Love And Loyalty.

sho were fco know thafc the head and last male representative of the house of Wharton had been laken for a vulgar foot-pad ? Art thou uot overwhelmed by the knave ' s audacity- ? " His companions vouchsafed no reply fo his lively sallies but

closely followed him as he darted np Charles Street , into Hatton Garden . They soon reached the "Pickled Egg . " but it was closed . After a knock or two on the panels of a side door a casement , was opened and a man ' s voice demanded : " Who is there ? What ' s your will ? " Before replying to those queries , Seymour whispered to his

companions . "Weare fortunate . Ifc is ( hc landlord who speaks . I will put him fco ( ho test . Alark me , worthy fellow , " continued he , addressing the man at the window , "I seek refuge and you must , admit me . " " Don ' t bo too sure of that . What is your name ? " queried the other , surlily .

" ft would bo unwise to give rfc as a whole , said Seymour , " but T will tell you that ( he name contains six letters . The first letter is ' S . ' Can you supply the second Y ' " " Is it ' T ? ' " asked fche man cautiously , in low tones . " Yes , " was the reply , " and the third " letter is ' IL' "

" That will do , sir , ' returned the host as he closed the casement . In a few minutes the door was opened , and the man appeared carrying a light . " Pray walk in , gentlemen , " said he , bowing low . " Mr . Seymour , you do my poor house honour . My heart warms to those who work in the Sluarf cause . What can 1 do for you and your friends ?"

' •We only require sheKcr- ( ill daylight , " replied Seymour . "By some means this morning ( he authorities got wind of oui presence at the ' Old Bell' in Holborn . Whilst the search party noisily entered by the front door , we quietly left , by a private exit

at the hack of the stables . We were stopped and questioned by a watchman , but alas ! for the dignity of authority , its representative is now lying iu ( he gutter , thc fall , like Ca-sar ' s , was great ! lam sorry for the fellow as hc was onl y doing his duty , but necessit y is a stern master and knows no law . "

" I have but one sleeping chamber vacant , sir , " said the host , "hut I have a large room well furnished wifch cushioned settles , and I can give you plenty of bed-gear . " "Wharton , you are tired and are not looking well , " kindly remarked Seymour . You shall have ( he bed-room—Nay , shake nofc your head—1 insist upon it . We three who are of stronger mould will rough it in fche larger room . " This arrangement was carried out , and Bins we leave them after ( heir exciting adventures to their well earned repose .

CHAPTER II . It was a glorious autumnal day . A gentle breeze prevailed , and tempered the heat ofthe sun . The sky was cloudless , and might have rivalled I ' or purity of colour the cerulean dome of sunny Italy . The trees had not yet lost their summer lints , and the grass was vernal in its freshness . The birds were singing joyously , and

occacasionally , chasing each other m Libert y s happy abandonment . The air was filled wild ( he pleasant hum of inserts , whilst gaily-coloured butterllies Hew from parterre fo pirterri' and daintily sipped the honied nectar from the lips of Flora ' s beauties . The Incule of the place we are about fo describe , was in the ( hen pleasant village of Camberwell , Surrey .

On ( his particular day . a young lady , exceptionally fall for her sex , and of handsome mien , was seated alone iu an arbour , around

which twined the fragrant rose and honeysuckle . The grounds surrounding her resling-place were extensive , and in the distance her eyes beheld the wooded outlines of an undulating- country . A short distance away was a fountain . In ils basin was the undraped statue of a comely boy holding a horn-shaped shell t't his lips , and irom which spouted a stream of water . As the droits danced iu the

golden beams of the sun , the mosf beautiful prismatic colours were presented , whilst the ear was ravished with ( lie music of the falling water . 'Twas , indeed , a lovely picture , in which Nature vied with AH fo soothe and charm the senses . The lady appeared fo he lost in thought , J 5 y her side there was an open letter . Anon she look it up . and slowly read aloud as follows :

•' Edinburgh , September 2 nd , 171-5 . " Dearest . I have great news lo fell you . His Highness , Prince Charles Edward , ou the I'Jth of August , unfurled his banner in the country of his ancestors . He has been received everywhere with enthusiasm . The great clans arc mustering , and if some of ( hc

chiefs will sink ( heir pel ly differences and unite fo present a bold Iron ! to ( he forces of Ihe •While Hat , of Hanover , ' victory will crown tlieir ellorfs . f was favoured wi ( h an in ( reduction fo ( lie Prince . He received me mosl graciously . I was greatl y impressed b y his appearance . He is , indeed , endowed by Nature wilh a person and

mind ol no mean order . Ile is above the medium size , and well proportioned . JJis oval \' -. \ ri' has a bright open look , and when he smiles his eyes seem lo beam willi frankness and good humour . I would 'hat my poor pen could have given you a belter descri ption of his attractive personality . He bas by his bearing already won for

hiiu-Kcll a name which , I venture to predict , will ever distinguish him in Bio pages of history . To my mind , and I think thai you , my deai Constance , will agree that (' he designation that his adherents have bestowed upon him has a charming ring willril . — 'Tis— - Bonnie rince Charlie . ' I may add that the fair sex have gone mad over

Love And Loyalty.

him . My friend who introduced mc to him , spoke in high terms of flic services rendered b y my ancestors fco his unhappy and revered gretifc grandsire . His Majesty , King Charles 'the Martyr . ' This commuiricuiion appeared to interest His Highness very much , and he asked me numerous and somewhal enibarassing questions as fco fche attitude

likely fo be adopted by the greafc English and Welsh lords and landed gentry when he crossed the Border . I delicately fenced wifch his queries—aud was relieved when he changed the subject of conversation . Hi : asked me if I would take service under him . I .

respectfully told him thafc my estate and sword were afc his disposal . I further said , that if the necessity arose , I was prepared to give my life I ' or his Royal House as did my great-uncle on Marston \ s fatal moor . He gravely shook his head , and with moistened eyes , he said

that he hoped ' no such sacrifice would ever bc required from inc . The Prince , in token that our interview was ended , extended his hand , which 1 saluted and withdrew . During that day and subsequent night , my mind was disturbed with doubts and fears . Would His Highness forget me ? My heart was fired with warlike ardour ,

and 1 . longed for action . Next morning , I was waited upon by one of his retinue , who brought with him a , letter in the handwriting of the Prince . The contents of the missive were brief , but I was transported with delight , as ifc conveyed lo me lhe good news that 1 was appointed an ollicer in Ihe Royal Body-Guard . 1 believe that ifc is

the Prince ' s intention to form a guard or corps ol men oi some estate solely composed of natives of England and Wales . I have written io three old Harrovians , we were all in ihe sixth form together , asking them to join me . Some years ago , when you were on the eve of womanhood , they met you at my mother ' s . 1 dare say that you will

recall ( hem fo your mind when I give their liarnes . The eldest was staid Dick Murslon , thc next , in age was the woman-hating Ned Somerville , and the youngest was Frank Seymour , the ever gay . Met hinks , I can see the last-named now , his face rippling with smiles , his eves glowing with vivacity , and bis voice ringing with good

humour . Ah me ! I would ( hat J possessed his flaw oi spirits They , ( he dear fellows , like myself , are descended from loyal families who threw in their lot wit h fche first , Charles , and some of whom , not only bled , bufc died in thafc monarch ' s cause . I dare say that the sweetest , girl in fhe universe will be disappointed with the contents

of Ihi . s . somewhat long - lef lor , as if contains not fhe usual matier dear lo Ihe feminine heart , but she io whom I havo pledged und ying constancy will forgive one who , for the nonce , has merged the low in lhc palrinl . There is one favour I have to ask , and that is , will you , dear Constance , sound your brother ? I know that his sympathies

are with Prince ( diaries and his mission . In my letter to Seymour , 1 mentioned your brother ' s name , and asked him , in flic event , of Harold's electing to join us , lo look afler lhe youth for his beloved sister ' s sake . In conclusion , 1 hope to hear from you by return . You can address your favour to me at Holyrood .

'' Believe me , dearest , to be now and I ' or aye , " Yours most devotedly , " To Miss Constance Wharton , " REGINALD STAUNTON .

" (' amber Honse . " Dear Reginald , " murmured fhe lady , as if the object of her iffections were present , "thou werfc ever an optimist . I admire th y devotion to lhc old dynasty . As a boy , th y ardent mind revelled iu