Daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1865, 1860-05-14
ROSE ELMER;
A Divided Heart and Divided Life
BY MRS. souTHwoRTH.

BY MRS. SOUTHWORTH.
twas early on the morning of love-
ly day in June, a. D. 1900, that a rather
large group of idlers gathered in front of
the Etheridge Arms, 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
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 AL
bert, who was the bridegroom elect of
Lady Etheridge, Baroness 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 retainers and
neighbors of1he noble bride, who almost
worshipped her for her goodness of heart,
were anxious to see the man who was to
be their beloved Gladys" husband.
They had not long to wait. The coach
soon came laundering up to the door; and
as soon rs the steps were let down by the
obsequious landlord, Colonel Hastings is-
sued 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 prematurcly gray. lie was
closely attended by his secretary =
Ferdinand Cnssinove-an Italian of such
graceful ,nein and dignified bearing, 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 andhoughty man
ner attracted general attention. His
form was tall, and finely proportional,
crowned by naughty head and face, with
high aquilinc features, fair and fresh COM
plexion, light blue eyes, and very light
1axen hair. His expression Of counte-
| nance, in keeping with his whole manner,
was stern almost to rcpellant severity
Great beauty of person, with greatdIgnlty
of manner, forms combination very at
tractive to most young women, and per-
hups it was this which facilitated theyoung
heress of Swinburne Castle, for this was
Albert Hastings, the bridegroom elect. lie
was followed into the house by his valet
| bearing his dressing case.
After n slight repast, Colonel hastings,
attended by Cassinovc, drove Off to the
castle to have preliminary interview with
Lady Etheridge, (who was his wnrd,) and
arrange the marriage settlements. On
arriving at the lordly castle, Cassinove
was 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, occasionally pausing before Il
full length mirror, which reflected the
SPACIOUS window (rcnching from ceiling to
foor) and the picturesque lanscape beyond,
suddenly, among the roses outside, glidcd
q purple-drnpcd female figure, that imme-
diatelv rivettcd his attention. 1t was a
woman in the earliest bloom of youth. AS
Young Cassinovc gazed upon her reflected
| image, as he never gaZcd upon her, he telt
as though goddess had suddenly dcScen-
| ded among the flowers. Her form was
above the flowers. Her form was above
the medium hight, and well rounded. Her
head was finely formed, and covered with
profusion of jet black, glittering hair,
that was plainly parted over her broad,
expansive forehead, and swept around tue
temples, and wound into rich and mas
sive knot at the back of the head. Her
ewes were large, luminous, dark gray orbs.
| that seemed, whenever the long veil of
lashes was lifted to throw light where
ever they glanced. Her nose was straight
and we'll formed, her lips rounded, and,
like all the rest, full of character. In the
carriage of her head and neck, and in her
stately footsteps, there was certain ma
tural majesty that, even in PEASANTS
dress, would have proved her one of Ma
turc's queens.
The impression made upon the enthusi-
astic heart of Ferdinand Cassinove was
at once vivid, deep, and strong-quick MS
sun-p painting, permanent as sculpture. he
saw this goddess of the intellectual brow
and stately step open the window and
advance into the room, and as sue Np-
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 to the magnet, he felt
himself turning from the reflected image
to face the original. lie stood before that
ouccnly form, and met those large, lumin-
Gus, dark eyes fixed upon him i'll royal
graciOusness, as she said
"You are Colonel Hastings's secretary,
believe, sir. Pray sit down. You will
find the London papers on that table,
And. with graceful bow, the lady passed
him, and seated herself on sofa at the
extremity of the room, took up portfolio,
and was soon deeply engaged with Its
contents.
After the profound bow with which he
had returned her courtesy, Ferdinand
Cnssinove remained motionless where she
had left him. But ten minutes had
elapsed since she had glided in among the
flowers, and passed him like vision seen
in some beautiful dream. But ten minutes,
and life. the world, himself were all
changed for Ferdinand Cassinove. lie
felt. from that moment, that lis. fate must take
its character for good or epH from he ~"t g
that royal looking i0omGIl.
| In the midst of the pleasing pain OF his
| dream tbe doOr onened and q gray-h1lred