Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1860-05-18
ROSE ELMER,


ny MRS. soCTHwoRru.

-h'"S, " Ulslitt OIL tavern,
the ancient i,t'ie town OF Swinburne, in the
west of England.
by their looks and conversation, Il was
evident that som, event Of unusual impor,
iance was expected To come off.
They were in fact awaiting the arrival of
the mlll coach, which was To hriuc down
Colonel Hastings and his son Albert, who
was the bridegroom elect Of Lady Ether
idge, Baroness of Swinburne, the last of
her race, and sole heress of the immen ense
wealth AMI vast estates Of her lordly an,
cesiors.
The nuptials are TO he celebrated on tho
following day and the rcfainers and neigh
bors OF the noble bride. who almost every
body worshipped her for her goodness Of
heart, were anxious to see the man who was
to be their beloved lady's" husband.
They Ind not long to wait. The coach
soon came laundering up to the door, and
as soon as the steps were let down by the
obsequious landlord, Colonel Hastings is
sued forth. lie was an elderly gentleman,
tall, spare, and STOPPING was clothed in
suit OF clerical black and his pale, thin,
long face was surrounded by hair and whis-
kers premalurcly gray. lie was closely
] "'fN"'No W htS StSitidTy--E tTui1dfu Ods-
sinove-an italian, of such graceful mein
and dieniiied bearing, Il at he might have
been taken for a prince of the blood at-
tended by an OIL gentleman in waiting.
Next came forth a young gentleman,
whose handsome person and naughty man
ner at once attracted general attention.
His form was tall, and finely proportoned,
crowned by a naughty head and face, with
high aquiline features, fair and fresh COM
piexion, light blue eyes, and very light,
iiaxen hair. His expression of counienance
in keeping with his whole manner, was
stern almost to repellant severity. Great
beauty of person, with great dignity
OF manner, forms combination very at
/ ractve TO most young women, and per-
haps it was this that facinated the young
heiress of Swinburne Castle, for this was
Albert Hastings, the bridegroom elect. He
was followed into the house by his valet,
bearing his dressing case.
| Alter slight repast, Colonel Hastings,
attended by Cassinove, drove off to the Cas-
tie to have preliminary interview with
Lady Etheridge, (who was his ward,) and
arrange the marriage settlements. On ar
irving at the lordly castle, Cassinoye was
shown into a sitting-room, while the colonel
proceeded to the library, whittier his ward
was requested to come to meet him.
AS the young Italian paced up and down
the room, occasionally pausing before full
length mirror, WHICH reflected the spacious
window (rcaching from ceiling to floor) and
the picturesque landscape beyond, sudden
| ly, among the roses outside, glided pur-
ple-draped female figure. that Immediately
rivetted his attention. Ii 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
protusion Of jet black, gli,tering hair, that
: was plainly parted over her broad, expan-
siye forehead, and swept around the tenn
piles, 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
lcT anu HcSh, anu Ill HCl StdtSi( iout-
steps, there was a certain natural majesty
c that, even in peasants dress, would have
proved her one Of Natures queens.
The impression made upon the enthusi-
astic heart of Ferdinand Cassinove was at
Q once vivid, deep, and strong quick as sun
: painting, permanent as sculpture. He saw
t 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 q strange
!. emotion of blended pain and delight. lie
n dreaded to move. vet as the needle turns to
the magnet, he felt himself turning from
he reflected image to face the original.
He stood before that queenly form, and met
those large, luminous, dark eyes fixed upon
S him in royal graciousness. as she said
You are Colonel Hastings secretary.
believe, sir. Pray sit down. You will
1 find the London papers on that table"
q And with graceful bow, the lady passed
him, and seated herself on a sot;, at the
u extremity Of the room, took up portfolio,
: and was soon deeply engaged with its con-
e tents.
i After the profound bow with which he
y had returned her courtesy, Ferdinand Cas-
slnove renamed motionlesS where SHe ilau
o clided in among the flowers, and passed
/ him like vision seen in some beautiful
II dream. But ten minutes, and life, the
~ world, himself, were all changed for Fer
dinand Cassinove. lie fell from that mo-
n,eat, that his fate must take us character
:. for good or eri from the rM IF dm royal
= looking acoR'an.
: In The midst Of the pleasing pain of his
: : dream the door opened, and gray-haired
} servant entered softly, and stepping across
the room to where the lady sat. and speak
'o ing in the low subdued tone in which royal
personases are addressed said
~ " MY lady, Colonel Hastings respects,
and he awaits your ladyship in the library.
"Very well, Williams; go and tell Colo
y mel Hastings that 1 will attend him imme-
= diaiels,' apswered the lady rising.
:. y This queenly woman, then. was Laura.
:, :, Baroness Etheridge Of Swinburne For
!" ever and forever unaitainable bv him! Oh,
despair! Ills castle in the air had tum-
blec all about him, and buried all his hopes
= = and aspirations in its fall.
y After greeting Colonel Hastings, on her