Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1872-07-05
The Plot Against HawIey.
CHAPTER I,
CHAf lhh 4,
now THE PLOT ORIGINATED.

waking nurrleuly up bFOauWbyi NoW 1Ofk.
His features were flushed and convulsed, his
glances wild and restless, his whole mien
indicative of keen anguish.
Turning TO the right into Bleecker street,
he soon reached plain three-story and base
ment brick house, to which he gave himself
admittance.
care you there, Ruthg" he called from the
hall.
a Atep WAS hesrd overhead, followed by
the rustllRs et dress, and young lady de.
s5ended the front stairs. Despite several
points Of marked contrast, there was fami-
ly likeness about the couple that proclaimed
them to be brother and sister.
"Why, what's the matter, tukeS" cried
the latter, starting at the sight OF the dis
turbed countenance that met her view. "Are
you ill9''
"TVe just Received bad news" replied the
brother, leading the way into the parlor-
"news which has given me q terrible shock" !"
"shocked9 Youi What has happenedW
'In word Clara Aymar is marriedr'
MARRIED." echoed the sister, recoiling
"Clara Aymar married. Is it possible9"
eyes, married! the girl I've been laying
siege to for years past-thc only girl ever
cared pin for. Imagine the shock this event
gives me. I'm nearly crazyg'
"Then you really loved herP"
"LoVed herl I must have TDrShipped her,
or else this thing would not have so COM
pletely upset me-"
"Oh, as 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
out fold in her snowy morning robe. "You
are simply shocked, as you say. But by to-
morrow you will laugh at the whole mat
ter"
"Don't, Ruth ~ implored the brother,
sinking heavily into the nearest chair
"Clara Aymar is more to me than my life |
My love for her is delriuml It's no such
passing fancy as you suppose, but an ever
lasting passIon-=a rage-a flood of molten
laval And I've counted all along upon mar
Tying her True, she has rejected me twice,
but thought she'd change her mind"
"she was in no way committed to you ?"
"No, of course not. She has never given
me any encouragement. But am none the
less surprised. l supposed that everything
was favorable enough to my wishes. knew
that she was still young to marry-an orphan
without money and without friends-pre-
sumably without suitors; and iattered my
self that she couldn't always remain lnsensi-
bic to my attentions"
"You reasoned wisely enough, of course,
Luke; but reason never decides these mat
ters,n declared the sister, with a sort of con-
temptuous compassion. "a whim--a chance
meeting-a smile or word-a moments
wednesday, trihe-these are the things
by which marriages are brought about. But
who is the bridegroom ="
"Ah that's point that will touch yo's
a little, think. Can't you guess who he
is ?"
"I 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 agita-
tion, his anguish, all passed to her own fea.
lures.
"will. Hawleyg' she gasPed. "Oh, you
don't mean it, Lukel'
"But / do though. It's Gods truth. Clara
Aymar and VIII, Hawley are husband and
wife,
tainted. She lay upon the floor as one
dead.
Did she think that much of Hawleyg'
muttered the brother, astonished. 81 didn't
suppose"
He fastened to bring a 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 ana sun.
His form was of the average size and height
a Ii g fWVaa
He was singularly selfish and unscrupulous
but of gentlemanly manners, being wei
educated and used to good society. His
ability as n navigator was fair for man oI
his age and experience, but he owed hi;
position as commander of fine Australian
clipper, more to respect for his late father
and to sympathizing favor than to his Owl
merits.
Miss Ruth Pedder was two years younger
than her brother, and consequently twenty
five years of age, although she owned tC
only twenty. She was tall, thin, and littl,
inclined in her outlines, AS in her temper, tC
angularity She was not particularly bright
but she was bold and unserupulous, and pos
sessed fierce energy which was capable Of
eompensating in any emergency for lack o
genius.
The father Of the couple had been a prom
inent ship owner and merchant. But in hi;
latter days the senior Pedder had been un
completely-a result hastened, it was whis
pered, by the wild ways and financial irregu
larities of his son. The old mans failure
had soon been followed by his death, and al
ready-for such is famel-he was generally
forgotten.
"How odd it isl' calculated Capt. Pedder
as he rubbed his sisters cold hands. Ssh
madly in love with VIII. Hawley, and 1 crazy
after Clara Aymar And now Will. and Clari
are married, and Ruth and are left out il
the cold.
Under the vigorous treatment he hat
adopted, Miss Pedder soon recovered he
senses.
Are you sure they re married ?' she de
manded.
Perfectly. l learned the fact half az
hour since from Hawley's commander
Captain Greggs, you know. Captain Gregg
was at the wedding. 1t took place last Fri
day evening-the very evening after Haw
| ley's return from his last voyage to Rio. L
was quiet affair. Only few friends wer,
| invited. But let me ask you question
Did Hawley ever propose to you?"
mo. But | expected that he would sooI
do so. He has been here often enough"
yes he came several times to ask me TO
berth in my clipper. promised to thinl
of him at the first opening, and l reall,
meant to help him, for | knew in a genera
way that you liked him."
| L
of service to him." explained Miss Pedder
II thought he'd remember that mother lef
me this house and few thousand dollars t,
do as pleased with. | was conscious, too
that possessed fair share of personal at
| fractions. And as | supposed him to be en-
| tirely heart-free, took it for granted that
should get him. His attentions seemet
marked enough"
''He treated you politely, of course" in
terrupted Pedder, "and he couldn't hav
well done less, after asking me to befrien,
him. But he never made any formal decla
rationp
"No, he didn't. As mate of Rio ship, h
was away seven-eighths of the time, and
didn't expect u 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 was really intend
ed to be final, and Hawley's visits here wer
merely visits of business and friendship
But why Clara should prefer Hawley to me
can't imagine" added Pedder, drawing hin
self up haughtiy. "Hawley has neitlIc
name, nor money, nor position!"