Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser. (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1845-1898, 1870-12-30

you and your future, Jasper, but his sud-
den recall. received yesterday. causes me
to return home without writing. l shall
telegraph from Marseilles that you will
come home with me. And you will. will
you not? You will not abandon me. my
friend? I will charge myself with your
future I will see that you obtain the
position to which your talents entitle you.
You have no ties to keep you on the Con-
tinent ?"
A strange expression passed over JAS
per Lowder's face.
"No, have no ties" he said huskily.
"And you will 60 home with me 2"
"What will your father say to my com.
ing 2" demanded Lowder. He will think
your generosity Quixotic. He will dis
miss from his house the hired companion
who dares to resemble his son-"
A sudden lurch of the little vessel. a
wave sweeping over the deck. interrupted
the sentence.
"You wrong my father" said Tressi-
lian. 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,
Jasper. as do. when you know him."
He doesn't seem very affectionate, :"
remarked Lowder. ''You have been a.
way from your home for FIVE years. and he
has but just recalled your
Young Tressilian's cheeks flushed. as
Lowder saw in the lurid glow that mo-
meutarily lighted up the tempestuous
scene.
"You know. or can guess, the reason.
Jasper" be said, with something of an ef-
fort. my father has ward. the daugh-
ter of an old friend. All! hear that wind
shrek! The gale is increasingly"
YES" assented Lowder. ''And the
ward is Miss Irby-the golden-haired
Blanche of whom you have talked so much
and with whom you have exchanged let
ters 2"
'Yes. My father formed project to
have me marry Blanche. He did not
wish US to grow up together. lest we
should learn to regard each other as bro
ther and sister. When Blanche came to
live at the Court my father sent me to
Germany. The night before | 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 in
nocent ward. and to keep my heart pure
for her. l have done SO Jasper. have
never yet loved any woman. And yes
terday I received my fathers summons to
come home. He has recalled me after
FIVE years of absence. I know the wish
that lies nearest his heart He wants me
to return and marry Blanche. I shrink
from the proposed marriage. Idread 60
ing home. And I dread offending my
dear father. whom love better than any
woman 1t is hard. Jasper. to revolt a.
gainst the hopes aud plans of kind and
generous father. whose very love for me
causes him 10 urge on this marriage!"
els it?" said Lowder dryly, and with a
strange smile full of sueering bitterness.
My experience has been widely different
from yours. Tressilan. Did l ever tell
you of my father?'
mo. 1 took it for granted that he is
Dead"
''Perhaps he is. I don't know" said
Lowder. with reckless laugh. But if
be is living. be is scoundrel. DON'T
start. Tressilian, at my unfilial speech. -
Wait till you hear my story. l am in a
desperate mood to- nig ght This storm stirs
up all the bad within me. As nearly as
can discover. my father Was the younger
sou of proud old county family"
You do not know. then ?" asked Tres.
silian. pressing his companions hand.
Il have no proofs of it. All posi-
lively know is this. My mother was Of
humble station. pretty. with blue eyes and
an apple blossom face. and tender, ap-
pealing ways. She was the daughter ol
widow. residing at Brighton. The wi
dow, my grandmother. kept lodging
house, aud my father, a gay. dashing
young fellow, came to lodge with her.
As might have been expected. he fell in
love with his laudlady's daughter H.
offered the young girl marriage. on con-
dition that the union should be kept secre,
until his affairs frightened and he chose
to divulge it. The young girl loved him.
Her mother was mbitious aud penurious.
The result was the lover had his way, and
married the daughter of his landlady
quietly. almost secretly. Then he took
bis bride to London. to cheap and obscure
lodgings, where. year later. l was born. y
! The wind for moment drowned his
voice. As it presently lulled. he resum'
ed recklessly. and with passionate bitter
ness:
:, "For years my mother aud / lived il
those stufy, obscure lodgings until bel
bloom had faded. and she had grown thir
and van aud nervous. My father visited
US at stated seasons. once or twice week
i. but be never brought any Of his family tt
call upon US. l doubt if bis aristocrati'
! relatives even suspected the existence o
the faded wife and son Of whom be wa
, secretly ashamed. I have good reason t.
: believe that he bad fine lodgings at tn
West End. where he was supposed to b.
!. a bachelor, and that he went into fashion