The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1860-05-12

baroness must be vsyy happy 70 bring % vast an
Rose that hers 10 not IN enviabe pos'uon Tor 2
womsn7 Wealthy heiresses are apt to be wooed
for their money. and The mon they marry ana
enrich are seldom grateful for the benefit; on
the contrary, they are often, oven while enjoy |
ing the fortune Of the heiress, secretly incensed
against the woman who has placed them under |
heavy pecuniary obligation; for men cannot en- |
duTe 10 depend upon women. II is not our nature.
A man Of fortune, who loves penaiiess woman,
loves her even the more deeply that she depends
Whether this we're true or false of all men, or Of
any man, Rose Elmer believed 1t, coming ron MN,
and bright light Of joy broke over hsr lace as
she thought
"Then he will love me very dearly, for shall
But the look of alarm and anxiety that had
! troubled the face of Albert Hastings at the men
ton Of her mothers custom from the castle laundry
had not left 1t. What If, through that channel OF
communication, Rose Elmer should learn MS real
| name and position?
"Ihe custom Of the castle will be great help
| to your good mother. But hope, dear Rose you
| do not 90 on errands TO and from the castle. IL Is
"Oh, no; have never even seen the castle or
the chase, although have so much desired to do
| So"
"Indeed; but you have not lost much, dear. An
old Norman CASTLE and the ruins of an old Saxon
keep. have few attractions for YOUTH said Albert
Hastings, with view Of Encouraging her wish to
| see IL.
"Ob but for me it has the strongest attractions
do not know the reason, but have always felt the
| very deepest veLerston for ancient buildings and
old families and most especially for this old feudal
castle. and the noble race that IT. have owned it. for
the last of long long line OF ancestors, the last
and sole representative of the ancient barony, feel
almost superstitious veneratioD."
"Then you have seen the baroness inquired
Hastings uneasily.
is very strange, but my mother seems to have .
perfect horror Of the castle and all connected with
it. She never can bear to hear the family men,
toned. She never would permit me to walk In
that direction. And when the young baroness
10 embark for the Continent and all the village
| turned out TO see her, my mother pulled me into
the house, shut the door, and fell into chair pale
| as ashes, and trembling in every limb"
| ut was something else that had affected her,
| probably"
"No; 1t was the sight Of the young baroness,
am sure. twas the same when Lady Etheridge re-
turned from the Continent. She shut up the house,
and would not see her pass by; and she took me ia
her arms, and cried over me as though her heart
| would break"
"a strange eccentricity at most dear lovs-a
symptom Of nervousness, perhaps Do not let it
disturb you Besides, it must DO leaving her, since
now she takes work from the CASTLE"
"Oh, but she did not know II was from the
castle. A footman out Of livery brought the bas-
ket, and asked If the work could be done BY Tues
day night, and said that he would call for 1t then.
I
found il out. She did the work, sir, but she has
been III ever since. She cannot bear to hear
word about the approaching wedding. Indeed,
think that her dread and horror Of the castle peo-
pie is getting to be a menomauia. Can you
imagine the cause OF such strange mental
maladyi"
"No, sweet, cannot II Is mere within of old
age OF Illness" replied Albert Hastings, cheerful
~; for he cared very little for the cause of the
lsubdry-womsn's monomania so long as 1t served
his purpose Of eflectualy keeping Rose Elmer from
| tuhh 1of tba and ahoaa
But the object for which he had requested this
interview, was not yet accomplished, was not yet
even alluded 20; and hsw TO introduce to this pure
hearted girl was difficulty that perplexed even
his diplomatic powers. On the morrow he was to
lead the Lady Ether idge Of Swinburne to the altar
AND, alter the marriage ceremony, he was 70 depart
with his bride 10 spend the honeymoon 1t his seat
in wales-a newly purchased property. But the
thought Of parting, even for 80 short time, with
the iool Of his heart, insupportable. The fear
that In his absence some accident OF fortune might
deprive HIM Of her, was into cradle. he knew,
by thousand tests Of character, that this lovely
girl would never become hts own. unless she
was made to believe herself his wife. His OBJ
jees 20 silence her scrupes, and secure
her 20 himself by false marriage, In which his
confidential servant should personate the officiating
clergyman. and which was 10 be kept secret from
ALL he could only persuade her to take the step.
II was not without q severe mental struggle that
Albert Hastings had gained his consent to this
ton that he preached the subject At1ength. when
he found courage speak, he seated himself beside
her. took her hand looked into her sweet face with
an expression that might have bsguiicd az angel,
and ssid:-
Dear Rose. you have known me now intimately
for some months Have ever In word, look or act
given you ofences"
"No! oh, no, never!r she replied, ia surprise.
"ln all This time, dear Rose, have you seen Ia
me any hing unworthy Of gentleman"
Never, oh, never! 1why should you ask mey'
she inquired with astonishment
"iou believe me, then, TO be man OF honorl
"Of unimpeachable honor. should deem II q
profanity to question that Why. then, do you as k
inelr she repeated, with increasing wonder.
"You have confidence In meln
Perfect confidence. Oh, Why should you doubt
Il, Mr.. Lowell" she inquired, With earnest tervor.
Because, sweet eirl, am about 70 Ask you to
give me great proof Of your confidence In my
.what Is II, Mr.. LoveR know, am sure you
would not ssk me 70 do anything the least wrong,
and , 20 promise that whatever you ask me to DO
Il ask you then, fair Rose, to prove your conf.
deDce In me, by placing your future happiness In
my care. In word. will you DO my wfe!'
Rose Elmer flushed crimson.
"0h, that we're worthy TO be so!' she whis
"You are worthy Of a monarch's love. Too
worthy Of minei Yet you win be mine own An
swer, sweet girl
She turned her eyes, full of grateful love and
honor, upon him, and silently placed her hand In
bis.
mine own!' exclaimed Albert Hastings, sealing
those words with q burning kiss
Now came the most difficult part Of his under.
taking, to which all ths had bean but prelude
to persuade her TO q clandcsdnc marriage.
would be tedious TO repeat all the arguments
he u<ed to reconcile her 70 this measure. II Is
enough 70 cay that he . man Of society, gifted
with powers Of logic and eloquence that might
have swsyed the councils Of nation, to say mo-
thing Of the mind OF young girl lie was, be-
sides, handsome, fascinating and In love; and she
wac Q simple village girl, loving, csseeming, aud
connding IN him with her whole heart lie found
the ts<k easier than he could have hoped Hers
the perfect love which castcth out fear" that
"thinketh no evil Indeed, abe advanced hut one
objection 70 the secret marriage -her duty TO her
mother. But this very argument he Immediately
seized and used on his own side.
"Her duty 70 her mother he said, was TO pro-