The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1884-11-06
BCQUAINTANCES.
A Story of COincidences---Danger Of
CirCumStantial Evidence.
CHATTER I.

why say this time? Have i ever owned
to a genuine case before?"
"No," replied Charles, 81 can't say you
have. It's unfortunate that the first time it il
genuine there are difficulties in the way"
There is an English proverb about that "
said Ernest: "'True love never runs smooth,
or something to that effect Fate is against
me, and always has BEEN"
"My dear fellow, that is doing fate an in.
justice. You have had plenty of Successes
more than your share"
1T is that complain of" said Ernest. Had
j been accustomed to disappointments, might
bear this one i have had successes when i
have not cared a straw whether | succeeded OF
not; now that it is matter of life and death
j am doomed to have my wish unfulflled."
Charles gave a light laugh.
" My dear boy, do you call woman's love a
matter of life and death2"
=" 1t often has BEEN" was Ernest's reply.
"Oftener to the woman than the man."
Because it is the woman who is most often
the disappointed one. In this case it is the
man."
But even supposing that fate is against you
for once, is it wise to stake happiness on one
thing?"
Ernest shrugged his shoulders.
"My dear Charles it is easy for you to be
philosophical. You do not love Suzanne"
twill if you wish," retorted Charles lightly.
"Let us go back to the hotel" said Ernest
shortly.
Charles put his hand on his arm.
Forgive me; l spoke stupidity. / can feel
for you, though l talk lightly. Is there any
thing l can do to show my sympathyf"
YES" said Ernest. Z" Let US get away from
here; that band is too loud, and the people are
getting thicker every minute"
He took his friends arm, and they wandered
slowly down the road that leads to the sands.
There was no one to interrupt them; the
only passers-by were tired laborers on their
way home. or an occasional carriage full of
tourists being dragged up the hill by the
weary horses.
a will tell yor what you can do for me-"
said Ernest, speaking gravely and earnestly !;
:" / want friend now more than ever l have
done before. l mean to see if you are one."
:" You may take it for granted" was Charles's
reply.
81 will. Suzanne. as you know, loves me;
l love Suzanne more than life. Do you know
why cannot marry her?"
"Pve never heard the whole story. She was
betrothed before you stepped in. was she not p"
No; this is the truth about it. Three years
ago my elder brother, who was an officer, quar-
reied with her father. There is no doubt what
ever that my brother was in the right; the
quarrel was forced on him. A duel followed
and Suzannes father was killed"
q never heard Of that" said Charles in sur
prise.
No, it was hushed up and my brother went
to Algiers where he died last year. Scarcely
any one knows the real cause of NJ. Devriere's
death. You can easily imagine the two fam.
lies saw little of each other afterward. 1t
happened, however, that Suzanne and | met in
Paris; she was ignorant of the whole story.
was 10th to act as if there were any cause why
We should not meet On friendly terms, the more
so as | was greatly charmed with her. Ia a
week the mischief was done. was in love with
her and could moi leave her"
"And she?"
"Was not Indifferent to me. But her aunt
came on the scene, saw what was going on, and
demanded an interview with me. | granted it,
of course. tShe told me that either must break
of all intercourse with Suzanne or tell her the
whole story. | naturally refused to do either.
The result was that she told Suzanne herself"
Why could she not hold er,tongue?" asked
Charles angrily. 1t was no good to spoil
more lives"
She was the dead mans sister. / cannot
blame her. She told Suzanne, and ordered her
never TO see me again. But we had one more
interview. spent the most terrible hour Of
my lie then"
Charles said nothing Ernest recovered his
calm, which he had for moment lost.
She confessed her love for me. but refused
to marry me. Her aunt threatened that if she
ever saw me again the whole world should
know she was going to marry the brother Of
the man who killed her father She could not
face that"
Poor GIRL" murmured Charles.
81 don't blame her" continued Ernest 1T
would be terrible thing TO do. SO We have
separated"
"Do you think her aunt meant to carry out
her threat?"
Il am certain of It, left Paris the day after
saw Suzanne; a week later / heard that she
was betrothed to NJ. Courtin. ] know she de-
tests him; she has often told me SO. They are
to be married next Monday"
There is, then, no hope for you?"
i suppose not was the sad reply yet there
is always chance. She may be Drawer than
she imagines | shall not despair finally till
she is married. If she breaks it off ! shall
know the reason, and nothing shall separate us
then"
"What is it that you wish ne to do for your"
asked Charles, bringing the conversation round
TO practical matters.
This" said Ernest. at start tomorrow for
England | cannot stay here, l must travel
do something to try and get rid OF the horrible
monotony of my ordinary existence. l want
you TO send me word directly the marriage is
over,-or, better still, will youput an advertise
ment in the English Times There is column
for that sort of advertisement. Berthin can
tell you all about getting it in. Put it ambigu-
OuSls, Do tudI 10 one Dut eau tell WNau IL
means. Wherever l may he / shall be able to
get copy Of the Times, l should think--espe-
cially if keep where L can get one, he added,
with a smile.
"That is more in your old STYLE" said his
companion. DO try and pull yourself to-
eether it's bitter pill but all isn't lost because
you fail for once in your life"
You are talking about what you don't un-
derstand," was Ernests reply. % Let US get
back"
There was very little conversation during
the walk home, but when they were once more
at the hotel seated on bench outside the ealoa
enjoying cigars and coffee, Charles took up the
talk at the point at which it had been dropped.
Cant you make up yonr mind definitely
where you are going?" he asked 4" If ycd VIII,
l will try and run over mvselc and bring you
the news. and then, rsrnaps, we can see some
thing of England together"
=" You are very kind, Charles, but / won't
trespass on your kindness to that extent. /
shall not he the sort of companion any man
could %tand. Besides, really don't know where
/ am going"
But how about your business2 Aren't you
going TO have your letters forwarded"
mo"
"Will no one know your address,"
"My dear Charles, if / don't tell you, do
you think it probable j shall tell any one
else?"
Charles saw it was no use to press the point;
he acquiesced with shrug.
"And now, my dear fellow" said Ernest in
lighter tone, "let's have a game of billiards
I've bored you enough for one evening. Come
indoors, and I'll promise you that you shan't
have to complain of me any more to night"