The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1889-11-14

been gradually led TO return to his bach
elor life; all his comrades sermonized
him and his wifes guardian said to him
squarely;
"My boy, you have no right to bury
yourself"
1t even happened that having accepted
several invitations he was obliged to
return the polteness, So one day he
invited all the bachelor officers OF
the regiment to his house. The
dinner was all the more gay,
as they had promised themselves to en-
liven the poor widower. After an in
finite number of bottles of champagne
and vouvray wine, which goes to the
head as quickly us champagne, the guests
were so gay that they scattered them
selves over the house and even went into
the doctors study.
For the first time in two years Durier
himself had dined exceedingly well, and
was, by the aid of his comrades, in a
state that Horace has described as
ebriolus. Suddenly he found himself in
his study in the midst of group of
Lieutenauts, who were singing a jovial
song. Quickly sobered he took the
malachite urn and placed it in little re-
cess adjoining his study, and which was
! filled with books.
To avoid a return of like proclamation
the doctor decided ON the following
day to transform this little recess into
chapel; he had gothic window set in,
and surrounded the urn with flowers.
Soon afterward he perceived that the
flowers, deprived of air and light-the
gothic window was small and somber-
| faded as soon as he brought them, be-
came withered and spread about the
chapel sickening odor that his wifs
would have detested as well as he. He
replaced the natural flowers by artificial
plants, and the urn remained calm in its
nook.
Three years had passed since Nine.
Durier's death, when her husband sud
denly discovered that he was the object
of the most thoughtful attentions from
the terrible guardian who had disap-
proved of the marriage. And after vari-
Gus invitations to dinner or to the hunt
and to evening parties where the doctor
had been obliged to scour up his baritone
voice, the guardian abruptly revealed his
projects.
"MTy friend, l see that you do not
comprehend, and that everything must
always be explained to you. Have you
never remarked that have a daughter?"
Durier trembled and made vague
gesture.
ga daughter, monsieur, who rendered
our existence very unhappy when you
married my ward. But to-day all is eX-
planned Just imagine that this child
she was ther only sixteen--was jealous of
your wife! She was already in love with
you"
"But that is over, hope"
ooh no. 1t has only increased ana
become embellished. | have made in
quiries and know that you are on the eve
of promotion and have superb future
before you. know the amount of your
fortune; my daughter has very respecta-
BILE dowry, sixty thousand dollars. viii
you be my son-in-lawW
Durier was very much embarrassed.
He had never thought of the possibility
of a new union; he was, therefore, not
prepared to struggle, for he had no seri-
Gus arguments to produce, Every one
is agreed that a man cannot remain
widower all his life when he has been
married only month.
Finally Durier, who was an easy going
man, allowed himself to be drawn into
second marriage. But he was careful not
to take his wife to Italy. He contented
himself with trip into Brittany, return
ing home by way of Paris He came
back to his home tortured by remorse
He believed he had contracted a marriage
of duty and interest, but he found
he was madly in love with his second
wife.
His only excuse was that she resembled
the first one; she was, as brunette,
what the departed one was as blonde.
| She had only one fault; she was terribly
| jealous of everything, even of remem-
brancc. With such a jealousy Durier
could not think of keeping his malachite
urn in his study, for his new wife told
him that she should be happy to come
and work by his side; she promised him
that she would not talk or bother him.
All she asked was to take care of every
thing concerning his noble calling, his
books and instruments, which she adj
mired SO much.
He secretly carried the urn to the sec
ond story and concealed it behind LOT
Of cast-off books and boxes in spare
chamber. And the most complete hap
piness reigned over the household.
Twenty times Durier was on the point of
telling his wife the truth, but he never
dared to do so.
| At the end of year he was completely
absorbed by the birth of baby. An ad
ditional servant was hired and room
had to be prepared for her.
81 will look after that, " said Durier.
And with a tormented soul he removed
all the books and cases-and even the
urn-from the spare room on the second
floor and carried them to the garrett
The joy of being a father obliterated
the remorse from Durier's soul; he
thought only rarely of his first wife, all
of whose portraits save one had rejoined
the malachite urn in the garnet. And
perhaps he would have entirely forgotten
her had it not been fora terrible incident
that happened on his birthday.
On that day he was so busy at regi-
mental headquarters that he did not re-
turn home until the dinner hour. The
whole family was gathered and he was
welcomed by joyous cries. He was
greatly moved. The company passed
into the dining-room, and there, in the
middle of the table, he saw the malachite
urn containing magnificent bouquet.
He turned pale, while his wife burst
into laughter.
"Monsterl" she said, tyou concealed
this beautiful vase, the finest thing you
brought from Italy,"
He stammered out a few Incompetent.
sible words, and she continued with her
playful air:
81 was obliged to ransack the garnet