Union County star and Lewisburg chronicle. [volume] (Lewisburg, Pa.) 1859-1864, 1860-05-25
ROSE ELMER;
Or,
a DIVIDED HEAgT AND A DIVIDED LIFE.
BY MRS. SoUTHwOITH.

rather large group OF ldlerS gather
ed in front of the Etheridge Arms, a
quaint old tavern, in the ancient little
town of Swinburnc, in the west OF
England.
By their looks and conversation, it
WIS evident that some event Of unu.
su,l Importance was expected 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, Bar
oness of Swinburne, the last of her
race, and sole heiress of the immense
wealth and vast estates of her lordly
ancestors.
The nuptials were to be celebrated
On the following day; and the re-
tairerS and neighbors Of the noble
bride, who almost worshipped her for
her goodness of heart, were anxious
to see the man who was to be their
beloved lady" husband.
They had not long to wait. The
coach soon came laundering up TO the
door; and as soon as the steps were
let down by the obscquious landlord,
Colonel Hastings issued forth. He
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
whiskers prematurely gray. lie was
closely attended by his secretary
Ferdinand Cassinove-an Italian, of
such graceful mien and digniiied bear
ing, that he might have been taken
for prince of the blood attended by
an old gentleman in waiting.
Next came forth young gentleman.
whose handsome person aud naughty
manner at once attracted general
attention. His form was tall, and
finely proportioned, crowned 10y a
naughty head and face, with high
aquiline features, fair and fresh com
plcxion, light blue eyes, and very
light, fiaxen hair. His expression of
countenance, in keeping with his
whole manner, was stern almost to
rcpellant severity. Great beauty of
person, with great dignity Of manner,
forms combination very attractive
to most young women, and perhaps it
was this that fascinated the young
heiress of Swinburn Castle, for this
was Albert Hastings, the bridegroom
elect. He was followed into the
house by his valet, bearing his dress
ing-case.
After a slight rcpast, Colonel Has
tings, attended by Cassinove, drove
off to the castle to have preliminary
interview with Lady Etheridge, (who
was his ward and arrange the mar
riage settlements. On arriving at
the lordly castle, Cassinove was shown
into sittingroom, 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 re-
Ilected the spacious window (reaching
from ceiling to noor) and the pictur-
,sque landscape beyond, suddenly,
among the roses outside, glided a pur-
female figure, that immedi-
ately rivetted his attention. 1t was
! woman in the earliest bloom Of {
1outh. As young Cassinove gazcd
lpon her reflected image, as he never
yazed upon her, he felt as though a
goddess had suddenly descended i
among the flowers. Her form was ]
above the medium height, and well :
rounded. Her head was finely form !
ed, and covered with a profusion of
jet black, glittering hair, that was
plainly parted over her broad, expan-
,ive forehead, and swept around the
temples, 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, i
ler lips rounded, and, like all the
rest, fall of character. In the car ,
riage of her head and neck, and in
Ter stately footsteps, there was a GER
ain natural majesty that, even in a .
PEASANTS dress, would have proved s
Ter one Of Natures queens. F;
The impression made upon the en-
huSiastic heart of Ferdinand Cassi-
move was at once vivid, deep, and {
;trong-quick as sun-painting, perma- c
lent as sculpture. He saw this god
less of the intellectual brow and
stately step open the window and ad
rance into the room, and as she ap-
,roachcd him he felt his whole frame
brill with strange emotion of blen-
led pain and delight. He dreaded to
move, yet as the needle turns to the
he felt himself turning from
he reflected image to face the origi-
lal. He stood before that queenly
orm, and met those large, luminous,
lark eyes fixed upon him in royal
,raciousness, as she said |,
You are Colonel Hastings secre-
airy, l believe, sir. Pray sit down.
You will find the London papers on