Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1860-05-14
d0lurtester Daily SPY.
ROSE ELMER;
OR,
A Divided Heart and Divided Life
nY MRs. sourHwoRTH.

in Inn. a II 1890 that rather large group
of H. ,,,,bcred in front of the Etheridge
Arms a quaint old tavern, IN inc arcie,i' n'''e
TOWN of Swinburne, in the west OF England
nv tbpir looks and conversation, 1t was evil
dent that some event OF unusual importance
was expected TO come on
They wore in fact, awaiting the arrival of
rho mail coach which was to bring down Col
onel Hastings, and his son Albert, who was
the bridegroom elect of LAZY Etheridge, Bar
oncss OF Swinburne, the last of her race and
sule hee of the immense wealth and vast
estates of her ordly ancestors.
The nuptias were to be celebrated on the
following day and the retainers and neigh
bors of the noble bride, who almost worshipped
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 were let down by the obsequious
landlord, Colonel Hastings issued forth. He
was an elderly gentleman, tall, spare, and
STOPPING: WAS clothed in a suit of clerical
black and lis pale, thin, long face sur
rounded with hair and whiskers prematurey
gray. He was closely attended by his secreta-
ry-Fer,linand Cassnove-an Italian, of such
graceful mien and dignified bearing, that he
might have been taken for prince Of the
blood attended by an old gentleman in wait
ing.
Next came forth young gentleman, whose
handsome person and naughty manner at once
attracted general attention. His form was tall,
and finely proportoned, crowned by naughty
head and face, with high aquiline features, fair
and fresh complexion, light blue eyes, and very
light, tiaXen hair. His expression of counte-
nance, in keeping with his whole manner, was
stern almost torepellant severity Gre at beauty
of person, with great dignity OF manner, forms
combination very attractive to most young
women, and perhaps it was this that facinated
the young heiress of Swinburne Castle, for this
was Albert Hastings, the bridegroom elect. He
was followed into the house by his valet, bear
ing his dressing,case
After 4 slight repast, Colonel Hastings at
tended by Cassinove, drove off to the castle
10 have preliminary interview with Lady
Etherdge, (who was his ward land arrange the
marriage settlements On arriving at the lordy
castle, Cassinove was shown into sitting
room, while the colonel proceeded to the libra
ry, whittier his ward was requested to come to
meet him.
As the young Italian paced up and down
the room, occasionally pausing before a full
length mirror, which reflected the spacious
window Preaching from ceiling to f1oor) and
the picturesque landscape beyond, suddenly,
among the roses outside, glided purple-draped
female figure, that Immediately rivetted his at
tention. 1t was woman in the earliest bloom
of youth. AS young Cassinove gazed upon
her reflected image, as he never gazed upon
her, he felt as though goddess had suddenly
descended among the flowers. Her form was
above the medium hight, and well rounded
Her head was finely formed, and covered with
profuson of jet black glittering hrir that
plainly parted over her broad, expansive
forehead, and swept around the temples, and
wound into a rich massive knot at the back of
her head. Her eyes were large, luminous,
dark gray orbs, that seemed whenever the
long veil OF lashes were lifted to throw a light
wherever they glanced Her nose was straight
and well ormed 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 a certain natural majesty that, even
in a peasants dress, would have proved her
one of Natures queens.
The impression made upon the enthusiastic
heart of Ferdinand Cassinove was at once WV
i'd deep, and strong-quick as sun-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
she approached 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. He stood before that queenly form,
and met those large, luminous, dark eyes
fixed upon him in royal graciousness, as she
said
"You are Colonel Hastings secretary, be-
lieve, sir. Pray sit down. You will find the
London papers on that table" And with a
graceful bow, the lady passed him, and seated
herself on a sofa at the extremity of the room
took up portfolio, and was soon deeply
gagged with its contents.
After the profound bow with which he had
returned her courtesy, Ferdinand Cassinove
remained motionless where she had left him
But ten minutes had elapsed since she had
glided in among the flowers, and passed him
like a vision seen in some beautiful dream.
But ten minutes, and life, the world, himself,
were all changed for Ferdinand Cassnove lie
teh, from that moment, that his fate must take its
character for good or eU from the ocill of that roy-
dl-Looking uoman.
In the midst of the pleasing pain of his
dream the door opened and gray-haired SER
want entered softly, and stepping across the
room to where the lady sat, and speaking in
the low, subdued tone in which royal person
ages are addressed said
"My lady, Colonel Hastings respects, and
he awaits your ladyship in the library"
every well, Williams; go and say to Colo
mel Hastings that l will attend him immedi.
ately" answered the lady, rising
This queeply woman, then, was Laura,
Baroness Etherdge of Swinburne For ever
and for ever unattainable by him Oh, de-
spair His castle i'll the air tumbled all about
him, and buried all his hopes and aspirations
in its fall
Alter greeting Colonel Hastings, on her en-
tering the library, Lady Etherdge took a
parchment from drawer in the centre table,
and handed it to her guardian. On examining
the document, the colonel found it to be deed
OF gift, absolute, of her entire magnificent es-
tate, to Albert Hastings, her intended husband
The colonel pretended much surprise, and re-
fused to accept the deed, alleging that such an
act 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 gilt that transfers all nv
possessions to my future husband is made out;
let it be executed. He shall then never be
jealous of his wife's riches, for she will come
TO him as poor as a cottage girl" exclaimed
Lady Etheridge, with pure devotion of love
flushing her cheek and lighting her eyes.
After protesting somewhat further against
such noble generosity, the colonel allowed
himself to be persuaded to adept the deed,
and called in Cassinoye 10 witness its execu-
ton in due form. The poor secretary could
scarcely hold the pen which the colonel hand
ed to him, so great was his agitation. His EN-.
ployer could not help remarking upon the
unusually poor signature which the Italian af-
fixed as witness, TO the deed but ihIe did the
coioReior hebaronesS know the terrible passions that
,cere seething in the Secretnys soul or the impor-
t1nt results that they ,oere destined to bring about
We will now return 20 the bridegroom elect,
whom we left at the Swinburne Arms.
Colonel Hastings had scarcely left the room
ere MIR. Albert Hastings arose, stretched him
self with weary yaWu and began to mace