National opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1865-1874, 1867-11-15
And then the little woman falter.

Ahu thCh tuC httlC VOnudu I6lltI-
ed:
I-that isl believe-yes, dear
i believe have them,' and gave
him white pile of envelopes, encir-
cled with blue ribbon, with hand
that trembled ike an aspen leaf.
AS for Luci la, she began to weep
as if the end of all things had come
at last, and felt sure that if papa
should prove cruel she should die.
''Six letters-six shameful pieces
of deception, Lucilla," said the in
dignant parent. 81 am shocked
that child of mine could practice
such duplicity. Hem! let me see.
Number one, believe. June, and
this is December. Half year you
have deceived us then Lucilla Let
me see, an! From the first moment
he adored yOu,n ehs Nonsense. Peo-
pie don't fall in love in that absurd
manner. 1t takes years of acquain-
tance and respect and attachment.
with your smiles for his goal, he
would win both fame and fortune,
poor as he is !" Fiddlesticks, Lucil-
la! a man who has common sense
would always wait until he had a
fair commencement before he pro-
posed to any girl. "Praise of your
beauty. The loyliest creature he
ever saw" EXaggeratiOn, my dear.
You are not plain, bnt such tlattery
is absurd. "Must hear from you OF
diem Dear, dear dear-hOw alb
surd ~
And Mr.. Richmond dropped the
first letter and took up another.
, "The same stuff" he commented.
| hope you don't believe a word he
sayes. A plain, earnest upright sort
of man would never 60 into such
rhapsodies, l am sure. All! now,
in number three, he calls you Gan
angelw He is SO romantic, upon
my word. And what is this 7"
"Those who would forbid me to
see YOU can find no fault with me
but my poverty. | am honest--l
am earnest in my efforts. l am by
birth gentleman, and | love you
from my soul. DO not let them sell
you for gold Lucilla."
"Great heavens, what imperti-
nence to your parents"
II don't remember of Fred's say
ing anything of that kind,' saiG
poor little Lucilla. "He never knew
YOU would ooiect.r
Mr.. Richmond shook his head
frowned, and read on in silence, un
til the last sheet lay under his hand
Then, with an ejaculation of rage
he sprang to his feet.
Ilntamous y he cried "l1l go t,
him this instant-Pll horsewhil
him, I'll--murder him, AS for you
by Jove, I'll send you to convent
Elope, elope with music teacher
I'm almost ashamed to call yol
daughter. Here, where's my hat
Give me my boots. Here, John
+ call a cabs /"
But here Lucilla caught one arm
: aud Mrs. Richardson the other.
"Qh, papa are yon crazy )" salt
Lucilla. '.Fredcrick never propose,
:. any such thing. Let me see the LEI
tei. Oh, papa, this is not Freds-
upon my word it is not. DO loo
. papa It is dated twenty years bac
l and Fre,lerick's name is not Charlie
: papa, these are your letters to mau
= ma. written long ago. Her name
Lucilla YOU know " :.
Il Mr. Richn.ond sat down in h
armchair in silence, very red III II
,, face.
! "How did this occur p he sal
J. sternly, and little Mrs. RlchmoI
retreated into corner, WIN n
y handkerchief to her eyes anu So
" bed,
"a u did it on purpose ,'ano pauS
u as though she expected a sid''
Judgment. But hearing nothin
dared at last to rise and creep up
's her husband timidly.
= "You know, Charles" she said,
y is so long ago since, and l thoug|
d YOU might not rcmember-hOw "
II fell in loye with me at first sigl
IL how papa and mamma Ohlecte
~ and how at last we ran away toget
II er; and it seemed if we could bril-
lS it all back plainly to you as it W
~ then we might let dear Luciila WI
III ry the man she likes, who is good
as not rich. ! did not need it to
brought back any palmer myse
va for women have more time to
y memLes you know, And we
H. been very happy-hays We not !
er And certainly Mr.. Richmo
hs could not deny that. So Lucil
u feeling that her interests might sa
'rs ly be left in her mothers kecpi
oz, slipped ont Of the room and he'
nd the result of the little ruse next mo
nc ing. 1t Was favorable to the you
'er music teacher, who had really o.
IN been sentimental, and not &
me half so far as an elopeinent; and
due course Of tims the two W
lpt married, with all the pomp 3
grandeur behtting tho nuptials {
her wealthy merchants dapghter, v
Psk the perfect appreciation of Lucil
ed, father, and to the great 10y Of
leu cilla's mother, who Justly belle
'th. that her little ruse had brou
ltii about her daughters happiness
ore When the Sultan was in Wen
eal Cardinal Ranschen had an audic
ich. with him, in which, he begged
RIM Majesty to do sornething Tor
- AI,n fv1...t tatt in n q IN