The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1860-05-12

Il Baroness Etheridge OF Swinburne and her vast
oesessions; but apart from those, how much did
I Q really care for the young girl, Laura2
They returned homo to prepare for the mar
rage, which was to take place at Swinburne-
Castle.
The Hastings fixed their residence ut their town
house, but frequently came down TO Swinburne, tbs
visit bis bride elect
II was during one Of these visits to the neighbor.
hood, while he was staying at the Etheridge Arms,
that Albert Hastings first saw ROse Elmer. Levere,
his valet had sent his masters lioen to slaundress
and Il had been brought home by Rose.
She was fair and delicate beauty, small and ex
quisitely formed. with regular features, aud
snowy complexion, family tinted with roseate
bloom upon the rounded cheeks and plump little
lips. and q profusion Of pale golden hair, parted
and waved off in ripping tTesses from q forehead
of nfantine Wilderness and smoothoess Unlike
those Of the girls Of her class, her hands and
AIMS we're beautifully formed, and her feet were
small and elegantly turned. simple straw
bonnet shaded her sweet face, PLAIN dress Of
cheap blue giDRhsm fitted perfectly her f4ultless
figure, and white muslin mantle was worn with
simple grace. Her voice was SOFT aud low, her
manner quiet and eelfpossessed. Altogether, her
appearance, despite her humble gsrb and mental
Office, was fsuitlessy lsdylike.
Der beauty fascinated Albert Hastings. he Sc
crety discovered her dwellings, poor cottage IN
a Narrow unsighty street OF the village and he
made an excuse to Call there and settle his laun-
acquaintance. Afterwards he contrived frequently
to meet Rose in her daily errs nds through the VII
lage, and when no eye wasnear TO spy his mouons,
he would join her in her walks. He found her
mind as lovely as her person, and in the course OF
few days be, the sfisnced husband Of the high
born Lady Etheridge, Of Swinburne, found himself
deeply, passionately in love with the humble Rose
Elmer, the daughter Of the village lsundress. He
even sometimes dreamed of the possibility of
foregoing his splendid alliance with the heir
ess of Swinburne Castle, and Of making
Rose Elmer his wife; but the spirit Of
ambition was too strong within him. As
tive, and said that Q sense Of honor prevented him
from breaking with Lady Etheridge, though,
strangely enough, that sense OF honor did not him
DER him nom SEEKING the love of q poor village
maiden Day by day his passion for the Sweet
Rose grew. Every hour not spent In the society Of
his promised bride was devoted to her. At last
fearing discovery, no less for himself than for the
maiden, whom his false love imperilled, he cast
about for some means Of meeting her In secresy and
safety.
Through the help of confidential servant aud
city agent, he hired and furnished that obscure cot
tage In the wood, and one day, meeting Rose, he
invited her for walk, and conducted her to the
cottage to give her surprise, and to watch its ef
fecis. As he ushered Rose into the pretty room,
fitted up with all the elegance Of ladys boudoir
che made an exclamation Of intense astonishment
and pleasure. The rural cottage in its thicket Of
roses. Towering shrubs and trees, and the pretty
room with its gems Of art and literature, affected
her with many delightful emotions. The novelty
please her unaccustomed eyes; the beauty charmed
been prepared BY William Lowell, and for her,
touched her heart with profound gratitude.
"ADd this is your home she said, turning her
clear eyes, beamiDg with innocent joy, upon his
face.
"Tbs is my home, sweet Rose, and yours, when
you consent to share it with me-" be answered.
with grave tenderness that was natural TO him
when speaking TO her.
"Mipel mine! Oh ii IL too much What beau
tiful place! Wherever the eye roves through the
room IL lights upon some lovely object, and II
look ont Of any window see trees, and shrubs,
and roses-every where roses!" she exclaimed,
with delight.
at Ia the bower Of roses love, and you are the
you"
The maiden suddenly put up her hands to hide
the tears that we're filling her eyes.
why does my darling weep Inquired her lover,
going to her side.
"Obl because You are so much too good to me,
Mr. Lowell And do not know hnoy how it Is. but
your very kindness to me depresses my sPrha
"But why should that be. mine own,
81 do not know, unless II is that AN 40 lowly,
and Of such little worth, and helpless that can
do nothing for you-' ..---
Sweet Rose, you can make me the happiest OF
men; You, and you only, can do this ne said fer
vently.
81. Mr.. Lowell! how can make you happyyr she
whispered, in q tIemulous voice, and with . deeply
blushiDg cheek.
by sharing my home, my fortune, and my
heart" be whispered, bending over her.
she bowed her head until her chin rested upon
her BOSOM and her far hair fell for ward and vailed
her blushipg cheeks and moist eyes.
"Apsver me, sweet Rose. Will you be miner"
be asked, seeing that abe continued silent
"Mr. Lowell, am TOO lowly born. too humble and
too ignorant 20 be your wife, Would IL we're other
vie, aod we're more worthy of the station that
you cfer me- abe murmured, in an almost maud.
He suddenly dropped her hand and walked to
the window. He had not meant aoythng like this.
Yet the innocent village girl he'd naturally mistaken
hrs declaration OF love for proposal Of marriage.
How 10 uDdeceive her without shocking her;
how to explain without estrangiug her, he could
not tell. He perceived that the winning Of this
girl TO his purpose must be the work u tune aud
posressng himself Of her hand said:-
"swest love, Old mot mean TO hurry and dis
sress you Since you fesl desire for . wider
lovely a you are, myself viii become your leach
er. II rhall be my delightful task to open 70 youI
mind the treasures Of literature aud art, and TO d.
| rect your reading This lovely spot shalt be oui
study and you shall NEE, me here her, daily; while
sweet Rose1"
"ro educssc myself 10 be mere worthy Of you
Oh, yes Mr.. Lowell. You slmost distress me with
Kindness But have al says heard that the noble
OF bsnshcence. How happy, then, must you be
Yes. Mr.. Lovel, viii come" she murmured, In low
snd gentle uoes, brushing at her own temerity In
saying % much. --s
And thus II was arranged. Ard daily. while he
continued in the neighborhood, they met at the
cottage In the wood Rose Elmer proved apt
schossr. She bsd already the solid foundation u a
good common eduesucn. Albert Hastings intro
duced her TO the world IL poetry, bellies efres and
art When he left the Deighborheod he mad left her
duplicate key OF The cottage. that STE might i'd
nit herself when she pleased, only exsctiog from
her that she should keep her Waits thithef as she
bad kept their meeticgs, . secret -.
Before coming down on this last visit. Mr.. Has
tings had written her q note, signed, az usual
William Lowell and appointed . meeting with
her st the cottage. And nov he had come 20 keep
the tryst and be sst in the easy chair, impatenty
Al length q russlpg wa- he ard in the shruboery;
o white robed figure passed the wmdow and lifted
the latch Of the door, and the next instant Rose
Elmer stood within the room.
Dear Rc~e, sweet Roec' do I zee you again Al