Weekly Trinity journal., 1870-04-30
Too Late.

Inc nrSt OF January, 1909, VIII long he re-
membered by many Parisians of both sexes, to
whom it brought the usual extremes, but by none
more than by the inhabitants of a small house
in the Rue Crusel, where happened the incidents
we are about to relate.
About one year ago two young men of nearly
the same age lived in small suite of rooms in
the house we have just alluded to. Paul was
civil engineer and Emile was a. clerk in a law
yer's office. They had been brought up together,
and never had their friendship been interrupted
by the slightest misund derstanding. Paul had a
sweetheart, good-natured, pretty little modiste,
to whom he was strongly attached. And so
great was his confidence in her love and his
friends honor, that not the slightest doubt ever
found place in his bosom, although Hortense
treated Emile with perfect freedom, and they
were naturally much in each others company
Paul received, about three moRhs after the
commencement of our story, an appointment as
assistant engineer on a railroad about to be built
in Russia. Is was splendid opening for a
young man in his position, and, of course not
to be refused. But what was to be done with
Hortense2 She could not follow him to
distant country. So Paul went to his friend
telling him of his appointment, adding
"My dear Emile, am going to leave Hortense
in your care. You know how much love her,
and how hard it is for me to be separated even
for one day from her, but duty calls me. You
more than brother to me, and to your
honor do trust my future happiness. On my
return from Russia, Hortense and will be mar
red, and 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 Pauls departure Hortense and Emile
continued to live in the same apartments, both
attending to their duties during the day, and
spending the evening quietly together, Emile
reading some new book to his companion, or
speaking to her of the future when Paul would
return home, and when they would be happy
together. On Sunday they would go together
in the country, enjoying the fresh air. and wind
ing up the day by visit to the theatre or to
some ball. They were so young, SO handsome,
so well matched, that they excited the admira-
them thought How happy they are ~
But alas they were not happy. They had so
often spoken of love, that although Paul was
always alluded to, they found his image was, as
it were, gradually fading away. Emile felt that
his position was terrible one indeed for he
was young, of an ardent and passionate nature,
and he began to realize too late that 1t would re-
quire all his self-command 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 books he bought her, and gradually began
10 think that the woman who would be loved by
him would be happy indeed. The consequence
was that they began to feel embarrassed in each
others company. They felt the storm approach
ing, although they both pretended not to see it
coming. Emile stayed away late at night he
would buy photographs Of well-known women,
and would show them so Hortense, saying
"This is my mistress likeness Is She not
pretty?" And she would answer quietly:
Yes she is very pretty"
After which they would retire to their rooms,
md afaIu r1ry tba;u
hopeless love.
And Paul did not write any more letters to
them. Emile and Hortense had both written to
him, but had received answer for two long
months. Matters stood thus the lst of January.
Early in the morning Emile knocked at Hor-
tense's door to wish her happy new year, and
to give her new years gift 1t was a small
medallion likeness of Paul, set in gold locket.
On receiving it, and on seeing Paul's likeness,
Hortense burst into tears.
What als you, Hortense2" asked Emile,
struggling to be calm.
"Nothing" answered she. ~ wept because
am happy"
When Emile returned home rather late that
evening" Hortense was still up and still crying.
The locket was on the mantle-pece, and as Emile
opened it, he started violently. Pauls likeness
had been removed and his own put in its place.
He cried out
"What does this mean7 Hortense, what have
yon doneP'
She took the medallion from hime, and hiding
il in her bosom, said
Let me be leave me alone Don't speak
to me am mad ~
Mad - repeated he, horrifed.
And you blind, that you don't see my suffer
ingY' exclaimed thes young girl, violently
agitated. ooh, this existence is unbearable |
Don't you know loEe you, and you alone and
that this constant deceiving of myself is killing
meP'
She threw her arms around bis neck and sobbed
hysterically. Emile, Mastering his own emotions
tried to soothe her, and leading her to chair,
made her sit down, and in broken voice said
81, too, love you, Hortense do not interrupt
me ADORE you, aud have adored you for long
time. How could help it? But have strug-
gled, and we must continue to do so for Paups
sake. He trusted us, and even now fancy see
him standing before us, reproaching us for dar-
ing to speak of love-"
" But love you alone, interrupted she.
Hush, Hortense these words are unworthy
of you and me. Poor Paul, he is far away, alone
in strange comfy, trying to carve way to an
honorable position, to be shared by you. And
while he is there, trusting in your virtue and
con6ding In my honor, we would"
He stopped, his tears suffocating him.