The Highland weekly news. [volume] (Hillsborough [Hillsboro], Highland County, Ohio) 1853-1886, 1872-07-04
than to his own merits.


cllned in her outlines, as in her
temper, to angularity. She was not
particularly bright, but she was
bold, inscriptions, and possessed a
fierce energy which was capable of
compensating in any emergency for
lack of genius.
The father of the couple had been
a prominent ship-owner and mer-
chant. But in his latter days the
senior Pedder had been unfortunate
and had finally been broken up
completely-a result fastened, it
was whispered, by the wild ways
and financial irregularities of his son.
The old mans failure had soon been
followed by his death, and already
for such is fame !--he was generally
"How odd it is !" CALCULATED Capt.
Pedder; as he rubbed his sisters
cold hands. ".She madiy in love
with Will. Hawley, and 1 crazy af-
ter Clara Aymar! And now Will.
and Clara are married, and Ruth and
L are left out in the cold"
Under the vigorous treatment he
had adopted, Miss Pedder soon re-
covered her senses.
care you sure they're married ?"
she demanded.
'Perfectly. L learned the fact
half an hour since from Hawley's
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 voy
age to Rio. 1t was a quiet affair.
Only a few friends were invited.
But let me ask you question. Did
Hawley ever propose to you ?"
"NO. But 1 expected that he
would soon do so. He has been
here often enough"
ayes, he came several times to
ask me for berth in my clipper.
[ promised to think of him at the
first opening, and L really meant to
help him, for 1 knew in general
way that you liked him."
~ thought he'd realize that you
could be of service to him." explain
ed Miss Pedder. 81 thought he'd
remember that mother left me this
house and a few thousand dollars to
do as pleased with. 1 was con-
seious, too, that 1 possessed a fair
share of personal attractions. And
as 1 supposed him to be entirely
heart-free, L took it for granted that
I should get him. His attentions
seemed marked enough"
"He treated you politely, Of
course" interrupted Pedder, "and
he couldn't have well done less, af.
ter asking me to befriend him. But
he never made any formal declara,
ton ?"
"No, he didn't. As mate of a
Rio ship, he was away seven-eighths
of the time, and L didn't expect a
regular courtship. But L took it for
granted"
Pedder made an impatient ges-
ture.
"We've deceived ourselves" he
muttered. "We've been carried
away by our feelings. The girls re.
lection of me was 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 imag.
ine," added Pedder, drawing him.
self up haughtily. "Hawley ha:
neither name, nor money, nor posi-
ton w
"Nor can 1 see why Hawley
should prefer Clara Aymar to me-"
said Miss Pedder, as she glanced al
her reflection in one of the long
mirrors near her. "She'sa hired at
Itendant, or something of that kline
the creature!'
"I'd no idea that you thought 81
much Of Hawley," observed the
brother, as he strove to calm hi:
painful emotions.
Miss Pedder moaned. Her eye:
filled with tears.
81 thought all the world of him,
she murmured.
A long silence fell between the
couple.
"WelI, well, they are husband ant
wife," at length muttered Pedde
hoarsely. "And this, I suppose, i
all there is to be said"
Miss Pedder compressed her lip
until they bIed, staring at her broth
er with a fxedness amounting t.
ferOcity.
"No! }" she breathed fiercely
''The matter shall not end here
That marriage-that abominabl
marriage"
She clutched at her heart again
as ifsufocating.
Pedder opened his eyes widely.
"Why, what can we d." b
queried. "You wouldn't have m
murder Hawley, L suppose =? Thc
wouldn't make him your husband
And, on the other, it wouldn't d
me any good if you were to XII
Clara Aymar."
"But there is way, Luke, Of III
doing that marriage"