Civilian & telegraph. [volume] (Cumberland, Md.) 1859-1875, 1860-05-24

or and for ever unattainable by him Oh,
despair His castle in the air tumblcd all
about him, and buried all his hopes and as
pirations in its fall
After greeting Colonel Hastings, on her
entering the library, Lady Etheridgc took
parchment from drawer in the centre-table,
and handed it to her guardian. On examin-
ing the document, the colonel found it to be
deed of gift, absolute, of her entire magni
ficent estate, to Albert Hastings, her intended
husband The colonel pretended much sur
PRISE and refused to accept the deed, alleging
that such an act might give rise to unpleas-
ant criticism.
'Oh, Colonel Tasting there can lie no
question Of mine and thine between me and
Albert The deed Of gift that transfers all
my possessions to my future husband is made
out !; let it be executed. He shall then never
he jealous of his wifes riches, for she will
come to him rs poor as a cottage girl" ex-
claimed Lady Ethcridge, with pure devo-
ton of love flushing her cheek and lighting
her eyes.
After protesting somewhat farther against
such noble generosity, the colonel allowed
himself to be pursuaded to accept the deed,
and called in Cassinove to witness its eXecu
ton in due form. The poor secretary could
scarcely hold the pen which the colonel ham
ded him, so great was his agitation. His en-
poyer could not help remarking upon the
unusually poor signature which the Italian
| affixed, as witness, to the deed but title did
the colonel or the baroness knoic the terrible
passions that oere SETTLING in the secreta,ys
soul, or the 'important results that they ,cere
destined to bring about.
We will now return to the bridegroom
| elect, whom we left at the Swinburne Arms.
Colonel Hastings had scarcely left the room
ore Mr.. Albert Hastings arose, stretched HIM
self with a weary yawn, and began to pace
thoughtfully UP and down the floor, muir
| muring--
"Men think me very fortunate and hap
py man and, doubtless, an unusual number
| of good gifts have been showcred 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 ex-
pectant. Well, we cannot have everything
we want in this world, else sweet Rose Elmer
only should be the wife of Albert Hastings.
Poor girl she little dreams that the man who
wooed her, under the name Of William Low
Ell, is really Albert Hastings, the enved BRIDE
groom of the high-born Lady Etheridge of
Swinburne. 1t cannot be helped. cannot
pause for lady's right, or maiden's honor. -
Here, then, for a divided lifs; my hand to
the lady of Swinburne-my heart to the love-
ly cottage girl; only Lady Etheridge must
| never know OF Rose Elmer and William Low
| cl, nor must Rose Elmer know Lady Ether
&c and Albert Hastings. And now to per-
suade Rose to go before me into Wales, where
myself and my lady-bride are to spend our
honeymoon"
And so saying, lie took his lat, and stroll
ed out into the street.
Taking course opposite to that which led
to Swinburne Castle, Albert Hastings soon
came to a cross country road, which. he fol-
lowed for some two miles, and then turning
into by-path, he went on until he came to
secluded and lovely cottage. Opening the
door of this elegant retreat with a atch-kcy,
he passed in. 1t was lovely abode, fit for
the home of fairy And for fairy Albert
Hastings had had it furnished. The fairy $
name was Rose Elmer and she was the daugh-
ter of the village laundrcss. Albert had ac-
cidentaly met her on one of lis visits to the
castle and, as his soliloquy, given above,
shows, had fallen desperately in love with
her and, under the assumed name Of Will
liam Lowell, had won the beautiful and inno-
cent heart.
He had had the cottage furnished and was
that morning to meet rose there, where they
had so often met, by appointment. Rose came
a. last; aud as soon as the first joyous greet
ings were over the intriguing lover set at
work to persuade her to consent to secret
marriage; as he well knew, by IL thousand
tests of character, that he could never gain
his purpose unless Rose believed herself to be
his wife. His task was hard one; but he
r Il hat ct,n
should stay with her mother just the same, as
long as she lived.
This was not all that Mr.. Hastings wish
ed, but neither logic nor eloqucncc could
convince or persuade Rose Elmer to desert
her ailng mother and upon no other con-
dition than that of being allowed to remain
with her would she consent to the secret mar.
riase.
| And, finally, lie obtained promise from
Rose that she would meet him at the cottage
that same night, where, by previous ar
rangement, his confidential servant, disguised
as a clergyman, was to be in attendance tc
perform the marriage ceremony After which
Rose should return to her mother, to remain
during the few weeks of his abscncein Wales
whittier, he said, important business forceC
, him. This agreed upon, they took leave q
|
the village by different routes. Mr.. Hast
r ings went to his inn, and summoned his con
fidential servant to his presence. And Ros'
, Elmer, full Of hope and joy, turned dow
, the street leading to her mothers cottage.
When Rose entered the house, there was
. smoldering fire in the CRATE, and beside thi
, , fire, in an old arm chair, sat female, whom
=, no one would lave passed without n secon'
nf m 3 III I n
presence. Her form was tall, and must ono
:, have been finely rounded but now it wa
= worn thin, almost to skeleton meagcrness
. Her features were nobly chiselled, and Nigh
= once have been grandly beautiful, but no,
they were sunken and emaciated as those
: death. Under her broad and prominel
. forehead, and heavy black eyebrows, shon
= a pair of large, dark-gray eyes, that burne
. fierce!y with the fires of fever or of frcnzy
e Her jct-blacls hair slightly streakcd wit
y SILVER was half covered with red handkel
; CHEF tied beneath her chin, and partly fale
y in elf locks down one side of her face.
a rusty black gown and shawl completed h,
i dress.
), As the door opened, admitting Rose, 81
turned quickly in her chair, fixing her ey'
= with look OF fierce inquiry upon the il
70 truder.
a "How are you now, mother dear3 hoI
/ you feel in better spirits?" said Rose, layin
10 of her bonnet, and coming to the woman
y side.
"Better. Where have you been? hay
ID wanted you"
"a IL have becn-taking a walk through Il
n woods, dear mother; and see, here are son
ID wild Strawberries picked for you on my r
m turn. Will you eat thsm 2" said Rose, Q
n. fering her little basket.
n "No; want none Of them. You ca
- little for me-"
,st another, don't say that. You do not kno