Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1860-05-16
ROSE FINER;
OR,
A Divided Heart and n Divided Life.
BY MRS. soUTHwoRrH

town of Swinburne, in the west of England.
By their looks and conversation, it was evil
dent that some event Of unusual importance
was expected to come off
They were, IN fact, awaiting the arrival of
the mail coach which was to bring down Colo
mel Hastings and his son Albert, who was the
bridegroom elect Of Lady Etheridge, Baroness
of SEinburne, the last Of her race, and sole
heiress Of the immense wealth and vast estates
of her lordly ancestors.
The nuptials were to be celebrated on the
following day; and the retainers and neighbors
ofthe noble bride, who almost worshipped her
for her goodness Of heart, were anxious to see
the nan who was to be their beloved ''lady's"
husband.
They had not long to wait. The coach soon
came laundering up to the door; and as soon
as the steps were let down by the Obseauious
landlord, Colonel Hastings issued forth. He
was an elderly gentleman, tall, spare, and
STOPPING; was clothed in a suit OF clerical
black; and his pale, thin, long face was sur
rounded by hair and whiskers prematurely
gray. He was closely attended by his secre-
tary-Ferdinand Cassinove-an Italian, of
such graceful mien and digni6ed bearing, that
he might have been taken for a prince Of the
blood attended by an old gentleman in wait
ing.
Next came forth a young gentleman, whose
handsome person and naughty manner at once
attracted general attention. His form was
tall, and finely proportioned, crowned by a
naughty head and face, with high aquiline
features, fair and fresh complexion, light blue
eyes, and very light, faxen hair. His ex-
preston Of countenance, in keeping with his
whole manner, was stern almost to repellant
severity. Great beauty Of person, with great
dignity Of manner, forms a combination very
attractive to most young women, and perhaps
il was this that fascinated the young heiress of
Swinburne Castle, for this was Albert Has
tings, the bridegroom elect He was followed
into the house by his valet bearing his dress
ing-case.
After slight repsst, Colonel Hastings at
tended by Cassinoye, drove of to the castle to
have preliminary interview with Lady Eth
eridge, (whO was his ward) and arrange the
marriage settlements. On arriving at the
lOrdly castle, Cassinoye was shown into a sit
ting room, while the colonel proceeded to the
library, whittier his ward was requested to
clIne to meet him.
As the young Italian paced mp and down the
room, occasionally pausing before full length
mirror, which reflected the spacious window
PREACHING from ceiling to fOor) and the pictu-
rescue landscape beyond, suddenly, among the
roses outside, glided purple-draped female
figure, that imn edately rivetted his attention.
1t was woman in the earliest bloom Of youth.
As young Cassinove gazed upon her reflected
image, as he never gazed upon her, he felt as
though a goddess had suddenly descended
among the flowers. Her form was above the
medium hight, and well rounded. Her head
was finely formed and covered with q profu-
sion of jet black, glittering hair, that was
plainly parted over her broad, expansive fore
head. and swept around the temples, and
wound into a rich and massive knot at the back
of the.head. Her eyes were large, luminous
dark gray Orbs, that seemed, whenever the
long veil Of lashes was lifted, to throw light
wherever they glanced Her nose was straight
and well formed, her lips rounded. and, like
all the rest, full of character. In the carriage
Of her head and neck, and in her stately foot
steps, there was a certain natural majesty that
even in peasants dress, would have proved
her one of Natures queens.
The impression made upon the enthusiastic
heart Of Ferdinand CsssnOve was at once vivid,
deep, and strong-quick as sun-painting, per-
manent as sculpture. He saw this goddess of
the intellectual brow and stately step open the
window and advance into the ROOM and as she
approached him he felt his whole frame thrill
with 4 strange emotion Of blended pain and de-
lignt He dreaded to move, ret, as the needle
turns to the magnet he felt himself turning
from the reflected image to face the original.
He stood before that queenly form, and met
those large, luminous dark eyes fixed upon
him in royal graciOusly, as she said:
"You are Colonel Hastings's secretary, be-
lieve, sir. Pray cit down. You will find the
London papers on that table" And, with a
graceful bow, the lady passed him, and seated
herself on a sofa at the extremity Of the room
took up a portfolio, and was soon deeply en-
gagged in its contents.
After the profound bow with which he had
returned her courtesy, Ferdinand Csssnove
remained mOtionless where she had left him
Bat ten minutes had elapsed since she had
glided in among the flowers, and passed him
like a vision in some beautiful dream. But ten
minutes, and life, the world, himself, were all
changed for Ferdinand Cassinove. He felt,
fTan that moment, that has fate DInst take ats
character for good or eriL from ths L0IH of
tlat rOyaL-l0okiRg tcoBIaR.
In the midst Of the pleasing pain of his dream
the door opened, and gray-h haired servant en-
tered softly, and stepping across the room to
where the lady sat, and speaking in the low
subdued tone in which royal personages are
addressed. said.
My lady, Colonel Hastings's respects, and
he awaits your lsdyship in the library"
every well, Williams; 60 and say to Colonel
Hastings that will attend him immediately -
answered the lady, rising
Thisqueenly woman, then, was Laura, Baron
ess Etheridgs Of Swinburne, For ever and for
ever unattainable by him, Oh, despair. his
castle in the air tumbled all about him, and
buried all his hopes and aspirations in its fall
After greeting Colonel Hastings, on her en-
tering the library, Lady Etheridge took a
parchment from drawer in the center-table
and handed Ii to her guardian. On examining
the document, the colonel found il to be a deed
of gift, absolute, Of her entire magnificent es-
tlte. to Albert Hastings her Intended husband
fused to accept the deed, alleging that such an
act might give rise to unpleasant criticism
"Oh, Colonel Hastings. there can be no ques-
ton Of mine and thine between me and Albert
The deed Of gift that tranfers all my posses
sions 10 my future husband is made out; let 10
be executed He then shall never be Jealous
of his wife's riches, for she will come to him as
poor as q cottage girl" exclaimed Lady Eth
eridge, with pure devotion of love flushing
her cheek and lighting her eyes.
After protesting somewhat farther against
such noble generosity, the colonel allowed
himself to be persuaded TO accept the deed,
and called in Cassinoye TO witness the execu-
ton in due form. The poor secretary could
scarcely hold the pen which the colonel handed
him, so great was his agitation. His employer
could not help remarking upon the unusually
poor signature which the Italian affixed, as
witness, to the deed; 6ut little did tie colonel
or ,fhs 5ayoasss knoso The terrible PASSIONS
that lcsrs ssstkiRg an the sseretary'S soni, or
TIE important results that they tcers destined
10 6rIHg about.
We will now return 10 the bridegroom elect,
whom we left at the Swinburne Arms.
f-N~ m L.l Il I.ft