The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1860-05-11
ROSE ELMER;
A DIVIDED HEART AND an A DIVIDED LIFE
BY MRS. soUTHwoRTH. ..r.


By their looks and conversation it was evident that
some event of unusual importance expected to
off,
They were in fact awaiting the arrival the mail
coach, which to bring down Colonel Hastings his
son Albert who the bridegroom elect of Lady Ether
idge, Baroness of Swinburne her race and
sole heress of the immense wealth and vast estates
her lordly ancestors. ...
The nuptias were to be celebrated On the following
day and the reaners and neghbors of the noble bride
who almost worshpped her for her goodness of heart
anxious to the man who was to be their beloved
"lady'sr husband.
They had long TO wait. The coach soon came thun
derng to the door; and the steps let
down by the obsequious landlord, Colonel Hastings
issued forth. He was an elderly gentleman tall spare
and STOPPING; clothed in a suit of clerical black and
his pale, thin, long face surrounded by hair and
whiskers prematurey gray lie closely attended by
his secIetaryFerdinand CaSsinove-an Italian of such
graceful mien and digned bearing that he might have
been taken for prince blood attended by an old
gentleman in waiting.
Next came forth young gentleman, whose handsome
person and naughty manner at attracted general
tentIon His form was tall and finely proportoned
crowned by naughty head and face, with high aquine
feature fair and fresh complexion light blue eyes
very light faxen hair. His expression counenance
IN keeping with his whole manner stern almost to
repeant severity. Great beauty person. with great
dignity OF manner, forms combination very attractive
most young women, and perhaps it this that fas
clnaed the young heiress of Swinbune Castle for this
was Albert Hastings the bridegroom elect. He was
followed into the house by his valet bearing his dressing
After slight repast Colonel Hastings, attended by
cassnove, drove off to the castle to have preliminary
interview with Lady Etherdge, (who his ward and
arrange the marriage settlements On arriving the
lordly castle, Cassnove shown into sitting ROOM
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
casonaly pausing before full length mirror, which
tected the spacious window Preaching from ceiling to
hoor and the picturesque landscape beyond suddenly
among the roses outside, gded purple draped female
hgure, That Immediately nvetted his attention 1t
woman in the earliest bloom of youth As young Cass
move gazed her reflected image, he gazed
upon her he felt as though goddess had suddenly de
scendtd among the flowers. Her form above the
dium height and well rounded Her head finely
formed, and covered with profuson of Jet black, gilt
tering hair, that plainly parted her broad
pansve forehead, and swept around the temples and
a rich and massive knot at the back of the
head. Her eyes large, luminous dark gray orbs
that seemed whenever the long veil flashes was lifted
to throw light wherever they glanced. Her was
straight and well formed her lips rounded and like
the rest full of character In the carriage head
and neck and in her stately footsteps there GER
tain natural majesty that, in peasants dress
would have proved her one of Natures queens.
The Impression made upon the enthusiastic heart of
Cassnove was at once vivid deep and strong
quick as sunpantng. permanent sculpture. He saw
tins goddess of the intellectual brow and stately step open
the window and advance into the room and she ap-
preached him he felt his whole frame thrill with strange
emotion of blended pain and delight He dreaded to
move yet as the needle turns the magnet he felt him
self turning from the reflected image the original
He stood before that queeny FORM those large
luminous dark eyes fixed upon him in royal gracious
ness as she said
'You are Colonel Hastings secretary believe sir
Pray sit down. You will find the London papers on the
table" And with graceful bow, the lady passed him,
a
took up PORTFOLIO and was deeply engaged with its
contents
After the profound bow with which he had returned
her courtesy Ferdinand Cassnove remained motionless
where she had left him. But ten minutes had elapsed
since she had gded in among the flowers and passed him
IKE VISION seen in some beautiful dream. But ten
minutes and hte the world, himself all changed
for Ferdinand Cassinove. He felt, from that moment
that fate must take ats character for good euH from
the lcW Of that royal looking scOradn
In the midst of the pleasing pain of his dream the door
opened and gray haired servant entered softly and
he tn Vhprp lnlN
ing IN the low subdued tone in which royal personages
addressed, said
my lady, Colonel Hastings respects, and he awaits
Very WELL Williams; go and say to Colonel Hastings
nat VIII attend him immediately, answered the lady
rising. ~''
This qneenly woman, then, Laura Baroness Ether
oI For ever and for ever unattainable
py NM On despair! His castle in the air tumbed all
about him. and buried all his hopes and aspirations in
its fall. "
After greeting Colonel Hastings on her entering the
library Lady Etherdge took parchment from drawer
in the cenre-tabe and handed it her guardian On
examining the document the Colonel found il IN he n
deed oi GIT absolute of her entire magnificent estate to
Albert Hastings, her intended husband. The colonel
pretended much surprise and refused to accept the deed
alleging that such might give rise to unpleasant
criticism.
"oh, Colonel Hastings there can be no question of
mine and thine between me and Albert. The deed Of
st mat transfers all my possessions to future
band is made out let it be executed He shall then never
pc jealous of his wife's riches for she will as
poor as cottage girl exclaimed Lady Etherdge with
pure devotion of love flushing her cheek and lighting
ercyes
After protesting somewhat farther against such noble
generosity the colonel allowed himself persuaded to
accept the deed and called in Cassinove witness its
execution form The poor secretary could scarcely
hold the pen which the colonel handed him. great was
his agitation. His employer could not help remarkng
upon the unusually poor signature which the Italian
The baroness kROU the terrible passions that acre seetnq
an the SecretdryS SOUL tie important results that then
acre destined to bring about.
evil now return to the bridegroom elect, whom we
left at the Swinburne Arms.
Colonel Hastings had scarcely left the Mr. Al
bert Hastings stretched himself with weary yawn
and began to pace thoughtfuly up and down the floor
Men think me very fortunate and happy man; and
doubtless, unusual number of good gifts have been
showered by the favor of the blind goddessnot
the least among them would be esteemed the hand
wealthy young baroness, my bride expectant Well we
cannot have everything want in this world else sweet
Rose Elmer only should be the wife of Albert
Poor girl she little dreams that the who has
ter, under the Of William Lowell is really Albert
Hastings the enyied bridegroom of the highborn Lady
Etherdge OF Swinburne 1t cannot be helped. 1cannot
pause for ladys right maiden's honor. Here then
for divided life; my hand to the lady of Swnburne-my
of Rose Elmer and William Lowell nor must
Rose Elmer know Lady Etheridge and Albert Hastings
And now to persuade Rose to go before me into Wales
where myself and my lady to spend honey
moon"
And saying, he took his hat and stroled out into
the street
Taking course opposite to that which led to Swim
burne Castle, Albert Hastings came to crosscoun-
try road which he followed for some tive miles and then
turning into by pah he went on until he a
cuded and lovely cottage Opening the door of this ee
CANT retreat with latch-key, he passed in. 1t
Albert Hastings he'd had it furnished The fairy's name
Pas Rose Elmer and she the daughter of the village
his visits to the CASTLE and his sooquy given above
shows had fallen desperately in love with her. and un
der the assumed name of William Lowell had won the
beautiful and innocent maiden's heart
He had had the cottage furnished and was that morn
ing to meet Rose there where they had often met by
appointment Rose came at last and the first
tha intri innino
work to persuade her to marriage as
he well knew, by thousand tests of character he could
never gain his purpose nnless Rose believed herself to be
his wife. HIS task was hard one; but he finally
seeded, by promising that she should stay with her
mother just the same. as long as she lived ..,.
This was not at all that Mr.. Hastings wished but
neither logic nor eoquence could convince persuade
Rose Elmer to desert her ailing mother and upon no
other condition than that being allowed to remain with
her would she consent to the secret marriage.
md, finally he obtained promise from Rose that she
yould him at the cottage that same nigbt wbere
py previous arrangement his cofdental servant dis
guised as clergyman, in attendance 10 ner
form the marriage ceremony After which, Rose should
return to her mother to remain during the weeks of
his absence in Wales whittier, he said, important bust
ness forced him This agreed upon, they leave of
by different routes Mr.. Hastings went his inn and
summoned his confidential servant to his presence And
Rose Elmer full of hope and joy turned down the street
leading to her mothers cottage.
When Rose entered the house, there a smoldering
fire in the CRATE and beside this fire. an old arm chair
sat female whom would have passed without a
SECOND look. She woman OF commanding presence
Her form tail, and have been finely round
ed but now it thin almost skeleton meagre
ness Her features nobly chiseed and might once
have been grandy beautiful but now they were sunken
and emaciated those of death Under her broad and
prominent forehead, and heavy black eyebrows shone a
pair OF large, dark gray that burned iercey with
the hres ofever or OF frenzy Her jet black hair slight
y sreaked with silver. half covered with red hand
kerchief tied beneath her chin and pary fallen in elf
locks down side of her face black rown and
shawl completed her dress
As the doo opened, admitting Rose she turned quick
y in her chair, fixing her eyes with look of fierce
auiry upon the intruder.
"lIow are you now, mother dearf hope YOU feel in
heer spiritf said Rose, laying of her bonnet and
ing to the woman's side
Better. Where have you been9 ] have wanted
YOU"
Il have been-taking walk through the woods dear
mother; and see here wild berries picked
for you on my return. Will you eat them 2 said Rose
Offering her little basket
'Moher, don't say that You do not know how much
| love you"
Hush, girl, you have little cause-ohln
And the woman suddenly struck her hand upon her
heart dropped her head upon her breast and seemed
convulsed by great agony. Her features worked
frightfully, her frame sbuddered.
"Mother mother! what is the matter?" exclaimed
Rose, throwing her arms around the in great
alarm.
"lts-past," gasped the woman, breathing with great
difficulty.
What it. dear ?r
"a spasm. 1t is gone" iii
"Oh, mother, will it return ?" tr.
Perhaps fa..
Let e for neghbor, or the doctor"
Nay, you must somewhere else Tomorrow
LauraLady Etheridge of Swnburne, weds with Albert
Hastings, Of Hastings Hail. 1t is So is it not2"
surely, dear mother the village is full OF the wedding
and talks ofnohing else The village children have been
employed all day in bearing flowers decorate the castle
he of he brid a.