Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1883-02-17


an awful tone, Lucilla Richmond could
not say "No," and dared not say "fes, !"
but as an iutermediat. course burst into
tears and sobbed behind her handker-
chief.
Bring them to me, Lucilla," said her
father, us Ii she had answered him, as in
deed she had and the girl, trembling and
weeping, arose TO obey him.
Then Mrs. Richmond, her daughters
very self grown older, came behind her
husbands chair and patted him on the
shoulder:
"Please don't be hard with her, my
DEAR" she said coaxingly. 'He'sa nice
young man, and il Is our fault. after all,
as much rs 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 sank into chair, blaming herself
dreadfully for not having been present at
all her daughters music lessons during
the past year.
For all the disturbance arose from a
music teacher who had giveh lessons to
Miss Lucilla 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.
at was inexcusable in poor music
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 a
scorpion, gnd waited for the others with
look upon his face which told OF no soft
euing. At last six little white envelopes
tied together with blue ribbons were laid
at his elbow by his despairing daughter.
clock these up until return home this
evening"" he said to his wife; 81 will
read them then. Meanwhile, Lucilia is
not to see this music teacher oil any pre-
tence whatever"
And then Lucills went down upon her
knees.
"Oh, dear papa!" she, cried "dearest
papa, please don't say 1 must never see
him again. couldn't bear it. Indeed,
could not. He's poor, know, but he's
a gentleman, and-I-like him so much,
papa"
"No more Of this absurdtv, my dear" 4"
said Mr.. Richmond. He has been artful
enough to make you think him perfection,
suppose. Your parents know what Is
best for your happiness. A music teacher
is not match for Miss Richmond"
With which remark Mr.. Richmond put
on his hat and overcoat and departed.
Then Lucila and her mother took the
opportunity Of falling into each others
arms.
"It'. so naughty Of you," said Mrs.
Richmond. "But oh, dear, can't blame
you. 1t was exactly so with your father,
you know, and my parents objected be-
cause Of his poverty. feel the greatest
sympathy for you, and Frederick has such
fine eyes, and is so very pleasing. wish
could soften your father" ....
"when he has seen the letters there1l
be no hope, I'm afraid" sobbed Lucilla.
Erred Is so romantic, and papa hates
romance"
"IIe used to be very romantic himself
in those old times" said Mrs. Richmond.
..Such letters a. lie wrote me. have
them in my desk yet. He said he should
die IL refused him."
$50 does Fred" said Lucilla.
81 "And that life would be worthless with
out me; and about my being beautiful The
thought so, you know,l / am sure he
ought to sympathize little" said Mrs.
Richmond. But she dared not promise
thst he would.
She coaxed her darling TO stop crying,
and made her lie down, and then went
into her own room to pnt the letters into
her desk; and as she placed them In ODe
of the pigeon holes, she saw In another
bundle, tied exactly As these were. ami
drew them out. These letters were TO
Lu.ills, also. One who had received them
twenty years beforehand she was now
matron old enough 20 have daughter
who had heart troubles-unfolded them
one by one, wondering how IL came to
pass that lovers letters were all 20 much
a like. Half dozen-just the same num-
ber and more romantic than those the
music teacher had written 70 her daugh-
ter. A strange idea came into Mrs. Rich
mon6's mind She dared not oppose her
husband; by look or word she never At
tempted such thing. But she was very
fond Of her daughter.
b when she left the desk she looked guilty
and frightened, and something in her
uocket rustIed as she moved. But she
said nothing to any one outbe subject
uurii the dinner hour arrived, and With u
came her husband, angered aud more de-
-tsrmined than ever. The meal was passed
I'm .ilenee; then, having adjourned TO the
parIor, NJ. Richmond seated himself ina
CREST armchair. and demanded ''the
letters, y In voice Of ihunder. sfr-
Mrs. Richmond put her hand into her
pocket. and pulled Ii out again with
frightened look. aJ.1 aaT sGeu
Mr.. Richmond repeated, still more
sternly: no il l1} 81 snsaaiaflslsse a6T
Those absurd letters, fzyou please,
ma'am."il ..s1ziaos.q gilEe1 z ~ liz
And then tiss iistls woman faiteged:oi
4, -. .-,fr q. q y - n - Moo.