The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1870-12-28
BY MRS. HARRIET LEWIS,
CHAPTER |.

waters were tlach Win the gloom Of
the sudden and furious tempest, before
which q small sailing vessel was scud
ding under bare poles. Her build and
rigging proclaimed her Sardinian. She
was The Gull, Captain Varino master
on her way from Gagliari to Palermo
/ She had on board two seamen, and two
! passengers.
These passengers were Englishmen
who had procured passage on The Gull
/ 10 Palermo, whence they intended TO EN-.
bark by steamer 10 Msrseilles, the fol.
lowing day.
While the Captain and his assistants
were attending to their duties, and ex-
pressing apprehensions as to their safety
the two Engljsnmen stood apart, leaning
against the low bulwarks, and sur
viewing the wild scene aro,a.3 'hrm
+ These men were both young appdr-
entity 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
vas ar:stOcratic in his bearing. tai,
, slender and handsome, with a frank,
smiling mouth, a pair of fearless blue
ewes, set under wide and massive
forehead, and tawny hair blowing back
from his face. Noble, generous and
kind hearted he had an adventurous
( disposition and adauntless courage.
lie wss Guy Tressilian the only son
and heir of Sir Arthur Tressiian, Baro-
net, of Tressilian Court, England
His companion presented remarka-
/ bic resemblance to him, being also tall
aud slender and lair, with tawny hair
aud mustache, but he had not the frank
smile, the bright, fearless look, or the
iovous spirit that characterized young
Tre>silian. Young as he WIS, he had
seen much Of the dark side Of life and
his experiences had been such as to de-
yelop in him some of the worst quail
Ties of his nature.
He was Jasper Lowder, Guy Tressi-
lianS hired travelling companion and
bosom-iriend.
Tie meeting and connection Of the
two had q touch of romance. Young
l
man university, whence he had been
graduated with honor. On leaving the
university, in obedience to his father s
written command, he had undertaken a
tour OF the countries iuclosing the Medi-
terranean Sea, in company with one Of
MS late tutors. This gentleman being
Unexpectedly promoted to professor
ship. abandoned Tressjlian at Baden,
leaving him 10 fad another travelling
comp anion.
On the evening of the very day after
this desertion, as Guy Tressilian was
saunrering through the streets of Baden,
he had been assaulted By trio OF his
own counrrvmen, all more or less intox-
icatei. 1t was apparent that they took
him for another, and intended to wrelk
vengeance upon him. Without allow
ing him to speak, they forced him TO
defend himself Guy was getting the
worst of the conflict, when a stranger
came running to his assistance, and IN
few moments the two had pat the rut-
fans to flight.
This stranger who came so oppor-
timely 10 GUYS assistance was Jasper
Lowder. His resemblance to young
Tressilian awakened in the latter ro-
mantle interest. He questioned Lowder
and learned that he was poor and alone
in the world, and took him with him to
his hotel. Believing that the similarity
of features indicated a similarity Of
tastes and natures, he engaged Lowder
as his travelling companion, and the past
wear they had speat together more like
brothers than like employer and employ
ed -.
This storm is regular Levanter,
said Lowder, clinging with both hands
to the bulwarks.
DO you think the craft will stand 1t,
Tre>silian ?
ooh. YES, answered young Tressilian,
wiping the salt spray from his face.
The Captain knows the Sicilian coast
perfectly. In two hours, or less, we shall
lie in the bay of Palermo. In three
hours we shall be domiciled in the best
rooms of the hotel Trinacria with the
best supper which Messer Rugusa can
furnish. And tomorrow, at noon, he
added, Eve shall embark for Marseiiles
in a Messageries steamer.
/ And from Marseilles po' will pro-
coed to England and to Tressihan
. Court" said Lowder, with some bitter
ness. And What is TO become of
me? have had q year OF unalloyed
happiness and now comes back the
druiserv, the hopeless toll, the anxieties
Of the vretched old life. You picked
me up at Baden, poor adventurer
seeking to gain a living by teaching
English, and the same destiny is open
10 me now
Tressilian turned his handsome face
upon bis companion in surprise and al
iecionate reproach.
Jasper" he exclaimed, You talk
strangely. Do YOU suppose ] have
called YOU friend aud brother so long,
and loved you so well, TO lose you now?
meant 10 have written to my father
concerning you and your future, Jasper,
but his sudden recall, received yester-
dav. causes me to return home without
writing. l shall telegraph from Mar
-eilles 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 future. ! will
see that YOU obtain the position to
which your talents entitle you, You
have no ties to keep You on the Cont
nent?
A strange expression passed over
Jasper Lowder face.
NO, have no ties, he said huskily.
And you will go home with me?'
What will your father say to my
coming?' demanded Lowder. "He
will think your generosity Quixotic,
He will dismiss from his house the hired
companion who dares to resemble his
SON
Il 1..,1n ,-oos,l a