Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1877-01-30

an executioner and two culprits might
have proceeded to the gallows. Mr.. Rich
mond 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
sternly; "Those absurd letters, if you
please, ma'am."
And then the little woman laltered out :
"I-that isl believe, yes dear, | think !
have them" and gave him p white bun
lie of envelopes, encircled with blue
ribbon, with hand that trembled like an
aspen leaf
Acd Mr.. Richmond dropped the first
letter, and then took up another.
The same stuff" he commented. Il
hope You don't believe a word he says.
\ plain, earnest, uprsh, sort of man
Nhould never 20 into such raphsodies, |
am sure And now. in number three
this blessed fellow calls you 'sn sngeln
He is dramatic upon my word And
now wha, is ali this ?'
"'Those who would forbid you to see
me can find no fault with me but my
poverty. l am honest. am earnest in
my efforts, | am by birth u gentleman,
and love you from my soul. Do not
let them sell you for gold. L1ciIa.'
Great heavens what impertinence TO your
parents"
Il dcn't remember Fred's writing any
thing OF that sort" murmured poor little
LnciIla. "He never knew You would
object"
Air. Richmond shook bis head, !rowned,
and read on in silence until the last sheet
lay under his baud. Then. with an
ejaculation OF rage bcslarted to his tee.
As for Lucila, she beg an to weep as
though the end OF all things had come at
last, and to feel quite sure that If papa
proved himself cruel she should die.
Six letters--six shameful letters OF
De option, Lucilla." said the indignant
parent. 81 am shocked that a child OF
mine should practice such dupiicity,
Hem lei me see. Number one, be-
,ieye, June, and this is December. Half
q year you have deceived Us, Lucilla.
Let me see ! All, From the iirst moment
he adored you eh? Nonsense, People
don't fall in love in that absurd manner.
Il takes years OF acquaintance, with re-
spect ard attachment. What next?
With your smiles tor his goal, he would
win both fame and fortune poor as he is y
Fiddlesticks, Lucilla. \ man who had
common sense would always wait until
be had a fair commencement before he
would propose to any girl. Praise OF
your beauty. The loveliest creature he
ever saw = Exaggeration. my dear.
You are not plain, but such flattery is at
surd. Must hear from you or die "
Dear, dear, how absurd ~
"In(amous - be cried; "lll 60 to the
rascal this instant-Til horsewhip him
A. for you. I'll send you to q convent.
Eope with music teacher! I'm ashamed
to call you daughter Where's my hat
Here. John, call tor a cab"
Blu, here Lucilla caught one arm, and
Mrs. Il chmond the other.
"Oh, paps. have you gone crazy ?"
said Lucila. Frederick never proposed
such thing. Let me see the letter. Oh.
papa, thi, i not Fred's-upou my word
i. Is ro,. Do look, Please it il dated
twenty years oack-and Frederick's name
is not Charles Papa. these are your
love letters 10 mamma, written so long
ago Her name is LuciI!a. you know ~
Mr.. Richmond sat down on his arm
chair in silence. very red ia the face.
How did this occur?n he asked s,ernly
Mrs Richmond re,reated into one cor
ner with her handkerchief 10 her eyes.
sobbing out. IL did it on purpose :" then
paused as though she expected a sudden
| Judgment
You know, Charles" she said. lit is
so long ago, we are both altered good
deal and thought you might not exactly
remember how you tell in love with me
at first sight, and how papa and mamma
objected; and it seems to me that if we
could bring it all back plain as it was
then, we must let dear Lucilla marry the
man she likes-who is nice il he is not
rich. | did not need it to be brought
back any palmer myselt-women have
more time TO remember. you know. And
we've been very happy, have we not? ?"
And certainly, Mr. Richmond could
not deny that. So. Lucilla feeling that
her interests might safely be lett in her
mothers keeping slipped out of the room,
and heard the result of the little strata
gem next morning. Il was favorable to
tle young music master, who had really
only been sentimental, had not gone hall
so far as to propose an elopement; and
in due course of time the two were
married with all the pomp and grandeur
betting the nuptials of wealthy mer.
chants daughter. with the perfect appro-