Morris tribune., 1882-03-30

New Years Day. 1869 will long be re-
membered in that quiet little house in the
Rue Crusol, where, eight days ago, there
were only smiles and happiness, but where,
to day, all is desolation and horror. On
the second floor, where so many merry birds
twittered amid the foliage of hanging. bask-
cts filled with growing plants and flowers,
giving the windows the appearance of bright
and fragrant bowers, lawyers, mourners, and
officers of justice have entered; and while q
fin is being borne away to Pere -Lachaiss,
anda carriaege is rolling toward the Maison-
Blanche, legal seals are affixed to every
thing-to the cages and the baskets; and
little placards, stamped in black, announce
the administrators sale for the following
Thursday.
One year ago two young men lived there
in that familiar intimacy which. commenced
at college and cemented by q similarity of
tastes and character, occasionally produces
a strong and sincere affection. Paul was
studying engineering; Emile was notary's
CLERK. They had been school companions,
AID meeting again at 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
10 difficult to form new ties. The perfect
harmony of their friendship was uudis-
tdrbed by single unkind word or action.
Could it, then, have been other than sim
cere and strong, faithful and devoted.
Paul was engaged to sweet, simple girl,
and though very much in love with her, he
never 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 confdence--a confidence
50 great that during the early part of April,
Paul, who had for some time been in COM
munication with an American company for
he construction of railroad, said to his
friend:
An opportunity presents itself by which
can prove my ability, and establish my
self in my profession. The superiatend-
ance of railroad in Louisiana is offered to
me. / cannot take Hortense, and the
thought of leaving her breaks my heart. In
love, jealousy is virtue. / will not con-
ode her t6 my brothers care, but I place
her in your charge. You will guard her as
you would sister, and in one year, when
return, shall find her faithful to her prom.
Use, and shall make her my wife"
You can depend on me-" Emile said,
simply 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
he ferVor OF young and tender heart Of
twenty years, susceptible TO all the uncon-
trnllable 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
Der lesson, Emile would 60 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 by the soft music of his
Voice, which filed her soul with insiduous
delight. On Sundays, when there were no les.
sons. aud the studio was closed, he accom-.
panied her 10 the enyirons Of Paris, to fetes
and to place of amusement, and the pass
ers-by, stopping to look at this couple, so
young and so beautiful, on whom radIent
happiness seemed to smile, exclaimed:
1.-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 a magnetic
echo, world Of strange, nameless sensa.
tons, the 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 thai
there wa no other voice in the world thai
could speak the language Of true passion sc
we'll, and that the woman who should re.
ceive such love would indeed be happy.
The fire which they intended to fan 70
another burnedthem to the quick, and thei
scruples, their duty, their VOWS tt
the absent one could not quencf
it. The flames spread and de-
voured them. Without betraying their feel
:ngs by word, look or gesture, they gradu
ally avoided each others society. and neve
dared to speak of Paul, his love, and hi
hopes. His name was never mentioned
It would have sounded like reproach ring
ing in their ears. Emile soon stopped play
ing Hortense any little attentions, 50 afraic
was he that she would discover his secret
He talked to her Of acquaintance which b.
pretended to have made. and of love affair
which never existed. He bought photo
graphs of pretty women at the stationer q
and showing her one of them said:
That's my sweetheart. What 90 yo'
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 Pau
had not written. Emile's letters were un
answered. Hortense had written twice
but received no reply.
Matters had reached this pass on tn
morning of that fatal first OF January
Emile awaited the appearance Of Hortense
70 offer her his good wishes and present
for the year. He had succeeded in pro
curing fror. Paul's relations his photograph
reduced from portrait, end had set it in
gold locket, bearing HoTtense's initials in
spray of diamonds. When the young gin
received the present she opened the case
and seeing Paurs photograph, she blushed
turned pale, and began to weep.
Why these tears?" said Emile, almos
ready to suffocate. He quickly recoveres
himself.
You don't understand me. said Hor
tense. II weep, but it is from pleasure,
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
AAo loSnct pdlIY OpcuJ Wd5 lying vi III
mantelpiece. Emile. quite perplexed b
her appearance, mechanically cast his eye
upon it, and uttered an exclamation. Hi
picture had taken the place Of Paul's.
Whist does this mean2 he exclaime
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 madp'
"Mad!" repeated Emile, reall
alarmed.
Don't you seer Can't you understan
anything?' the girl cried out, prey +
violent AGITATION. Don't you see that thi
kind Of life is impossible2 Can't you I'm
derstand that love you, and that this lif
of falsehood and restraint is killing me?
and throwing her arms around him, she hi
her face on his breast and sobbed. Will
he trembled like one shaking with fever.
required few moments for this intens
emotion to subside; then making o violen
effort, he disengaged himself from her EN-
brace, and obliging her to sit down, said
in broken voice:
r