The mountain Democrat. [volume] (Placerville, El Dorado County, Calif.) 1863-1943, 1865-02-25
TWICE LOVED.

but neat apartment, to which it had been
the JOY Of her husband to bring her somr
two years previously, when she had come
young and happy wife from her moth
er's home TO his.
Then she had loved him, then she had
faith, then she had hoped and dared to
look forward to life. What long and
weary days and months had passed since
then! How, one by one, had her fond
Illusions faded how lorg WEAKNESS had
made her almost desire death rather than
the dull mOnotony which, like a heavy
pail, had hung over her young life!
She walked on slowly and sadly thro'
the small, neat rooms, till at last she stood
in what was her husbands, and paused in
front of full length picture Of herself
that was hung above her desk.
How will he gaze on this when he re-
turns and finds me not? Years ago he
would have cursed me, for he loved me
then; hut now he will discard the priture
a. lie has discarded me. will not weep,
why should |? ! am nothing, have
long been nothing, to him. go to love
and happiness, Kidding him Of q burden on
his life
AS she uttered these words, ES'cllr
drew from her finger her wedding ring,
ard laid it on the writing paper which
laid open on her husbands desk then
taking pen she wrote beneath Fare
we'll; forget me-
For one moment She bent over the desk
then kneeliug before it, she pressed her
lips on it, and a tear fell on its polished
surface.
Now it is over! she exclaimed; nov
| have renounced all forever. y
Then with firm steps she passed from
the apartment, and, going to her OWN
room, threw over her dark grey dress a
large black cloak. and turned from the
mirror which was nrv,r to reflect her i'm
age again.
Madamr is going ont = sad the polite,
daprcr rvant, emerging from kitchen
that looked like some elegant amateur
cooking pIayttng.
Yes, >ald E>,eiIe; Monsieur will h..
back to r'&ui; tell him there is mote.
from mc on his tabI'', that will TIL hln
~hrre t. tihd me-
4 pleasant evening to Mllamc,' >al
. N'l' "''ll'h''t HptlNNIl ANAllNl'E w 'ilCll
the door, AMI shut il after her ini>tr, -.
Goodbl ,Jcnnctte, Sa,de Maiamr Yer
gyhhr>; and thus it was that Es.ellr
la>-rd from her hone the last time.
In a few minutr> She was in the crowd
OF the Rue BDulcvar,i>. ~ 4 then paS>ci
nn With rapid step to the Rue st. llouort.
At IL, cOrLcr of the Place where the
'marchc aux ilrur>' is htli, there was n
carriage waiting, and pacing the pave
mcnt IN font ol 1t a gentleman who every
now Il, d then wou.d rush TO the cornef
nearest the bUulcvardcS and llnh vita
>traihlr- gaze at the ever H"vIng C'oNd
that cam" toward him. At length he de
cries thr dark. unobtru>lve figure maxim.
her way with quick step through the gaN
al. busy multitude. Thn he uttcIs a
cry "f delight and dashe>, not tuAa,d>
her, hul back To- the carriage. He opci !,
tlc door, h!m>ri lets dun T. the steps AMI
hiHdihg the roachman be ready to start,
he watts, hacking eagry towards tie
cuttcr of the buuevardS.
The pavement by the church i, entirely
deserted the lady in the black cloal, has
turned the corner she comes along, the
shadow Of thr tall mar bic columns falling
un her as She passes, aud at Ia,t she Al,
rive> at the spot where he stands. Her
breath comes fast, her eyes are wildly
bright. and her checks glow. She cannot
speak; she holds towards him two little
trembling hands, and tries to smile. lie
seizes them both in his grasp, then pla
cling his arms around her waist, he lit,
h..r ., fl,.,,
and lie leaps in himself, closes the door,
and in a loud tone bids the man drive on
The coachman gives the horses a touch
with the whip, aad they start off at a
rapid pace.
Then for the first time the gentleman
turns towards E>tclle, and putting hi>
arms around her, presses her to his heart.
Mine now iorevcrmore he said.
Yours alone, Victor, for have left all
el>r; the world Is naught to me now ;
from this moment | ain no one; | have
renounced even my name, and if you for
sake me, have bat to die
'Eslelr, Inv lie is dedicated to you
from this moment know all you have
sacrificed Tor me
'Ah. noting if YOU love me- What
is all the world besides lovcY | have
made no sacrifice You know, Victor, !
have not deceived You. | have loved my
husband devotrd,y, pa>>ionately. was
content to share with him his medocrity
of fortune, and to await the result Of those
talents which it is said he poSScS>rS. -
Bnt, alas he cared nothing for me;
was Eothing to him; snail be nothing in
his life; scarcely will he perceive my ah-
Sencr.' -
Estclle, you know not how much tcn-
dcrneS$ there is il my love; it was the
utter neglect with which saw you treat
cd that first interested me in you. Be-
lirvt me, E>tclle, had you been happy
wife, | loved YOU too well to have sought
To disturb your happiness. Now you are
to me u holy trust. tie only woman ever
pa>>ionately loved, and to you. again
repeat it, | devote my life know SO
ciyIv will turn from you for this one act
that binds me- to ynu forever, but the
word is open to us | am rich; never
,ili ihW did ..uuW the value of rirheS f.;
aud so long as this heart beats, you, 81
help III" heaven, snail not know pang.
Octave Seran drew E>;clle toward him
and she laid her head on his shoulder and
Snbhed. Strange are the workings Of wn-
: mans b.a,t to feel vt that moment thai
!, she was :nr sole object of the love of n
! true heart restored her to her own esteem,
, and healed her wounded vanity; and Yet
never did the house she had left forever
appear in such a seductive form, and
leaning upon the shoulder of her lover,
She regretted, IL not her husband, at least
his love.
But the carriage hears them on; they
reach the railroad station, and in few
ninntps arp InshinD nn with all the DOW