Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1872-08-10
HOW DOROTHY EVELYN SAVED THE
KING.
nY ASHLEY Il. nAInMlN-

NHINJ was, uurlnT lhG civil War
which preceded and followed the
execution of Charles | n posses,
sion of William Evelyn, n staunch
old Cavalier whose money and re.
tanners We're alike chccrfuIly placed
by him at the disposal Of the fugi
tive Prince, afterwards Charles III.
Mr.. Evelyn was u widowcr with one
son and ono daughtcr-the former
n brave young fellow Of six and
twenty, heading a band Of Royalist
troops, the latter II beautiful Gil of
eighteen.
1t was the winter of lG5--. The
decisive victories Of the Common.
wealth had been achieved, aud King
Charles II, for such, though wi H.
out a throne, he was was n fugitive
in his own kingdom. No enc in fact
knew where the unfortunate Prince
was, save the Eyelyns and fow
trustworthy adherents of Charles
He was at PannistOne Hill, diFguis-
od MS n 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 nc; ghbors.
The old Squire, his son and daugh.
ter, and tho fugitive Prince formed
the sole party gathered round the
supper table on the Christmas Ey
which was the date Of this story.
Even then, SO great was the precau-
ton taken by MIR Evelyn, that the
servants hat all been dismissed from
their attendance, the Squire intimat-
ing that his sons servant the dis
guised King would suffice for So
small q party. THUS some degree
of privacy and security had been OBJ
Lalned, and the llttio group, sitting
over their after supper wine, were
discussing in low and anxious tones
the probabilities Of the Kings iu-
ture.
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 distinct plans of bis
own. The fair girl, on low stool at
her fathers feet, looked up into his
venerable face with n scarcely dis
guised wealiness and solicitude. AS
for the young man, he appeared part
ly to listen to his father, and partly
to be absorbed in so@e. private.
troubles of his own. The old Squire,
with his calm, unrullled brow, and
dignifcd white locks and head, was
the only tranquil member of the
group.
The King spoke.
"Alas, my kind host" he said, 81
fear me | never shall requito you
for your loss of fortune on my be-
halt. An uncrowned King, depriv-
ed of tho Inheritance Of bis fathers,
has little indeed with which to re-
pay the fidelity of such stauucb
besides, were it known that
you barborcd me, youryery life itself
would be forfei'ed.'
"Nomo it not, my Liego,' replied |
the old man proudly. "My life has
well nigh Iun its course; besides,
fortune, and life itself, were
all we'll bestowed could they be lost |
in the service of my lawful Soyer-
eogn. IL it not so, children
The young girl gently acquiesced;
her brother, still musipg absontly, |
also assented.
"Thanks, kind friends" said
Charles, much moved; ut is indeed
an alienation of misfortune to find
80 much fidelity"
"Tbe King was about to continue,
when SO furious n knocking was
heard at the outer door, all four start
cd and grew pale. Charles himself,
assuming tho position of servant,
rose hastily from his scat, and stood
behind the young Squiro's chair,
In two minutes tho old white,hair-
ed butler who was in tho secret Of
the Kings identity rushed into the
without ceremony, and
in state of the greatest perturba-
ton.
"Oh, sir, sir! Oh, your Majesty,
forgive me! The Roundhcods, the
Ruundheads are here"
"Speak quietly, Nicholas" said
the old gentleman, endeavoring to
subdue his own agitation. "Do
understand you that the soldiers OF
the Commonwealth are here"
Yes, sir; and with search-wOr-
rant" said the old butler, sadly, in
tears.
"Good Heaven" e1c'oimod Mr..
Evelyn, whilst bis daughter clasped
her bands in terror, "what is to be
doneY"
"Thoy are even now entering the
great ball, sir. Not an instant Is to
be lost" said the butler.
The old Squire seemed confound-
ed by the suddennoss of the calaml-
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.
Al a,E Ia