The Bolivar bulletin. [volume] (Bolivar, Hardeman County, Tenn.) 1865-1888, 1872-08-09
HOW DOROTHY EVELYN SAVED THE
KING.
DY ASHLEY H. Baldwin.

" AtNA HAG(OAOu uAAkA lOllOMGu LllG
execution of Charles L, in posses
sion Of William Evelyn, a staunch
old Cavalier, whose money and re-
taiflers were alike cheerfully placed
by him at the disposal of tho fugi-
two Prince, afterwards Charles II.
Mr. Evelyn was a widower with one
son and one daughter-the former
a brave young fellow of six and
twenty, heading a band of Royalist
troops, the latter a beautiful gul of
eighteen.
1t was the winter of 1G5-. The
decisive victories of the Common
wealth had been achieved, and King
Charles III, for such, though with
out throne, he wasl was q fugitive
in his own kingdom. No one in fact
knew where the unfortunate Prince
was, save the Evelyns and few
trustworthy adherents of Charles
He was at PannistOne Hall, disguis-
cd as a valet to young Evelyn, and
waiting to pass over into Scotland
and thence to France.
Under such circumstances, the
Evelyn family could not of course
keep the season of Christmas In
wonted fashion, and thus invite the
prying eyes of friends and neighbors.
The old Squire, his son and daueh-
ter, and the fugitive Prince formed
the sole party gathered round the
supper table on the Christmas Eve
which was the date of this story.
BYen then, so great was the precau-
tion taken by MIR, Evelyn, that the
servants had all been dismissed from
their attendance, the Squire intimat-
ing that his sons servant the dis
guised King would suffice for SC
small q party. Thus some degree
of privacy and security had been OBJ
tanned, and the little group, sitting
over their after supper wine, were
discussing in low and anxious tones
the probabilities of the Kings fu-
ture.
The King himself was, as we'll he
might be, looking harrassed and i'll,
and relying rather on the judgment
of the old Squire to guide him, than
possessing any distinct plans of his
own. The fair girl, on a low stool at
her fathers feet, looked up into his
venerable face with a scarcely dis
guised WEAKNESS and solicitude. AS
for the young man, he appeared part
ly to listen to his father, and partly
to be absorbed In some private
troubles of his own. The old Squire,
with his calm, unrufied brow, and
dignifed white locks and head, was
the only tranquil member of the
group.
The King spoke.
"Alas, my kind host" he said, 81
fear me I never shall requite you
for your loss of fortune on my be-
halt. An uncrowned King, depriv-
ed of the inheritance of his fathers,
has little indeed with which to re-
pay the fidelity of such staunch
friends; besides, were it known that
yen barbored me, your very life itself
would be forfeited"
Name it not, my Liege," replied
the old man proudly. "My life has
we'll nigh Iun its course; besides,
children, fortune, and life itself, were
all well bestowed could they be lost
in the service of my lawful Sover-
elgn. Is it not so, childrsnP"
The young girl gently acquiesced;
her brother, still musing absently,
also assented.
"Thanks, kind friends" said
Charles, much moved; 'it is indeed
an alienation of misfortune to find
SO much 6dclity."
''The King was about to continue,
when so furious a knocking was
heard at the outer door, all four start.
ed and grew pale. Charles himself,
assuming the position of servant,
rose hastily from his seat, and stood
behind. the young Squire's chair.
In two minutes the old White-hair-
ed butler who was in tho secret of
the Kings identify rushed into the
apartment, without ceremony, and
in state of the greatest perturba-
ton.
"Oh, sir, sir! Oh, your Majesty,
forgive me! The Roundheads, the
Roundheads are herel !"
"Speak quietly, Nicholas" said
the old gentleman, endeayoring to
subdue his own agitation. 'Do I
understand you that the soldiers Of
the Commonwealth are here ?"
Yes, sir; and with a search-war-
rant, said the old butler, sadly, in
tears.
"Good Heaven /" exc aimed Mr..
Evelyn. whilst his daughter clasped
her hands IN terror, "what is to be
done p
"They are even now entering the
great hall, sir. Not an instant is to
be lost" said the butler.
The old Squire seemed confound-
ed by the suddenness of the calami-
ty, when, to the surprise of every
body, young Evelyn, who had been
hitherto absorbed and moody, start
ed up, as if a brilliant idea had oc-
Cured to him, seized the Kings
hand, and, using a gentle violence,
disappeared with him through a
concealed door, which lay behind the
tapestry.
He led the fugitive Prince through
corridor after corridor Of the vast
house, until they arrived at a suite
of apartments in the west wing.
There he paused, and, drawing a
small key from his pocket, opened a
door which faced them.
Even in the extremity of his dan
.eo,s Abo Ks,ac, oAo-IoI I'll o,,,ozoI