The democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1868-1874, 1872-07-08
The Plot Against Hawley.
CHAPTER l..
now THE rLor oRIoEATED.

aborlpg under great excitement was walking
hurriodly up Broadway, New York. HisieaturoH
were 1nlhoi and couyulsgd, lis glanccs wild
and restless, his whole micn indicative Of keen
anguish,
Turning to tho right into Blocker street, he
coon reached pain three story and basement
brick house, to which he gave himself admit
ancc.
"Aro you there, Ruth?' he called from tho
hall.
4 stop was heard overhead, followed by the
ustling ola dress, aud young lady descended
tho trout Stain. Despite several points Of
marked contrast, there waa family likeness
pbou, tho couple that proclaimed them to DO
brother and skier,
why, whats the matter, Luxor" cried the
latter, starting at sight ofthc disturbed countc-
panco that met hor view "Arc you illY"
eve just received bad news" replied the
brother, leading the way into tho parlor-"ncwa
which has given me a terrible shock"
"shorkcd2 You! What bha bapponod1"
"lna word Clara Aymar is married."
"Marriodl" echoed the sister, rccoilng.
"Clna Aymar married. Is it possiblOf"
"Yes, married. the girl I've been laying siege
to for yoars past-the only girl ever cared 4
pin for. Imagine the GhOck this oycnt gives me,
I'm nearly crazy"
"Then you really loved herr
"Lorcd horI mwthavc worsliPpcd her, or
else this thing would not have 80 completely
upset me-"
"oh, as to that, the loss Of thing always
gives us an exaggerated notion Of its valao,'
said the sister philosophically, as she sank Ian.
guIdly into an easy chair, and smoothcd out Il
fold in her SNOWY morning robe. "You arc
simply shocked, as you say But by tomorrow
you will laugh at the whole Natter
Don't Ruth " implorcd the brother sinking
heavily into the nearest chair. "Clara Aymar
is more to mo tlanm life Ny love for her il
a dcliriuml Its no such passing fancy as you
suppose, but an everlasting passion-a ragc-a
flood ofmoltcn lava Aud I've counted all along
upon marrying her. True, she has rejected me
twice, but l thought she'd change her mind"
"shc wash no way committed to your"
No, Of course not. She has never given me
any encouragement. but am none the less
surprised. ! supposed that everything was
favorable enough to my wishes. knew that
she was still young to marry-an Orphan-Wiih.
ont money and without friends presumably
without snitOrs; and battered myself that
she couldn't always remain instns!blo to my
attentions"
Yuu reasoned wisely enough, Of course,
Lake but reason mover decides these matters, '
declared tho sister, with sort OF cOntemptuous
compassion. "a Whim-a chance meetings.
smile or n wori-a moments wcahncssSany
are the things by which marriages
arc brought about. But who Is the bride.
groom
Ahl that's point that will touch you o
little, think, Can't you guess who he isl"
i haven't the least idea"
well, then, he's VIII. iawlcy.'
The sister Fprang abruptly to her foot, clasp.
ing both hands to her Heart. The changing
eoiors Of her broihcr,his agitation, his anguish,
all passed to her own features.
"Will. llawlcyin shugaspcd. ooh, you don't
mean ii, Luke n
aGat / DO though. Irs Gods truth. Clara
Aymar and VIII. lIawlY arc husband and
A heavy fall succeeded Tho sister had faint.
cd. She lay upon the door az one dead.
Did she think that much Of lIAwlCy2' NUT
tered the brother, astonishCd. 81 didn't sup
pOHc--'
He hastcned to bring pitcher Of water and
battle the white features, and then set himself
to chatting tho clcnChcd hands.
Capt. Luke Fodder wNstwCnty-sev0n ycarB OF
age, with an originally light complexion, which
bad REDEEMED with generous living and bronZod
with exposure to VIVID and sun. Ills form was
Of the average size and height, and His features
OF tn, mos, ordinary type. lie was singulnrly
scliah md interruptions, but Of gGntlCmanly
manners, being we'll educated and used to good
society. Ills ability as navigator was fair for
u man Of Ills age and experience, but he owed
his position as commander Of u fine Australian
clipper, more to respect for his late father and
to BymplthiZIng favor than 10 his own merits.
Miss Ruth Pcddurwas twoycarH younger than
her brother, and consequently twenty-five years
VI age, although she owned to only twenty. She
Nau tull thin, and little inclined In her out
.ncs, Ms IN her temper, to angulRrity. She was
not particularly bright, but she was bold and
aud possessed fierce energy
which was capable Of compromising in any
for lack If genius.
The father ollie couple had been prominent
lhip-OWncr and merchant. But In his latter
lays the senior Fodder had been unfortunate,
md had finally been broken up completcly-a
result FASTENED, It was whispered BY the wild
Nays and financial Irregularities ofhis son. The
I'D mans failure had soon been followed by his
lcath, ard alrcady-ior sucli is fame 10 was
generally forgotten.
"IIow odd 1t Isl" calculated Capt. pcliCr, as
4, bta COLL ltauIa
u love with Will. IlawlCy, and IcraZy after
lara Aymarl And now Will. and Clara arc
married., and Ruth aud are left out in the
old"
Under the vigorous treatment he had adopted,
Hiss pcdlcr soon recovered her senses.
"Aro you sure they're marricdf' she de-
handed.
Perfectly. LEARNED tho fact half an hour
incO from uawlcy's commandment Captain
ircsgs, You know. Captain Greggs was at the
yodding. II took place last Friday evening
he very evening after Ilawl0y's return irOmllis
ast voyage to lilo. II was quiet affair. Onlya
cw frGnds were invited. But let me ask you
question: Did Hawley ever propose to you n
mo. But expected that he would soon do
%. He has been here often enough"
eyes, he came several times to ask mo for
'Crtll in my clipper. promised to think OF
i'm at the lint opening, aud really meant TO
clp him, for knew III general way that you
kcd him"
II thought he'd realize that you could DO Of
oryicC 10 him. explained Miss Peddor. ~
bought he'd remember that mother left mo
HE mouse and a few thousand dollars TO do as
pleased with. was conscious, too, that
ossCssCd fair share OF personal attractions.
midas supposed him to 10 entirely heart-free,
took 1t Tor granted that should get him. His
ttOntons seemed MARI cd enough"
" lie treated you politely, oil course" inter:
uptcd Pcddcr, sand he couldn't have well
one lets, after asking mo TO bCirield him.
Iut he mover made asy formal dCciatationT
"No, he didn't. AS mate Of u Rio ship, no
ms away b0yCn.C!ghtls OF the time, and did
I expect regular couttship. But took II
n grauiCd-n h"
PGlder made an impatient gesture.
"WO'yo deceived ourselves he muttCrcd.
We've been carried away by our ieelings.
he eirls rejection Of ine was really intended
D be ilnal, and llawlcys visits here were mere
visits Of business and frMndsmp. But why