Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1871-01-11
CHAPTER |.
A FATEFUL CATASTROPHE.

A FATEFUL CATASTROPHE.
A wild storm was raging upon the
Mediterranean Sea, near the close of a
dreary November day, and sky and
waters were black with the gloom OF
the sudden and furious tempests, be-
fore which small sailing vessel was
scudding under bare poles. Her build
and rigging proclaimed her Sandman
She was The Gull, Captain Varino
master, on her way from Cagliari to
Palermo.
She had on board two seamen, and
two passengers.
These passengers were Englishmcn
who had procured passage on The
Gull to Palermo, whence they intend
ed to embark by steamer to Marseilos
the following day.
While the Captain and his assistants
were attending 10 their duties, and
expressing apprebensions as to their
safety, the two Englshmen stood
apart, leaning against tho low bul
warks, and surveying the wild scene
around them.
These men were both young, ap
parently of the same age, about tire,
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 n frank
mouth, a pair of fearless blue eyes, Sc
under a wide and massive forehead
and tawny hair flowing back from
his face. Noble, generous and kin,
hearted, he had an adventurous dis
position and dauntless courage.
He was Guy Tressiian, the onll
son and heir of Sir Arthur Tressilian
Baronet, of Tressilan Court, England
His companion presented a remark
able resemblance to bim. being ais,
tall and slender and fair, with tawn,
hair and moustache, but he bad not tn
frank smile, the bright, fearless look
or the joyous spirit that characterize,
young rressilian. Young as he was
he had seen much of the dark side o
life, and his experiences had been sucl
as TO develop in him some Of the wors
qualities of his nature.
He was Jasper Lowder, Guy Tres
silian's hired travelling comran,ot
and bosom.friend.
The meeting and connection of tn
two had touch OF romance. Youn,
Tresslian had spent four years in
German university, whence he ha,
been graduated with honor. On leay
ing the university, in obedience T.
his fathers written command, he ha,
undertaken a tour OF the countries in
closing the Mediterranean Sea, i
company with ono of his late tutors
This gentleman being unexpected,
promoted to 4 professorship, abandon
ed Tressilian at Baden, leaving him I
find another traolling companion.
On the evening of the very day afte
this dcsertion, as Guy Trcssilian wa
sauntering through the streets Q
Baden, he lad been assaulted by
trio of his own countrymen, all NOR
or less intoxicated. 1t was apparen
that they took him for another, an
intended to wreak vengeance upo
him Without allowing him to spcal
they forced him TO defend himself
Guy was getting the worst Of the cor
hict, when a stranger came runnin
to his assistance, and in few moment
/ the two had put the rufiians to high
This stranger who came so oppo
tunely TO Guys assistance was JaspC
Lowder His resemblance TO youn
Tressilian awakened in the latter
, romantic interest. He QUESTION:
Lowder, learned that he was poor an
alone in the world, and took him wit
him TO his hotel. Believing that I'll
similarity of features indicated sin
!. ilarity Of tastes and natures, he el
gagged Lowder as his travelling con
panion, and the past year they ha
spent together moro like brother
than like employer and employed
"This storm is a regular Levantcr
!. said Lowder, clinging with both hanC
to the bulwarks "Do you think Il
craft will stand it Tressilian p NJ
ooh, yes" answered young Tressl
ian, wiping tho salt spray from h
=. face. "Tho Captain knows tho Sic
,r ian coast perfectly. In two hour
is or less, we shall be in the bay Of Pa
= ermo. In three hours we shall
ID domiciled in the best rooms of Il
hotel Trinacia, with the best supp
which Mcsser Ragusa can furnish.
y And to morrow, ut noon," he adde
: 1--WE shall embark for Marscillcs in
} MeSsagories steamer" ii.
"And from Marseilles you will pr
ceed to England and to Tressiii
n Court" said Lowder, with somo b
,s ,s terness. "And I-wbat is to becon
of met i have had n year of una
loyed happiness, and now comes ba,
., the drndgery, the hopeless toll, 4
anxieties of tho wrotched old lfe'
B, You picked inc mp at Baden, a po
he advcnturor seeking to gain a livil
by teaching English, and the san
dcstiny VS. omen TO me now