Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1885-05-21
LOVE AND DUTY.

a year ago two young men dwelt in
a quiet house in the Rue Crussol, in
Paris, leading their lives in common.
Their intimacy, which had begun at col
Iege, was cemented by a similarity of
tastes and characters.
Paul had been educated for an engi-
neer; Emile was a notary's clerk. At
ter having completed their studies they
found themselves about to begin the
battle of life, and they resolved to pass
together the period Of trials between
school days and the entrance on practi-
cal life, when the choice of friends is so
difficult. Never a word or action mar
red 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 attentions to his sweetheart,
and Emile, who was ever ready to wait
on her, never thought of his familiarity
being Objectionable to Paul.
Their friendship was founded on es-
TEEN and confidence-a confidence so
great that one morning in April Paul,
who had for some time carried on ne
gOtiatiOns with an American company
engaged in the construction of rail
way, said to his friend:
''An occasion has presented itself for
me to show what [ can do and to make
the beginning of a career. | have been
offered the superintendent of the work
on railway in Louisiana. [ shall be
obliged to be absent at least year. I
cannot take Hortense with me, and the
thought Of giving her up breaks my
heart. In love distrust is merit. [
will not confide Hortense to my broth
er. / contide her to YOU. You will
watch over her as though she were a
sister, and in year, when | return, |
shall find her pure and worthy OF ne
she will be my wife. -
You can depend on me-" replied
Emile, grasping his friends hand.
Paul departed tranquil and conf
dent.
Emile and Hortense were left to
themselves with all the seductions
and beauty Of youth, he with all the
ardOr of q young man of 20.
At 20 they made sacrifce-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 Hortense 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 deceiying herself while listening to
him.
On Sunday when the shop and office
were closed and when thew went to
Mendon, to Saint Mande, to fetes, or to
pleasant reunions, the passers-by would
pause to look at the couple, so young.
so beautiful, on whom the sunlight of
happiness seemed to smile, and would
say:
''How charming is Iover'
And Emile's neighbors, looking
through the window into the room
where the happy couple sat, would
say:
There is paradisen'
That paradise was a hell. Forced to
speak of love to Hortense, Emile ex-
perienced strange sensations, the cause
OF which he sought in vain to ignore.
Forced to listen, Hortense said to
herself that no voice in the world
could better express the language of
true passion, and that the woman who
might be loved as she could love Emile
would be very happy. The flame which
they wished to fan for another burned
them.
Without having spoken of their love,
without having interpreted one anoth-
er's feelings from gesture or a look,
they had become afraid even to con-
verse with each other; they had become
afraid TO speak of Paul, of his love and
his hopes. His name was never pro-
nounced; it would have sounded in
their ears like areproach.
He bought at the stationer's photo
graph of an actress, and, showing it to
Hortense, said:
THAT is my sweetheart. What do
you think of her?"
And Hortense replied, with indifer-
ence:
''She is very pretty"
Then the two retired to their rooms
and wept.
When Paul had been gone two
months he ceased to reply to Emile's
letters. Hortense had written to him
twice without receiving an answer.
This state of affairs continued until
the morning of the 1st of January, when
Emile awaited the rising of Hortense in
order to wish her a happy New Year
and to present his gift.
He had managed to procure from
Paul's parents a photograph reduced
from portrait, and had it encased in
a pretty gold locket bearing the initial
of Hortense.
When the young girl received the
present and opened the locket, and saw
the portrait of Paul. she blushed, then
turned pale and began to weep.
why do you weep" asked Emile,
in a choking voice. HE will soon re-