The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1867-09-10

ers' letters were all so much alike.
Half dozcn-just the same numberl
and much more romantic than those thd
music master had written to her daugh1
ter Lucila. A strange idea cam d
into Mrs. Richmund's mini. She
dared not oppose her husband by word
or look she had never attempted such a
thing.
But she was fond of her daughter
When she left the desk she looked guilt,
and irightned, and something 10 her pock.
ct rustled as she moved. Bnt she said
nothing TO any one on the subject until
the dinner arrived, and with it came her
husband, angricr and more detirmined
than ever. The meal was passed in si-
lence then having adjourned 10 the par
lor, Nj Richmond seated himself in a
great arm chair aud demanded: "The
letters" in voice Of thunder.
Mrs. Richmond put her her hand into
her pockets, and then pulled it out again
with a frightened look.
Mr.. Richmond again repeated, still NOR
sternly;
"lhosc absurd letters, if you pleas
my dear ma'am."
And then the little woman faltered
"l-that is belevc-yes, dear-l
believe, | have thcm," and she gave him
a white pile of envelopes, cncircled with
a blue ribbon with hand that trembed
like an aspen leaf
As for Lucilla, she began to weep as
though the end of all things had come at
last and felt sure that if papa should
prove cruel sh should die.
"Six letters-six shameful pieces of de-
ccption Lucilla," said the indignant pa
rent 81 am shocked that Il 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, Lucilia. Let
me see-ah "From the first moment he
adored YOU ehl Nonsense. People
don't fail in love in that absurd manner.
1t takes years OF acquaintance and re-
spcct and attachment. "With your
smiles for his goal, he would win both
same and fortune, poor as he is !" Fiddle
sticks, Lucilla a man who has common
sense would always wait until he had a
fair commencement before he proposed to
any girl. 'Praise your beauty. The
loveliest creature he ever saw !" Exagger-
alton, my dear. You are not plain, but
such ilittcry is absurd. "Must hear from
You or die Dear, dear-how absurd !"
And Mr. Richmond dropped the first
letter and took up another.
"Ihe same stuff" he commented. "I
hope you don't believe word he says. A
plain earnest upright sort of man would
never 60 into such raphsodics, ! am sure,
All now in number three he calls you
an ''angcl ~ lie is romantic, upon my
word. And what is all this
"'Those who forbid me to see you can
find no fault with me but my poverty.
I am honcst-I am earnest in my efforts.
/ am by birth "A gentleman, and | love
you from my soal DO not let them sell
you for col l.ucilia."
"Great heavens. whit impcriinence for
your parents !"
Il don't remember Frcds saying any
thing Of that kind said poor little Lu-
ci'Iia ''lle never knew that you would
onicct.'
Mr.. Richmond shook his head and,
frowning anl read on in silencq until the
last sheet lay under his hand. Then,
with an ejaculation Of rage, be started to
his feet
"lnfamous." he cried, 'Ill 90 to him
this in,tant-i'll horse whip him I'll
i Il murder him As for you. by Jove,
I'll send you to Il convent Elopc, elupe
with a music teacher rm ashamed to call
you my daughter Where's my hat ;"
Give me my boots. Here john call
cab -"
But here Luciia caught one arm and
Mrs. Richmond the other.
"Oh papa, are you crazy said Lucilla.
"Fredrick never proposed such thing
Let me see the letter. oh, papa, this is
MT Frcds-upon my word it is not Do
look, papa ii is dated twenty years back,
and Fredrick's name is not Charlie Papa,
these are your love letters to mamma, writ
ten long ago. Her name is Lucillla you
know -
Mr.. Richmond sat down in his arm
CHAIR in silence, very red in the face.
''llow did this occur!" he said, stcrnly;
and little Mrs, Richmond, rctrcating INTO
a corner, with her handkerchief up 10 her
eyes sobbed:
81 did it on purpose" and paused, as
though she expected sudden judgment.
But, hearing nothing, she dared at last to
rise and creep up TO her husband timidly.
"Iou know, Charlie" she said, sits :,
long ago since, and thought yuu might
not exactly rcmember-how you fell in
love with me at first sight, how papa and
mamma objected, and how at last we run
away together; AMI it seemed 10 me that
if we could bring it all plainly back 10
you as it was then, we might let dear Lu-
ella marry the man she likes, who is good
if he is not rich. | did not need it to be
brought back any palmer myself; women
have more time than men to remember,
you know. And we've been very happy
have we not T.
And certainly Mr.. Richmond could not
deny that. And Iucilla, feeling that her
interests might safely be left in her moth
er', keeping, slipped out of the room, AMI
LOO, l Il. q II