Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1860-05-19
ROSE ELMER;
OR,
A Divided Heart and a Divided Life
BY MRS. soUTHwoRTH.

group of idlers gathered in front of the
Etheridge Arms, q quaint old tavern. in the
ancient little town of Swinburne, in the west
of England.
By their looks and conversation, it was
evident that some event OF unusual impor.
tauce was expected to come off.
They we're, in fact, awaiting the arrival Of
the mail coach, which was to bring down
Colonel Hastings, aud bis son Albert, who
was the Bridegroom elect Of Lady Etheridgc,
Baroness Of 'Swinburne, the last Of her race.
and sole heress Of the immense wealth and
vast estates of her lordly ancestors.
The nuptials were to be celebrated on the
following day; and the retainers and neigh
bors Of the noble bride, who almost wor.
shipped her for her goodness OF heart, were
anxious to see the man who was to be their
beloved "lady's" husband.
They had not long to wait. The coach
soon came laundering up to the door and as
soon as the steps we're let down by the obse.
quious landlord, Colonel Hastings issued
forth. lie was an elderly gentleman, tall.
spare, and STOPPING was clothed in a suit Of
clerical black and bis pale, thin, long face
was surrounded by hair and whiskers prema.
turely gray He was closely attended by his
secretary-Ferdinand Cassnove--an italian,
of such graceful mien and dignifed bearing,
that he might have been taken for q prince
Of the blood attended By an old gentleman in
waiting.
Next came forth young gentleman, whose
handsome person ard naughty manner at
once attracted general attention. His form
was tall, and finely proportioned. crowned BY
features, fair and fresh complexion, light blue
nd Eubt hoir 10
-ession of countenaDce, in keeping with his
ole manner, was stern almost to repellant
~. Great beauty Of person, with great
manner, forms a combination very
most young women and perhaps
hat fascinated the young heiress
g Castle, for this was Albert
:he bridegroom elect. He was
Ito the house by his valet, bearing
"gcase.
slight repast, Colonel Hastings,
lCassinove drove off to the castle
preliminary interview with Lady
who was his ward.) and arrange
age settlements. On arriving at
castle, Cassinove was shown into a
ON, while the colonel proceeded to
,ry, whittier his ward vas requested
. to meet him.
,ha young italian paced up and down
Dom, occasionally pausing before full
Ii mirror, which reflected the spacious
low Preaching from ceiling to hoor) and
picturesque landscape beyond, suddenly,
ng the roses outside, glided purple
ed female figure, that Immediately rivet.
his attention. 1t was a woman in the
tboom of youth. AS young Cassinove
IN her reflected image, as he never
On her, he felt as though goddess
denly descended among the flowers
IN was above the medium height. end
nded. Her head was finely formed
cred with a profusion Of jet black
hg hair, that was plainly parted over
.road, expansive forehead. and swep,
.und the temples, and wound irto @ rich
massive knot at the back Of the head
eyes were large. luminous, dark gray
l, that seemed, whenever the long veil o
IS was lifted. to throw a light wherever
glanced. Her nose was straight ant
lrmed. her lips rounded, and like all thu
all of character. In the carriage Of be-
nd neck, and in her stately footsteps
vas q certain natural majesty that, evel
asant's dress, would have proved he
Natures queens.
impression made upon the enthusiastic
of Ferdinand Cassinove was at one
deep, and strong-quick as s1n' paint
permanent as sculpture. He saw thi
ess of the intellectual brow and statel
open the window and advance into tn
a, aud as she approached him he felt hi
frame thrill with q strange emotion Q
I'd pain and delight He dreaded t
yet, as the needle turns to the magnet
ut himself turning from the reaecte
: to face the original. He stood befor
,ueenly form, and met those large, ID
IS, dark eyes fixed upon him in roya
;iousness, as she said
You are Colonel Hastings secretary,
'e, sir. Pray sit down. You will hn
.ondon papers on that table," Ant
graceful bow, the lady passed him, an
herself on sofa at the extremity @
!, took up a portfolio, and was 500
ngaged with its contents.
the profound bow with which he ba
her courtesy, Ferdinand Cassinov
ed motonless where she had left hiu
zen minutes had elapsed since she bs
in among the flowers, and passed biz
vision seen in some beautiful DREAM
ten minutes, and life. the world. himsel
all changed for Ferdinand Cassinove.-
II, from, that moment, that his fate mu
character for good or evil from II
hat royal.looking romdn
Sc midst of the pleasing pain OF b
he door opened. and gray.haire
entered softly, and stepping aero
room to where the lady sat, and speakiu
the low, subdued tone 10 which loyal pc
sonages are addressed. said
"My lady, Colonel Hastings's respects, al
ho awaits your lsdyship in the library"
"Very well, Williams; go and say to Ct
= Hastings that will attend him Immediately
answered the lady, rising.
|, This queenly woman, then, vas Laur
y Baroness Etheridge of SwinburDe For ey
9 and for ever unsttainable by him U
!. despair His castle 10 the air tumbed
about him, and buried oil bis hopes ai
D. aspirations in its fall.
= After greeting Colonel Hastings, on b
entering the library. Lady Etheridge took
parchment from drawer 10 the centre'tao
and handed it to her guardian. On sxaml
/, ing the document. the colonel found 1t TO
deed of gift. absolute, OF her entire msgnl
:. cent estate, to Albert Hastings, her intend
husband. The Colonel pretended much 81
prise, and refused to accept the deed, allegl
that such an act might give rise to unpleasa
criticism.
"Oh, Colonel Hastings! there can be
J., question OF mine and thine between me
Albert. The deed Of gift that transfers
bv my possessions TO my future husband is ma
out lot 1t be executed. He shall then me-
oe jealous OF his wife's riches, for che Y