National opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1865-1874, 1871-01-13

a rArrruL CATASTROPHE,

sea- near the close OF a dreary November day An'
sky and waters were black with the gloom OF tn
dden and furioua tempest, before which q aInal
sailing vessel was seuddng under bare poles, Ho
build and rigging proclaimed her Sandman. She
was The Gun. Captain yarino msster. on her wa,
from cagliari To Palermo,
She had on board two acamon aud two pas
sengers
These passengers were fngshmen, who had pro
cured passage on The GW to Palermo, whence they
intended to embark By steaser to Mefseilles. the
following day.
While the Captain and his assistants were attend
ing to their duties ald expressing hpprehonsions ~
10 their safety. he two Englishmen stood apart
leaning against n low buwarks, and surveying the
wild scene around ...um.
These men 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 aristocratic
IN his bearing tail. slender and handsome. with q
frank smiling mouth, pair VI fearless blue eyes,
set under wide and massive forehead, and tawny
hair blowing back from his face. Noble generous
and kind hearted he had an adventurous dis )giuon
and dauntless courage.
lie was Guy Tressian, the only son and heir Of
Sir Arthur Trcssiliau Barsnet. OF Trossilian Court
England.
HIS companion presented remarkable resem.
blancc to him. being also tall and slender and fair,
with awny hair and mou-iache. but he had not the
frank smile the bright. fearless look the joyous
spirit that characterized young Tressilian. Young
he was he had much OF the dark side OF life.
and his experience had been such az 10 develop in
him some Of the worst qualities of HIS nature.
Ho Jasper Lowier. Guy Trossilisns hired
travelling companion and bosom friend
The meeting and connection OF the two had .
touch Of romance Young Tressilian had spen. four
years in a German university. whence he had been
graduated with honor. on leaving the university,
in obedience to his fathers written command, he
had under aiken tour of the countries inclosng the
Mediterranean Sea, in company with one OF his late
tutors. This gentleman being Unexpectedly pro-
NOTED to a proiessorship. abandoned Trcssillan at
Baden, leaving him to find another travelling com
panion
on the evening OF the very day after this desertion
Guy 1res,ilian sauntering through the streets
OF Baden he had been assaulted by trio OF his
countrymeu, all more or less intoxicated 1t wa.
apparen, that they took him for another and intend
ed 10 wreak vengeance upon him without allowing
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 a
few moments the two had put the rufans to high'.
This stranger who came opportunoly to Guys
assistance was Jasper Lowder. His resemblance to
young Tressan awakened in the latter romantic
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 similarity of tastes and natures
he engaged Low1er as his travelling companion. and
the past year they had spent together like bro
theirs than like employer and employed
! This storm is a regular levanter," said Lowder
clingng with both hands to the bulwarks. DO you
think the craft will stand il, Tressilian? ?"
"Oh, yes " answered young Tressilian. wiping the
salt spray from his face. "Ths Captain knows the
Siclian coast perfectly. IN two hours, or less
shall be in the hay Of Palermo. In three hours
shall be dOmiciiod in the best rooms of the Hotel
Trina ria, with the best supper which Messer Ragu-
can furnish And tomorrow, at noon, he added.
eve shall embark for Marseilles in a Messager!es
steamer"
And from M.rseies you will proceed to England
and to Tressilian Court said Lowder, with some
bitterness. And What is to become Of mer
have had year OF unalloyed happiness. and now
comes back the drudgery, the hopeless toll. the
anxictics of the wretchod old life You picked me
up at Baden, poor adventurer seeking to gain
living by teaching English. and the same destiny is
open to me now"
Tressian turned his handsome face upon his com.
panion in surprise and oToctonate reproach.
"Jasperl" he exclaimed, you talk strangely Do
you suppose have called you friend and brother so
long and loved you so well, to lose you nowr
meant to have written to my father concerning you
and your future, Jasper, but his sudden recall,
ceived yesterday causes me 10 return home without
writing. shall telegraph from Marseilles that you
viii come home with me, And you will. will you
no ? You will not abandon me. my friendt | will
charge my self with your future. will see that you
obtain the position TO which your talents enttlo YOU
You have no ties to keep you the Continent1
strange expression passed over jasper Lowder's
face.
NO. have no ties" he said huskly.
"And you will go home with me?"
What will your father say to my coming I"
demanded Lowder. He will think you generosity
Quixotc. He will dismiss from his house the hired
companion who dares to resemble his son"
A sudden hrch Of the little vessel a wave sweep
ing over the deck, interrupted the sentence
"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 hirs Jasper, as /
do, when you know him"
He doesn't seem very anectionate" remarked
Lowler. "You bave been away from your home for
Ave years. and he has hut just recalled you.'
Young Tressiiau's cheeks flushed, az Lowder saw
in the lurid glow that momeutarily lighted up tn.
empestuous scene.
oYou know, or en- guess, the reason, Jasper" he
said, with something Of effort. my father has |
ward, the daughter of an old iriend.-Ah hear that
- 10 AZ. a., ;r,r