Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1870-04-07
Ssleet Stury.
TOO LATE.
A PARTISAN ROMANCE.

The first of January, 1860, will long
be remembered by many Parisians of both
sexes, to whom it brought the usual &c
treples, but by none more than by the in
| habhauts of small house in the Rue
Crussol, where happ the incidents We
are about to relate.
About one year ago two young men of
nearly the same age, lived in small S nit
of rooms in the house we have just allud-
ed to. Paul was civil engineer. and
Emile was clerk in lawyers Office. They
had been brought up together, and never
had their friendship been interrupted by
the slightest misunderstanding. Paul had
a sweetheart. goodnatured, pretty little
modiste, to whom he was warmly attach
ed. And so great was his confidence in
her love and Iltis friends honor, that not
the slightest doubt ever found place in
his bosom, although Horteuse treated
Emile with perfect freedom and they were
naturally much in each others company.
Paul received, about three mouths af
ter the commencement of our story, an
appointment as an assistant engineer on
/ q railroad to be built in Russia 1t was q
spleudil Gpeniag for young man in his
position, aud, of course, not to be refused.
But what to be- done with Hertsnse ?
She could not follow him to distant
country So>Paul went to his friend and
told him of his appointment. adding
"My dear Emile, 1 am going to leave
Hortense in your care. You know how
much love her, and how hard it is 70,
/ me to be separated even for one day from
her, but duty calls me. You are more
than brother to me, and to your honor
do trust my future happiness. On as
return from Russia, Hortense and | will
be married, and we will both bless you as
our dearest friend and brother.
Emile merely pressed his friends
hands in his, and Paul departed, happy
and confding.
After PauPs departure. Hortense and
Emile continued to live in the sane apart
ments, both attending to their duties du-
ring the day, ard spending the evenings
quietly together. Emile reading some
new book to his companion, or speaking
to her of the future, when Paul would re-
turn home, aud when they would be hap
py together On Sundays they would go
together in the country, enjoying the fresh
air, and winding up the day by visit to
the theatre or to some ball. They wess
so young, so handsome, so well matched,
that they excited the admiration of all who
saw them: Every one who knew them
thought. elbow happy they req
But alas! they were not happy. They
had so often spoken of love, that, al
though Paul was alluded to, they found
that his image was gradually fading away.
Emile felt that his position was terrible
one indeed, for he was young, of an ar
dent end passionate nature, and he began
to realize, too late, that it would require
his self-ccmmand and the strong friend
ship he felt for Paul to enable him to
struggle successfully against feeling that
filled his heart with fear, and at the same
time with rapture.
Hortense had heard Emile read love
passages in the book he brought her, and
gradually began to think that the woman
who would be beloved by him would be
happy indeed. The consequence was that
they began to be embarrassed in each 9th
er's company. They felt the storm COM
ing, although they both pretended not to
notice its approach.
And Paul did not write any more let
tiers to them. Emile and Hortense had
both written to him, bat had received no
answer for two long months. Matters
stood thus on the first of January
Early in the morning Emile knocked at
Hortcnse's door to wish her a happy New
Year, and to give her New Years gift.
1t was small medallion likeness of Paul
set Jig q gold loekes. On seeing Paurs
picture, IIortense burst into tears.
What ails you, Hortense! struggling
to remain CALM.
Nothing answered she, Il weep be-
cause | AIN happy"
When Emile returned home rather late
that evening, Hortense was still up and
crying. Tie locket ,ay on the mantle
piece and IS Emile opened it he stared
violently. Paurs likeness had been re-
moved, and his own put in its place, He
cried out.
What does this mean, Hortense-
what have yoa done?
She took the medallion from him, and
hidiug it in her bosom, said.
''Let me be ! Leave me alone! Don't
speak to me! am mad -
Mad r repeated he, terrified.
And you blind, that you don't see my
sufcrings p exclaimed the young gisl Vi
olcntly agitated. Oh, this exi-tei ce is
unbcarab.e! Don't you know that |
1.-Two vou and vou alone and that this