Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1872-07-20
THE PLOT AGAINST HAWLEY.
CHAPTER |.


Near noon the 5th of September. 1852,
man laboring under great excitement was walk
ing hurriedlv up Broadway. New York. His
features were flushed and convulsed, his
glances wild and restless, his whole mien In
dIcatives of keen anguish
Turning to the right into Blocker street, he
soon reached plain three-story and basement
brick house, to which he gave himself admit
lance.
Are YOU there, Ruth ? he called from the
hall.
step WAS heard overhead, followed by the
rustling of a Dress and a young lady descend
ed 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
countenance that met her view. Are you i'll !?
I've Just received bad news, replied the
brother leading the way into the parlor-'news
which has gwen me terrible shock.
Shocked? Yout What has happenedE
In word, Clara Aymar is married y
Married.! echoed the sister. recoillng Clara
Aymar married Is it possible 2"
Yes married. the girl I've been laying siege
to for wears past-the only girl | ever cared a
pm for. Imagine the shock this event gives
me. I'm nearly crazy
Then. You really loved her?'
Lo~d her! | must have 'corshtpped her.
or else this tAng would not have completely
upset me-.
oh az to that, the loss of a thing always
gives us an exaggerated notion of its value,
said the sister philosophically, as she sank
languidly into an easy chair, and smoothed ont
fold in her shoYy morning robe. You are
simply shocked, as you say. But by tomorrow
you will laugh at the whole matter.
Don't, Ruth! mplored the brother, sinking
heavily into the nearest chair. Clara Aymar
is more to me than nv life! NV love for her
* lpirllm mr. n
| suppose, but an everlasting passion--a rage-a
flood of molten lava! And I've counted all
along upon marrying her. True she has re-
jected me twice, but | thought she'd change
her mind
She was in no wav commit ed to you?'
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--wlth-
out money and without frends-presumabl
without suitors; and | hattered 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
smle-a word-a moments wednesday,
| tritle-these are the things by which marriages
are brought about. But who is the bride
/ groom2
! 'Ah! that's a point that will touch you a
| little, l think. Can't you guess who he is?'
| L haven't the least idea
| We'll, them he's Will. Hawley.'
The sister sprang abruptly to her feet. clasp
| ing both hands to her heart. The changing
colors of her brother, his agitation, his anguish,
| all passed to her own features.
| will. Hawley 2 she gasped. 'Oh, you don't
mean it, Luke
| But do though. It's Gods truth Clara
Aymar and Will. Hawley are husband 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 j? NUT
| tered the brother astonished. | didn't sup
pose
He 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 complexion.
which had redeemed with generous living and
brOnzed with exposure to wind and sun. His
| form was of the average size and height, and
| his features of the most ordinary type. He
was singularly selfish and INSCRIPTIONS, but of
gentlemanly manners, being well educated and
| used to good society. His ability as a navl-
| gator was fair for man of his age and expert
| ence, but he owed his position as commander
| OF fine Australian clipper, more to respect
| for his late father and to sympathizlng favor
| than to his own merits.
than her brother, and consequently twenty
| five years of age, although she owned to only
| twenty. She tall, thin, and little inclined
| III her outlines. as i'll her temper. to angularty.
| She was not particularly bright, but she was
bold and INSCRIPTIONS, and possessed a fierce
energy which was capable of compromising in
any emergency for lack of genius.
The father of the couple had been a promi-
nent ship owner and merchant. But i'll his
latter days the senior Pedder had been unfor-
tunate, and had finally been broken up COM
| pletely-a result fastened, it whispered,
| by the wild ways and financial Irregularities of
his son. Tho old mans failure had soon been
| followed by his DEATH and aready-for such Is
| fame he was generally forgotten.
How odd it is J. calculated Capt. Pedder,
as he rubbed his sisters cold hands. She
mady in love with Will. Hawley, and crazy
| after Clara Aymar Ana now Will. and Clara
are married, and Ruth and are left out in the
cold'
Under the vigorous treatment he had adopt
ed. Miss Pedder soon recovered her senses.
'Are You sure they're married?' she de-
manded.
Perfectly | learned the fact half an hour
since from Hawleys commander - Captain
Greggs, You know. Captain Greggs was at the
wedding. 1t took place last Friday evening
the very evening after Hawley's return from
his last voyage to Rio. 1t was quiet affair.
Only few friends were invited. But let me
ask you question. Dla ha"ley ever propose
to your
No. But expected that he would soon do
so. He as been here often enough
Yes, he came several times to ask me for q
berth in my clipper. Ipromised to think of
him at the first opening, and really meant to
help him. for knew in general way that you
liked him.
L 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. was conscious, too, that l
possessed fair share of personal attractions.
As l supposed him to be entirely heart-free. l
took it for granted that l should get him. His
attentions seemed marked enough
He treated You politely, of course inter-
rupted Pedder, and he couldn't have well
done less, after asking me to befriend him.
But he never made any formal declaration 7?
No, he didn't. AS mate of Rio ship, he
was away seven-eighths of the time, and l
didn't expect regular courtship. But took
it for granted
Pedder made an impatient gesture.
We've deceived ourselves he muttered
We've been carried away by our feelings. The
girls rejection of me really intended to be
final and Hawley's visits here were merely
visits of business and friendship. But why
Clara should prefer Hawley to me l can't
imagine, added Pedder drawing himself up
haughtily. Hawley has neither name, nor
money, nor position!
Nor can | see why Hawley should prefer
Clara Aymar to mer said Miss Pedder, as she
glanced at her reflection in one of the long
mirrors near her She's a hired attendant, or
something of that kind-the creature.
I'd no idea that you thought 30 much of
Hawey, observed the brother, as he strove to
clam his painful emotions.
Miss Fodder moaned. Her eyes filled with