The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 1850-1873, 1872-07-12

UHApTER I.

OHAPIEH l.
nov fm rLoT ORIGINATED.
Aar noon, the 9Th of September. 1852. man
hboeins under great excitement was walking
hmziedly up Broadway, New York. Hisfeatures
were flushed and convulsed, his glances wild
and restless, his whole mien indicative Of keen
anguiih.
Turning 10 the right into Blocker street, he
seoa reached plain three story and basement
hrick house, to which he gave himself admit
taAce.
"Are you there, Ruth 2" he called from the
hall.
4 step was heard overhead, followed by the
rustling Of dress, and young lady descended
the front stairs. Despite several points OF
marked contrast, there was family likeness
about the couple that proclaimed them to be
brother and sister.
"Why, what's the matter, Luke ?" cried the
latter, starting at sight Of the disturbed counte-
nance that met her view care you i'll 2"
"Pve Just received bad news" replied the
brother, leading the way into the parlor-"news
which has given me terrible shock"
'.Shocked9 You! What has happened?"
III WOIu, SidId 10 hoAAAouf
"Marriedl" echoed the sister, recoiling.
"Oara Aymar married. Is it possible 2"
"Yes, married! the girl I've been laying siege
to for years past-the only girl 1 ever cared
pin for. Imagine the shock this event gives me-
I'm nearly crazy"
"Then you really loved herr"
"Loued herl must have toorshipped her, or
else this thing would not have SO completely
upset me-"
sob. as to that, the loss of a thing always
gives us an exaggerated notion Of its value,
said the sister philosophically, as she sank Ian
guidly into an easy chair, and smoothed out
fold in her SNOWY morning robe. I" You are
simply shocked, as you say. But by tomorrow
| you will laugh at the whole NATTER
."Dont Ruth !" implored the brother. sinking
heavily into the nearest chair. "Clara Aymar
is more to me than my lifeI My love for her is
delirium! It's no such passing fancy as you
suppose, but an everlasting passion-a rage--a
| food Of molten lava And I've counted all along
upon marrying her. True, she has rejected me
twice, but thought she'd change her mind"
She was in no way committed to your"
No, of course not. She has never given me
| any encouragement. But am none the less
surprised. I supposed that everything was
| favorable enough to my wishes knew that
| she was still young to marry-an orphan-with-
out money and without friends presumably
| without suitors and 1 flattered myself that
she couldn't always remain insensible to my
| attentions"
"You reasoned wisely enough, of course,
Luke but reason never decides these Matters
| declared the sister, with sort Of contemptuous
| compassion. "a Wilma chance meeting-a
smile or q word-a moments wednesday,
trife-these are the things by which marriages
| are brought about. But who is the bride
"Ahl that's q point that will touch you
little, think. Can't you guess who he ISL"
| 81 haven't the least idea"
well, then, he's Will. Hawley."
| Tho sister sprang abruptly to her feet, clasp
| ing both hands to her heart. The changing
colors of her brother his agitation, his anguish,
al passed to her own features.
"will Hswlegya" she gasped. "oh, you don't
"But do though. It's Gods truth. Clara
Aymar and Will. Hawley are husband and
A heavy fall succeeded. The sister had faint
cd. She lay upon the IOor as one dead.
I" Did she think that much of Hawley 2" NUT
tered the brother, astonished. 81 didn't sup
pose"
He FASTENED to bring pitcher of water and
battle the white features, and then set himself
| to chafDg the clenched hands.
Capt. Luke Pedder was twenty-seven years OF
age, with an originally light complexion, which
had Redeemed with generous living and bronzed
with exposure to who'd and sun. His form was
of the average size and height, and his features
| of the most ordinary type. He was singularly
selfish and interruptions, but of gentlemanly
| manners, being well educated and used to good
society. His ability as navigator was fair for
| Q man Of his age and experience, but he owed
his position as commander of fine Australian
clipper, more to respect for his late father and
| to sympathizing favor than to his own merits.
Miss Ruth Pedder was twoyears younger than
her brother, and consequently twenty-five years
Of age, although she owned to only twenty. She
was tall, thin, and little inclined in her out
lines, as in her temper, to angularity. She was
not particularly bright, but she was bold anS
INSCRIPTIONS and possessed a fierce energy
which was capable of compromising In ans
emergency for lack of genius.
The father of the couple had been prominent
ship-owner and merchant. But in his latter
days the senior Peddcr had been unfortunate
and had finally been broken up completely
result hastened, it was whispered, by the wild
ways and financial irregularities of his son. The
old mans failure had soon been followed by bis
death, and already-for such is fame he was
| generally forgotten.
show odd it is /" calculated Capt. Pedder, as
he rubbed his sisters cold hands. She madly
in love with Will. Hawley, and IcraZy after
clara Aymari And now Will. and Clara are
married, and Ruth and are left out in the
cold"
Under the vigorous treatment he had adopted,
| Miss Pedder soon recovered her senses.
"Are you sure they're married? 2" she de-
manded.
perfectly. Ilearned the fact half an hour
Greggs, you know. Captain Greges was at the
wedding. It took place last Friday evening"
the very evening after Hawley's return from his
last voyage to Rio. 1t was quiet affair. Only a
few friends were invited. But let me ask you a
question. Did Hawley ever propose to you ?"
"No. But expected that he would soon do
80. He has been here often enough"
eyes he came several times to ask me for q
berth in my clipper. l promised to think of
him at the first opening, and really meant to
liked him."
at thought he'd realize that you could be Of
| service to him." explained Miss Pedder. 81
thought he'd remember that mother left me
this house and few thousand dollars to do as
| pleased with. l was conscious, too, that /
possessed fair share OF personal attractions.
| And as supposed him to be entirely heart-free,
: 1 took it for granted that should get him. His
, | attentions seemed marked enough"
"He treated you politely, of course" inter-
, done less, after asking me to befriend him.
But he never made any formal declaration"
"No, he didn't. As mate of Rio ship, he
was away seven-eighths OF the time, and did
| MT expect IeSulal courlsnIp. Dut 1 tooh ~
, for granted"
Pedder made an impatient gesture.
"Weve deceived ourselves" he muttered.
, "We've been carried away by our feelings.
The girls rejection Of me was really intended
to be final, and Hawley's visits here were mere
y visits Of business and friendship. But why
, Clara should prefer Hawley to me can't imag.
ine," added Pedder, drawing himself uI
haughtily. "Hawley has neither name, mol
money, nor position !"
"Nor can see why Hawley should prefer
,, Clara Aymar to me !" said Miss Pedder, as she
1 glanced ct her reflection in one of the long
D mirrors near her. "She's q hired attendant
or something of that kind-the creature"
"Pd no idea that you thought 30 much Of
Hawley," observed the brother, as he strove tc
l calm his painful emotions.
S Miss Pedder moaned. Her eyes filled with
tears.
az thought all the world Of him." she muir
INJURED.
A long silence fell between the couple.
swell, well, they're husband and wife, Of
length muttered Pedder hoarsely. "And this
suppose, is all there is to be said"
; Miss Pedder compressed her lips until they
+, bled, staring at her brother with fxednest
1 amounting to ferocity.
"No! mol" she breathed fiercely. "The
| matter shall not end here. That marriage
!, that abominable marriage"
She clutched at her heart again, as il suffo
t eating.
Pedder opened his eyes widely.