The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1872-06-29
THE PLOT AGAINST HAWLEY.
CHAPTER |.
HOW THE PLOT ORIGINATED.

4 walking hurriedly up Broadway New Yorl
- His features were flushed and convulset
. his glances wild and restless, his who
l. men indicative of keen anguish.
4 Turning to the right into Bleecher stree
% he soon reached plain three story an
=, basement brick house, to which he CAV
himself admittance.
II care you there, Ruth ?" he called frol
it the hall.
G A step was heard overhead, followed b
, the rustling of 4 dress, and young lad
descended the front stairs. Despite sever;
" points of marked contrast, there was Il fan
lily likeness about the couple that proclaim
ed them to be brother and sister.
"Why, what's the matter, Luke" erie,
- the latter, starting at sight of the disturbe
countenance that met her view. Gar
!, yon i'll ~
: GIVE just received bad news reptile,
: the brother, leading the way into the PAL
lor-"news which has given me terrlbi
shock
I ''Shocked? You! What has happened -
: "In word, Clara Aymar is marriedr
, "Married!'' echoed the sister, recoiling
"Clara Aymar married! Is it possible p
eyes, married. the girl I've been layin!
siege to for years past-the only girl eve
, cared pin for. Imagine the shock thi
event gives ME. Pm nearly crazy"
"Then you really loved herr
Looed her! l must have ac0rshippet
her, or else this thing would not have S,
: completely upset me-"
ooh, as to that, the loss of thing al
ways gives US an exaggerated notion of its
value" said the sister philosophcaly, as
she sank languidly into an easy chair and
smoothed out a fold in her snowy morning
robe. "1ou are simply shocked, as you
say. But by tomorrow you will laugh at
the whole matter"
"Don't, Ruth" implored the brother,
sinking heavily into the nearest chair
"Clara Aymar is more to me than my life.
It's no such passing fancy as you suppose;
but an everlasting passion-a rage-a flood
upon marrying her. True, she has rejected
me twice, but l thought she'd change her
mind"
'She was in no way committed to youo"
No, Of course not. She has never Civ
en- me any encouragement. But am none
the less surprised. l supposed that every
thing was favorable enough to my wishes.
l knew that she was still young to marry
an orphan-without money and without
| friends presumably without suitorS; and
tlattered myself that she couldn't always
remain insensble to my attentions.
"You reasoned wisely enough, of course,
| Luke; but reason never decides these mat
tcrs," declared the sister, with sort of
contemptuous compassion. "a Wilma
chance meeting-a smile or a word-a
moments wednesday, tritle-these are
the things by which marriages are brought
about. But who is the bridegroom ~
"Ah. that's a point that will touch you
Il little, think. Can't you guess who he
is ~
81 haven't the least idea
"Well, then, he's Will. Hawley."
The sister sprang abruptly to her feet,
clasping both hands to her heart. The |
changing colors of her brother, his agta-
ton, his anguish, all passed to her own
features.
"Will. Hawleysn she gasped "oh,
you don't mean it, Luker'
But do thou h. It's Gods truth
Clara Aymar and Will. Hawley are hus-
band and wife,
A heavy fall succeeded. The sister had
tainted. She lay upon the floor as one
dead.
Did she think that much of Hawley -
muttered the brother, astonished. | didn't
suppose"
lie fastened to bring pitcher of water
and battle the white features, and then set
himself to chatting the clenched hands
Capt. Luke Pedder was twenty-seven
years of age, with an originally light COM
plexion, which had redeemed with gener-
Gus living and bronzed with exposure to
wind and sun. His form was of the aver
age size and height, and his features of the
most ordinary type. He was singulary
selfish and INSCRIPTIONS, but of gentle
manly manners, being well educated and ;;
used to good society. His ability as 4 nav
gator was fair for a man of his age and
experience, but he owed his position as I
of fine Australian clipper,
more to respect for his late father and to
favor than to his own merits.
Miss Ruth Pedder was two years younger
han her brother, and consequently twen- {
~ five years of age, although she owned
o only twenty. She was tall, thin, and Il I
title inclined in her outlines, as in her q
emper, to angularity. She was not par /
icularly bright, but she was bold and I'M
and possessed a fierce energy l
which was capable of compensating in any V
for lack of genius 4
The father of the couple had been Il
ship-owner and merchant But II
IL his latter days the senior Pedder had "
een unfortunate, and had finally broken p
Up completely-a result fastened. it was
by the wild ways and financial u
Irregularities of his son. The old mans II
allure had soon been followed by his CT
cath, and already-for such is fame.-he
'as generally forgotten.
g. How odd it is?' calculated Capt. Ped 1t
en- as he rubbed his sisters cold hands. "
She madly in love with Will. Hawley, e'
nd crazy after Clara Aymar! And NOW lie
No., I n |
left out in the cold.'' III
Under the vigorous treatment he had 10
dopted, Miss Peddor soon recovered her
,nses. W
Are you sure they're married ?" she -
emanded. W
g Perfectly. 1 learned the fact half an az
our since from Iawley's commander ell
aptain Greggs, you know. Captain =,
reggs was at the wedding. 1t took place I'd
st Friday evening-the very evening after
awley's return home from his last voy- re
,e to Rio. 1t was quite affair. Only Il al
W friends were invited. But let me ask ar ar
III question. Did Hawley ever propose "
you?" Ill
mo. But 1 expected that he would
on do so. He has been here often an
lough-'' SIC
GO Yes, he came several times to ask me
r berth IN my clipper. promised to y"
ink of him at the first opening, and | 20
ally meant to help him, for knew in a iol
neral way that you liked him. M
81 thought he'd realize that you could ma
of service to him." explained Miss Ped WI
r. 81 thought he'd remember that III
other left ME this house and few thou pr,
nd dellars to do as pleased with. was
nscious, too, that possessed fair share on
personal attractions. And as l supposed
n to be entirely heart-free, l took it for -,
lnted that | should get him. His atten- tne
rs seemed marked enough" ms
' He treated you politely, of course \
errupted Pedder, " and he couldn't have
II done less, after asking me to befriend ed,
n. Ion
: No, he didn't. AS mate of Rio ship, rle'
was away seven-eighths of the time. and ane
idn't expect a regular courtship. But
TX it for granted" con
'edder made an impatient gesture. TO
: We've deceived ourselves" he mutter- ace
"We've been carried away by our II I
lings. The girls rejection of me was
lily intended to be final, and Hawley's MAJ
its here were merely visits of business It,
friendship. But why Clara should que
fer Hawley to me | can't imagine sta'
led Pedder, drawing himself up haught- pos
"Hawley has neither name, nor wTo