Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1871-01-06

father came into riches and honors by
these deaths. AT last, deciding to rid
himself of me, he took me down to
Brighton. to my old grandmother. Her
sons were deal; she had given up keep
ing dodgers. and was growing misery
He promised to give her five hundred
pounds year to keep me. and to keep
also the secret of my paternity. solemn
liz promising to acknowledge mo some
day MS his son and heir. The old woman
agreed to carry ont his wishes. She
would have done anything for money.
never saw my father again. | went to
school, grew up, and at the age OF TWEEN
ty-one came into my grandmother's
money, the fruits OF years of saving, she
dying at that time. My father had de-
lbera,ely abandoned me. did not
know where TO seek him, If had wished
to. took my money and came abroad.
had been two years on the Continent
and had spent my little fortune when
met YOU. The rest you know"
IAN odd, romantic story But why dill
your father abandon you?"
THAT he might be freed of encum-
brancc to make grand marriage. From
what my grandmother said at different
times, conclude that my father was in
love with a titled lady, before my moth
er's death, II he lives, this lady's son may
be his acknowledged heir. My father
has utterly disowncd the son of his first
hasly. ill.starred marriage. | fancy that
shall meet him some day" and Jaspcrs
brow darkcned to deeper blackness.-
However, ] stand no chance OF ever
receiving justice at his hands"
What is yonr fathers name, Jasper ?
asked Trcsslian.
Lowdcr's face darkencd. lie hi, his
lip savagely.
What have told you about myself |
learned from my own observation, or
from chance words of my parents and
grandmother. My mothers maiden
name was jeanette Lowdcr. At our
London lodgings. my father bore the
name of Lowder. don't know his real
name, but should know his face any
where, although have not seen him in
thirteen years. My mother was actually
married, Trcssilian, but never heard my
fathers name. The clergyman who
married my mother was dead: the wit
nesses also. When my grandmother was
diving she tried to tell me the story. She
had put it off too long. All that could
understand OF her mumbling was the
name of DevereuX. | shall never forget
that name-'DEAvEREUxr Proba bly, that
was my fathers name-my own righttuI
name. But rs should never find him ii
sought him and as he would repulse
me if | did find him, stand no chance oil
inheriling his property. He may be dead.
He may have other sons who have sue
cecded him. 1t is all 4 mystery, but the
prominent Truth is that am an outcast.
poor. disowned and iriendless."
lie leaned over the bulwark, the spray
dashing over his face violently.
Tressilian's heart warmed 10 him.
My poor friendi" he said Must |
say again you are not triendless while ]
live. Ny father has influence enough to
obtain for you government appoint
ment. This tangle may s;raighten itself
out some day But if it don't you are res
olute enough to make your own happi-
ness
He grasped Lowders hand. and looked
with warm bright eyes, full of sympathy,
into Lowder's lowering face
There had been temporary lull in tho
storm. But rs the two stood there. the
tempest revived and swept over the wild
sea in mad,lened rage.
There was no time Tor talking now.
The wind rose SO high that words would
scarcely have been distinguished. The
storm that had gone before had been but
play to this awful outburst. The vessel
drove on. crcaking and grooming, mere
cookie she'll on the pillows.
Mother of Mercies !" walled the
captain. at is all up with us, signorcs.
can't make out the Cape in this dark
ness. We shall go on the rucks. St.
Anthony save y"
The seamen echoed his cries.
The two young Englishmen. compre-
bending their peril, clasped hands in
silence.
For the next few minutes it seemed
that a Pandemonium reigned.
Than q noise like the repeat OF can.
non suddenly doomed through the storm
and the darkness. The little vessel
shivercd. staggered. and careened upon
her side.
She has struck upon rock.
A moment later crew and passengers
were struggling in the waters.
A few moments of buffer,ngs and toss
ings, OF vain struggles and agonized, in
voluntary prayer and then Jasper Low
der felt hi; senses slip from him, and be-
came unconscious. When he came to
himself, he was lying upon rocky beach
OF the Scilian shore, sore, bruised, and
weak as 4 child.
He ope ned his eyes. The wind had