Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1860-05-15
.RICHM1p Nd WHIG.
Rose ELMER;
A DIVIDED HEART AND A DIVIDED LIFE.


By their looks and conversation was evident thai
some event of unusual Importance expected to come
of
They were, in fact awaiting the arrival of the nal
coach which was TO bring down Colonel Hastings and
his son Albert who was the bridegroom elect of Lady
Ehcridge Baroness Of Swnburnc, the last OF her race
and sole heiess Of the immense wealth and vast estates
| Of her lordly ancestors
The nup,ias were TO be celebrated on the following
Gav and the reuners and ueishbors of the noble bride
who amos. worshpped her for her goodness Of heart
were anxious to see the who to he their beloved
"lidy's' husband.
THEY had not long to wait. The coach soon came
laundering up to the door; and as soon tho steps
were let down by the ubsCquiOus landlord Colonel Has
tipcs Issued forth He elderly genuem,n, tall
spare and STOPPING; was clothed in suit of clerical
black and us pale tha, long face surrounded by
| Lair and wLi,keis prematurcy gray. lie closely
attended by his sectetaiy-Fefdinand Cassinove-an
Italian OF such graceful men and dgnfed bearing, that
lac might have been taken or prince OF the blood at
tended by an old gentlemen in waiting.
| Next came forth young gentleman, whose handsome
person and naughty manner ut attracted general
attention His form tall, aud finely proportioned,
crowned by naughty mead aud lace, witt high aquilnc
features fair and fresh complexion light blue eyes, and
very light laxen hair. His expression of cOunenance
in keeping with his whole manner, stern almost to
rcpelanl severity. Great beauty OF person, with great
dignity Of manner forms a combination very Attractive
most young women, and perhaps It was TINS that faS
cnated the young heircsS ST Swnburne Castle for this
was Albert Hastings, the bridegroom elect lie was
followed into the house by his valet bearing his dressing
case.
After slight repasi, Colonel Hastings attended by
Cassiuoye drove Ctto the castle 10 have preliminary
interview with Lady Etheiiugc twho was his ward) and
arrange the marriage settlements. On arriving T.
lordy cas- L., Cas=loye was shown into sitting room
while the colonel proceeded TO the library, whi.her his
ward requested to come TO meet him
As the ouug Italian paced up and down the room oc
cssiOnaly p.usng before full length minor which re-
l5ctcd the spacious window reacmng from ceiling 70
floor and the picturesque landscape beyond Suddenly
among the roses outside glided purpcdraled female
figure that Immediately rycttcd bis attention u was
woman in the earliest bloom Of youth. As young Gas
snoyc cazed upon her reflected image 90 he never g-zcd
upon he; hc e!t though ;'otc,s has suddenly des
ccudcd among the flowers. h,r form above the me
Gium height and well rounded Her head finely
lormcd and covered with pro.usoH OF jet ba glitter
ring hair, that plainly parted over her broad cNpau
syc forehead and swept around the temples AMI wound
into a Ii.h a;d massive knot 90 the back Of the head
Her eyes were large, luminous dark grey orbs that
seemed, whenever tie long veil Of hsles was lifted
10 throw l-h, wherever they glanced. Her nose
straight and well formed her lip, rounded, and like
all the rest i Of character la the carriage Of her head
and neck and in her stately footsteps there certain
natgal es;y TIA, even in PEASANTS dICss would have
proved her OF Nttures queens.
The impression made upon the enthusiastic heart Of
Ferdinand Casinoye 90 once vivid, deep and stro
quick suu-pliutirg, pcrmareit as sculpture lie
thi, goddess Of the intellectual brow aud stately step
open the window sud advance into the room and she
approached bin be felt lis whole frame thrill with a
strange emotion Of blended pain aud delight. lie dread
ed To move yet Che needle turns 10 the ma.nct he
felt himself turning from ihc reflected image TO lace the
original lie STOOD before thai queeny form and met
those large luminous dark eycs fixed upon him ~ ROYAL
! grlciOu-Hoss she said
d" You are Colonel Ha.tines secretary believe, sir
Pray 50. down You Will had the London pap-i. on Oh q
table, Ard via a graceful bow the lady pissed lu,
and atsd herself on sofa at te extremity OF ts room,
took up portfolio aHl was sOon deeply engaged "ith
| It's contents.
Attcr the profound bow with which ne had returned
her courtesy Ferdinand C.ssluoyc remained moiiouless
where she had left lin. But ten mCutes had elapsed
since she had gided ia amoug tie foR,rs aud pas ed
! Inn like a vision seen in some beautiful dream. But zen
minutes and ile the world himself al changed for
! Ferdinand CIs-noye. He ft, from That moma"t, MIt
his fae ,pt take rs character jo' g,oGor eou from hc
| aiU ~, that royli-',okuJ v.D,ap.
In the midst of the pleasing pam Of bis dream ;he door
opened, and gray haired ,eN1lt entered softly and
stepping across the i0om 10 whore the lady sat- and
speaking in the low subiled tone IN which royal person
age, are addressed, said
My lady, Colone Hastings re poets, and be await
your aiy,hip in the library
VERY we'll Williams; 20 aud say to Colonel Hastings
lint will attend him Immediately answered the lady,
r sing.
rms lucellN Nbiil l4cb was Laura, baroness Elne-
ridge Of Swiuburnc For ever and for uuatuiiaa-
ble by him Oh despair iii. castle in tue ar tumbled
ali about him. and buried all Lis hopes and ASPIRATIONS in
its fell.
Alter greeting Colonel Hastings, on her entering the
library Lady Ehcridge took parchment from draw
iu the centre table AMI handed to her euardau.
On examining the document the colonel louad it 10 be a
deed OF glt absolute of her entire magnificent estate
to Albert Hastings her intended husband The colonel
pretended much surprise, aud refused to accept the Decd
alleging that such might give rise to unpleasant
critics
ooh, Colonel Hastings! there can be no question Of
mine and thine between me and Albert. THe deed 4
Gilt that transfers all my posse onS 20 my future hls-
bUdis made out; let IT, be executed. lie shall th, n
be Jealous of his wes riches, for she will come
him as poor a cottage cir" exclaimed Lady Etheridge
with pure devotion Of love flushing her check aud
! lighting her ewes.
After protesting somewhat farther against such noble
generosity the colonel allowed himself to be persuaded
TO accept the deed and called in CssaOye to witness its
execution in due form The poor secretary could scarce
y hold the pen which the colonel handed him. so great
hi agitation. His employer could not help reaaIk-
Ilg upon the unusually poor signature which the Italian
affixed witness 10 the deed bR GHie I'D the colonel
the baroness kiOe The terrible passions ttat rare Sce
ing IA tie secrtfags sod or the important results hat
| heg werc destined 10 brsHg about
We will now return to the Bridegroom elect whom We
| left at the Swinburne Arms
Colonel Hastings had scarcely left the room ere Mr.
Albert Hastings arose, stretched himself with a weary
ylwn and began to pace thoughtiuly up and down the
| floor muTmuring-
"Men think me a very fortunate and happy man; and,
doubtless an unusual number OF good gifts have been
shogered upon me by the favor Of the blind goddess
not the least among them would be esteemed the hand
of this wealthy young baroness my bride eXpectint.-
Well cannot have everything want in this WCrd,
else sweet Rose Liner only should he the wife Of Albert
Hastings. Poor girl, she little dreams that the who
| has woCcd her, under the name Of William Loyel, is
really Albert Hastings, the envied bridegroom OF the
| hilh born Lady Etheriig: of Swnburne. It cannCt
| heped | cannot pause for adys right maiden's
honor Here, then, for divided hi. my hand 10 the
Lady Of Swiahurne-ny heart 10 the lovely cottage girl
only Lady EthCriige must never know OF Rose Elmer
| aud William LDlcl, nor must Rose Elmer know Lady
Etheiijse and Albert Hastings. And now to persuade
Rose to 90 before into Wales, where myself and my
lad, bride are to spend our honeymoon"
And 50 saying, he took his hat and stroIIed out into
the street.
Taking course opposite to that which led to Swim
burne Castle Albert Hastings came TO
try road which he followed for two miles and then
turning into by-pah. he went on until he came TO a
secluded and lovely cottage. Opening the door OF this
elegant retreat with ltchbey he passed in Il was
lovely abode. fit for the home OF fry. And for n
fairy Albert Hastings had had it furnished The fairy s
name was Rose Elmer and she the daughter Cf the
village laundr,s. bert had accidentally met her on
one Of his visits the castle and as bis sooquy given
above shows had fallen desperately in love with her
and under the assumed name of William Lowell had
won the beautiful and innocent maden's heart.
He had had the cottage furnished and was that morn
ing to meet Rose there where they had so often met by
appointment Rose came at last and us soon as the
first Joyous greetings over the intriguing lover set
at work to persuade her to consent secret marriage;
as he well knew by thousand tests of character that
he could never gain bis purpose unless Rose believed
herself to be his wife. His task was hard one but he
finally succeeded, by promising that she should st with
her mother Just the same, as long as she lived.