South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1867-10-18

weep as though the end Of all things had
come at last, aud felt sure that if papa
should prove cruel she should die.
"Six letters-six shameful pieces of de-
ception, Iucilla," said the indignant parent.
al am shocked that a Child Of miric could
practice such duplicity. Hem. letme see.
Number one, believe. June and this is
December. Half year you have deceived
US, then, Lucilla. Let me sce-ah "From
the Fist moment he adored you, eh ? Non
sense. People don't fall in love in that alb
surd manner. 1t takes years of acquaint-
ance and respect and attachment "Witn
your smiles for bis goal, he would win both
fame aud fortune, poor as he is !" Fiddle
sticks, Lucilla. \ man who has common
sense would always wait until he had fair
commencement before he proposed to any
girl. "Praise of your beauty. The love
Hest creature he ever saw :" Exaggcra.
ton, my dear. You are not plain, but such
alttery is absurd "AIust hear from you
or die ?" Dear, dcar-how absurd ~
And Mr.. Richmond dropped the FIRST let
ter, and took up another.
1.-The same stuff, he commenced. hope
you don't believe word he says a plain
earnest, upright sort of man would never
go into such rhapsodies, am sure. All !,
now, in number three he calls you Gan an
GEL" lie is so romantic, upon my word.
Aud what is all this 7"
CHOSE who would forbid me to sec YOU
can find no fault with me but my poverty
| am honcst-I am earnest in my efforts
[ am by birth gentleman and | love you
IN, Lot
for gold, Lucilla."
"Grcat heavens, what impcrtincnce to
your parents -
Il don't remember Fred saying anything
of that kind" said poor little Lucilla. ole
never knew you would object
Mr.. Richmond shook his head, frowncd,
and read on in silence until the last sheet
lay under his hand Then with an u ,cu-
lation of rage, he started to his feet
"lnflmous - he cried oil horsewhip
him f.. In-Ill murder him! AS for
you, by Jove, I'll send you to convent
Elope, elopc with music teacher! I'm
ashamed TO call you daughter, VIII ere's
ny hat? Give me my boots. Here, John,
call cab p
But here Luclia caught one arm and
Mrs. Richmond the other.
Oh, papa, are YOU crazy? said Lucilla
Frederick never proposed such a thing
Oh, papa, this is not Fred s-upon my word
it is not. ID look, papa? 1t is dated 20
years back, and Fred name is not Charles
Papa, these are your love-letters to NAM
ma, written long ago. Her names Lucil-
la, you know"
Mr. Richmond sat down in his arm chair
in silence, very red in his face
GLOW dill this occur?" he said stcruly
and little Mrs. Richmond, retreating into
a corner, with her handkerchief to her eyes,
sobbed
81 did it on purpose" AMI she paused
as though she expected a sudden judgment
But hearing nothing, she dared at last to
rise and creep up to her husband timi lly
"You know, Charles" she said, otis so
long since, and l thought you might not ex-
aetly remember how you fell in love with
me at first sight, how papa aud mamma OBJ
Jccted, and how at last we ran away toge-
Their; and it seemed to me that if we could
bring it all blck plainly to you as it was
then, We might let dear Luclla 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
to remember, you know. And we've been
very happy-have we not?
And certainly Mr.. Richmond could not
deny that So Lucilla, feeling that her in
terests might safely be left in her mothers
Keeping, slipped out of the room, and heard
the result of the little ruse next morning
1t was favorable to the young music teach
er who bad really only been sentimental,
and had not gone half so far as an elope
ment; and, in due course of time, the two
were married with all the pomp and gran
deur betting the nuptials Of wealthy mer
chants daughter, with the perfect approba-
ton Of Lucila's father and to the great ioy
of Lncilia's mama, who justly believed that
her little ruse hal brought about her daugh-
tcr's happiucss