Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1860-05-17

| employer could not Help feHlarklnS upon
the unusually poor signature which the ltal-
ian affixed as witness, to the deed; OW t1tle
| did tie colonel or the baroness kno,c the terri
| ble passions Mat rere seettiny IN he secreta-
| ,y's SOul, or the important results hat they
acere destined 10 bring adout.
We will now return to the bridegroom
elect. whom we left ut the Swinburne Arms.
Colonel Hastings had scarcely lett 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 me Il very fortunate and hap.
py man, and doubtless, an unusual number
Of good gifts have been showercd 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 cxpectant 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 has wooed her, under the name
of William Lovel, is really Albert Hastings,
the cnvied bridegroom OF the h9h-born Lady
Ethcridge Of Swinburne. 1t cannot be help
ed. | cannot pause for lady's right, or
maidcn's honor. Here then for a divided
life: my hand to the lady of Swnburne-my
heart to the lovely cottage girl; only Lady
Etheridge must never know Of Rose Elmer
and William Lovel, nor must Rose Elmer
know Lady Etheridgc and Albert Hastings.
And now to persuade Rose to 90 before me
into Wales, where myself and my lady-bride
are to spend our honeymoon"
And so SAYING, he took his hat, and stroll
ed out into the street.
Taking q course opposite to that which led
to Swinbnrnc Castle. Albert Hastings soon
came to Il crosS-country road, which he fol-
lowed for some two miles, and then turning
into a by-path he went on until he came to
Il secluded and lovely cottage. Opening the
door OF this elegant retreat with latch key,
he passed in. 1t was Il lovely abode, tit for
the home of IL fairy. And for Il fairy Albert
Hastings had had it furnished. The ialry's
name was Rose Elmer and she was the
daughter of the village lanndress. Albert
had accidentally met her on one of his visits
to the castle, and, us his solioquy, given
above, shows, had fallen desperately IN love
with her: and, under the assumed name of
William LoYci, had won the beautiful and
innocent mliien's heart
He had had the cottage furnished, and
was that morning to meet lose there. where
they had 50 ol'Icn met by appolntment.-
Rose c;llne ut last and as soon rs the irSt
Joyous greetings were over, the intriguing
lover set ut work to persuade her to consent
to Il secret marriage; as he well knew bya
thousand tests of character, that he could new
er gain his purpose unless Rose believed
herself to be his wife. His task was Il hard
one but he finally succeeded, by promising
that she should stay with her mother, just
the same as long a. she lived.
This was not ut all what Mr.. Hastings
wished, but neither logic nor eloquence could
convince or persuade Rose Elmer to desert
her aliny mother; and upon II" other CON
lilon than that OF being allowed to remain
with her, wonid she consent to the secret mar
riagc.
And finally, he obtained promise from
Rose that she would meet HIM ut the cottage
that same night, where, by Il previous ar
rancement, his confidential servant dlsguls-
cd as IL clergyman, was to be in attendance
to perform lhe marriage ceremony. Alter
which Rose WAS to rcturn to her mother to
remain during the few weeks of his absence
in Wales, whittier, he said, important busl-
ness forced him. This agreed upon, they
took leave of each other for /; few hours, and
returned to the village by different routes.
Mr.. Hastings went to his inn, and summon
cd his confidential servant to his presence.
And Rose Elmer, full Of hope and JOY, turn
ed down the street leading to her mothers
cottage.
When Rose entered the house, there was
tl,n and hnsiI 10
this fire, in I'm old arm chair, sat Il female,
whom no one would have passed without Il
second look She was woman OF comman-
ding presence Her form was tall, and must
once have been finely rounded; but now 1t
was worn thin, almost to skeleton meaSre-
ness. Her features were nobiy chiscllcd,
and might once have been Srandly beau
tirul, but now they were sunken and cma-
catcd as those Of death Under her
broad aud prominent forehead, and heavy
black eve browS, shune u pair of large, dark
rrcy ewes, that burned ficrcely with the fires
of fever or of frenzy. Her jet black hair,
slightly streakcd with silver, was half cover
ed with red handkerchief, tied beneath her
chin. and parity fallen in elf locks down one
side of hcr face. \ rusty black gown and
shawl completed her dress.
As The door opened, admitting Rose, she
turned quickly in her chair, liking her eyes
with IL look Of fierce inquiry upon the III
truder.
flow are you now, mother dear? hope
you feel in better spiri:s?' said Rose, laying
oil her bonnet, and coming to the woman 5
side.
Better. Where have you been? | have
wanted you.'
Il have hecil--taking Il walk through the
woods, dear mother: and see, here are some
wild awbcrrics picked for yen on my re-
turn. VIII you eat them?" sad Rose, offer
ng her Il little basket.
No: want none Of them. You care lit
tie for me-
"Mothcr. dontSay that. You donot know
how nr.ch love y"u.'
"IluSh, girl, you have little cause-oh!'
And the woman suddenly struck her hand
upon her heart, dropped her head upon her
breast. and seemed convul,ed by some great
agony. Her features worked irlgh;iuly, her
frame shuddered
"Motl,cr. mother. what is the matter?' ex-
claimed Rose. throwing her arms around the
woman in great alarm.
at iS-pa>t." gaspod the woman, breath
ing with great difficulty.
What was it, lear?''
N spasm. It is gone"
ooh. mother. will it return"