The St. Cloud journal. [volume] (St. Cloud, Minn.) 1866-1876, 1871-09-21

way, much precious time, of inestimable
value, was lost before he remembered
Magdalen's request, or was able to write
to his friend and only hope, Horace
Ruthford.
CHAPTER v.
Horace Rutherford arrived as soon as
possible after the receipt of Pauls in
coherent letter, and in a very short
time Magdalen was free; released on
bail, to take her trial at the next assizes.
1t was an easy matter enough. Any
man of tho world who understood how
to conduct the affairs of real life, even
if not lawyer, could have managed it,
Yet there was something in the promp.
titudo and decision with which Mr..
Rutherford acted, that to Magdalen,
accustomed to the timidity and want Of
practical power of Paul, seemed almost
heroic, because it was simply manly
She never knew how feeble she felt her
lover to bo until she had unconsciously
compared him with another of his own
age; one of his friends ; educated un.
der much the same influences, yet on
whom life had wrought such different
effects, and to whom it had taught such
different ]tssons. Not that she did
not fully recognize the graces of PauPs
mind and intellect. The positive and
practical nature of Horace struck her
with greater admiration, perhaps, BE-
cause it was new study, and because
it was more in accordance with her own
Horace was soon heart and soul in
the cause. If Magda]en had been his
own sister, be could not have worked
with more loyal zeal than be did, leav-
ing no stone unturned by which he
could establish her innocence. He
made minute inquiries as to all the old
intimates of her father the trusted
family friends. he got their addresses,
so far as Mogdalen could give them p;
and when she failed, if he could have
tho smallest clue, he managed to fol-
low it up to the end. But, as yet, he
heard nothing from any of them that
could be Of use. One, of whom Mag
dalen spoke the most, escaped him.
About two years ago he had gone abroad
to the German baths: since then, he
had been wandering about the cont.
neut, and had finally gone to Spain
but his only relative Ga sister who lived
in Devonshire), knew not precisely
whittier. AS there was little time be-
fore the assizes, he could not afford tc
waste single day. But Horace neve,
tagged in hope, endeavor, and encour
aging assurances to Magdalen contin
uing his search after Mr.. Sladc, the
missing family friend, with. extraordi
nary pertiuacity. Magdaleh was con
tent to let the matter rest wholly with
him, to believe in his wisdom aud hi!
energy, and to feel secure so long as ht
told her she might fee! so.
They made strangely contrasting
group, the three friends; as unlike
physically as they were morally and
yet each so excellent in bis own way
Msgdalen and Paul were both hand
some, as has been shown before but
Horace had no great share of goot
looks ; yet he had something thai com
pensated for the want of them. FL
was below the middle size but firm ant
strong, and so we'll proportioued that hi
want Of height was not noticeable. In
deed; he left on many the impression
that he was tall man. Ho had 1
rugged, irregular face: but its larg
black eyes, and the. raven hair curtin,
thick and close gave rough beauty t.
it. Although every feature was artis
tically unlovely though the broad nose
thick at the base and blunt at the end
tbe unshaped lips, thick also and ir
regular, the powerful chin and squor
jaw, were. none of thvm in harmony
yet, from tacso unpromising elements
came such noble expression, sucb
look Of energy aud frankness ant
quickoess and penetration, that no Oh
ever remarked that Horace Rutherfor'
was what people call plaio man. Hi
manners were rather abrupt; a smile
was generally playing round his lips
and his eyes we're eyes that spoke ant
laughed. His conversation was quic|
aud brilliant; usually on some topic q
the day rarely metaphysical or abstract
He spoke we'll, told stories aud anecdote
with great spirit, was brave, generous
prompt, and determined "a man who's
hope, energy, ard selt.conmand wer
all but unconquerable.
! What a different being he was t
sensitive, shy, poetic, tremulous, fail
haired Paul ! whose smiles were lik
sunaashes on an April day, and who's
tears sprang as easily as child's an
were dried like a child's. The one, th
man Of action, born to battle With IN
to control real life as it passed by =,
lead in the thick Of the fight: the o:he,
the poet, resting apart and above, th
ldaily things of earth, thinking grca