South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1882-07-28
THE FALSE GUARDIAN.

c"SN Sitci Ailc tit~S Oh tie hfuSTl>
can Revolution. James Tudor.
young ship carpenter OF Boston, sail.
ed on board the Orient. n new and
staunch-built ship, bound for Smyrna.
mt that time the largest ard wealtliiest
city of the Levant.
Alter the usual tedium and want
OF variety incidental to SO long voy.
age, the Orient arrived safely at that
point and unshpped her anchor.
The next morning, just as the cap-
TOMS gig was being lowered for the
accommodation OF that officer and the
supercargo, who were then preparing
to go on shore TO report to the British
Consul, and pay their respects TO Mr..
Tracy, tho American Merchant. TO
whom they bore letters Of introduction
and credit from Gray, Tillbits & Co,
the great importing house at home,
they perceived II small. row boat rap
idly approaching the ship. and CON
talalng two persons-a man-who
was vigorously rowing, and one soli-
tary female figure.
Whom tho boat camo alongside. the
boatman promptly assisted the lady
on board. Somewhat wildly but hes
itatingly she inquired for the captain,
who IN company with the supercarso,
was pointed out to her.
She was young and pretty, IN fact,
almost clildlike, and seemed. from
her wild, scared look, to be laboring
under some deep anxiety or fear
She was dressed IN garments of the
richest material, though seemingly
thrown on in haste and with the
greatest negligence.
She approached the captain, and in
Hurried nervous way, inquired f she
might be allowed to speak with him q
moment alone.
He answered in the affirmative, and
drawing her aside, out OF the hearing
OF his companion. patiently prepared
to listen for the sudden appearance
OF the strange young woman on board
his ship at SO early an hour in the
morning had greatly excited his curl
ositv.
'Wi'i You excuse mo- sho began,
timidly, but are you n single or mar
ricd man?'
Captain Ward glanced at the ques-
toner curiously. Indeed, it was n
peculiar question for a young lady to
ask at him, Il perfect stranger. Bnt
he answered her with good breeding
aud poIiIeness. Yes, he was mar.
ricd man.
The young lady looked disappoin.
ted but presently recovered.
Is there any gentleman on board
your ship WHO is not married, and
and whom you think would be willing
TO marry rich young girl, within an
hour, and ask no questions .? | will say
that che has been deeply wronged and
prosecuted, bat is nevertheless highly
respectable and virtuous, though she
can only claim her property by clear
~ establishing the fact Of legal mar
riago'
Both Of NY mates are married,
sail the captain, 'and the supercargo
is engaged to young lady in Boston,
to whom ! understand, he will be mar
ricd on our return But hold he
said rehectively, there Is our carpcn-
ter, James Tudor. n fine looking, gen
tlcmanly young fellow as one might
wish 20 see, anl unmarried. In fact,
Inc is much more of a gentleman in
his ways than any of us, If we except
Mr.. Owloy yonder the supercargo.'
Can | sec him?' inquired the strange
Young lady eagerly.
%, certainly, Miss, will summon
him directly.
And James Tudor, the sprigluy
and handsome young carpenter, was
sent for, and came promptly aft. where
Captain Ward and his mysterious
visitor were standing.
1t was evident at glance that Tu-
dor had made, at first sight, favora-
bic impression on the young lady.
Captain Ward therefore excused
himself to the young lady, and leav,
ing her alone with Tudor, rejoined
Owley when the two shortly took Their
seats in the gig, and wore pulled a
shore by the four seaman in waiting.
At the awkward introduction Ortbc
captain, the carpenter touched his tar
paulln politely, and made a low and
graceful bow. which went far toward
captivating the heart OF the young
lady.
Dear, sir she said. blushing and
trembling visibly, i have what may
appear a very unmmdeuly proposal 10
make. There is wealthy young la
dy, IL whose service and interest am
now employed. who cannot obtain
possession Of her rights except by mar.
rage, as a proviso 90 that effect was
unfortunately embodied in her faith.
cr's will
Her uncle was appointed her guar
dian, and, taking advantage o. the
situation, has since attempted to make
q traffic of her baud, by marrying her
90 a wretch whom she loafhps i'm c,u .