The Forrest City times., 1889-10-26

twin you promisc mo to call or me soonP" she said. ''or. come to take tea with me this evening. May I expect your"
 ''I do not deserve to be treate,. so kindly. have become moro sedate, Hortense. and am just as tedious as 1 was at that time-perhaps more so"
 You are coming I expect you, evcn if you were the most tedious of all mortals We will talk of the time of our youth; that will be better en- ,ertainment for us than all the pleasures of society Iexpcct you at : o'clock. Good day. Captain"
 She gave him her hand and disap- peared behind the vines that orna- mented the porch of the house. He looked after her as if he were in dream, waiting little. Then he walked up the short, steep street to the hotel in which he had taken his quar- ters.
 He came to tea on that evening. and he came on all the following evenings.
 Hereafter the pretty blonde lady at tended the afternoon concerts in company of the tall officer with the Crown Prince beard. And when they were seen together on the lonely paths of the spruce park. or driving to Sal burg. or the Marblestone, it was said, in those circles whose interest the lady in mourning had excited, that the Captain was lucky fellow.
 But Reinhard was not happy amidst all this good luck. He was seen sit ting on the most lonely benches of the Kurgarten in thoughtful mood, and when he was at home he usually walk ed about in his room uneasily, in spi it~ of the pain that his wound caused him. as if he had hard battle to fight with himself. Even in presence of the pret- ty woman an uneasiness sometimes ovcrcame him. and when Hortense looked at him in surprise and asked him gentle question she received no reply.
 One evening about week after their meeting, they were seated in Hor- tenso's cosy salon. The tea was be- ginning to diffusc its pleasant scent through the room. They had just re- turned from walk to the Hardt, and Hortense seemed to be in an excited frame of mind. During their conyer- sation she had spoken of her husband to him at length for the first time. Reinhard knew now that her marriage had been very unhappy one; that the nine years which she had passed at the side Of a selfish and rough man had been but series of disappointments. insults of that time had excited her to such Il degree that she had shed tears. Her eyes were red, her breath quick. and her hands trembled as she served the tea.
 While silently seated together in this way her tears suddenly began to flow again, and she pressed both hands to her face passionately. Reinhard was deeply moved. The pity arising with in him mssde him forget the intentions which he had formed only that very morning. He seized her gently by her wrists and said in tender and consol- ing tone:
 "Hortense. compose yourself That is all past now. Your sorrows have come to an end"
 And then he was frightened. for her not head rested on his breast and her soft and silky hair almost touched his lips.
 ''Oh. Reinhard," sho sobbed, .'why did il not turn out otherwisee How often have l thought Of that during my time of suffering. If we had found each other then. Reinhard. what years of happiness we would have had"
 He kissed her head, pressed her ten- derly into the corner of the sofa. and arose. She saw him go to tho open window and look out into tho dark ness. She did not follow him. but her heart throbbed quicker and quicker and she kept her eyes on him with passionate anxiety.
 Finally. he turned around. and said:
 .'lt is impossible for me 10 talk to you. Allow me to write to you. and to leave you now. Farewell. Hor- tense"
 He made a motion as if he wished to give her his hand but changing his mind suddenly, he bowed and left the room.
 An hour later Hortense received the promised letter. She had remained In the same crouching position on the sofa, tortured by the most contradlc- tory feelings. At times she thought that Reinhard had offended her, then again she stretched out her arms for him longingly, and came very near him. Finally. she decided that she would never see him again, and return his letter without opening it.
 When the letter arrived, she took il from the girls hand eagerly throw the envelope to tho floor. and glanced over the lines without stopping Ut the single words.
 He had not written much, but what a storm 1t raised within her! 1t was thus:
 DEAR MADAM: The words which escaped you this day have made me immeasnrably happy. and at the same time immeasurably miserable. The most beautiful dream of my life has become real. but thereby also has been decided that battle in any heart which has filled me with thoughts oi flight during the last few days.
 ''l have no feelings of resentment, my dear Hortense but tho thought is