The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1870-03-10
SIX LOVE LETTERS.


SIX LOVE LETTERS.
Are there any more of these let
ters? :
When her father asked this question
in an awful tone, Lucilla Richmond
could not say "No," and dare not say
/" YesYy but as an intermediate course
burst into tears, and sobbeds behind
her handkerchief. ~ .5....fs, - q.
Bring them to me, Lucilla," said
her father, asI if she had answered
him, as indeed she had; and the girl,
trembling and weeping, arose to obey
him.
Then Mrs. Richmond, her daugh-
teIs very, self grown older, came be-
hind her husbands chair, and patted
him on the shoulder.
"Please don't be hard with her, my
DEAR" she said, coaxingly. "He's a
nice young man, and it's our fault af-
ter 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.
"I-no-that is, 1 only" gasped the
little woman, and hearing Lucilla
coming she went to chair, blaming
herself dreadfully for not having
been present at her daughters music
lesson during the past year.
For all this disturbance arose from
a music teacher, who had given les
sons to Miss Lucilla for twelve
months, andiwlo HAD taken the liber-
ty to fall in love with her, knowing
well that she was the daughter of one
of the richest men in Yorkshire.
1t was .inexcusable. in a poor. mu-
sic teacher, 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 a look upon his
face that told of no softening. They
came. at last, six little white -envel-
opes tied up together with blne rib
bons and were.laide at his elbow by his
despairing daughter.
tT7a Eock these up till return home
this evening"" he said to his wife; 81
will read them then. Meanwhile Lu-
ella is not to see the music master on
any pretence."
az And then Miss Lucilla went down
upon her knees: g -
"Oh, dear papa," she cried, "dear-
est papa, please don't say must new
er see him again. could not bear it.
Indeed 1 could not. He's poor, 1
know, but he's gentleman, and IL
like him very much, papa" g
"No more of this absurdity, my
dear, said Mr.. Richmond, che has
been artful enough to make you think
him perfection, suppose. Your pa
rents know what is best for your hap
piness. A music teacher is not a
match for Miss Richmond"
With this remark Mr.. Richmond
put on his hat and overcoat, and de-
parted. ga-.,.ay4 ..,xvt4
Then 'Lucilla and her mother took
the opportqnity of falling into each
others arms.
rA. It,ssso naughtysof you," said Mrs.
Richmond. But, oh, dear, I can't
blame you. It was exactly SO with
me, ran away with your papa, you
know, and my parents objected be-
seause of his poverty. feel the great
est sympathy for you, and Frederick
has such fine eyes, and is so pleasing,
1 wish I could soften your papa"
When he has seen the letters there
will be no hope, I'm very much
afraid" sobbed Miss Lucilla. "Fred
is SO romantic, and papa hates TO.
nance"
"He used to be very romantic him
self in those old times" said Mrs
Richmond. "Such letters he wrote
me. 1 have them in my desk yet. He
said he should die if / refused him.
$50 does Fred, said Lucilla. H*'
.,ss g And that life would be worthless
without me; and about my being
beautiful Che thought SO, you know
I am sure he ought to sympathize i.
little," said Mrs. Richmond. -
But she dare not promise that hi
would.
.EaShe coaxed her darling to stop cry
ing, and made her lie down and thel
went up into her own room to pu
the letters into her desk; and, as sh'
placed them into one pigeon-hole, sh'
saw in another bundle, tied exactl,
as those were, and drew them out.
Those letters were to a Lucilla also
One who had received them years be
fore-and she now a nratron oil,
enough to have daughter who ha,
heart troubles -unfolded them one b.
one, wondering how II came to pas
that lovers were all SO much alike.
q Half q dozeu-jpst the same mum
Der, and much more romantic tina
4taose the music-master had written t
her daughter Lucilla. A strange ide
came to Mrs. Richmond's mind. Sh
dared not oppose her husband by
4 loolsof aFword I she never attempte
such thing. :