The Van Buren press., 1872-09-03
MISCELLANY.
How Dorothy Evelyn Saved the King
BY ASHLEY ii BALDWIN.

! Pannistone Hall, a fine old mansion
situated in somewhat dreary part o
the northern part Of Lancashire, was dur
ing the civil war which preceded and fol
lowed the execution Of Charles /, in pos
session of William Evelyn, stauach ole
Cavalier whose money and retaner'
were alike cheerfully placei by hlm a
the disposal of the fug tive Prince, after
wards Charles H. Mr. ENelvn was 9
wdowei with one son and one laughter
the former brave young fellow oI
six and twenty, heading band Of Roy.
alist troops, the latter beautiful girl OF
eighteen.
| 1t was the winter Of l65-- The de
cisve victories Of the Commonwealth had
been achieved, and King Charles ii, fol
such, though without a throne, he was
was fugitive in his own kingdom No
one in fact knew where the lnforlunate
Prince was, save the EvelyHt.nl few
trustworthy adherents Of Charles lac
was at Pannistoue Hall, disguised as n
valet to young EVELYN, and waiting T.
pass over into Scotland and thence 10
France.
Under such circumstances the Evelyn
family could not Of course keep the sea
son Of Christmas in wOnted fashion, ana
thus invite the prying eyes of friends and
neighbors The old Squire, his son and
daughter. and the fugitive Prince formed
the sole party gathered round the supper
table or the Christmas Eve which was
the date Of this story. Even then, Sc
great was the prccaution taken by Dir
Evelyn. that the servants had all been
dismissed from their attendance, the
Squire intimating That his sons servant
the disguised King would suffice for SO
small a party. Thus some degree oi
pivscy and security had been obtained
and the little group, sitting over ther af.
ter supper wine, were discussing in low
and anxious tones the probabilities OF the
Kings future.
The King himself was,as well he might
be, looking harrassed and i'll, and relying
rather on the judgment Of the old Squire
to guide him, than possessing any dis
tinct plans Of his own The fair i'll, on
low stool at her fathers feet. looked
up into his venerable face with scarce
" disguised WEAKNESS and solici,ude As
for the.young man, he appeared partly
to listen to his father, and partly to be
absorbed in some private troubles OF his
own. The old Squire, with his calm, un
rufiled brow, and dignitied white locks
and head, was the only tranquil member
of the groub,
The King spoke
"Alas, my kind host, he said, 81
fear me never shall requito you for youl
loss Of fortune on my beha IT. An un
crowned King, deprived OF the inher.
tance of his fathers, has little indeed witt
which to repay the fidelity of sucl
staunch friends; besides, were it known
that you harbored me, your very life it
self would be forfeited.
"Name it not. My Liegc, ", replied th'
old man proudly My life has wei
nigh run its course: besides. children
fortune. and life itself, were all well be
slowed could they be lost in the service
of our lawful Sovereign. ls it not so
children y
The young girl gently aequieseed he!
brother, still musing absently, also AS
sented.
Thanks. kind friends. y said Charles
much moved "it ia an ALIENATION O.
misfortune to find so much fidelity.
The King was about to continue, wher
80 furious a knocking was heard at the
outer door, ell four started and grew
pale. Charles himself assuming the po
sition Of servant rose hastily from hi
seat, and stood behind the young Squire
chair
In two minutes the old white haired
butler who WAS in the secret OF th'
Kings identity rushed into the apart
ment, without ceremony, and in state
of the greatest perturbation.
"Oh, sir sir! Oh, your Majesty, for
give me The Eoundheads, the Round
heads are here :,
"Speak quietly, Nicholas, said the ole
gentleman, endeavoring to subdue hi
own agitation. "Do l understand yot
that the soldiers of the Commonwealth
are here y
"Ycs, sir, and with a search warrant
said the old butler, sadly. in tears.
Good Heaven ~ exclaimed Mr. Eve
lvn. whilst his daughter elasped her hands
in terror. what is to be done
"They are even now entering the grea
hall. sir, Not an instant is TO be lost, v
ssid the butler