The St. Cloud journal. [volume] (St. Cloud, Minn.) 1866-1876, 1871-10-05

ODAAV - NJ 10
"Oh yes; but now Msgdalen-Miss
Trsvelysn-that you have agreed to the
marriage taking place soon, you may
leave tho rest with Us Mr.. Slade, and
If you will accept mo- will be your
trustees"
Magdalon gazed at him reproachfully.
She did not answer, but she held out
her hand in passing. He could not
choose but take it; yet he took it so
coldly that she would rather he had re-
fused it. Hs held it without the faint
est pressure; but his lips quivered and
his heart throbbed. Again she look ed
at him with the same asking aud re-
rroachtul glance; then dashing bis
hand away, she left them in sudden
passionate manner, which made Paul
look after her amazed. Horace looked
after her too, tnrtively kissed the light
mark left by her fingers on his. And
then he began to talk calmly to Paul
about his marriage, and to insist on the
conditions.
He was to draw the settlements
After having arranged all with Paul
which arrangement was that Magdalen's 5
fortune should be settled without re-
serve, on herse)f--he departed to draw
the deeds, and have them engrossed
and "settled" with the family attorney.
Any one who had seen Horsoe
when engaged in his task, would hard.
y have th''aght that he w,s framing
tho marriage settlements Of . friend.-
Large drops stood on bis forehead !; biz
eyes were bloodshot -; his face hseg,rd
and wild and those manly, well-formed
hands trembled like girps. He quiv-
cred in every limb; every now and
then started ard once he threw down
his pen and cried aloud, as if he had
been tortured unawares, before he had
time to collect his strength. But even
with no one to witness his weakness, he
controlled himself, and pressed back
the thoughts that would rush through
his brain. He thought of the sacrifice
that MagdaIeo was about to make, yet
Of his inability to prevent it.: Of
her evident love for him, aud yet Of
the dishonor which would rest on his
acceptance Of it. He thought of Paul's
intense devotion, Of his yet entire unfit.
ness; Of her pledged word, aud Of he,
reluctance. 1t was sad coil through.
out. Every one was to be pittied, none
to be blamed. 1t was want of fitness
not Of virtue, that had brought them
into this said straight, and there seem
ed to be no way cut for them The only
hope was that, when once married duty,
pride, habit, and the sweetness Of Paul.
own nature would mako Msgdalen for
get bis we,kuess, and reconcile her t
her lot. She was good; she was brave
and, though under too little control a
this moment, yet this was only pass
ing fever. She would grow oalmer
and stronger by-and-by. Thus Horace
reasoned and tried to say peace! peace
where there was no ptace, and to make
words and sha lows take the place of
realities. He looked at the names of
the contracting parties joined together
in the rigid legal fashion, till something
blinded his eyes, and he could see no
more.
However, he finished bis task, and
took 1t down to Oakfield. Mr.. Slade
read over the settlements; but some al
terations were required. Asking to be
alone to make them, be retired to the
library which overlooked the garden. -
He was SO agit,ted that he walked
feverisnly about the: room, leaning
against the open widow, looking. into
the garden -; aud there he saw Magda-
len, in the garden alone. She too had
hastened away to the filbert.valk where
she thought 10 Quo could see her,
There was such a bitter northeast
wind blowing that tho birds kept close
in their nests and at the roots Of thl
trees, and the animals in the field.
crouched under tho ee Of the hedges
But Msgdslsn pacsd up aud dowo the
long walk ; every movement and gest
are betrayiug that terrible strife VA
raging within. She was thinking now
impossible it was to escape from the
position into which she had lguorantl>
placed herself. Paul loved her will
such devotion that she dared not breal
off their marriage. It would kill him
| Aud then she would break her owl
heart for rcmorse, feeling herself
| murjeress. Passing this even, sh
thought that it would be dishonorable
because Paul, having given up his pro
fessiou as a means of a living since bel
fathers death not that be had eve,
been able to live yet By his profession
but that was nothing to the purpose
had thus lost both connection and habit
No! This fatal engagement, 40 blind
ly ontored into, must be faithfully kept
Honor and duty sealed the bond an
her heart-all the love, that was in it.
must lie for ever like the genii, unde
Solomon's seals. Large, dark, power
ful, genil, Of unreasonable strength
kept down by word and ring. Be
aidea- to what and give up this mari