The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-12-16
Story Of - ~
Sweet Nell Of
Old Drury ~

sweet Nell OF Old Drury" tells the
story OF Nell Gwyn from the days when
she sold oranges in the kings theater in
Drury larm to the time when she lived
in a fine house in Pail Mall and was
knowiedged the most popular actress of
her time
Her father. the descendant. II we may
believe tradition. of an old Welsh fam
fly, died i'm debtors prison while Nell
was still a child. In Mr.. Kester's play
the action opens on the street before the
kings theater with the rescue by Nell
Gwyn of Lady Olivia Vernon. who has
come to meet her lover. Sir Roger Fair
fax, who IL exiled from England by Lord
Jeffries Lady Olivia falls into the hands
of bevy OF young gailarfs, among them
Lord Rochester, to whom she has been
betrothed by Lord JeHries and is about
to be recognized by them when Nell en-
tiers, her hasxet of oranges on her arm.
and comeA to her defense with ready
tongue and hand. Having dismissed the
gallants afte drinking the kings health
she learns from Olivia the eause OF her
coming and for the first time discovers
that Roger Fairfax. whom she has loved
in secret for his kindness to her father.
has given his heart elsewhere. 1t Ii
bitter hour for poor Nell, but when Roger
comes to mee4 Olivia she brushes the
tears from her eyes. put her own happi-
ness behind her and befriends the lovers.
alter. Rochester and Lovelace point Nell
out to him. The galiants draw back.
Charles crosses to Nefl to ask the price
OF her oranges. Nell never having seen
Charles before. believes him to be one
OF the yonng fops df the town. and tells
him in very plain lansuase what she
resses and gallants OF the time and her
old adversary Jeffrice.
Charles il delighted and puts his hand
In his pocket for his purse to buy her
oranges, only to find he has forgotten
IT, Nell, with a smile. lends him her saw
ings. says he has an honest face and Is
sure TO repay her As Charles passes
into the theater. Nell looks after him;
she might have loved you careless fell
low II she had no. loved Roger Fair
fax
ferries enters. He has learned from
his agents that Fairfax Is In London. and
that ne has met his ward on the street.
ana that Nell knows his hiding place.
There IL a sharp encounter of wits be-
tween Nell and Jeffries. during which
Fairfax escapes from the netghboring
church where he has been concealed. As
ferries sees that he has been tricked by
Nell and turns to her. the theater doors
are thrown open. the play IL over. the
king and all come from the theafer. As
the people shout the kings name, Nell
turns eagerly. runs into Charlesf arms.
asking him to point the king out to her.
As she speaks she sees that all stand
uncovered save Charles and she recog-
nises that shs has lent her purse and
spoken her mind to the king himself.
The king returns her purse with the |
PROMISE that she shall become an actress
In the kings theater, and the curtain /
falls on Neilsa FIRST victory over Jeffries. |
who dare NOT prosecute the orange girl /
who has caught the kings fancy.
In the second act Nell IL In her house
IN Pail Mall. dressing for a reception at /
which she 10 u rive the Chelsea aims
houses to the Aldermen. Rollins and Per-
cival. two ~ her old colleagues OF the |
theater. come 30 her door; they are rag |
aed and tattered and In danger Of the |
debtors prison A Neli's servants
would eject them. Nell. hearing the |
loud voices, enters her dress open, pow
der pun In hand. and toilet only half |
made. She embraces them and sits down |
to finish her toilet As they drink her |
wine. and she laughs over the tale Of |
their hardships Nell pays on the war
rants against them and promises them
parts In the new play that Dryden Is
writing for her. As they rehearse the |
dance that Nell is To do, servant en-
tiers and whispers to Nell. Aside the
actors say that the king is Nell's secret i
visitor. They go, promising to return |
on the next day for their parts. Nell |
turns TO the door. Roger Fairfax enters. |
lie has returned from France to see |
olivia Vernon. Nell goes to him The |
Lady Olivia Is to be married to Lord !
Rochester that day. She has forgotten |
Roger. Roger tells Nell that It IL Oiivia's |
letters that have brought him. that she |
must meet him under Nelfs roof that
day and that they will be on their way
TO Dover and ssfe In France before JEFF
fries learns OF his presence In London.
Nell sends her faithful THIN to warn
Oivin Of FMirfax's presence. The king
Is announced Nell asks Roger to wait
In the next room IL Charles mood is