South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1867-10-18
S / Y 10 We TIERS

say w, u"u u"iSu not say es, put as an
intermediate course burst into tears, and
sobbed behind her handkerchief.
bring them to me Lucila," sid her IA
Their, as if she had answered him, as indeed.
she had i; and the girl trembling and weep
ing, arose to obey him.
Then Mrs Richmond, her daughters
very self grown older, came behind her hus-
bands chair and patted him on the shoulder.
"Pleasc don'tbo hard with my dear"
she said coaxingly. Hc'sa nice young man,
and it is our fault, after all, As much as hers,
and you won't break her young heart, Pun
sure"
"Perhaps you approve of the whole affair,
ma am" said Mr. Rchmond.
T-no-that is only" gasped the little
woman and hearing Lucilla coming she
sank into a.chair, blaming herself dread
fully for not having been present at all her
daughters music lessons during the past
year.
For this disturbance arose from music
teacher who had given lessons to Miss Lu-
ella for twelve months, and who had taken
the liberty of falling in love with her, know
ing well that she was the daughter of the
richest man in Yorkshire.
cit was iucxcusable in poor music teach
err, who should have known his place." Mr..
Richmond declared, and he clutched the lit
tie perfumed billet which had fallen into
his hands as he might scorpi IN, and wait
cd on tAc others with q look upon his face
which told Of no softening They came Mt
last, six little white envelopes, tied togeth-
err with blue ribbon, and was laid Il; his ell
bow by bis despairing daughter.
Lock these up until return home this
evening" he sal to his wife 81 will read
them then. Meanwhile, Lucilla is not to
see this music master on any pretonce."
Aud then Miss Llcilla went down upon
her knees.
"Oh, d.ar papa - she criel, dearest
papa, please don't say / must never see
him again. | cou!dn' bear it, Indeed
could not. Hes poor, know, bat he is
a gentleman, and IL like him SO much
papa
No more Of this absurlity, my dear
SAID Mr.. Richmond. Gle has been artful
enough to make you think him perfection,
| suppose. Your parents know what is best
for your happiness. A music teacher Is not
match for Miss Richmond"
With which remark Mr. Richmond put
on his hat and oyercoat and departed
Then LucillA aud her mother took the
opportunity IF falling into each other arms
Its - naughty of you" said Mrs Rich
mond. "i',l oh, dear, can't blame YOU.
II was exactly 80 with Inc. ran away with
your papa, you know, aud my parents OBJ
jectcd because Of his poverty. | feel the
creates! sympathy for you, AMI frederick
has such fine eyes, and is 50 pleasing.
wi'h | could soften your papa"
when lie has seen the letters there, |
have 10 hope. I'm worry much afraid"
sobbcd Miss Lucilla Fred is so roman
tic, and papa hates romance"
lie used to be very romantic himself in
those old times" said Mrs. Richmond.
''Such letters as he wrote me. have them
IN my desk yet. lie sail he should die if
| refused him"
So does Fred" sail Lucilla.
"And that life would be worth less with
ont me aud about my being beautiful, Che
thought 50, you know,) I'm sure he ought
to sympathiZc little, said Mrs. Richmond
But she dared not promise that he would
She coaxcd her darling to stop crying, and
made her lie down then went up in her
own room TO put the letters into her desk
aud as she placed them in one pigeon hole,
she saw II another bundle, tied exactly as
those.w were aud drew them out
These letters were to a Luciila also. Que
who had received them twenty years before
and she was DOW mltrou old enough to
have daughter who had heart troubles
unfold them one by Que, wondering how it
came TO pass that lovers letters were all 50
much alike.
Half dozcn-ju5t tho same number and
much more romantic than those the music
teacher b ID written to her daughter Lucil- |
Ia. strange idea came into Mrs Rich
mond's mind. She dared not oppose her
husband by look or word she had never
attempted such thing.
But she was very fond Of her daughter. |
When she left the desk she looked guilty |
and frightened and something which she |
had suddenly hidden in her pocket rustled |
as she moved. But she said nothing TO A.
ny one on the subject until the dinner hour
arrived, aud with it came her husband an- |
grlcr and more determined thar ever The |
meal was passed in silence then, having |
adjourned to the parlor, Mr. Richmond /
seated himself in a great arm chair, and I
demanded
The letters. ~ in a voice Of thunder.
Mrs Richmond put her hand into her I
pocket aud pulled it cut again with fright /
cncd look.
Mr.. Richmond again repeated, still more I
sternly:
Those absurd letters, If sou please my
dear ma aa"
And then the little woman f,ltored.