The Bolivar bulletin. [volume] (Bolivar, Hardeman County, Tenn.) 1865-1888, 1888-01-06
MISTRESS CICELY.
A Historical Story Of Two Hun
bred Years Ago.

"Fatherl father! It can not be
truer' cried Cicely, in deep agitation.
"A warrant of arrest against you?
You accused of high treason! 1 will
not-can not believe it! Nay, it is as
suredly some vile, wicked slandern'
And that is as true word as ever
YOU spoke. Mistress Cicelv," spoke out
-JUkcs, the trusty scrving-man, who
was standing before his master,
splashed from head to foot with mud,
from the speed with which he had rid
den home with his tidings of terror and
woe; "but heads have fallen at the block
before now at the voice of SANDER,
and -"
But the man paused suddenly, for
Ciccly had turned very white, and
shrank back rs if she had received
blow. There was something of de-
spairing wildncss in the look she
turned upon her father.
Sir John Deloraine motioned to the
servant to retire, and he stepped re-
-spectfuly back till almost out of ear
shot; but he did not quit the long gal
lery in which his master sat, and he
seemed unwilling to let him out of his
sight.
Father" said Cicoly, "what does it
mean? Tell men'
1T means. my dear, that some plot
has lust been discovered that aims not
only at the restoration of the banished
monarch, but at the life of King Will
liam. My name is said to be down
amongst those of the conspirators, and
q warrant has been issued for my APP
prehension.
Father! father! it can not ber'
cried Cicely, passionately. 1.-The King
can not think such a thing of you"
my dear child. the King is sur
rounded by Jealous partisans, some of
them inimical to me, and the name of
Deloraine is too closely connected with
the house of Stuart not to fall under
easy suspicion. / have many foes at
court and in the council, and to the
King I am unknown. Small wonder,
then, if my name should fall into dis
grace, or even in these strange,
troubled times, my head should fall
beneath the axe. Nay, Cicely, my
dear, do not look thus. l am innocent,
and we know that there is "a Power
above watching over us all"
Cicely recovered herself quickly.
If you are innocent, dear father,
they can not hurt you, surelyP'
He looked away out of the window.
He could not meet her eye; and Cicely
calling TO mind all she knew of the ex.
traordinmy injustice and harshness o.
the criminal code and the treatment o.
prisoners on trial, shuddcred and grew
white to the lips.
II have enemies at court, my dear, .
he said
Colonel Widdringtonr' said Cicely
tailoring.
Yes, and he is in high favor jus
now, for many valuable services rem
dered. He is II dangerous foe
Cicely pressed her hands closely to
gether, striving after calmness. Sh
had no mother. no sister. no brother t,
stand by her in this trial Her fathe
was all-in-all to her, and she was bu
eighteen. What could she do if h
were taken from her-if this most terri
bic thing were to come to pass?'
. Father she asked, tremblingly
"what shall you do?''
r Nothing, my dear child; wait quetl
Father above
Cicely looked around with some
- thing akin 10 despair in her eyes. Tn
faithful JalSes saw it, and stepped for
ward once again.
asking your pardon, sin, for m
bolduesS, but l can't stand bv and Sc
YOU throw your life away, if twer
only for the sake Of our sweet MiStres
Cicelv here. Innocence isn't enoug
IN these days, sir. not when yRu'v SO
malicious enemiesi lis no use tempt
inc fate. sin That Colonel Widdring
ton knows that You know his BLACK
treacherous past and he'll never ret
till YOU are swept out of his patti
There's no enemy moro bitter than
q, turncOat who has been friend. II
he that is on your track now, and he
r never rest till he has seen you safe {
the block or the gibhet. Sir, you mu,
hide-you must hide yourself till th
storm has swept by. 1t is the onl
way, Che only way
TO hide is to admit my guilt, sal
Sir John. Il will not do it
I'm these DAYS. sir, " said Jake
stoutly, discretion Is the better pa
Of valor. Believe me. it is the onl
way" And he glanced at his youn
mistress with a significant gesture.
Cicely flung herself at her father
feet.
For my sake. father! Dear fathe
for the sake Of your only child! Al
do not break my heart-do not leav
me fatherlessr'
He laid his hand tenderly upon b,
head.
For your sake, then, Geely,"
answered gently. Only for your
my childr'
Colonel Widdrington and Capital
Lorimer were riding leisurely throus
the Summer twilight iu the direction