Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1872-07-11
The Plot Against Hawley.
CHAPTER I.
now THE PLOT ORIGINATED.

were flushed and convulsed, his glances wild
and restless, his whole mien indicative Of keen
anguish.
Turning to the right into Blocker street, he
soon reached pain three story and basement
brick house, to which he gave himself admit
lance.
"Arc you there, Ruth ?" he called from the
hall
stop was heard overhead, followed by the
rustling of dress, and young lady descended
the front stairs. Despite several points Of
marked contrast, there was a family likeness
about the couple that proclaimed them to be
brother and sister.
"Why, what's the matter, Luke 2" cried tho
latter, starting at sight Of the disturbed counte-
nance that met her view "Are you i'll n
"Pve just received bad news" replied the
brother, leading the way into the parlor- ''news
which has given me terrible shock"
"shocked2 You! What has hsppenedi"
"In word, Clara Aymar is married."
"Marriedl" echoed the sister, recoiling.
"Clsra Aymar married Is it possible1"
Eyes, married. the girl I've been laying siege
to for years past-the only girl ever cared a
pin for Imagine the shock this event gives me.
I'm nearly crazy"
"Then you really loved herr"
"Loued her must have worshipped her, or
else this thing world not have 80 completely
upset me-"
"Oh, as to that, the loss Of thing always
gives MS an exaggerated notion OF it's value,
said the sister philosophically, as she sank Ian
gudly into an easy chair, and smoothed out
fold in her SNOWY morning robe. "You are
simply shocked, as you say. But by tomorrow
you will laugh at the whole matter"
Don't Ruth !" implvred the brother. sinking
heavily into the nearest chair. "Clara Aymar
is more to me than my life! Ny love for her is
deliriuml It's no such passing fancy as you
suppose, but an everlasting passion rage-a
Hood 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 WASH no way committed to your"
No. OF course not. She has never given me
any encouragement. But am none the less
favorable enough to my wishes. knew that
she was still Young to marry-an orphan with
| ont money and without friends presumably
without suitors and / fattered myself that
she couldn't always remain insensible to my
! attentions"
" Yon 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
| A. mn
trIhe-the.e are the things by which marriages
are brought about But who is the bride
groom"
All that's point that will touch you
little, think. Can't you guess who he ISL"
Il haven't the least idea"
well, then, 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 HawleyT" 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"
heavy fall succeeded The sister had faint
ed She lay upon the floor as one dead
did she think that much of hawley2" NUT
tered the brother, astonisbed. 81 didn't sup
| pose"
de fastened to bring pitcher of water and
| battle the white features, and then set himself
to chatting the clenched hands
Capt. Luke Fodder was tweptv-seven years OF
age, with an originally light complexion, which
| had reddcued 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 interruptions, but of gcntlemanIy
MANNERS being well educated and used to good
| society His ability as a navigator was fair for
man Of his age and experience but ne owed
| his position as commander Of fine Australian
clipper more to respect for his late father and
to sympathzng favor than to his own merits.
Miss Ruth Peuder 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 inchned in her out
| lines, as in her temper, to angularity. She was
not particularly bright, but she was bold and
unscrupulous, and possessed fierce energy
| which was capable Of compromising in any
emergency for lack Of genus.
The father ofthe couple had been prominent
ship-oMner and merchant. 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 anu financial irregularities of his son. The
old mans failure had soon been followed bv his
death, and already-for such is fsmel he was
generally forgotten.
How odd 1t is |" CALCULATED Capt. Pedder, as
he rubbed his sisters cold hands. "She madly
in love with Will. Hawey, and / crazy after
Clara Aymar And now Will. and Clara arc
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 marred2" she do
manded.
Perfectly. learned the fact half an hour
since from Hawley's commander-Ca
Greggs, you know. Captain Greggs was at the
Wedding. 1t took place last Friday evening
the very evening alter Hawley's return from his
last voyage to Rio. 1t was a quiet affair. Only a
few fIlenus were invited. But let me ask you q
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 .
berth i'll my clipper l promised to think Of
him at the first opening, and really meant to
help him, for knew LII general way that you
liked him."
81 thought he'd realize that you could be Of
service 10 him. explained Miss Pedder. II
thought he'd remember that mother left me
this house and few thousand dollars TO do as
l pleased with. l was CONSCIOUS too, that l
possessed fair share of personal attractions
And as supposed him to be entirely heart-free,
took it for granted that should get him. His
attent. ons seemed marked enough"
"He treated you politely, OF course" inter-
rupted Peddrr, land he couldn't have well
done less, after ASKING me to befriend him.
But he never made a y formal dCclarationp'
"No, he didn't AS mate OF Rio ship, he
was away seven-eighths OF the time, and did
Mt expect regular courtship. But took it
for granted"
redder made an impatient gesture
We've deceived ourselves" he muttered.
"Weve been carried away by our feelings
The girls rejection Of me was really intended
TO he final, anu Hswleys visits here we're mere
" visits OF business and friendship. But why
Clara should prefer Hawley to me can't mag
ine." added Pedder, drawing himself up
houghti'y. "Hawley has neither name, nor
money nor posltion"
"Nor can see why Hawley should prefer
Clara Aymar to me !" said Miss Pedder. as she
glanced at her reflection in one Of the long
mirrors near her. "She's hired attendant,