Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1869-04-14

Are thcic any more OF thOSc letters
When her father asked this question in an
awful tone, Lucilla Richmond could not say
IS 80" and dared not say Yes" but as an
course burst into tears, aud sob
bed behind her handkerchief
Bring them to me, Lucilla' said her
father as it she had answered him, as, indeed,
she bad aud the girl trembling and weeping,
rose TO obey him.
Then Mrs Richmond, her daughters very
self grown older, came behind her husbands
chair and pat,ed him ON his shoulder
Please don't be hard with her, my dear" ,"
She said coaxingly. " le'sa nice young man,
and it is our fault after all as much as hers,
and you won't break her heart I'm sure
Perhaps you approve of the whole affair."
ma am, said Mr.. Richmond.
"-No-that is | only gaspcd the little
woman, and hearing LuciIln coming, she sank
into chair, blaming herself dreadfully for
not having been present at all her daughters
music lessons during the year
For all the disturbance arose from music
teacher who had given lessons to Miss Lucila
Richmond for twelve months, and who had
taken the liberty of falling in love with her,
knowing well that she was the daughter of
one of the richest men in Yorkshire
q" 1t was inexcusabe in poor music teach
cr, who should have known his place Mr..
Richmond declared and he clutched the little
perfumed billet which had fallen into his
hands as he might scorpion, and waited for
the others with look upon his face which
told of no softening They came at last, six
little white envelopes, tied together with blue
ribbon, and were laid at his elbow by his dis
pairing daughter,
" Lock these up until | return home this
evening" he said to his wife Sc will read
them. Meanwhile, Lucila is not to see this
music master on any pretoncc."
Aud then Lucilla went down upon her
knees
Oh, dear papa w she cried, dearest
papa, please don't say must never see him
again. | couldn't bear it, Indeed | could
not. He's poor, | know, but he is gentle
man, and IL like him so much, papa
No more OF this absurdity, my dear, said
Mr., Richmond. lie has been artful enough
to make you think him perfection, [ suppose
Your parents know what is best for your hap
piuess. A music teacher is not match ioI
Miss Richmond"
With which remark, Mr.. Richmond put on
his hat and overcoat and departed.
Then Lucila and her mother took the OPP
portunity Of falling into each others arms.
It's so naughty of you, said Mrs. Rich
mond. But oh, dear, | can't blame you
1t was exactly so with me. ran away with
your papa, you know, and my parents OBJ
jected because of his poverty | feel tn,
greatest sympathy for you, and Frederick ha
such fine eyes and is so very pleasing. wisl
[ could soften your papa"
When he has seen the letters there'l b.
no hope, I'm afraid, sobbed Lucilla.
Fred is so romantic, and papa hates ro
manco.n
He used to be very romantic himself il
those old times, said Mrs Richmond "Sucl
letters as he wrote me- | have them in m,
desk yet. He said he would die if | refusc
him."
So does Fred, said Lucia.
" And that life would be worthless withou
me and about my being beautiful (ho thouhg
so, you know. I'm sure he ought to sympa
thize a little" said Mrs. Richmond.
But she dared not promise that he would.
She coaxed her darling to stop crying an
made her lie down; then went up into her ow
room to put the letters into her desk anC
as She placed them in one pigeon hole, she sa'
in another a bundle, tied exactly as thos
/ werc and drew them out.
These letters were to a Lucilla also. On
who had received them twenty years before
, and she was now u matron old enough to hay
heart troubles uniolded them one by on
wondering how it came to pass that lover
letters were all so much alike.
Half dozen--just the same number, an
much more romantic than those the mus
master had written to her daughter.
strange idea came into Mrs. Riohmonds mint
She dared not oppose her husband by a loo
or word she had never attempted such
thing
But she was very fond of her daughte
{ When she left the desk she looked guilty an
frightened, and something in her pocket ru
tied as she moved But she said nothing
any one ON the subject until the dinner hol
) arrived, aud with it came her husband, al
/ grier than ever. The meal was passed in !
lcnce then, having adjourned to the parlo
+ Mr.. Richmond seated himself in great ar
q chair and demanded
"The letters in a voice Of thunder.
Mrs. Richmond put her hand into h
pocket, and pulled it out again with frigh
ened look
!, Mr.. Richmond repeated, still more ster
; lyi
Those absurd letters, if you pleas
ma am."
r Aud then the little woman ialtered
/ "I-that isl belieye--yes, dear--l b
p lieye have them, aud she gave him viii
: pile Of envelopes, encircled with blue ribbo
v with hand that trembled like an asp,
leaf
9 As for Lacilla, she began to weep as thoul
y the end Of all things had come at last al
felt sure that if papa should prove cruel 81
d should die.