The Westerly echo, & Pawcatuck advertiser. [volume] (Westerly, R.I.) 1854-1858, 1855-06-14


clently well educated, for easy aud con-
ciiatory manners, and not remarkably
ill-looking."
" To me his manners seem like those
of parasite. He fawns on the rich,
and treads the poor beneath his feet"
at this moment there was a ring at
tue door, and Helen thinking that it
might be Redwick, precipitately left the
room. 1t proved to be Francis Nor
man. Mr. Randolph received him with
marked coldness ....
" | thought" said he, that after
what passed between US this morning
you must know that your presence here
is wholly undesired."
" | am aware that it is not desired by
y0u, yet | have veniured to come for the
purpose of asking a favor. wish to
mention to you what passed between
MIR. Fairfax and myself the day before
he died"
:" Very we'll ; l am ready to listen to
you"
" No one was in the room but our
selves, aud after having remained silent
some ten or fifteen minutes, he requested
me to take from the upper shelf of a
book case, a blank book, which had the
appearance of small-sized ledger. lie
was sitting in large arm chair, and told
me to open the book at a place marked
by piece of red tape, and place it on
small table that stood near him. The
leaves of the book were ruffled a little
by opening it, which enabled me to sc e
that there could be nothing inscribed on
many OF the pages, except at the place
be had designated. There, on the right
hand page, were written some ten or
twelve words, while at the place where
the pages of book are numbered, was
the figure 7. Having examined what
was written, he said, in a low voice, as
if speaking to himself rather than to
me
"'I 1t must be as I left it; no one
would think Of finding any thing there.
" He then closed the volume and
desired me to return it to the place
whence | took it.
60 You will remember where to find
that book :" he said, when l had re-
sum d my seat.
/" | answered that I should.
&c | have been looking at something
said he, which needs some explanation
to enable you to understand it. 1t re-
fers to something of great moment to
yourself, and as better opportunity
than the present may not present itself,
we may as well attend to it now. My
father he went on to say, was a
wealthy English gentleman of good
family. Twas not yet tweuty-one when
| became attached to a young girl whose
position in society was such that | knew
my father would never consent to our
union. | was, therefore, so in'liscreet
as to propose private marriage, to
which, after much persuasion, she con-
serted. Though it was an only son,
knew that my father would disinherit
me if it came to his knowledge, aud the
measures | took to prevent it, proved
successful.
unfortunately, about three years
afterwards, lady of wealth and dis
tinction came to visit a family residing
near US, who my father thought would
make me suitable wife, although she
was at least seven years my senior He
was much incensed when l resolutely re-
fused to accede to his wishes, and im .
mediately made such disposition Of
his estate, that it would, at my decease
pass into the hands of his heirs-at-law of
his brother, instead of mine, should I,
without his free and full consent, marry
any one except the lady in question.
This, under existing circumstances,
considered a fortunate arrangement
but after a while, certain incidents took
place which made it so troublesome an |
difficult to longer guard the secret Of
my marriage, that at times was almost
tempted to confess what had done.
was prevented by the thought Of my son,
a bright, handsome boy OF three years old.
At last, having made arrangements for
10Y wife and child 10 follow me IN few