St. Cloud Democrat. [volume] (Saint Cloud, Stearns County, Minn.) 1858-1866, 1858-12-09
S elect Mi scellany.
From "Noble Deeds Of Woman."
DEVOTED LOYALTY OF
MRS. JANE LANE.
CONCLUDED.
CONCLUDED

"OS their arrival at Abbotsleigh, after a
thirty miles journey, William walked
with his mistress horse to the stable, till
she could make arrangements for his re-
treat. For this purpose, it had been
agreed between them that they should
feign he had been suffering under the
ague, which would furnish an excuse for
his retiring to his bed Immediately, and
also enable his mistress to secure better
diet for him,-an act Of loyal duty which
she seems to have had always at heart
The kings paleness, from recent fatigue
and want Of support, very conveniently
carried out the notion of his having been
ill.
"Mn. Jane was very warmly and kindly
welcomed by Mrs. Norton; but, though
feeling the fullest and most deserved con-
fdcnce both in her friends and Mr..
Norton's loyalty, she felt it best not to
con6de the important secret to them, lest
their anxiety to show their respect and
observance might create SUSPICION
Therefore she took an early occasion to
lament to Mrs. Norton the condition Of a
good youth who came with her, who was
very sick, being newly recovered Of an
ague; and requested that chamber
might be provided for him and good fire
made; for that he would 90 ear rly to bed,
and was not fit to be below stairs. A
pretty little chamber was, therefore, pres
: emily made ready, and fire prepared; to
which Pope, the butler, on Mrs. Lanes
commencing the youth to his care, intro
;duced him. When it was supper-time,
there was broth at table; and Mrs. Jane,
filing dish with it, desired the butler, who
was waiting at table, to carry that dish Of
porridge to William, and to tell him he
should have some meat sent him presently.
The butler carried the porridge, as he was
desired, into the chamber, with napkin,
and spoon, and bread, and spoke kindly
to the young man, who was willing to be
eating
"The next morning, having, as he says,
a pretty good stomach, William rose early,
and went down to the buttery to get his
breakfast, where he found Pope, the but
Ter, and some other men. They all fell to
eating bread and butter; the butler sup
plying them with ale and sack. AS they
were sitting, one of the men began giving
an account of the battle of Worcester,
where he had fought in the kings own
; regiment Of guards. To test him, Charles
asked for description of himself. The
man answered quite correctly Of his dress
and his horse: but said the king was
three fingers taller than his questioner.-
In spite of this inacuracy, Charles felt it
wise to make what haste he could out Of
the buttery; fearing the man more when
he knew him to be one of his own soldiers,
than when he had supposed him Round
Aead, from his greater knowledge of his
person. Pope and he retired together
from the buttery, and entered the hall just
as Mrs. Norton passed through it; on
which, Charles, sustaining his assumed
character, took off his hat, and stood with
it in his hand till she had passed by.
During this time he was aware that Pope
was narrowly observing him |; but, feigning
to take nc. notice, he resumed his hat, and
walked out into the fields. This man had,
in fact, been member of his household
as Prince of Wales, and had afterwards
served in the army of Charles l.; and his
memory being probably refreshed by the
conversation in the buttery, he now went
ct once to Mrs. Lane, and expressed his
strong suspicion Of its being the king.
She put him off as well as she could; but
nfu,uno1 hav r.or,o;n NJ Inorollou ond