West-Jersey pioneer., 1883-04-19
BRIDGETON, n j. THURSDAY. APRIL 19. 1888

he asked was one whom he remembered
as plotting zealously to be invited to
his dinner parties.
'sIYiey will remember me when they
find I am rich again" said Valentln to
himself bitterly.
He turned into by-street and saw
beggar sitting in the sunshine. 1t was
the most cordial and happy face that
had met his gaze since he came back
The man did not ask for anything
either, nor show him the withered arm
that hung loosely under his coat; and
hopeless as the question seemed, he
thought he would ask it.
AS he dropped money into the ragged
hat that lay on the ground beside the
beggar, he said, carelessly!
ssCan you tellme where Madame Valen-
tin lives now, my man?'
81 used to know her when she lived
in Queen street. Was that the one?"
1t was the street where M. Valentin's
grand house stood.
''She is gone from that house, but she
did not forget old Jake, and many's the
penny she has given Inc since. Glad
enough was | when l heard she had
married again.
ssMarriedr exclaimed M. Valentin.
BLESS you, sir, yes; married to Mr.
Stanbury; but, poor man, he died a year
ago."
do you know where she lives now?"
Somewhere out of town. | don't go
so far now am so old, think it is in
Bloomsbury Place, West Terrace"
To paint NJ Valentin's feelings would
be a hopeless task. Hortense married,
but still free! A painful revulsion took
place in his mind, and he resolved, as
all seemed to forget him, that he would
not yet discover himself.
That night he visited the neighbor-
hood of Hortense, read ''Stanbury" on
the door, and managed to secure the
next house, which happened to be quite
empty, and having its garden adjoining
hers. The next day he furnished it
richly, brought number of servants,
bought fine carriage and horses, and
under the name of Ritchie he settled
down to watch at his leisure the move
ments of his neighbor. He chose all his
private rooms on that side of the house
that overlooked hers.
The first time that he saw her was in
the garden. She looked still handsome,
but very sad and pensive. He wondered
if it was for his loss or her late husbands.
He soon became satisfied that she lived
a very retired and quiet life; that she
had little company and kept early hours.
1t was early Spring, but he had plenty
of flowers and fruit in the greenhouse,
and he sent some fer her acceptance
with Mr.. Ritchie's compliments. Again
and again he repeated the gifts, and each
time with a selection that marked a
delicate taste.
Hortense was charmed with her new
neighbor whom she had not seen.
The flowers had been sent several
times when he added to them request
that he might call on the lady. She re-
turned a. favorable answer, and under
the cover of the twilight hour he found
himself in the room with Hortense. The
sound of his voice thrilled her with in
describable emotion, because it resem-
bled that of her first husband; but she
persuaded herself that it must be fancy.
She found her neighbor agreeable and
attentive. He did not neglect any op-
portunity of being with her. They rode
together, sung together, and often his
voice would thrill through the soul of
Hortense like a remembered lay from
some far-off land.
Insensibly she was becoming interested
in him. He had told her much that was
true of his past life, and openly mourned
some being whom he said was lost to him
he did not say by death-but Hortense
saw it in that light More and more
tender grew their intercourse, for the
lady seemed utterly to disregard hi:
scars, until she was scarcely surprised
and certainly not offended, at receiving
an offer of his hand.
4
no one to consult no one who had an.
right to blame her for trusting to one o
whom she knew SO little. 1t was he
own risk, and she accepted him, FRANKLY
telling him how she had loved him wht
had gone from her sight, and promisin.
that she would try to love him as we'll.
M. Valentin exulted greatly in this an
swer, and came near discovering him
self; but he had desired to delay it to
certain date, and he checked himself il
time. The wedding day was appointed
and everything was in readiness for tn
occasion. In exchanging rings Hortens
looked fxedly at the one which tn
bridegroom gave her. 1t was the yer
ring which NJ. Valentin had given her a
their first wedding. She tainted on tn
spot, and he began to think that he ha
carried matters too far. He hung owe
her with an anxiety such as he neve
knew before. If she died now by hi
own folly, what would become of hin
He execrated his scheme, and repente
even with tears that he had been led t
pursue it.
But Hortense awoke to life, awoke t
the new joy of his presence, to ask h
forgiveness for the past, and inspire ne
hope for the future. There had eve
been an inexplicable attraction towar
l him on her part, from their first inte
: view, and, as she confessed this, ht
husband was quite inclined to be sati
fed, and to forgive the apparent disr
spect which he fancied she had paid h
memory.
AS NJ. Valentin predicted, the inhat
tants of Montreal, as soon as they four
out his wealth, were happy to make
acquaintance, and remembered him
an old friend. With the true spirit
an honest man, he had iquidated