The Dillon tribune., 1885-05-30
letters. Hortense had written to him
twice without rocoiuinne ~, .,.>....... -

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 Hortensc in
order to wish her happy New Year
and to present his gift.
He had managed to procure from
Pauls parents a photograph reduced
from portrait, and had it encased in
q 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 blushcd. then
turned pale and began to weep.
..Why do you weep?' asked Emile.
in a choking voice. ''He will soon re-
turn
you do not understand me-" re-
Piled Hortense. II weep, but it is for
joy
Her pent-up feelings found relief in
sighs and tears.
Emile departed and did not return
until the evening was we'll advanced.
Hortense awaited him, seated by the
fire. She was still weeping.
The open locket was on the mantel.
Emile who was greatly embarrassed.
mechanically turned his eyes toward it,
then uttered cry His portrait had
replaced that of Paul in the locket.
'What does it mean?" he exclaimed.
''Hortense, what have YOU done?''
leave me!' she said, taking the
lockct and slipping it into her bosom.
'Lcave me! Do not speak to me! l
am mad!'
"Mad?' repeated Emile, really fright
ened.
"Ah, you see nothing! You under
stand nothing'' cried The young girl, Il
prey to violent passion. "You do not
see, then, that this existence is impos.
sible! You do not understand that I
adore you, and that this life of deceit
and constraint is killing me!''
And throwing her arms about him
she let her head fall with q sigh on the
breast OF the young man, who trembled
violently.
When he had recovered from his agi-
tation he disengaged himself from the
embrace of the young girl, and, lead.
ing her to a seat, said to her, in brok-
en- voice:
''And l. Hortense. l adore you.''
''Ah, my God!' exclaimed Hortense,
with great joy.
LET me speak--I adore you! 1have
loved you for u long time. I have
struggled in vain against this passion
fool that was! How could l help low
ingyou?'
"Ah, my darling!''
''Let me speak. When | perceived
that this love had taken possession o
my heart the memory of Paul came tt
me like reproach. At this very mo
ment l see him before me. the embodi
ment of my remorse.'
II love you!" stammered Hortense
''Be silent! Such words must not b.
spoken. Poor boy! he is calm as h
stands there, trusting in our honor
counting upon your loyalty upon m
word, and we -
He stopped, choked by his tears.
''Why is Paul not here?' said Ho,
tense.
because he has confidence in u;
Whatever it costs me, will not betra
it will rather die!''
'And l will die too!''
They paused, and a strange loo
passed between them like magneti
current. All their accumulated ideas
all their emotions, seemed to fix then
selves upon that one thought of deatt
which had suddenly presented itself a
a refuge or an expiation.
''Oh, yes!' said Hortense, summin
up all her impressions in that second
II would rather die than think Of
l Il E.>:o Shn Ohn,,f I
pronounce the name of Paul.
Emile took her hands, and, gazing
her face rs il he would read he
thoughts, said, slowly and mournfully
. "You wish it?'
Hortense raised herself to her fu
. height and said, calmly and solemnl.
:, ''At once
They threw themselves into each otl
er's arms and remained in long en-
Q brace.
D They were about to pronounce the
o own sentence of DEATH
L Early the next morning the postma
;. presented himself at Emile's lodgin
t with letter bearing the postmark
d New Orleans.
He knocked in vain at the door, n
one answered the summons. The pos
g man was about to go away, when on
II of Emilc's ncighbors. a woman, calle
d him back. saying that Emile was in h
lodging. ~,
The postman knocked again. SUI
O denly the woman turned pale.
< ''Do you notice nothing'' she aske'
e in frightened tone.
"NO.'
o ..That odor. 1t is of gas. My Coz
d has there been an accident?'