow he could not con-
troll his feelings now. There was not
dry eye in the room, and not sound
save the sobs of the stricken husband.
'He takes it very much to heart. I
think some one had better get him into
the open air." remarked a lady to the
doctor.
Ono, let him alone for the present.
His sorrow must find its vent, and
rather like its vehemence. True sor.
row like that will have a healthy flow,
ending after while in perfect calm,
let US hope"
The spectators gradually dropped
awsy, leaving none there but the be-
reaved husband and the doctor. They
went ont like shadows perfectly noise
less-then strange silence reigned
over the house.
"Come, my dear Trevelyn," said the
doctor, taking the other by the arm.
I've will go out in the garden for a
brief walk"
The Borrowing man suffered him.
self 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 full blown Gala
symbol of purity and faith. Here
Maurice" handing it to the bereaved
man.
The other took it, gazing vacantly al
its dazzling whiteness in utter silence
His sorr ow is SO deep rooted that
it blunts his sensibilities, thought the
doctor.
After q short walk the two arrived al
rear portico overlooking the garden,
beside wide reach of landscape an6
meadow land, with mountains in the
background. Both assembled the steps
and sat down.
Doctor, you have witnessed my
grief at the death of her who was my
dearest friend on earth. You may
think the violent type of grief soor
worn out by its tumuItucusness-per
haps your long experience may have
given you that ide a-but I beg to as
sure you that in her loss have parted
from more than al ordinary wife; tina
Is, IN the opinion of the world. Listen
and l will reveal to you a tale which
will astonisk you as much as my grief
1t was one bright June day fifteer
years ago this winter, that emerging
from my lodgings in the west end OF
Chapman's Terrace, London, I tool
the shortest way to st. James Park
Notwithstanding that the streets wer,
crowded with pedestrians, and vehicle
OF every kind had to be lodged, I ar
rived there in short time. Tn
weather being quite warm, I of cours,
found large assemblage, mostly juven
lies, and their nurses or mammas. i
being in the afternoon. I sat dow
and opened fresh paper, at the sam
time adniring the foliage on the tree
and the flowers that bordered tn
walks. Soon I was completely lost il
an article relating to the troops in In
dla. The moments passed byall un
needed by me, when on q sudden, al
traeted by footstep near me, l locke
mp.
Please, sir. buy some flowers
some violets--fresh violsts, sir"
The questioner, graceful girl o
eight or nine years old, with Englisl
roses m her cheeks and head of ligh
brown hair, blue eyes with dark lashes
held tray of neatly -arranged bouquet
and buds for my inspection. / wa
half in doubt about taking any then
preferring to wait until returned il
the evening, but something in tn