Delaware gazette. [volume] (Delaware, Ohio) 1855-1886, 1871-01-06
CHAPTER I.
a FArEFuL cATAsTRoPHE

which a small sailing vessel was scud-
ding under bare poles. Her build and
rigging proclaimed her Sandman. She
was zHs GzZ, Captain Varino master,
on her way from Cagliari to Palermo.
She had on board two seamen, and
two passengers.
These passengers were Enghshmen,
who had procured passage on TIE GIL
to Palermo, whence they intended to
embark by steamer to MarseiIles, the
following day.
While the Captain and his assistants
were attending to their duties, and ex-
pressing apprehensiOns as to their safety,
the two Englishmen stood apart, lean
ing against the low bulWarks, and sur
veying the wild scene around them.
These men were both young, appaT-
emily of 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
aristocratic in his bearing tall, slender
and handsome, with frank, smiling,
mouth, pair of fearless blue eyes, set
under a wide and massive forehead, and
tawny hair blowing back from his face.
Noble, generous and kind hearted, he
had an adventurous disposition and
dauntless courage.
He was Guy Tressilian, the only son
and heir of Sir Arthur Tressilian, Baro-
net, Of Tressilian Court, England.
His companion presented a remark
able resemblance to him being also tail
and slender and fair, with tawny hair
and mustache, but he had not the frank
smile, the bright, fearless look, or the
Joyous spirit that characterized young
Tressilian. Young as he was, he had
seen much of the dark side of life, and
his experiences had been such as to de-
velop in him some of the worst qualities
of his nature.
He was Jasper Lowder, Guy Tressi-
ian's hired travelling companion and
bosom-friend.
The meeting and connection of the
two had a touch of romance. Young
TFessilian had spent four years in a
German university, whence he had been
graduated with honor. On leaving the
university, in obedience to his father S
written command, he had undertaken
tour of the countries inclosing the Medi-
teTanean Sea, in company with one of
his late tutors. This gentleman being
Unexpectedly promoted to a professor
ship, abandoned Tressilian at Baden,
leaving him to find another travelling
companion,
On the evening Of the very day after
this desertion, as Guy Iressilian was
sauntering through the streets of Baden.
he had been assaulted by a trio of his
own countrymen. all more or less in
toxicated. It was apparent that they
took him for another, and intended to
Wreak 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 running to his assistance, and in
few moments the two had put the ruff
fans to fight.
This stranger who came so opportu-
nelly to Guys assistance was Jasper
Lowder. His resemblance to young
Tressilian awakened in the latter ro-
mantle interest. He questioned Lowder,
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 year
they had spent together more ike broth
ers than like employer and employed.
"This storm is a regular Levanter,
said Lowder, clinging with both hands
to the bulwarks. do you think the craft
win stand it, Tressilian
VOh. yes, answered young Tressilian,
,sHIDID2 the salt spray AAO4A HIS AGA~C"
1.-THE Captain knows the Sicilian coast
perfectly. In two hours, or less, we
shall be in the bay of Palermo. In three
hours we shall be domiciled in the best
rooms of hotel Trinacria, with the best
supper which Nesser Ragusa can furnish.
And tomorrow, at noon, he added,
1--WE shall embark for Marseilles in a
Messageries steamer,
ssAnd from Marseilles YoAs viii pro-
ceed to England and to Tressilian
Court, +" said Lowder, with some bitter
ness. 'sAnd I-what is to become of
me I have had a year of unalloyed
happiness, and now comes back the
drudgery, the hopeless toll, the anxietles
of the wretched old life. You picked
me up at Baden, a poor adventurer SEEK
ing to gain living by teaching English,
andthe same destiny is open to me now. =
Tressilian turned his handsome face
upon his companion in surprise and af-
fectionate reproach.
Jasper p he exclaimed. .'you talk
strangely Do you suppose | have call
ed you friend and brother SO long, and
loved you 80 wen, to lose you now I
meant to have written to my father con-
cerning you and your future, Jasper,
but his sudden recall, received yesterday,
causes me to return home without writ
ing. ! shall telegraph from Marseilles
that you will come home with me. And
you viii, viii you not? You viii not
abandon me, my friend I viii charge
myself with your future. I will see that
you obtain the position to which your
talents entitle you. You have no ties 70
keep you on the Continent 2
A strange expression passed over Jas
per Lowder's face,
''And you will go home with me p
''Whaf will your father say to my
coming 2 demanded Lowder. "He
viii think your generosity Quixotic. He
viii dismiss 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, interrupt
ed the sentence.
you wrong my father" said Tressi-
han, his blue eyes kindling, when the
vessel had righted. 'sEIe is the nobIest
man in the world. He will welcome my
friends as his own You viii love him
Jasper, as do, when you know him. y
'F1e dosn't seem very affectionate,' -
remarked Lowder 'tYou have been
away from your home for FIVE years, and
he has but just recalled you T.
Aouhs FRESHMAN CneekS duSheds as
LowdeT saw in the lurid glow that mo-
mentarily lighted up the tempestuous
scene.
'fHou know, or can guess the reason,
Jasper, he said, with Something of an
effort my father has a ward, the daugh-
ter Of an old friend.-Ah! hear that
wind Shrek The gale IS increasing I?
eyes, assented Lowder. And the
ward is Miss Irby-the golden-haired
Blanche Of whom you have talked SC
much, and with whom you have ex
changed letters p
eyes. My father formed a project tc
have me marry Blanche, He did not
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 tc
Germanv. The night before / left home