Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1885-05-01
Misfell
LOVE AND DUTY.

A year ago two young men dwelt in
a quiet house in the Rue Crussol, 10
Paris, leading their lives In common
Their intimacy, which had begun at col
lege, was cemented by similarity Of
tastes and characters.
Paul had been educated for an en-
gineer; Emile was a notary's clerk.
After having completed their studies
thcy found themselves about to begin
the battle Of life, and they resolved to
pass together the periods Of trials be-
tween school days and the entrance on
practical life when the choice Of friends
is so difficult. Never word or action
married the serenity Of their friendship
Paul was in love with good and
charming girl who dwelt in the same
house. Paul, who was infatuated with
her, was in no way surprised at Emile's
friendly attention to his sweetheart. aud
Emile, who was ever ready to wait on
her, never thought OF his familiarity be-
ing Objectionable to Paul.
Their friendship was founded on es-
TEEN and confidence confidence so
great that one morning in April Paul
who had for some time carried on nego.
tiations with an American company en-
gagged in the construction of railway
said to his friend
IAN occasion has presented itself for
me to show what can do, and to make
the beginning Of II career. | have been
offered the superintendent Of the work
on a railway in Louisiana. | shall be
obliged to be absent at least year |
cannot take Hortense with me, aud the
thought of giving her up breaks my
heart. In love distrust is a merit. |
will not confdc Hortense to my brother
/ confide her to you. You will watch
over her rs though she were sister,
and in year, when | return. | shall
find her pure and worthy of me--she
will be my wife. "
"You can depend on me-" replied
Emile, grasping bis friends hand.
Paul departed tranquil and confident.
Emile and Hortense were left TO them
selves--she with all the scductions and
beauty of youth, he with all the ardor
Of young man Of twenty.
At twenty they made sacridce-he Of
his desires, she Of her instincts, keeping
in subordination all their thoughts, all
their wishes, all their conversation, to
find their supreme satisfaction in duty
accepted and accomplished
When llortcnsc returned from the
shop and Emile from the Office they
spoke of love, Of divided passion, he
pleading the cause Of the absent lover, she
deceiving herself while listening to him.
On Sunday, when the shop aud Office
were closed and they went to Mendon,
to St. Mande, to fctes, or TO pleasant
reunions, the passers-by would pause to
look ut the couple, so young, so beauti-
ful, on whom the sunlight Of happiness
seemed to smile, and would say:
"How charming is love y
Emile's neighbors, looking through
the window into the room where the
happy couple sat, would say:
This is paradise /"
That paradise was hell. Forced to
speak of love to Hortense, Emile ex-
perienced strange sensations, the cause
of which no sought in vain to ignore.
Forced to listen, Hortense said to her
self that no voice in the world could
better express the language Of true
passion, and that woman who might be
loved as she could love Emile would be
very happy. The fame which they
wished TO fan for another burned them.
Without having spoken Of their love,
without having interpreted one another's
feelings from gesture or look, they
had become afraid even to converse with
each other; had become afraid to speak
Of Paul. of his love and his hopes. His
name was never pronounced; it would
have sounded in their ears like reproach.
Emile ceased bis kind attentions 10
IIortense, so much did he fear that he
would bctray himself. lie affected TO
speak of acquaintance that he had not
made and Of love affairs that did not
exist.
He bought at the stationcr's photo
graph of an actress. and, showing it to
Hortense, said
THAT is my sweetheart. What do
you think Of her 2
And Hortensc replied, with indiffer-
ence, "She is very pretty"
Then the two retired 10 their rooms
and wept.
When Paul had been gone two months
be ceased to reply to Emile's letters.
Hortensc had written 10 him twice with
ont receiving an answer.
This state Of affairs continued until
the morning Of the LIST Of Of January,
when Emile awaited the rising Of Hor-
tense in order 10 wish her happy new
year and TO present bis gifi.
lie had managed to procure from
Paups parents photograph reduced
from portrait and had i encased IN a
pretty gold locket bearing the initial OF