New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1860-05-12
Eiteretnre.
BOSS EI&Aa :
Cha,
a DIVIDED HEART t.Np A DIVIDED LIFE.
BY MRS. soUTHwoRTH.
CHAPTER I.
n wa many aud many year ago,
Inc castle by the sea,
hat lady lived, with 40 other thought,
But q o love and be loved by thee

steamships railways, gasfght, insurance companies,
ssegaphic wires and detective policemen had expelled
nearly all possibility of vicissitude peril and adven-
TIRE from civilized society.
II was while clumsy sailing vessels were the only
neans OF ocean travel and heavy stage coaches uin
bWed slowly along every pablo road in the eountry
was while footpads still lurked in the shadows OF the
ay streets TO start forth upon the belated pedestr
IA kphwaymen under the vail Of night, sprang out
- commit their lawless depredations upon the I'M
xsarded travellers while the spirit OF romance lowered
sround old buildings, and superstition fingered in
secluded neghborhoods that the strange events of our
ssory transpired.
II was early in the morning Of q lovely day in June,
hat rather large group Of iders gathered in front Of
ne Etheridge Arms quaint old tavern in the ancient
Male town Of Swinburne, situated in of the most
picturesque and beautiful counties in the West of En-
gland
They were standing within the arched gateway, or
leaning against the solid masonry of the side walls,
chat looked strong enough and old enough to have
been those of some ancient keep and which in fact had
done good service defenses in the oden time, when
might made right, and every mans house was indeed
his castle.
By their looks and conversation it evident that
come event of unusual importance was expected to
come Of.
"The coach win be hate; what wuI be keeping
her r. inquired Brodng the village smith as he re-
turned disappointed, from one Of those surveys.
"Wbat do think; wull the bridegroom be doom for
cure T. he asked, turning to oser, who had left the
stable-yard for the same purpose.
Will the young squoir be doom OF course he
wull Dunnot he send down has groom TO speak rooms
IN the house, with orders TO have fires kndedf why
mum the yonng squoir wull never be late NJ such
time" replied the other in contemptuous tones.
A good lob III COON at all. 1he lOlkeS OF
VOC cooming TO marry our lady, and lord it over our
castle When wuri ever known that Lord Etherdge,
of Swinburne, married wi a cummunerl But we've
ay heard tell that house is done fur when it falls to
the distaff" said. an old laborer, from Swinburne
Chase.
the feyther O. this young man. was his late ludshps
friend, and LETT guardeen by his late lndshps
will to this young lady. Well, old Hastings was
knowing un, and made the match. There's where it Isl
and so they re to be married Tomorrow.
"Hoigh Harken Coome along wi L; here's the
coach suddenly interrupted the smith starting from
the archway into the street. just as the horn was heard
signalling approach of the Bristol coach, that pres
emily ruinbed down the street, and drew up with great
noise before the tavern gate.
All the of the house and yard rushed ont to
receive it, ostng against each other, choking up the
avenues, and creating much annoying confusion.
"NOw, good people, room here, ROOM You are in
the wayl' exclaimed the landlord dispensing the
oilers and issuing forth in person TO receive the pas
sengers.
First from the interior of the coach an elderly
gentleman, whose tall spare and stopping figure was
clothed in suit of clerical black end whose pale,
thin, long face was surrounded by hair and wiskers
prematurely gray. He closely attended by
young man. whose Roman features olive complexion,
let black hair and deep, dark eyes bespoke him of the
Celtic race, while his plain dress and subordinate po
tion could not disguise the grace and dignity OF his
air and manner. nths last he was such contrast to
his employer, that he might have been taken for a
prince Of the blood, attended by an old gentleman in
waiting.
al say, Brodng yons old Hastings and his secre-
taTy. I've seen un before doom here, said the old
laborer, addressing the smith, these two travellers
issued from the coach and passed before the bowling
and Sinking host into the house.
Next came forth young gentleman, whose hand
come person and naughty at attracted
general attention. His form was tall and finely pro
portoned, crowned by naughty head and face, with
Ugh aqune features fair and fresh complexion, lighi
blue eyes and very light fiaXen hair. His expression
of eouDtenanCe, IN keeping with his whole manner,
vas stern almost to repeant severity Great beauty
Of person, with great dignity of manner, forms com
perhaps was this that fascinated they Dung heress of
swmbuine Castle, for this was Albert Hastings the
bridegroom elect. lie followed into the house by
his valet bearing his dressing-case
Colonel Hastings was Immediately shown into his
private parlOr, where he soon joined by his
The landlord stood bowling at the door, and waiting
for orders.
Breakfast, Immediately, and the post-chaise at the
door in half an hour, the brief order of Colonel
Hastings
"Yes, your honor What would your honor like
"Anything that is at hand, only be quick"
' Black tea, toast brolled ham aud eggs, and -"
Yes, yes; and anything else you like, only let us
have it now, replied the guest, cutting short the bill
OF fare, with look and gesture which seemed TO
transfx the garrulous host and strike him dumb.
The landlord bowed and disappeared, and was soon
succeeded by the head waiter, who came in and laid
the cloth, and spread upon the board a substantial
breakfast, to which the hungry travellers did ample
justice.
They had scarcely finished the meal before the post
ehaise announced.
The elder Hastings arose. saying
Albert, my boy, am sorry that etiquette does not
admit of your waiting upon your belle mGresse to-day,
or seeing her until you meet her at the church. But
aa rerou until tomorrow, at twelve"
fou will, at least, sir, convey my profoundest re-
CARDS to my fair bride and my deepest regret that she
cannot receive also to-day, said Albert Hastings.
"0h, ay certainly; that is understood Indeed /
doubt her adyshp would degn 10 be even by me,
her old guardian, were not that certain documents
relative 70 the transfer of my trust require her sigma
ture to-day. hope YOU will manage TO make yourself
comfortable here for day and night. Make Levere
zee that your room is well aired. Goodbye. Come,
CasGinoye"
And with this abrupt leave-taking the elder IIasings
attended by his secretary left the house and entered
che pOst-chaise 10 drive to Swinburne Castle.
Their way lay through the principal street of the
village between long, irregular rows of antquaed
houses, some Of them dating back many hundred years
while here and there smart modern building or a
highly ornate shop limited that the spirit of improve
MeIt had found out even Swlnburne.
Tie young secretary, denizen of the city, gazed
upon this ancient eudal village with strange interest.
You seem TO be in most contemplative frame OF
and, this morning, CassinOye" said Colonel Hastings.
am thinking Of the changes that centuries have
made IN the living and dying world Of man. while these
works OF his hands, these senseless stones remain for
ever the tame," replied the young man. grayely.
fesi The times have changed since six centuries
ago, when the foreithers Of this village the born
H9 Lord gT0 ..l