The Van Buren press., 1872-09-03

had occurred to him, seized the King S
hand, anil using gentle violence' -
appeared with him through a concealed
door, which lay behind the tapestry
He led the fugitive Prince through cor
ridor after corridor Of the vast h'nfr,
until they arrived at suit of apartments
in the west wing
There he paused. and, drawing a small
kew from his pocket, opened door
which faced them
! f, IA the ex'r mity of his dagger,
the King started back amazed The
room within was exquisitly furnished at'
ter the fashion of the times, and hung
with the richest blue and whit damaSk
A small silver lamp, fed with fragrant oil,
shed soft, subdued glow over the lux
uriant apartment, and on a superb bed,
beneath a siken canopy, beautiful girl
lay sleeping
Hesitate not. my Licge. my Sover-
eign, | implore you. said the young
man earnestly. seeing the Kings cmbar
rassment And he gently pushed him
into the chamber aud locked the door ai.
| ter them
The tair sleeper. awakened by the
voices, started from her sumbcr in ter
ror Then, seeing that second man &C
comp ,nied young Evelyn, became over
whelmed with confusion, and hid her
beautiful head beneath the coverlid
The young man advanced to the bed.
Pardon me, my dearest Dorothy.
he said, with reverential tenderness, but
| this 10 no time for SXacting what is as
saredly due to you. A life, crown, a
throne, are in imminent peril. This is
! mis- Majesty KIM Charles.
Then he hastily explained his plan.
His young wife (for she was his wife }
was to remain perfectly still. and mean
while the King would be concealed at her
feet between the silken coverlid of the
bed This was no difficult task, as the
couch itself was extremely large, and the
King Of short statue, and at that time Of
slight figure.
Severe WAS the trial to the poor bride.
not onl, from her natural modcstv, but
because she was Of the Ruundhead party
thence the reason Of young Evelyn con.
cealing his marriage from his father J
Young Mistress Evelyn uttered few
wifely remonstrances, and then love for
her husband prevailed, and she consented
Hardly had Charles been concealed in
his hiding place when the Roundhead of.
fcer and his soldiers (who had by this
time interrogated the old Squire, and
sesrrh~d the lower portion of the man
son) came laundering along the corri-
dor, and knocked loudly at the door Of
Young Evelyns chamber, demanding in
stsnt admittaacc.
The young man had hastily thrown off
portion Of his clothes, so az To make 1t
appear that he was in the act Of retiring
to rest, and in answer to the summons
presented himself at the door of his ap
partment.
To his surprise he recognized in the
commanding officer Of the Purtans an
old schoolfellow
"Staughton !" he exclaimed, in amaze.
mcnt.
Yes, it is I, Philip" SAIL the young
olllce"--who had drawn his sword--"but
| must do my duty
What is your demand'' asked Eve
lyn.
To search these apartments
Why, prayY'
We have reason to believe that Charles
Stuart, who styles himself King of Eng.
land, is concealed in here
lyon cannot enter, returned Evelyn,
snatching up his sword and drawing it,
must and will.
Listen, Staughton Order yoor men
ia retire a little out of hearing
Staughton looked somewhat distrust-
ful
You may trust my honor said the
other proudly The Roundhead officer
gave the order, aud his dozen followers
retired few PAGES.
"Staughton, said Evelyn, earnestly
and in suhdued voice, " must trust in
your honor "
"Well 2" was the laconic reply.
Il am newly married, and as he said
this, the young Royalst laid his hand on
the Cromwelian's shoulder
"Ahw
"Yes and my wife being Of your par
ty in politics dared not tell my father"
"What is all this IT, me y
- She is concealed in that room
Staughton started.
81 must go in for all that he said
doggcdly
You shall go in, said Eye'yn. qui
etly, +" but on one condition
What is itY'
THAT If I show her to you, and so
satisfy you it is woman, and not
Charles. who is concealed here, you will
at once retire with your men.
81 promise
"Come then, " and young Evelyn ro-
entered his chamber.
Staughton beckoned to his sergeant :
"Wait here ten minutes, and come no
nearer the door. | am poing to speak
with this gentlemen. III do not return
in that time, break open the door
" Yes. captain, and the sergeant gave
the military salute aud retired
The Roundhead officer followed the
Cavalier into the daintily furnished cham.
Der.
Now. said Evelyn, and approach
ing the bed, he gently drew down the
coverid and revealed the face OF a beau
tiu sleeping young woman.
"Are you satisfied. he asked with a
smile.
81 am satisfied, 4" returned his friend :;
4. was Obliged to do my duty Forgive
mo ~ And no hastily retired.