The Literary echo, and Pawcatuck advertiser. [volume] (Westerly, R.I.) 1851-1854, 1854-01-05
5flcltc0.
THE SAILOR FRIEND.
CHAPTER l.
THE QUA r DIAN.
BY AUSTIN C. BURDICK.

THE GUARDIAN.
'MARRY him, if you choose-marry
him if you choose. Only let me tell
you this Never darken my doors again. ;
1t was Mr.. Solomon Lowton, who
spoke. He was tall, stout, dark look
ing man, with sharp gray eyes, very
prominent features, and hair just be-
ginning to silver beneath the hand of
tune. The person to whom he spoke
was young girl scarcely eighteen years
of age, and very beautiful both in form
and feature. Her name was Helen
Fairfield Solomon Lowton was her
guardian, and his relationship was one
of marriage, he having married the sis
ter of Helen's father but some years
before the opening of our story the girls
aunt had died and Lowton had married
again Yet Helen had continued to
live with her marriage e-made uncle,
though her fate was hard and thank
less one. She lived with him because
she had no other home,-she hore every
hardship because she had no friends to
help her. Lately, however, she had
seen and loved young man named AL
bert gives, an industrious, steady, hon.
est mechanic, and he had not only loved
her, but he had told of his love, and he
ha learned from Helen's lips that his
love was reciprocated.
you have heard my decision,' said
Mr.. Lowton
1t was some time before Helen could
muster courage to speak, but when at
length that courage came, she felt strong
in the resolution she had taken.
'Mr. Lowton,' she said, without even
trembling before the stern man, Il have
promised Albert gives my hand, and [
shall marry him.
Suppose | should prevent it''
you cannot | am eighteen years
of age to-day, and your exclusive guard
ianship goes not beyond tn t period. l
shall marry with Albert
'Then do so ,and be baggar.'
4 should not be portionless, sir, if
you had been honest
'Ha do you dare to insinuate that =
uttered Lowton, in tone Of quick deep
wrath. Beware how you speak, or you
shall have cause TO repent it.
4 know what 1 say, SIR returned
Helen, without finching, Il have nerv-
ed myself for the task, and now I will
tell you all The fair girl stood proud
ly erect as she spoke, and the dark man
looked half wonderingly upon her calm,
unshaken features, for he had never seen
her so before.
'When my father left me, he left
great wealth in your hands, she contin-
ued. You and your family are revell-
ing in riches, but l have been entirely
dependent even for the bare means Of
subsistence. l know, sir, that the
weight of the law cannot rest upon you,
but if you have the conscience even Of a
savage, you must feel that l have been
most foully wronged.'
Very finely Spoken said Lawton,
with bitter curl of the lips. But
hearken to me- he continued, while his
voice sank to low, kissing whisper,
you speak that which is false Your
fathers brain was turned long before he
became finally Frustrated, and he knew
hut little of our business. He was a
poor partner for me, for through his
means | came near losing all l was
worth myself No, no, Miss Fairfield,
it not only took all the money your
father had to take care of him during
his long arrangement, but l paid much
out of my own pocket. Now beware
how you speak again
From my heart, sir, I believe you
speak falsely
As Helen thus spoke, Lawton caught
her by the arm. He was mad with
passion, and he tighteued his grip till
the poor girl cried out with pain.