The evening Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1861-1871, 1870-12-29
BY MRS. HARRIET LEWIS,
CHI APTER l.
FATEFUL CATASTROPHE.


Novem Der day, and the sky and waters
were black with the gloom of the sudden
and furious tempest, before which small |
smiling vessel was scudding under bare
poles. Her build and rigging proclaimed
her Sandman. She was The Gull, Captain
Nsrino master, on her way from Csgliari TO
Palermo.
She had ON board two seamen, ard two
passengers.
These passengers were EDghshmen, VINO
had procured pa ssage on TIE Gu1 to faler-
mo, whence they intended TO embark by
steamer to Marseiles, the following day.
While the Captain and his assistants
were attending to their duties, and express
ing apprehensions as TO their safety, the
two Engishmen stood apart, leaning against
the low bulwsrks, and surveying the wild
scene around them.
These men were both young, apparently
of the same age, about three and twenty, but
evidently they were not of the same station
in life.
One, the more striking of the two, was
a.stocratic in his bearing, tall, slender and
handsome, with frank, smiling mouth, q
pair Of fearless blue eyes, set under a wide
and massive forehead, and tawny hair blow
ing back from his face. Noble, generous
ana kIuQ hearted, ne EAU an tuVeDturOuS
disposition and q dauntless courage.
He was Guy Tressiiien, the only son and
heir of Sir Arthur Tressi!isn, Bsronet, Of
Iressilian Court, England.
His companion presented a remarkable
resemblance TO him, being also tall and
slender and fair, with ,awny hair and
mustsche, but he had lot the frank smile,
the bright, fearless look, or the Joyous spirit
that characterized young Tressihan. Young
as he was, he had seen much of the dark
side OF life, and his experiences had been
such as to develope in him some of the
worst qualities of his nature.
He was Jasper Lowder. Guy Tressilian's
hired travelling companion and bosom
friend.
The meeting and connection of the two
had O touch OF romance. Young TressilIan
bad spent four years in German universe
ty, whence he had been graduated with
honor. On leaving the university, in
obedience to his fathers written command,
he had undertaken tour of the countries
Inclosing the Mediterranean Sea,in company
with one OF his late tutors. This gentleman
being unexpectedly promoted to a professor
ship, abandoned Tressillian at Baden, leay
ing him to find another travelling coupen-
ion.
desertion, rs Guy Tressiiian was sauntering
through tbs streets of Baden, he had been
assaulted by trio Of his countrynen all
more or less intoxicated. 1t was eviden,
that they took him for another, and intend
ed 10 wresk vengeance upon him. Without
allowing him to speak they forced him to
defend himself. Guy was getting the worst
Of the conflict, when stranger came run
ming to his assistance, and in few moments
the two had put the rutiians to fight.
This stranger who came 50 OPPORTUNITY to
Guys assistance was Jasper Lowder. His
resemblance 20 yonng TressiIian awakened
in the latter a romantic interest. He ques
toned Lowder and learned that he was
poor and alone In the world, and look him
with him to his hotel. Believing that the
similarity of features indicate a similarity OF
tastes and natures, he engaged Lowder
his travelling companion. and the past year
they bad spent together more like brothers
than employers and employed.
This storm is q regular Levanter," cling
ing with both hands to the bulwarks, .Do
you think the craft will stand it TressiliAn?"
''Oh, yes" answered young Tressilian wip-
ing the salt spray from his face. The
Captain knows the Sicilisn coast most psr-
tecGly. In two hours. or less, we shall be tn
the bay of Palermo. In three hours we
shall be doniciled in the best rooms of the
hotel Tinacria, with the best supper which
Messer Ragusa can furnish. And to-
morrow at noon" he added. 1--WE shall take
passage for Mgrseillees in Messageries
steamer
AND from Marseilles pou will proceed to
England and to Tressilisu Court said Low
der with some bitterness. "ADd what is
L. - I'D ~
unsloyed happiness, and now comes back
be drudPery, the hopeless toll, the snxietes
of the wretched old life. You picked me
up at Baden, q poor Gdventurer seeking to
gain living BY teaching English, and the
same destiny is open to me now"
Tressiian turned his handsome face upoa
his companion in surprise and afeetionste
reproach.
Jasper" he exclaimed, lyon talk strange
lY. Do you suppose l have called you
friend and brother so long and loved you SO
well, to lose you now? / meant to have
written TO my father concerning you and
your future, Jasper, but his sudden recall
received yesterday, causes me to return
home without writing. | shall telegraph
from Marseiles that you will come home
with me, And will you not You will not
abandon me, my friend ? ] will charge
myself with your future. | Will see that you
obtain the position to which your talents
entitle you. You bave no ties to keep you
on the Continent ?"
A strange expression passed over Jasper
Lowder's face.
"No, / have no ties," he said huskily.
"And you will go home with me?"
what will your father say TO ny com
ing ?" demanded Lowder. 'He will think
your generosity Quixotic. He will dismiss
from his house the hired companion who
dares to resemble his SON"
A sudden lurch of the little vessel, q wave
sweeping over the deck, interrupted the gen
tence.
"You wrong my father" said Tressilian,
his blue eyes kindling, when the vessel had
righted. "He is the noblest man in the
world He will welcome my friends as his
own. You will love him Jesper, as | do,
when you know him."
HE dosen'. seem very affectiouate, re-
marked Lowder. "You have been away
from your home for FIVE years, and be has
but lust recalled you ~
Young Vressilan's cheeks flushed, as
Lowder saw in the lurid glow that momen-
!arily lighted up the tempestnous scene.
''You know, or can guess, the reason.
""apcA' eEiu, WIN VI az |
effort. "My father has ward, the daughter
of al old friend.-Ah hear that wind
Shrek The gale is increasing !"
Yes assented Lowder. "And the ward
is Miss lrby-the golden haired Blanche of
whom You have talked so much, and with
whom you have exchanged letters p
eyes. My father formed a project to
have me marry Blanche He did not wish
ne n nj Last oh
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 left home, he called me into his
library and told me all his hopes and plans
for my future, and entreated me to continue
worthy Of his innocent ward, and to keep my
heart pnra for her have done so. JASPER |