The gazette-times. [volume] (Heppner, Or.) 1912-1925, 1914-05-07

by dlnt OF listening TO Emile nor
tense was forced to the secret confes-
sion that there was no other voice in
the would which could speak the Ian
guage Of true passion so well, and that
the woman who should receive such
love would indeed be happy.
The fire which they intended to fan
for another burned them to the quick,
and their scruples, their duty, their
VOWS to the absent one could not quench
lit. The flames spread and devoured
them. Without betraying their feelings
by word, look, or gesture, they gradu-
ally avoided each others society, and
never dared to speak Of Paul, his love,
and his hopes. His name was never
mentioned. 1t would have sounded like
a reproach ringing in their ears. Emile
soon stopped paying Hortense any little
attentions, SO afraid was he that she
would discover his secret. He talked to
her of acquaintances which he pre-
tended to have made, and Of love af-
fairs which never existed. He bought
photographs Of pretty women at the
stationer's, and showing her one of
them, said:
"That's my sweetheart. What do
you think of heri"
Hortense answered with feigned in
difference: "She is very pretty"
Then they separated, retired to their
rooms, and wept bitterly. For two
months Paul had not written. Emile .
letters were unanswered. Hortense had
written twice, but received no reply.
Matters had reached this pass on the
morning of that fatal first of Janu-
ary. Emile awaited the appearance of
Hortense, to offer his good wishes and
presents for the year. lie had succeed
ed in procuring from Paul's relations
his photograph, reduced from por.
trait, and had set 1t in gold locket
bearing Hortense's initials in a spray
Of diamonds. When the young girl re.
ceived the present she opened the case,
and seeing Paul's photograph, she
blushed, turned pale, and began to
weep.
"Why these tearsi" said Emile, al.
most ready to suffocate. He quickly
recovered himself.
"You don't understand me-" said
Hortense. II weep, but it il from
pleasure" and she burst into sobs.
Emile went away, and did not re.
turn until near evening. Hortense wait.
ed for him, seated by the fireplace,
and still weeping. The locket, partly
open, was lying on the mantelpiece.
Emile, quite perplexed by her appear
ance, mechanically cast his eyes upon
lit, and uttered an exclamation. His
picture had taken the place Of Paul g.
"What does this meani' he ex.
claimed. "Hortense, what have you
donei"
"Leave me-" she said, taking the
locket and slipping it into her dress.
"Leave me; don't speak to mel am
going madl"
"Madl" repeated Emile, really
alarmed.
"Don't you sect Can't you under.
stand anythingi" the girl cried out, q
prey to violent agitation. "Don't you
see that this kind of life is imposisblei
Can't you understand that love you,
and that this life Of falsehood and re-
straint is killing mel" and throwing
her arms around him, she hid her face
on his breast and sobbed, while he
trembled like one shaking with fever.
1t required few moments for this in.
tense emotion to subside; then, making
a violent effort, he disengaged himself
from her embrace, and obliging her to
sit down, said in broken voice:
"Hortense, I love you'll"
"Oh, Emilel" interrupted Hortense,
overjoyed.
"Let me speak. I love you. For a
long time I have vainly struggled
against the feeling which has over.
whelmed me, fool that was. How
could one help loving yous When l
felt that intense love taking posses
sion Of my heart the memory of Paul
rose up before me like = reproach. At
this very moment it causes me deep
remorse."
"But I love you," faltered the girl.