Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1860-05-18
X OS T. LIME r.;
4 Divided Heart and a Divided Life.
BY MRS. soUTnwoRTH.


1t was early on the morning of a lovely day in
June, A. D. 1900, that rather large group of
idlers gathered in front Of the Etheridge Arms.
a quaint old tavern in the ancient little town of
Swinbnrne in the west of England.
BY their looks and conversation, it was evident
that some event Of unusual Importance ex-
pected to come off.
They were in fact, awaiting the arrival of the
mail coach, which was to bring down Colonel
Hastings. and his son Albert, who was the BRIDE
groom elect Of Lady Etheridge, Baroness of Swim
burne, the last of her race and sole heress Of the
immense wealth and vast estates of her loFdly
ancestors.
The nuptials were to be celebrated on the fol-
lowing day; and the retainers and neighbors CT
the noble bride, who almost worshipped her for
her goodness of heart were anxious to see the man
who was to be their beloved Gladys" husband.
They had not long to wait. The coach soon
came laundering up to the door; and as soon as
the steps were laid down by the obsequious land
lord 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 surrounded by hair and whisk
prematurely gray. lie closely attended
by his secretary-Ferdinand Cassinove-an Ital-
ian, of such graceful nien and dignifed bearing,
that he might have been taken for prince of the
bl, cd attended by an old gentleman ia waiting.
Next came forth gentleman, whose handsome
person at once attracted general attention. His
form was tall and finely proportional, crowned by
a naughty head and face, with high acquiline fea-
lures, fair and fresh complexion. light blue eyes
and very light faxen hair. His expression 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 it was this that fascinated
the young heiress Of SSinburnc Castle, for this
was Albert Hastings, the bridegroom elect. He
was followed into the house by his valet, bearing
his dressing case.
After a slight repast, Colonel Hastings, attend
ed by Cassinove drove off tn the castle TO have
preliminary interview with Lady EtheTdge, (who
was his ward,) and arrange the marriage settle
ments. On arriving at the lordly castle ,Cassincve
shown into a sitting-room, while the colonel
proceeded 10 the library, whittier his ward was re-
quested TO come to meet him.
As the young Italian paced up and down the
room occasionally passing before the mirror, which
reflected the spacious window Preaching from CELL
ing door) and the picturesque landscape beyond,
suddenly, among the roses outside, glided a pur-
ple-draped female figure that Immediately rivet-
ted his attention. 1t was a woman in the earliest
bloom Of youth. As young CassinOve gazed upon
her reflected image, as he never gazed on her, no
felt felt though goddess had suddenly descend
ed among the flowers. Her form was above the
the medium height and well rounded. Her head
vas finely formed, and covered with profusion
Of jet black, glittering hair, that was plainly
parted over her broad, expansive forehead, and
swept around the temples, and wound into rich
and massive knot at the back Of the head. Her
eyes were large, luminous, dark gray CRIBS, 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
footsteps, there certain natural majesty
tnat even in a peasants dress, would have proved
her ore Of Natures queens.
The impression made upon the enthusiastic heart
Of Ferdinand CassinOve was at once vivid, deep,
and stronS-quick as sun-paintIDg, permanent as
sculpture He saw this goddess of the intellectual
trow ard stately step open the window and advance
into the room, and as she approached him he felt
his whole frame thrill with blended pain and de-
light. He dreaded to move, yet as the needle
turns to the magnet, be felt himself turning from
the reflected image 10 face the original. He stood
before that queeniy form. and met those large,
luminous, dark eyes fixed upon him in royal gra-
ciousuess, as she said
"You are Colonel Hastings secretary, / believe,
sir. Pray sit down. You will find the Lon on
papers on that tab e. Aud, with graceful bow,
the lady passed him, and seated herself at the
tremity Of the room, took up portfolio, and
soon deeply engaged with its contents.
After the profound bow with which he had re-
turned her courtesy Ferdinand Cassinove remained
motionless where she had lett him. But ten min
utes had elapsed since she had glided in among
the flowers and passed him like a vision seen in
some beautiful dream. But ten minutes and life,
the world, himself, all changed for Ferdinand
Cassnove. Rs fsA, from tha, moment that his fate
take It's character lor good svd from the ;rA
offhat royal looking u0na7
In the midst Of the pleasing pain Of his dream
the door opened, and a gray-baired servant en-
~
the lady sat, and speaking in the low, sub
dued tone in which regal personages are addressed
said
"My lady Colonel Hastings's respects, and be
awaits your ladyship in the library"
Every we'll, Williams; 90 and say to Colonel
Hastings that l will attend him Immediately an
swered the lady, rising.
This aueeniy woman. then, was Laura, Baron
ess Etheridge of Swinbnrne, For ever and for ev-
er unattainabIe BY him Oh, despair HIS castle
in the air tumbled all about him, and buried all
his hopes ard aspirations in its fall.
After greeting Colonel Washington her entering
the library, Lady Etheridge took parch nent
from drawer in the centre-table, and handed it
to her guardian. On examing the document, the
colonel found il TO be deed of gift absolute. Of
her entire magnificent estate to Albert Hastings,
her intended husband The colonel pretended
much surprise, and refused to accept the deed, al
leging that such act might give rise to unpleas-
ant criticism.
ooh, Colonel Hastings there can be no ques-
tion 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 exc
cuted. He shall then be jealous Of his wifes
riches, for she will come TO him as poor IS a cot
tage girl" exclaimed Lady Etheridge, 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 Cas-
sinove to witness its execution in due form. The
poor secretary could scarcely hold the pen which
the colonel handed him, great his agitation.
His employer could not help remarking upon the
unusually poor signature which the italian affixed,
witness to the deed; but little did the colonel
the baroness knO,0 the terrible passions that
seefhizg IN the sserctarys SOUL The iHpoTtGgt
suits that thu ,cere deStir cd 10 bring a6O Z.
We will now return to the bridegroou elect,
whom we let at the Swinburne Arms.
Col. Hastings had scarcely left the room ere Mr..
Albert Hastings arose, stretched himself with
weary yaWn, and began to pace thOughtfully up
and down the floor murmuring-
" Men think very fortunate and happy
man; and, doubtless, unusual number of good
gifts have been showered upon me by the favor of
the blind goddess-not the least among them would
be este cmed the hand Of this wealthy young baron
ess, nv bride expectant Well, we cannot have |
Elmer only should be the wife Of Albert Hastings.
Poor girl, she little dreams that the man who has
wooed her, under the name of William Lowell, is !
really Albert Hastings, the envied bridegroom Of
the high-born Lady Etheridge of Swinburne. 1t |
cannot be helped. 1 cannot pause for lady's |
right, or maidens honor. Here, then, for
divided life; my hand to the Lady of Swinburne |
my heart to the lovely cottage girl; only Lady |
Etheridge must never know Of Rose Elmer and /
William Lowell, nor must Rose Elmer know
Lady Etheridge and Albert Hastings. And now |
10 persuade Rose TO go before me into Wales, |
where myself and my lady-bride to spend our /
rr.s Ga q ~ ..-.-.-4
And so saying, he took his hat, and strolled out /
INTO the street.
Taking a course opposite to that which led to !
swinburne Castle, Albert Hastings soon came to /
road, which he followed for some two
niles, and then turning into by-path, he went on