The Ebensburg Alleghanian. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1865-1871, 1867-10-31

them in my desk yet. He said he would
die if I refused him.
$50 does Fred" said Lucilla.
"And that life would be worthless with
out me, and about my being beautiful Che
thought so, you know. Pm sure he
ought to sympathize little" said Mrs.
Richmond.
But she dared not promise that he
would.
She coaxed her darling to stop crying,
and made her lie down then went up |
into her own room to put the letters into
her desk and, as she placed them 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
| troubles unfolded them one by one, won
| deriug how it came to pass that lovers
were all so much alike.
Half a dozen-just the same number,
and much more romantic than those the
music master had written to her daughter
| Lucilla A strange idea came into Mrs
Richmond's mind She dared not oppose
her husband by look or word she had
never attempted such a thing. But she
was very fond of her daughter. When
she left the desk she looked guilty and
| frightened, and something rustled IN her
pocket as she moved. But she said moth
ing to any one on the subject until the
dinner hour arrived, and with it came her
husband, more angry and determined than
ever The meal was passed in silence;
and then having adjourned to the parlor,
Mr.. Richmond seated himself in great
armchair, and demanded
"The letters" in voice of thunder.
| Mrs Richmond put her hand into her
pocket, and pulled it out again with
frightened look.
Mr. Richmond again repeated, still
''Those absurd letters, if you please,
my dear maam."
And then the little woman faltered /:
"T-that isl believe-yes dear-I be-
lieve have them," and gave him pile
of white envelopes enc;rcled with a blue
. ribbon, with hand that trembled like an
aspen leaf.
AS for Lucila, she began to weep as
though 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 de-
ception, Lucilla," said the indignant pa
rent "I am shocked that child of mine
should practice such duplicity. Hem
let me see. Number one l believe. June,
and this is December. Half year you
have deceived US then, Lucilla. Let me
see, eh nonsense. People don't fall il
love in that absurd manner. 1t takes
years of acquaintance and respect and at
tachment. with your smiles for his
{ goal, he would win both fame and fortune,
. poor as be is! Fiddlesticks, Lucilla
A man who has common sense would al
ways wal. until he had fair commence
ment before he proposed to any girl.
, praise of your beauty. The loveliest
creature he ever saw p Exaggeration,
my dear. You are not plain, but such
fatsery is absurd. Must hear from you
or die ? Dear, dear-how absurd r'
And Mr.. Richmond dropped the frss
, letter, and took up another.
"The same stuff" he commented. "I
, hope you don't believe word he says. A
plain, earnest, upright sort of man would
never go into such rhapsodies, l am sure.
All now, in number three he calls you
IAN angel He is romantic upon my word.
And what is all this
"Those who would forbid me to see you
: can find 10 fault with me but my poverty.
L am honest-I am earnest in my efforts.
| am By birth a gentleman, and love you
from my soul. Do not let them sell you
for gold, Lucilla.''
"Great heavens, what impertinence to
your parents p'
81 don't remember Fred's saying any
thing of that kind" said poor Lucilla.
/ "He never knew you would object"
, Mr.. Richmond shook his head, frown-
ed, and read on in silence, until the last
} sheet lay under his hand. Then, with an
ejaculation of rage he started to his feet.
"Infamous ~ he cried "Pll so to him
this instant-I'll horsewhip him! I'll
| I'll murder him! AS for you, by Jove
, Til send you to convent. Elope, elope
} with music teacher! Pm ashamed to
call you my daughter. Where's my bat?
Give me my boots. Here John, call q
{ cab IL"
But here Lucilla caught one arm and
, Mrs. Richmond the other.
, 'Oh, papa, are you crazy Z" said Lu-
ella. "Frederick never proposed such q
thing. Let me see the letter. Oh, papa,
: this is not Frod's-upon my word 1t is not.
! Do look papa it is dated twenty years
= back, and Frederick's name is not Charles
. Papa, these are your love letters to mamma,
written long ago. Her name is Luci'la,
n you know