New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1860-05-12


Colonel Hasting had scarcely left the Mr..
Albert Hastings arose, stretched himself with weary
yawn, and began TO pace thoughtfully up and down
the floor, murmuring-
"Men think me a very fortunate and happy man;
and doubtless, an unusual number Of good gifts have
been slowered upon me by the favor of the blind god
dess-no the least among them would be esteemed the
hand Of this wealthy young baroness my bride ex-
pectant. Well, we cannot have everything we want
in this'wOrfn, else sweet Rose Elmer only should be
the wife Of Albert Hastings. Poor girl! she little
dreams that the man who has wooed her, under the
name Of William Lovel, is really Albert Hastings the
enved bridegroom of the bigh-born Lady Etherdge Of
Swinburne. 1t cannot be heIed. / cannot pause for
ladys right maden's honor Here, then, for d.
vded life; my hand to the lady of Swnburne- my
heart TO the lovely cottage girl; only Lady Eheridge
must never know of Rose Elmer and William Lowell
nor must Rose Elmer know Lady Etheridge and Al
bert Hastings. And now to persuade Rose to go be-
fore me into Wales, where myself and my lady-bride
are to spend our honeymoon"
And 30 saying, Albert Hastings took his hat, and
strolled out into the street. Walking in an opposite
direction TO that taken by Colonel Hastings in
his drive to Swinburn Castle, Albert Hastings
reached cross country road which il pursued for
about two miles. Then, turning to the left he entered
narrow shady lane that led TO small secluded cot
tage nearly hidden from sight amid climbing vines,
clustering shrubs, and Overhanging trees. Taking
key from his pocket, he unlocked the little green
wooden gate, and passing between tall, Towering
shrubs, he stepped under the vne-shaded porch and
applying second key opened the cottage door, and
entered at once upon the only large room the cottage
could boast. This room fitted up with simple
elegance in strange contrast to its humble character.
The rude walls covered with delicate paper of
a siyery white ground, and with running roses over
it. The floor was hidden under neat carpet of cor
responding pattern. The windows, sofa, chairs, and
foOtsoOls Were all covered and draped with white lace
over pink damask. rosewood piano of exquisite
workmanship stood side of the room; "a chiffon
ner of the same material with small but choice col
lection Of books, stood on the opposite side. Upon
rosewood table IN the center lay several richly bound
foos of rare and valuable prints. Over the chimney
piece hung mirror that gave back the reflection of
the whole pretty room, which in all respects fitted
up as lady's boudor.
This lonely cottage had been rented and furnished by
Albert Hastings as trystingplace for his love. The
whole air of tie room was cOulur de rose He called
il " The Bower OF Roses" ID was, indeed the bower
Of one peerless rose. Here he had been accustomed,
during his visits to the neighborhood of his affanced
bride, TO meet the rose of his secret thoughts. But
here afo let il be clearly understood he had respected
the honor Of the humble maden-not upon any good
principle perhaps but loving her with all the power
of his selfish heart, and resolved upon making her bis
own forever he abstained from any freedom that might
alarm her delcacy and perhaps, esrange her heart.
Albert Hastings the only son of Colonel Hastings of
Hastings Hail. Devon, and of Portman square, Lon
don, had been endowed by nature with many other
good gifts besides his prominently handsome and
princcy person. lie had good head and originally
good heart but he had been spoiled from his youth
up in being led TO believe that the whole world and
all within IT, had been created for his own private
or abuse, if he pleased And if this selfish creed
not fully credited, il was, at least thoroughly
carried out in his practce-a thing that cannot often
he said Of better creeds, even better men.
Albert Hastings had always been designed by his
father TO be the husband of the wealthy young bar
oness, bis ward The crafty old man had taken care
during Their childhood, lest they should grow up
brother and sister, without thought of dearer rela
tionslip. lie had oonented himself with secuding
Tie young baroness fEDm other youthful company He
had fixed her permanent residence in the deep retire
ment Of Swinbnne Castle, where she remained year
after year under the care OF distant female relative,
MIR. Montgomery, the widow of clergyman.
There she was ATTENDED by various deeply Learned
masters and highly accomplished misiresses all very
discIte and elderly who had been sent down by Col
Hastings to carry on her education. AT the age Of |
eighteen fie first met Albert Hastings. II had been
planned that sle should spend a year in making the /
tour Of the Continent, in company with her guardian
and his son, whore travels delayed for this pur
pore Ii was but few days before the intended de.
Ial'ure, while the heart Of the young heiress was
clhed with the prospect Of seeing foreign countries
That Albert laslngs was introduced 10 her His hand
some person, dgniied presence, and fascinating man.
iefs, made some Impression upon the imagination of
INC young Dhohess' During Their Subsequent travels
over the Continent his well cultivated mind, various
and brilliant conversational powers
20 deeJened this impression, that the youthful Lady
Etheridge thought she had met the man of men, the
only one in the world TO whom ii was possible to give
her own heart aud when the expected avowal of
love and offer Of marriage came, Laura EtIierdge
trembled at the thought of happiness too rich for her
meritf-almoH too perfect for this world Albert ,
Hastings was deeply enamored OF the Baroness Eth.
erdge of Swinbnrne and her vast possessions; but {
aTa from those how much did be really care for the
young gil, Laura