The Elk advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Elk Co., Pa.) 186?-1868, 1867-10-24
TOLUNE SETEN-NUMBEP SO.

I
have them in my desk yet. He said
he should Gle if / refused him.
So does Fred, said Lucilla.
Aud that life would be worthless
without me ; and about my being
beautiful Che thought so, you know )
I'm sure he ought to sympathize a lit.
tie, said Mrs. Richmond.
But she dared not promise her that
he would.
She coaxed her darling to stop cry.
ing, and made her lie down then went
up into her own room to put tho letters
into her desk and, as she placed then
in one pigeon hole, she saw in another
bundle, tied exactly as those were, and
drew them out,
These letters were to Lucilla also.
One who had received them twenty
years beforehand she was now a matron
old enough to have a daughter who had
heart tronbles---unfolded them one by
one, wondering how it came TO pass
that lovers letters were all 50 much
alike.
Half dozen--just the same number,
and much more romantic than those the
music master had written to her daugh.
ter Lucilla. A strange idea came into
Mrs. Riohmodd's mind. She dared not
oppose her husband by look or word
ahe had never attempted such thing.
But she was very fond of her daugh-
trr When she LETT the desk she looked
guilty aud frightened, and something in
her pocket rustlod as she moved. But
she said nothing to any one on the subs
jeot until the dinner hour arrived, and
with it came her husband, augrier and
more determined than ever. The meal
passed in silence then, having adjourn~
ed to the parlor, Mr.. Richmond seated
himself in grea: arm chair, and de-
minded
'Tho letters in a voice Of thunder.
Mrs, Richmond put her hand into
her pocket, and pulled it out again with
a frightened LOOK.
Mr.. Richmond again repeated, still
more sternly ly:
'Those absurd letters, if you please
ny dear ma'am.'
And then the little woman talterea
'l-that isl believe--yes, dear--l
believe I have them,' and gave him a
white pile of envelopes. encircled with
blue ribbon, with hand that trembled
like an aspen leaf.
AS for Lucilla, she began to weep as
though the end ofall 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 indignant
parent. Il am shocked that a child of
mine could practice such duplicity.
Hem let me see. No,Sone, believe.
June, and this is December. Half a
year you have deceived US then, Lucilla.
Let me see--ah !! From the first mo,
mont he adored you,' ell? Nonsense.
People don't fall in love in that absurd
manner. 1t takes years of acquaintance
and respect and attachment. with
your smiles for his goal, he would win
both fame and fortune, poor as he is !
Fiddlesticks, Lucilla A man who has
common sense would always wait until
he had a fair commencement before he
proposes to any girl. Praise of your
beauty. The loveliest creature 1 ever
saw!' Exaggerating, my dear. You
arc not plain, but such fattery is absurd.
Must hear from you or die = Dear,
dear--how absurd ,
And Mr.. Richmond dropped the first
letter and took up another.
'The same stuff he commented. Il
hope you don't believe word he says.
4 plain, earnest, upright sort of a man
would never go into rhapsodies, l ain
sure. All now, in number three he
calls you an angel!' He is romantic,
upon my word. And what is all this ?
Those who would forbid me to sec
you can find no fault with me but my
poverty. l am honest-I am earnest
| in my efforts. l am by birth gentle
man, and love you from my soul. Dc
not let them sell you for gold, Lucil
la
Great heavens, what impertinoncc
to yonr parents F!
II dou't remember of Fred's saying
anything of that kind said poor Lucil'
la. He never kuew you would Oh
! ject.'
Mr.. Richmond shook his head, frown
ed, and read on in silence until the las
sheet lay under his hand. Then, will
an ejaculation of rage, he started to hi
feet.
Infamous = he cried, 'I'll go to hin
this instant-I'll worship him III
I'll murder him As for you, ),
Joye, I'll send you to a convent. Elope
elopo with music teacher I'm asham
ed to call you my daughter. Where
NV hat Give me my boots. Hero