Omaha daily bee., 1883-06-08
WHAT LETTER TOLD 4.
The Ire gedy OF the Rue Crusol.

New Years day, 1879, will long be
remembered In that quiet little house
In the Rue Crusol, where eight days
ago, there was only smileb and happl-
ness, but where, to-day, oil Is desola.
ton aud horror. On the second floor,
where 40 many merry birds twittered
among The foliage Of hanging baskets
filled with growing plants and flowers,
giving tho windows the Appearance Of
bright and fragrant bowers, lawyers,
mourners and officers of Justice have
entered, aud while q coffin Is being
borne awey to Psre Dlchsise and a
carriage Is rolling toward Msison
Blanche, legal scala are sfi Ned to
evorything--to the cages and swing
ing baskets, and little placsrds,
stamped In black, announce the ad-
ministrator's sale on the folio wing
Thursday.
One year ago two young men lived
there Ia that familiar intimacy which
commenced at college, and oenented
by a similarity of tastes and character,
occasionally produces . strong and ain
cere affection. Paul was studying en-
gineorlpg; Emile was u notary's clerk.
They had been school companions,
and meeting again at the beginning of
the battle of life, resolved to pass TO-
gether through that period of trials
which intervenes between the happy
days of boyhood and the experiences
OF after life, whom 1t is difficult 10 form
new It's The perfect harmony of
their friendship was undisturbed by q
single and unkind word or action.
Gould 1t then, have bsen other than
sincere and strong, faithful and de-
voted,
Paul was engaged to a sweet, sim.
pie girl, and though very much In love
with her, he never thought of being
aBtonished that Emile should con-
verse with her on the cosy terms of
familiar acquaintance, while Emile,
who would have thrown himself into
the fire TO save the young girls fan,
never dreamed that his want of for.
mality should surprire Paul. Their
friendship was founded ON esteem and
c~onfidenoe-a confideuos no great that
during the carly part If April, Paul,
who had for come timo been In com.
municstion with an American company
for the conHtruc.ion Of "A railroad, said
to his friend:
Gan opportunity presents Itself by
which l can prove my ability, and
establish myself In my profession. The
superintendence of a railroad In
Louisiana Is offered to me. I SHALL be
obliged to be absent fora least a year.
I cannot take Hortense, and the
thought Of leaving her breaks my
heart. In love, Jealousy is a virtue.
l will not oonflde her to my brother
care, but l place her In your charge.
You will guard her as you would &
sister, and in n year, when l return,
I shall find her faithful to her prom
ise, and l shall make her my Wife"
{ "You can depend on mo-" Emil,
L. said, simply pressing the hand of hi
friend. And Paul departed, free from
} care, and full Of trust.
I They were left alone she, with al
f the charms of youth and beauty; he
( with all the ferver of q young ant
. tender heart of twenty years, suscep.
tible to all the uncomfortable emo.
lions of affection. Emile and Hor
tense renowned all selfish interest
and pleasure In order to concentrat
all their thoughts, all their purposes
all their wishes In the supreme graft
t f~ication of performing an accepted an,
acknowledged duty. When Hortens
would return from the studio, at tn
J, end of her lesson, Emile would g
J, to meet her and conduct her home
They talked of love aud mutual affec
!, ton, he supporting tho cause of til
absent lover, she allowing her hear
to be deluded by the soft music of hi
IS voice, which filed her soul with insid
# ious delight. On Sundays, whe
= there were no lessons, and the studi
was closed, he accompanied her to tn
environs of Paris, TO fetes and t
Is places of Amusement, and the passerl
l. by, stopping to look at this couple
It 30 young and 80 beautiful, on whor
}. radiant happiness seemed to smile, e,
Z claimed:
70 "Two lovers! All, thoy are In par
u adise."
d This paradise became a hell.
70 By dint of speaking Of love to til
young girl, Emile felt awaken In hill
% q magnetic echo, q word OF strange
); nameless sensations, the power an
B. nature of which he tried In vain I
~disregard, and which responded to hi
a. mental ondlct by imperious demand
and vehement defiance.
By dint Of listening to Emile, Hol
70 tense was forood to the secret confer
r sion that there was NJ other voice II
the world which could speak the lar
10 gusge Of true passion 80 we'll, and TIL
10 the woman who should receive suc
% love would indeed be happy.
The fire which they intended to ia
. ~for'another burned them to the quiol
and their scruples, their duty, the
81 vows to the absent one, could nc
quenoh 1t. The flames spread and d
D. voured them. Without betraying the
ne feelings by word, look or gestur
70 they gradually avoided each other
T. society, and never dared to speak
Paul, his love and his hopes. ii
name was never mentioned. 1t wouI
AZ have sounded like a reprosoh ringir
a. In their ears. Emile soon stoppt
u, paying Hortense any little attention
80 afraid was he that she would disco
10 er his secret. He talked to her of q
3 qusintsnces which he pretended
~ have made, and Of love affairs whiC
never existed. He bought photograph
10 Of pretty women at the ststioner'