Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1870-12-29
WHOLE NO. l466
for Marscilles in a Messageries steam

| CT
"And from NIarscilles you viii pro-
ceed to England and TO Tresslian
Court," said Lowder, with some bitter
ness. "And what is 10 become Of
me? ] have had year of unalloyed
happiness, Il now comes back the
drudgery, the hopeless toll, the ankle
ties of the wretched old life. You
picked pe up at Baden, poor adven-
turer seeking to gain living by
teaching English, and the same destiny
is oDGn to me now"
Tressilian turred his handsome face
upon his companion in surprise and
atIectionate reproach.
"JAsperw he exclaimed, 'Jou talk
str' nge y. Do you suppose have
called you friend and brother so long,
and loved you SO we'll, to lose you
now? / meant to have written to my
father concerning you and your future,
JASPER, bat his sudden recall, received
yeste. day, causes me to return home
without writing. l shall telegraph
from Maj seiIles that you will come
home with me. And you will, will
YOU not? You will not abandon me,
my friend? will charge myself with
your fu.ure. will see that you OBJ
tain the position to which your talents
entitle you. You have no ties to keep
You on the Continent?
A strange expression passed over
Jasper Lowder's face.
No, / have no ties, ," he said husk-
lily.
And you will 60 home with me?'
''What will your father say to my
coming?' demanded Lowder. He
will think your generosity Qulxotic.
He will dismiss from his house the
hired companion who dares to resemble
his son-"
A sudden lurch Of the little vessel,
wave sweeping over the deck inter
rupted the sentence.
You wrong my father" said TresS-
ilian, his blue eyes klndlDg, when the
vessel had rightcd. "Ilo is the noblr-t
man ia The world. lIe will welcome
M friends a5 bis own. You will love
him, Jasper, as do, when you know
him"
"lIe doesn't seen very aileCtlOnntc,
remarked Lowdcr. You have been
away from your home for five years,
ana he has but just recalled you y
Young Tressilian's checks flushed,
as Lowder saw in the Iurid glow that
momentarily lighted up the tempcstu-
Gus scene.
"You know, or can guess. the reason
Jasper" he said, with something OF an
effort. "My father has a war;, tan
daughter Of an ola fliend.-Ah! hear
that wind shrek! Tie gale is increa'.
ing!"
Yes" assentcd Lowder. "And
the ward is Miss Irby-the golden
haired Blanche of whom you have
talked 50 much and with whom you
have exchanged letters"
"Yes. My father formed project
to have me marry Blanche. lie did
no. wish us to grow up together. lest
we should learn to regard each other
as brother and sister. When Blanche
came to live at the Court my father
sent me to Germany. The night be-
fore lett home, he called me into his
library AID told me all bis hopes and
plans for my future, and entreated me
to continue worthy Of his innocent
ward, AMI to keep my heart pure for
her | have done SO, Jasper | nave
never yet loved any woman. And
yesterday | received my fathers sum.
mons to come home. He has recalled
me after five years Of absence. L
know the wish that lies nearest his
heart. He wants me to return and
marry Blanche. | shrink from the
proposed marriage. | dread going
home. And | dread offending my
dear father, whom l love better than
any woman. 1t is hard, Jasper, to re-
volt against the hopes and plans OF
kind and generous father, whose very
love for me causes him to urge On this
, marriage"
"Is it?" said Lowder dryly, and
with u strange smile full OF sneerlng
bitterness. "My experience has been
| widely different from yours, Tresslllan.
Did l ever tell you of my father" "
NO. l took it for granted that he
is dead"
"Perhaps he is. don't know"
; said Lowder with a reckless laugh.
; "But if he is living, he is a scoundrel.
g Don't start, Tressilan, at my untilial
speech. Wait till you hear my story.
| am in a desperate mood tonight
This storm stirs up all the bad within
me. AS nearly as | can discover, my
: father was the younger son of proud
old county family"
"You do not know, then" asked
= Tressilian, pressing his companions
;, hand. . ... ... .
~ have no proofs of it. All pos
k (Continte0 on fomthpage.)