Nebraska advertiser. [volume] (Brownville, Nemaha County, N.T. [Neb.]) 1856-1882, 1868-04-16

gradual fall to poverty under The insid-
iOus working Of The usurer. The story
of Valentines perilous position IN the
Tower, add the utter groundlessness of
Of the charges against him. Caleb
Pomsford's proposals-his boast of
of poweG-hls possession Of a signed pa
per. Her father, Mabel said, could
never have signed suca, for she and
Valentine had been besroshed to each
other for years, aud it was the dearest
wish of her dead father that they should
have been united. But now
F so. so, this is my money-lender,
muttsred the stranger captain of musk
eteers. sThe old scoundrell Never
mind, odds-fsh! we'll trounce him yes.'
He questioned further:
Would she put herself under his pro.
Iection, his escort2 she should behold
her lover that very afternoon, and the
king should know all and Judge between
them. He could answer for il that,
whatever was believed or said Of Charles,
he was not disposed to let ancient worth
go unrewarded, an unprotected maiden
forced into loathed marriage, or an
innocent young man be punished because
he had shown courage enough TO repel
SANDER at the point Of the sword.
Mabel assented.
When Caleb Pomsford got back late
in the afternoon, be found that this slave
and satellite. his weazle-faced scribe,
was not on the spot, which he otherwise
never quilted save by leave and order.
'I'll starve him-he shall famish, grOwl-
ed Caleb furiously.
Alas! the poor scribe was at Whitehall
the while, divulging secrets, under threats
Of the rack and the gallOws, which il
were not we'll (for the usurer) should
be known. The next day Caleb POms-
ford received command to attend the
king at the palace Of Whitehall without
delay.
Richly appareIed, as fit and meet tha.
a bridegroom should be, though Caleb
imagined he was playing the courtier
rather than the bridegroom on this Oc-
casion, the us6rer attended the sum.
mons, and passing through throDg Of
mobiles, found himself in a reception-room
of the palace. Charles was seated in a
chair Of stale, with Buckingham Csside
him, to whom the king, with something
Of Joyous twinkle in The eye, ever and
anon whispered and smiled
Opposite was a rallied space, which
bore marks Of preparation for some cere-
mony. Bowing lowly to the king as be
approached, and, with feeling Of ming
led apprehension and surprise, Caleb
Pomsford obeyed the kings beckoning
summons, and drew nearer toward him.
SO, said Charles, half apart, i learn
that Sir Mark Osborne died suddenly,
and left his daughter unprovided for
Sire, the old soldier is dead. l did
such honor to his remains as ! was en-
abled to do.
And his eslates-his lands?
Heavily mortgaged, sire. COn6scaIed
or overloaded with debt
'And do you possess-have you any
cIaim?' asked Charles.
'Ay, sire, was the subtle reply; 'and
in worldly sense, to my sorrow
4 see'-and Charles nodded-'too
much money lent. Oh! is it SOC Well,
and-for the daughter}'
Sire, Sir Mark Osborne had faith in
me. He believed that would fulfill
his behests. She shall not, therefore,
be unprovided for. nor left to the CHART.
les of the cold world.
Caleb's voice grew quite yirtuous in
its tone.
'Beshrew me. man. but that's well
spoken; but possessest thou any authority
ANY paper of the old mans signing?
Thou art faithful and trusty, Master
Pomsford, and though tongues DO wag
evily of thee and about thee, by my
hand thou shalt have Thy right
'Oh, siren cried Caleb, kneeling in
delight, and with an eager hand pluck
ing forth the last signed document which |
be held forth TO the king, who took it,
and critically read it over.
'Odds-fsh, man. this seems straight |
forward enough exclaimed the king: |
and the old cavalier speaks highly of |
thee, too. Is it writ at his dictation?'
And Charles turned his keen eyes up |
On him.
Yes, your majesty replied Caleb, |
with some confusion. which might have
arisen from his modesty.
'And the lady, continued Charles,
what Of her2'
'If your majesty condeseemds, she will |
not object
'And Master Valentine Howard2
Let him rot hissed the usurer, cafri. |
ed away, the traitor! Pardon, sire, the |
warmth of my loyalty, that carries me
away when / think Of the plotting against
your sacred personp
Can you prove him trustees, do you
hinkl' demanded Charles, with an air
hat seemed to invite the fullest conf
lence.
can prove him disconnected plOtter, !
haunting the society Of the Fifth Mona
,chy men. | can prove him to be worthy
IF exile, if not Of the block; JET. for the I
young lady's sake. / would intercede that
be be spared the latter, and / will Fitl
him abroad
Enough; but FIRST for he wedding.'
md The king paused.
'Sirep Caleb POmsfOrd seemed surpris-
ed anew.
'LO there! pointing to the rails, with.
n which, at given signal, stood priest
q full eanonlcals. There stands the