The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1871-01-04

itif his aristooratso refativasi eSen suspeot-
ed the existen66 OF the faded wifeAapd
son Of wkonS he se9rssIy asti &Ssssa. Sa
had fine lodgings at the West End,
where he was supposed to be q bachelor,
and that he went into fashionable socie-
ty, while my poor mother and I lived
obscurely. He was n profligate and g
roue, but he had an air of fashion that
awakened my boyish admiration, and
aroused my mothers affectionate pride
in him. She was always pleading to be
introduced to his relatives, and to have
her son publicly acknowledged. But
my father always put her off, saying that
he was not yet ready. Worn out and
despairing.. my mother died when was
ten years old"
Again the wind shrieked past, again
the little vessel lurched, the sea sweep
ing her deck.
The captain screamed his orders to
his men, aud for few minutes disorder
rcigned.
IA nasty bit of weather!' said Low
der. "And bad sky!'
"Yes, but I've seen rs bad" returned
Tressillian. ''We shall make port all
right, never fear. We must be we'll on
toward the Cape di Gallo. And it's only
seven miles from the Cape to Palermo. -
'But the seven miles in this storm are
worse than seventy in good weather
These coasts are dangerous, Tressilian. "
Lowder shuddered as he surveyed sea
and sky.
"But about your father, Jasper?" said
Tressilian, who had become deeply in
terested in hiscompanion's story. "What
did he do after your mothers death2"
81 remained at the old lodgings with
our single old servant a month or more,
my father visiting me several times, and
expressing anxiety as to what he should
do with me. A week alter my mothers
death, he told me that his brother was
dead. A month later, his father was
killed by being thrown from his horse.
My father came into riches and honors
| by these deaths. At last, deciding to
rid himself of me, lie took me down to
Brighton, to my old grand m other. Her
sons were dead; she had given up keep
ing dodgers, and was grown miserly. He
promised her five hundred pounds year
to keep me, and to keep also the secret
of my paternity, solemnly promising to
acknowledge me some day as his son and
heir. The old woman agreed to carry
out his wishes. She would have done
anything for money. I never saw my
father again. I went to school, grew up,
and at the age of twenty-one came into
my grand mothers money, the fruits of
years of saving, she dying ut that time
My father had deliberately abandoned
me. did not know where to seek him,
if had wished to. took my money
and came abroad. 1 had been two years
on the continent, and had spent nv lit
Vcl I ar
you know"
can odd, romantic story! But why
did your father abandon you?'
'sfhat he might be freed of encum-
brance to make grand marriage From
what my grand mother said at different
times, [ conclude that my father was in
love with O titled lady Eeforc my mo-
theirs death. No doubt lie married this
lady. II he lives. this lady's son may
be his acknowledged heir. My father
has utterly disowned the son of his first
hasty, ill-starred marriage. I have
fancy that shall meet him some day."
and Jasper's brow darkened to deeper
blackness. However, I stand no
chance of ever receiving justice Mt his
hands,
"What is your fathers name, Jasper?"
asked Tressilian
Lowder's face darkened. Hc bit his
lip savagely.
'What have told you about myself
learned from my own observation, or
from chance words of my parents and
grand mother. My mothers maiden
name was Jeanette Lowder. at our
London lodgings, my father bore the
name of Lowder. I don't know his real
name, but I should know his face any
where, although have not seen him in
thirteen years. Ny mother was actually
married. Tressilian, but I never heard
my fathers name. The clergyman who
married my mother was dead; the wit
nesses also. When my grand mother
was dying. she tried to tell me the story.
She had put it off too long All that
could understand of her mumblings was
the name of Devereux. I shall never
forget that nalue--:GEvEnEUa:' froba-
bly, that was my fathers name-my own
rightful name. But as I should never
find him if / sought him, and as he
would repulse me if I did fnd him, I
stand no chance of inheriting his proper
ty. He may be dead He may have
other sons who have succeeded him. It