The Republican journal., 1877-01-18
Luc;lIa's Love Letters.

/
storm OF tears behind her handkerchief
BRING them to me, Lucilla," said her
father, as il she had answered him, as in
deed she had, and the girl trembling and
weeping, rose to obey.
very sell grown Older, came behind her
shoulder
please don't be hard with her, my
dear, - she said, coaxnglv. Hes a nice
young man, and IFS our iault, after all, as
much as hers, and Nou won't break her
heart, | am sure
'perhaps you approve OF the whole
affair ma'anl," said Mr., Richmond.
II -no--that is, only" gasped the lii
| tie woman; and hearing Iurilla coming
She sank into Il chair, blaming herself for
not having been present at all her dangh-
| ter'a music lessons, during the year.
For all this disturbance grew out OF a
music master n blacl-eycd Young man
| who had "iNtn lessons to Miss Lucilla for
twelve months OF more, had taken the lib
erty To tail in love with her, knowing that
She was the daughter OF one of the richest
merchants in the city.
1T was ineXcusable in Il poor music
master, who should have known his place. >
| Mr.. Richmond declared, and he clutched
the little pertumed billet that had fallen
| into his hands as he might u scorpion, and
waited for the others with Il look upon his
face that told me of no sottening. They at
last came-iust six little dainty white en-
velopes, tied together with blue ribbon,
and were laid at his elbow by his depart
ing daughter He gathered them up with
scorn.
Lock all these up until return home
this evening" he said to his wife; II will
read them then. Meanwhile Lucilla is not
to see this music master upon any pre-
tense"
And then l.ucilla went down upon her
knees.
"Oh dear papa !" she cried; dearest
papa, please don't say | am never to see
him again. | couldn't bear it. indeed. |
could not bear it. He is poor, l know. but
| he is gentleman. and like him so
much, father"
mo more of this absurdity, my dear" "
said Mr.. Richmond, rising as he spoke.
ale has been arttul enough to make you
! believe he is perfection, suppose. Your
parents know best what is for your happi-
| ness
With these words Mr.. Richmond put on
his hat and oVercoat, and took his way to-
wards those mysterious precincts known
only as THE city
Then Lucilla and her mother took the
opportunity OF falling into each others
arms.
1t is so naughty Of YOU" sail Mrs
| Richmond "bul, oh dear, can't blame
| YOU, it was Just SO with me. | ran away
with Your father, you know. and my pa
rents objected because of his poverty /
feel the greatest sympathy for YOU and
! Frederick has such fine eyes, and is so
very nice wish 1 could soften Your
! papa"
She coaXed l.ucilla to stop cry ing, and
then went up to her room to put the let
| ters in her desk; and as she placed them
in one pretty pigeon hole, she saw in
another n bundle tied jn-t as those were
and drew them ont
These were letters to Lucilla also, one
| who had received them twenty years be-
fore; and she now q matron old enough
| to have daughter who had heart troubles,
| untoded them oneby one, wondering how
it came to pass that lovers letters were
all 90 much alike
just half dozen; lust the same mum
| bef-and much more desperate than the
ones the music master had written to her
daughter, A strange idea came into Mrs
| l1chmOnd'a mind. She dared not oppose
| her husband, by no word or look had she
ever attempted such Il 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 rs she
| moved. She said nothing to any one on
the subject until dinner time came, and
| with it her husband, angrier and more de-
termined than ever The meal was passed
in silence, Then having adjourned to the
parlof much as an eXecutoner and two
culprlts might have proceeded to the gal
lows. Mr. Richmond then seated himself
in a great arm chair. and demanded all
| the letters.
Mrs Richmond put her hand into her
| pocket, and pulled it back with a fright
ened look.
Mr., Richmond repeated still more stern
| ly: "Tlose absurd letters it YOU please,
ma am"
And then the little woman faltered out ::
''l-that isl believe Yes dear, | think |
| have them" and gave him white bun
die OF envelopes, encircled with a blue
ribbon, with hand that trembled like an
aspen leaf.
And Mr.. Eichmond dropped the first let
ter, and then took up another
The same stuff" he commented ~
| hope you don't believe II word he says A
| plain, earnest, upright sort of a man would
never go into such rhapsodies. | am sure
And now, in number three. this blessed
fellow calls you IAN angel !" He is dra
matte, upon my word And now what is
this ?"
Those who would forbid you to see me
can find no fault with me but my poverty.
| am honest, | 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!
Il don't remember Freds writing ANY,
thing Of that SORT" muttered poor little
| Lucilla. ''He never knew you would OBJ
| ject."
| Mr.. Richmond shook his head, irowned
and read on in silence until the last sheet
lay under his hand. Then, with an ejacu-
lation of rage, he started to his feet.
AS for Lucilla, she began to weep as
though the end of all things had come at
last, and to feel quite sure that IT papa
proved himself cruel she should die
"Six letters-siX shameful letters of de-
ception, Lucilla," said the indignant pa
rent. 81 am shocked that child of mine
should practice such duplcity Hem ! let
me see. Number one, | believe, June,
and this is December Half a year you
have deceived us, Lucilla. Let me see /!
An From the first moment he adored
you.' eh Nonsense! People don't fall
in love in that absurd manner. 1t takes
years OF acquaintance, with respect and at
tachment. What next? with your smile
for his goal, he could win both fame and
fortune poor as he is.' Fiddlesticks, Lucil-
la. A man who had common sense would
always wait until he had fair commence
ment before he would propose to any girl.
Praise of your beauty The lovliest crea-
ture he ever saw! Exaggeration, my
dear You are not plain, but such tlattery
is absurd. Must hear from you or die ,