The Daily times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1886-1889, 1888-12-25

N year had elapsed siuce Lucy Dawbar1
had hidden farewell TO her fathers clerk
through the dining room door lie had left
Dramhngdon and gone no one knew whittier
Neither letter nor message came to Lucy sLt
was TOO strictly watched She often walked
In the garden and looked al that portion Of
the wall where they had concea.ed their let
tets. The good old brick that they
used 70 take out and put back
a-ain was thing Of the past
In its place there was Il bran now red brick
cemented by bran new white mortar that you
could see O mile Of. Lucy had been to Lon
don. AMI had been visiting not only LG
fathers and mother relatives but the mag
mates o.. the county, and had seen all sorts d
pleasures and fashion and distraction, and at
tho end Of six months had returned very thin
and pale
Sic had been home but few weeks when
the news came that young Munro had sailed
from Liverpool for New York. IL reached
Iucvs ears through a sympathetic servant
maid The next morning she sent word that
she would like 70 have cup OF tea sent 70
her a. stairs in her own room, as she had a
headache and begged 10 be excused from the
breakfast table. Mrs Dawbarn knew that
She had heard Of Munros departure for
America. but she did not dare to mention
even tho name Of the Objectionable clerk 10
her husband. who was entirely ignorant Of the
volnq mans movements. Two OF three days
after the doctor vas sent for. The medical
man hummod and hawed and said that his
natient was low Lucy grew worse and worse.
A consultation was held. The young ladys
disorder was pronounced 20 be nervous fever,
and one white headed old gentleman from
London suggested TO Mr.. and Mrs Dawbarn
that If tue young lady were engaged he
should not advise the postponement Of the
ceremony.
"You see, my dear Mr. Dawbarn," said the
ola gentleman ''yOur dear daughters malay
IS nartly mental. She has here no employ
ment, that u.s. no fresh employment for her
mind II you could substitute new duties,
fresh impressions she would recover quickly.
Her energy IS wearing her 10 pieces; she
wants. 50 % speak, % begin her life over
AGAIN lift her partner has not yet been
choeen'--hcro the eyes Of the father and
mother mct-'let her travel, let her choose
an occupation, give her something - do.
know q Young lady-much the same kind Of
caso--who took % painting, and found con
siderable benefit from the study and the
practice. Italy. now, might create desire
60 cultivate some art-say music, ehl Your
dear daughter IS not strong; her mind Is too
much for he- hody.'
Lucy wts ial,s, % Harrogate 10 Cheiteu
ham. 70 bennington and Scarborough, ther
10 the south Of france and Italy When she
returned 20 BramlnQdon she had T. be lifted
from tho carriage Her father, who had moi
seen her for two months, was struck with the
visible alteralousR her face aud Ggurc He
himself carried her 10 her room aud vas
hardly conscious Of his burden. She
said sbo wps tirel with her Journey
and would 70 10 bed M Dawbarn de
seconded % dine with bis wife, and meeting
On the stairs with the sympathetic house
maid who had informed Lucy Of Munro's dc
larturo Tor America, and asking the girl
why she vas crying and receiving for an
swcr that il was for Miss Lucy, be discharged
her on the spot
Il was dismal dinner Husband and wife
spoke but little. and when one caught the
the others eye there was a great show Of ap-
petite Mr Dawbuln drank considerable
quantity OF sherry. When the cloth was re-
movcd the conversation tagged. Neither
dared begin the consultation they felt was
Before they went into Lucy's
room 10 look at her Is she lay sleeping, Mr..
Dawburn put bis arm around his wsfss waist
aud kissed der on the forehead. proceeding
which taads fhs rad did isHv t-~"'A'-''