Year: 1875

CONTINUED FROM YEsTERDAY.


CHAPTER II.


Lucky he who spies the Prince,


For, selling, much to him is due.


Oliver Cromwell, in order to invite his
followers to labor more diligently in the
search for the wandering Prince, had
promised large reward to the person
who should be able to capture the royal
heir and deliver him into his (Cromwell's)
possession. So the country, around the
scene OF the late contest (Worcester), was
undergoing critical inspection, and high
hopes were entertained by the bold leader
of the disloyal troops, of the ultimate cap
ture of Prince Charles.


When Bertha Stanwood arrived at the
conclusion that the heir to the throne of
England was in her fathers house, was
the welcome guest Of her parent, she was
undecided what course it would be best to
pursue. Our heroine felt that she must do
| something. She was aware of the fact
that large reward had been promised to
the fortunate one who should gain posses
sion OF the Prince,-and can you, gentle
reader, blame her, if. even in opposition
to her fathers will, she desired that the re-
ward should be obtained by her lover. and
our hero ?-You of the fairer sex, who
have been taught many lessons by wise,
| and too often sad experience, will not hes
itate long in acknowledging that the gen.
tie influence of the lover is oftentimes
able to combat successfully against the
sterner will of the parent.


| But our heroine was unable 20 deter
mine anything in the matter, which
seemed satisfactory to her. Her lover was
many miles away-and, in order Tor him
TO be acquainted with the place of the
Princes refuge, she herself, would be
obliged to journey to the place at which
he then was. This she knew would be i'm
possible for her to do: as her father would
not fail to- miss her presence in the long
absence which would necessarily follow
her departure. Then might she not be
mistaken as to the Identification of Prince
Charles Pit was true that the converse
| ton which she had overheard seemed SUI
| ticient proof that it could be none other
but it was not impossible that she might
be mstaken-and might not, even in
short time. more conclusive evidence be
obtainedp


On the morning following the circum-
stances related in the preceding chapter,
Bertha, as usual, appeared at her fathers
table to partake OF the frugal morning
meal. During the. course OF the repast
nothing is said either by Bertha or her pa
rent. When the meal is finished, Mr.
Stanwood speaks, in q calm tone to his
daughter:


Bertha, n young man arrived last night
who is to remain with us for few days.
He is the son of an old acquaintance of
mine. The lad appears to be very fa-
tigued OH account OF long journey taken
before his arrival here, and this morning
his mind appears to be somewhat de-
ranged: to such an extent that he will not
see anyone but myself. and therefore re-
fused to appear at our morning meal. On
this account | shall be obliged to convey
food to him myself"


So saying, he collects in Il platter, some
of the most delicate articles composing the
simple meal, and telling Bertha that he
should shortly return. hastens from the
room.


Bertha curiosity to ascertain the room
which contains her fathers guest is now
excited No sooner is the door by which
her father departed from the room closed,
than Bertha glides to, and noiselessly
opens it. a short passage connects the
door at which our heroine stands with Il
| flight of rough stairs, leading to the room
above. She just catches glimpse OF her
father at the summit of these stairs--he
then disappears from her view. She then
ascends a few of the steps when she again
sees her father, who passes along mar
row corridor, asccnds another very short
flight OF stairs and then entering door at
the head OF the flight, quickly closes it.
Bertha is soon at the door OF the room
which contains her father. She endeavOrs
to gain view of the interior of the room,
by means OF the keyhole in the door; but
the key, resting in its place, obstructs her
sight. She then applies her ear to the
key-hole, in hopes of hearing the conver-
sation, should any take place within. She
succeeds in catching few, somewhat dis
connected sentences. The first words she
hears are from her father.


"Ye need have no fear for the girl. he
says, "she suspects tnothing, and verify
believes the story | told her to be true.
The food is poor and not fit for such as
thee; but methinks ye will prize it higher
than none at all. Good fare will be the
more relshed when ye have secured the
position which should, and, by the help of
God, shall be thine. !"


Hush! not so loud. kind SIR" ex-
claims he whom Bertha recognizes from
the voice to be the young man whom she
had seen on the preceding night. walls
oft have ears when least suspected"


Then the speaker lowers his voice till
the tones are scarcely able to be heard by
Bertha.


God pity me, should complain of food
like this! For much worse have fared in
the past; and much worse expect to fare
in the future" Then, forgetting his own
admonition just made, he speaks in high.
er aud more excited tone. "But, . God +!
what life is this lead. Like wild
beast, bounded and tracked from place 10
place, no pleasure is mine. nor even re-
pose! Oh, for place where l could feel
myself secure from all pursuers! then
gladly would exchange the robe of roy
atty even for the shepherds frock But
this cannot always be, and death will at
t,,sA IL.