Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1894-05-25
HIS FIRST'S ASHES.

: H. One Hundred and Twelfth culras-
10 a. the line. died, he was sorely
70 .asn with sorrow, and would not be
10 tried In fact, he had hardly had
Its - 10 enjoy his happiness or appre-
1at = his treasure, for they had been
its ,-ipd only q month, when she was
il T. from him in the midst of their
)S r.iiing tour in Italy.
mt about returning to Paris, she fell
m H. Rome and died of fever, in spite
!, Ethe many physicians called to attend
/. : and the devoted care of her husband,
= f5oneyer left her side till she breathed
bo Irlast,
~ rmscious to the end, she bravely
y rrrbt to console him.
1T was not given to mortals," she
La ato be happy for long Our JOY
!; been too great; it could not last,
h not weep, dearest she cried; 'let
mass away in peace, without the
rsnory of your distressed face. Smile;
Ebnot look SO sad and she raised her
EDmbEng hand and caressingly laid it
lahs cheek.
You are soldier" pursued she;
hsleath should have no terrors for you.
Rhye loved you only; do me, then, one
v gt4little favor. | wish to be near you
Hvays. even in death. beseech you,
,anate me, then; reduce me to little
hanoi ashes that you can carry always
With Won. shall never disturb you.
1How strange it seems to call a heap of
!, ,.5es P-yet so it will be. You will
pmetimes glance at me thus, and can
= raer entirely forget me-!
Nevertheless when Durande returned
EbParis he was a changed man. He was
bn and haggard; his eyes had lost their
luster, his step its elastic spring and
confidence.
; courage. courage, my boy!' his colo
t mel would say to him.
BE brave, my friend!' repeated his
brother officers.
But joy and brightness had gone out
of Durande's life. The once brilliant
soldier was broken man
No one on arrival was allowed to
IDuch his luggage, and he himself, with
care and weeping drew from his satchel
an artistic little vase that he solemnly
Enlarged his brosseur never on any ac-
count to lay hands upon.
"a token of poor madame;' the man
IVentured to ask.
"Yes, "A token Durande responded;
before which, the slim Roman urn that
held all that was left Of his poor wifes re-
mains, he knelt and wept bitterly when
alone again. At night it stood in full
view upon cabinet beside his bed, that
bis eyes might rest upon it when not
closed in sleep and by day. When his
leave had expired and he had returned
oduty, he was distract, stranger to his
comrades, joining in none of their pleas
mes Or amusements, seeming to live only
athe memory of his lost wife and that
a-which might be knocked over.
de had placed her portrait i'll every
0Om IN his house, and by a strange para
oA OF sentiment it was here, among all
1ese tender recollections, that he passed
DIS least miserable hours.
By degrees, through steady contem-
Patlon, perhaps, the sight of the Roman
IIn produced less painful effect upon
ne disconsolate widower, and no longer
4uSed him tue cruel heart pangs of the
lfst days of bereavement.
ut was now able to picture his dar-
Flls as She had been in the zenith of
Ilength and beauty, gay, smiling charm
Es' Again and again he recalled and
l'@ over the moments of that honey
l00a Journey, and grew happy himself
'nls sweet posthumous revival of
fadiant hours.
Nhen at work the urn stood on his
saang table, and he thought how in
-'dno IN that bygone time he had writ
~ anu pondered and she had sat qui-
L " beside him reading or sewing tran
spatiy' silently, without disturbing him.
VA months passed, heightened to a
land now and then it happened that
uande forgot the urn and left it on his
4Oe at night instead of carrying it to
bedroom. Finally he enshrined it
good on his Office table. Not that
memory of his wife was less than at
~ out because in time it was borne
e. upon him that funereal deposit like
was unsanitary, unhealthy in a
eeping room.
~ nevertheless every day it was sur
h1uued' as usual, with lilies and roses,
4 M "les fayorite flowers.
1ue one year heightened to two, and
k T. had returned to his bachelor
b.. ms ~ wrong to bury yourself alive
40 SAID his friends and his wifes re-
ms begin, go into the world