The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1872-11-30
Misrctlanp.
HOW DORrHY EVELYN SAVED
THE KING
BY ASHLEY II. BALDWIN.

preceded nd followed the execution OF Charles
l., in possession OF Williem Evelyn, staunch
old cav ~tier, whose money aud reiainers were
alike cheerfully placed by him "a, the disposal OF
the fugitive Prince, after wards Charles IL. Mr..
Evelyn Was = wido yer with one son and one
daughter. the former = brave young fellow OF six
and twenty, he ,dny baud Of R)yalist troops,
the alter n very beautiful young lady oil
eighteen
1t va, the winter al 1GJ-. fhe decisive vic
tories OF The Commonwealth had been achieved,
and King Gu ,rles III, ltor such. though without
throne, he wasl was fugitive In bis own
kingdom. No one in tact, knew where the un-
Fortunate Prince W ~, save the Evelyus AID few
Trustworthy adderents OF Charles. He was ut
Pannistone Hall. disguised valet to young
Evelyn, and waiting to pass over into Scotland
and thence into France.
Under such circumstances, the Evelyn family
could not of course keep the season Of Chrstm.s
in their wonted fashion, and thus invite the pry.
ing eyes of friends and neyhbors. The old
Squire, his and daughter, and the fugitive
Prince formed the sole party gathered round the
supper table on the Christmas eve which was the
date of this story. Even then, so grea. was the
precaution by Mr.. Evelyn, that the servants had
all been divni-ssd from their attendance, the
Squire intim.tiay "a 1t hi, sons ant the dis
guised King would suffice Tor SO small party.
Thus some degree of privacy aud secrecy had
been obtained, ADD the lutte group, sitting over
their after.supper wine, were discussing in low
and anxious toues tue probabilities OF the Kings
future.
The kIu. niul> Ii was, well he might be-
looking har,->ed auC ill., and rely lns rather on
the Judgment OF the oid Squire To guide him.
than possessing any distinct piaus OF his own
The iair girl, ga a iOW stool 1t ner fathers feet
'oked up into his yener ole tace With a scarcely
disguised welriue,, aud soticltude As for the
young mtu, hs Ape tred piCtiy ~ listen TO his
father, and purity TO b described sons private
troubles of his own The old Squire, with his
calm, unrutfi ID brow, nnl digniied white locks
and head, " the only tranquil member of the
group,
The Kins spoke.
"Alas, nv kiAd host" be said II fear me
never sh Il! ,e49ite you tor your loss of fortune
on my behalf Al uncrowned king, deprived of
the inheritance of his fathers, has little indeed
with wh,ch 10 repay the fidelity of such staunch
friends besides, were il knowu that you har-
bored me. yonr very lie itself would surely be
forfeited"
"N,me it not, my liese" replied the old man
proudly. my life has well nigh It's course
besides, children, fortune, and lite itself, were
all well bestowed could they De lost IN the SER
vice of my lawful Sovereign. L. it not 90, my
children -
"The young girl gently quie-ced her broth.
er, still musing apseu,ly, also assenied.
Thanks, RInd friends said Charles much
moved lit Is indeed aliev.uon OF rp,sior.
tune to fad muCh fidelity"
The King bout u rontiuus when ~ flu.
rious Knocking heard At the outer door,
that ali sour started aud grew pale Charles
himself, assuming the postluu OF servant rose
hastily from his seat, and stood behind ths
young Squiee's chair.
ln two minutes, The old white-haired butler,
who was in the secret Of the Kings identity,
bad
and in n sttte OF the greatest perturbation.
"Oh sir, sir. On. your Majesty, forgive me
The Roundhe.d,, the Roundhsads are here ?"
Speak quietly, Nicholas" said the old gentle
man, eudeavoring TO subdue his own agitation.
"Do understand you that the soldiers of the
Commonwealth are hereY'
eyes, sir; and with a search warrant said
the old butler sadly, in tears.
Good Heaveans' exclaimed Mr.. Evelyn,
whilst his daughter claspsd her hands ia terror,
"what is to be done!"
"Ihey ars even now entering tho great hall,
sir. Not az instant is to be lost" said the bat
Ter, excitedly.
The old Squire seemed COMPOUNDED by the sud.
denness of the calamity, when, to the utter as
tonishment of everybody, young Evelyn, who
had been hitherto absorbed and moody, started
up As if o brilliant idea had occurred to him,
seized the King. hand, and, using gentle vio-
ience, disappeared with him through a concealed
door, which lay behind the tapestry.
lie led the fugitive Prince through corridor
after corridor OF the vast house, until they arriv.
ed at X suit Of apartments in the west wing
There he paused, aud drawing small key from
his pocket, opened door which faced them.
Even in the extremity of his danger, the King
started back amazed. The room within was ex-
quistely turnishsd after the fashion of the times
and hnLg with the richest blue and white dam.
ask small silver lamp, fed With fragrant o,,
shed SOFT subdued glow over the luxurious
apartment, aud on superb bed, beneath silkeu
canopy, beautiful girl lay sleeping.
Hesitate not, my liege, my Sovereign, I i'm
Plore, said the young man earnestly, seeing the
king's embarrassment. And he gently pushed
MIN into the chamber and locked the door after
him.
The fair sleeper awakened by the voices, start.
ed from her stu Der in terror Then seeing that
second man accompanied young Evelyn, be.
came overwhelmed with confusion, and hid her
beautiful head beneath the coverid
The young man advanced towards the bed ON
which she lay.
Pardon me- my dearest Dorothy" he said,
with reverenual tenderness; but this is no
time tor exactlng what is assuredly due to YOU
lie, crown, throne, are III Imminent per l.
This Is his Majesty, King Charles"
Then he hastily explained his pln. His young
wife for she WAS his wlfey was to remain per.
fectly still, and meanwhile the King would be
concealed at her feet, beneath the si!ken coverlid
OIL the bed. This was no ilcult task. AS the
couch Itself was extremely large, aud the King
OF short stature, aud at that time Of very slyht
figure
severe was the trial TO the poor bride, not only
from her natural mode,ty, but because she was
OF the RonEdhead p,r,y,--heuce tho reason of