The Northern Pacific farmer. [volume] (Wadena, Minn.) 1878-1885, 1882-03-30

Gne administrators sale TOR the 1OllOWlng
Thursday.
Ono year ago two young mon lived there
in that familiar intimacy which, commenced
at college and cemented by a similarity Of
tastes and character, occasionally produces
q strong and sincere affection. Paul was
studying engineering; Emile was notary's
clerk. They had been school companions,
and meeting again Mt the beginning of the
battle of life, resolved to pass together
through that period of trials which inter-
venes between tie happy days of boyhood
and the experiences of after life. when it is
30 difficult to form new ties. The perfect
harmony of their friendship was uutlis-
turbed by single unkind word or action.
Could it, then, have been other than sin
cere and strong, faithful and devoted.
Paul was engaged to a sweet, simple girl,
and though very much in love with her, he
aever thought of being astonished that
Emile should converse with her on the easy
erms of familiar acquaintance: while Emile.
who would have thrown himself into the
ire to save the young girls fan, never
dreamed that his want of formality could
surprise Paul. Their friendship was found
ed on esteem and contidence-a confidence
80 great that during the early part Of April,
Paul, who had for some time been in CON-
munication with an American company fol-
The construction of 4 railroad, said to his
friend:
"An opportunity presents itself by which
can prove my ability, and establish N.Y.
self in my profession. The superiAtend.
ance of railroad in Louisiana is offered tc
me. I cannot take Hortense, and the
thought of leaving her breaks my heart. In
love, Jealousy is q virtue. l Will not Gen.
ide her to my brothers care, but place
her in your charge. You will guard her as
you would sister, and in one year, when l
return, shall find her faithful to her prom.
ise, and shall make her my wife"
You can depend on me-" Emile said,
amply pressing the hand of his friend.
And Paul departed, free from care and full
Of trust.
They were left alone-she, with all the
charms OF youth and beauty; he, with all
the fervor OF a young and tender heart Of
twenty years, susceptible to all the uncon-
trollable emotions of affection. Emile and
Hortense renowned all selfish interests and
pleasures in order to consecrate all their
purposes. all their wishes in the supreme
grati6 cation of performing an accepted and
acknowledged duty. When Hortense
would return from the studio, at the end of
her lesson, Emile would go to meet her and
conduct her home. They talked of love
and mutual affection, he supporting the
cause of the absent lover, she allowing her
heart to be deluded 10y the soft music of hia
voice, which filled her soul with insiduous
delight. On Sundays, when there were no les
sons, and the studio vas closed, he accom-
and to place Of amusement, and the pass
ers-by, stopping to look at this couple, so
young and SO beautiful, on whom radlent
happiness seemed to smile, exclaimed:
Two lovers! All, they are in paradise. >
This paradise became hell.
BY dint Of speaking OF love to the young
girl, Emile felt awaken in him magnetic
echo, a world Of strange, nameless sensa-
tons, tho power and nature of which he
tried in vain to disregard, and which re-
sponded to his mental conflict by imperious
demands and vehement defiance.
By dint OF listening to Emile, Hortense
was forced to the secret confession that
there wa; no other voice in the world that
could speak the language of true passion so
we'll, and that the woman who should re-
ceive such love would indeed be happy.
The fire which they intended to fan for
another burnedthem to the quick, and their
seruples, their duty, their VOWS to
the absent one could not quench
it. The flames spread and de-
voured them. Without betraying their feel
;ngs by word, look or gesture, they gradu.
slly avoided each others society. and never
dared to speak of Paul, his love, and his
hopes. His name was never mentioned.
1t would have sounded like reproach ring
ing in their ears. Emile soon stopped play.
ing Hortense any little attentions, 80 afraid
was he that she would discover his secret.
he talked to her of acQuaintances which he
pretended to have made. and of love affairs
which meyer existed. He bought photo
graphs Of pretty women at the stationer's,
and showing her one of them said:
think of herr"
Hortense answered win feigned indiffer-
ence: "She is very pretty"
Then they separated, retired to their rooms,
and wept bitterly. For two months Paul
had not written. Emiles letters were un-
answered. Hortense had written twice,
but received no reply.
Matters had reached this pass on the
morning of that fatal first of January.
Emile awaited the appearance Of Hortense,
to offer her his good wishes and presents
for the year. He had succeeded in pro-
curing froI. Paul's relations his photograph
reduced from portrait, and had set it in a
gold locket, bearing Hortense's initials in a
spray of diamonds. When the young girl
received the present. she opened the case,
and seeing Pauls photograph. she blushed,
turned pale, and began to weep.
why these tears?" said Emile, almost
ready to suffocate. He quickly recovered
himself.
"You don't understand me. said Hor-
hrk 10 s,1oo y
and she burst into sobs.
Emile went away, and di not return I'M
til near evening Hortense waited for him,
seated by the fireplace, and still weeping
The locket partly open, was lying on the
mantelpiece. Emile. quite perplexed by
her appearance, mechanically cast his eyes
upon it, and uttered an exclamation. His
picture had taken the place of Paul's.
What does this mean? he exclaimed.
hortense, what have you done?'
leave me-" she said, taking the locke,
and slipping it into her dress. Leave me-:
don't speak to mel am going mad!
"Mad!" repeated Emile, really
Don't you see? Can't you understand
anything2" the girl cried out, prey to
violent agitation. Don't YOU see that this
kind of life is impossible2 Can't you nm
derstand that love you, and that this life
of falsehood and restraint is killing me?'
and throwing her arms around him, she hid
her face On his breast and sobbed, while
he trembled like one shaking with fever. 1t
required a few moments for this intense
emotion to subside; then making violent
effort, he disengaged himself from her en-.
brace, and obliging her to sit down, said,
in broken voice:
"Hortense, love you'll"
"Oh, Emile!" interrupted Holtense,
everjoyed.
Let me speak. I love you. For lone
time I have vainly struggled against the
that I was. How could one help
loving your When felt that intense love
taking possession ct my heart, the memory
OF Paul rose up before me like reproach.