The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1871-01-14
CHAPTER L.
A FArEFuL cATAsTRopHE.

ialoah ood, near tAo close OF dreary Noyem-
Der day, and sky and waters were black with
the gloom of the sudden and furious TEMPEST.
before which small sailing vessel was scud-
ding under bare poles. Her build and rigging
proclaimed her Sardinian. She was The dull.
Captain Varino master, on her way from Gag
liari to Palermo.
She had On bord two seamen, and two pas-
sengers.
These passengers were Englishmen. who
had procured passage on The Gull to Paler-
mo, whence they intended to embark by
steamer to Marseilles, the following day.
While the Captain and his assistants we're
attending to their duties, and expressing ap-
prehensions as to their safety, the two Eng
llsbmen stood apart, leaning against the low
bulwarks, and surveying the wild scene around
, them.
These men were 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 aris-
tocratic in his bearing, tall, slender and hand
some, with frank smiling mouth, pair of
fearless blue eyes, set under wide and mas
hive 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 Trefsllian the only son and
heir of Sir Arthr lyessilian Baronet. of Tres
silian Court, Eas, Id
His compsnlon presented a remarkable re-
semblance 20 him, being also tall and slender
and fair, With tawny hair and mustache, but he
had nos the frank smile, the bright, fearless
look, or the joyous spirit that characterized
young Iresslllan. Young as he was, he had
seen much of the dark side of life, and his ex-
per1ences mad been such as to develop in him
some OF the worst qualities of his nature.
He was Jasper Lowder, Guy Tressilian's
hired travelling companion and bosom friend.
The meeting and connection of the two had a
| touch OF romance. Young Tressilian had
spent four years in German university.
whence he had been graduated with honor On
leaving the university, in obedience to his
fathers written command he had undertaken
a tour OF the countries inclosing the Mediter-
ranean Sea. IN company with one Of his late
tutors. This gentleman being unexpectedly
promoted to professionally, abandoned
lresslIan at Baden leaving him to find another
travelling companion.
| On the evening of the very day after this
desertlon, as Guy Tressilian was sauntering
through the streets of Baden, he had been
assaulted by THO of his own countrymen, all
more or less intoxicated. TWAS apparent that
they took him for another, and intended to
wreak vengeance upon him. Without allowing
him to speak, they forced him to defend him
self Guy was getting the worst of the conflict,
when stranger same running to his assist
| ance, and In few moments the two had put
| the ruffians to flight
This stranger who came 80 OPPORTUNITY to
| Guys assistance was Jasper Lowder His re-
semblance to young Tressilian awakened in the
latter romantic interest. He questione d
| 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 indi-
Gated a similarity of tastes and natures he
! engaged Lowder his travelling companion.
and the past year they had spent together
more like brothers than like employer and
employed
This storm is regular Levanter." said
Lowder. clinging with both hands to the bull
warks: do you think the craft will stand it,
Tressilian ~ ~
"Oh, yes, answered young Tressilian. wip-
ing the salt spray from his face. 1.-THE Cap
| tain knows the Scilian coast perfectly In
two hours, or less, we shall be in the bav of
Palermo. In three hours we shall be demi-
clled IN the best rooms of the hotel Trinacria,
with the best supper which Messrs Ragusa can
furnish. And tomorrow, at noon" he added.
we shall embark for Marseiles in Messa-
| geries steamer"
"And from Marseies you will proceed to
and to Iressa Gaau faf / to be-
come OF me? have had year of unalloved
happiness, and now comes back the drudgerv.
the hopeless toll, the anxieties of the wretched
ola me- You picked me up at Baden poor
adyenturer seeking to gain living by teaching
English, and the same destiny is open to me
now"
Tressilan turned his handsome face upon
his companion In surprise and affectionate re-
proach.
Jasper he exclaimed, ''you talk strangely.
10 yon suppose L have called you friend and
brother so long, and loved you SO well. to lose
you now meant to have written to my father
concerning you and your future, Jasper but
his sudden recall, received yesterday, causes
me to return home without writing / shall
telegraph from Marseilles that YOU will come
m And will
You will not abandon me, my friend 1 will
charge myself with your future will see that
you obtain the position to which your talents
entltle you You have no ties to keep you on
| the Continent 2"
strange expression passed over Jasner
Lowder's face.
| No, have no ties" he said huskiIy.
! And you will go home with me?"
| - what Will your father say to nv coming ?"
demanded Lowder, Z" He will think your gen
crosby Qulxotic. He will dismiss from his
| house the hired companion who dares to re-
| sudden lurch of the little vessel, wave
sweeping over her deck, interrupted the SEN
| tence.
"You wrong my father" said Tressilian,
DIS blue eyes klndling, when the vessel had
| rightcd. "He is the noblest man in The
world. He will welcome nv friends as his
own You will love him, Jasper, as do, when
you know him."
! He doesn't seem very affectionate." re-
marked Lowder. "You have been away from
your home for five years, and he has but just
recalled you'll"
Young Tressiians cheeks flushed as Lowder
saw In the lurid glow that momentarily light
ed up the tempestuous scene.
1ou Know, or can guess the reason, JAS
per, he sald with something of an effort
My father has ward, the daughter of an
old friend. All hear that wind shrek The
gale is increasing
:. Yes" assented Lowder And the ward
is Miss rby-the golden-haired Blanche of
whom you have talked 80 much, and with
whom you have exchanged letters p
" Yes. My father formed project to have
noe marry Blanche. He did not wish us to grow
up together, lest we should learn to regard
each other as -oTother and sister. When
blanche came to live at the Court my father
sent me to Germany. The night before left
nome; ne called me into his library and told
me all his hopes and plans for my future, and
entreated me to continue worthy of his inno-
cent ward. and to keep my heart pure for her.
nave done 80, Jasper. have never yet low
cd any woman. And yesterday I received my
fathers summons to come home. He has re-
called me after five years of Absence I know
the wish that lies nearest his heart He wants
me to return and marry Blanche. shrink
from the proposed marriage l dread going
home. And 1 dread offending nv dear faith,
or, whom love better Tan any woman. 1t
is hard, Jasper, to revolt against the hopes
and plans of kind and generous father
WI whose very love for me causes him to urge on
this marriage ~
!" Is it p said Lowder dryly, and with
strange smile full of sneering bitterness 'Mv
experience has been widely different from
father ?"
"No. took it for granted that he ia dead