The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1892-09-28

dsrted from the room and deposited 10
In an upper chamber, piled with q
bachelors litter Of old books, boots and
firearms. lta
Next morning, determined that pro-
fan:.tion like that Of tho previous night
should not happen again, he resolved to
turn this lumber room, where he had
temporarily deposited the precious re-
mains, into mortuary chapel, and gave
instant orders for o cathedral window
and a niche and altar to be placed be-
meath it.
There the urn was again enshrined,
but the lilies and roses had given place
to immortelles. Some days later, per-
ceiving that these had lost color from
lack of air and light, Durande had them
changed for garlands of Sevres and
bisque Of the costliest character, and
thus the urn stood peacefully In this
calm retreat.
Two years of widowhood heightened
to three, and Durande took unto himself
q second wife. Why, he couldn't have
told YOU Certainly it was not case of
desperate love ,&hough the new Nine.
Durande was charming woman.
No, he had but one excuse for renlling
tho empty niche in his lif5sLMme. Du-
rande the second was exceedingly like
Nine Durande the first, with one ex-
oeption-she was jeolous a jealousy
that caused her to look with suspicion
ON every one, word or gesture. and the
knowledge that he still retained tender
memories OF the dead would have caused
her tenpestuous anger.
Durnnde no longer dared 30 keep the
Urn m eouspicuods paooe. 1t was
quietly aud secretly third time re-
mored from it's quarters and re~eeently
stored m spare Poodn In tho msnsarde.
MatooGs grew betteT as time wore ON.
Peace and happiness reigned with the
young ouupla. and more than once Du-
rands. m this atmosphere Of renewed
content, wes on the verge OF unbosoming
himself and eonRding to bis wife the
mystery OF the Urn. Alasi his courage
always failed him.
In duo time son was born to the
house Of Durande, and Mime. Durande
found it necessary 70 clear out and use
the room where the urn lay forgotten.
AS for Durande himself, the Joy Of q
new made father dissipated all remorse
IN his heart, and 10 celebrate the chris
tening with due pomp and splendor in
vitations were sent far and wide for a
magnificent dinner.
But, my dear" said his wife ae he
como in from the barracks tho day Of
the great event, don't go TO your dress
ing room till you have seen the table,
the flowers arranged with my own
hands"
Arranged A greet heaping cluster of
blood red rosee in an antique, strangely
familiar Roman urn, which held the
place of honor on the sumptuous boardi
Durande bent closer. HIS wife saw
him start
"Yes," said she complsoenny, It's
yours, you dear old stupid, 30 throw
away az you have done the handsomest
thing collected in your trip 10 Italyi 1t
WAS up in the garnet filed with dust.
Heaven knows how long it has been
there!"
"Wi-with dustt' stammered Duande,
white as death, "and-and what did yo1
do with it, the-the dustY'
"Threw it on the rose pots, deareet-
that is, what the wind didn't scatter.
But the eEect-isn't it lovelyY'
Very, very lovely" murmured the
soldier, with strangled sigh. And in
the fresh, fragrant flowers, whose petals
parted softly. like the lips OF young
girl to the first kiss of love, Durande
believed that he saw the tender smiles
and bushes of his dear, dead wife,
Short Stories.