The Fremont weekly journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County, Ohio) 1867-1877, 1872-07-05
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conscious, too, that 1 possessed a
fair share of personal attractions.
And as supposed him to be entire
ly heart-free. 1 took it for granted
that l should get him. His atten-
tions 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-
tion2"
mo, he didn't. AS mate of a
Rio ship, he was away seyen-eights
of the time, and 1 didn't expect a
regular courtship. But 1 took it
for granted"
Pedder made an impatient ges-
ture.
"We'vo 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 can't imagine," :"
added Pedder, drawing himself up
haughtily. "Hawley has neither
name, nor money, nor position!"
''Nor can Z see why Hawley
should prefer Clara Aymar to nseP
said Miss Pedder, as she glanced at
her reflection in one of the long mir
rors near her. "She's a hired at
tendant, or something of that kind
the creature"
I'D no idea that you thought so
much of Hawley," observed the
brother, as he strove to calm his
painful emotions.
Miss Pedder moaned. Her eyes
filed with tears.
81 thought all the world of him."
she murmured.
A long silence fell between the
couple.
swell, well, they're husband and
wife," at length muttered Pedder
hoarsely. "And this, 1 suppose, is
all there is to be said.'
Miss Pedder compressed her lips
until they bled, staring at her
brother with a fixedness amounting
to ferocity.
No! mop she breathed fercely.
"The matter shall not end here.
"That marriage-that abominable
marriage"
She clutched at her heart again,
as if sufocating.
Pedder opened his eyes widely.
"Why, what can we do?" he quer-
led. "You wouldn't have me muir
der Hawley, 1 suppose? That
wouldn't make him your husband.
And on the other hand, it wouldn't
do me any good if you were to kill
Clara Aymar."
"But there is a way, Luke, of un-
doing that marriage"
Pedder started toward his sister,
as il electrified.
"Do you mean itY he demanded.
81 mean it, and I swear it! I'll
never consent to that girls having
Hawley! I'll dig a gulf between
them as broad as the ocean! I'll un-
do that marriage, or die!"
"Softlyl Where is Kate?"
He referred to their single ser
want.
"She's out for the day." answered
Miss Pedder, arising and planting
herselfi1 chair. "There was little
to do, you know, as I did not expect
you home until dinner"
"Then no one will hear u.s."
He drew a chair nearer to that of
his sister and sat down beside her.
"What's your idea?" he asked in a
whisper.
"My idea is to separate them; to
turn their love to hate; to dig a pit
beneath their feet that will remain
open foreverp'
"But how?"
"Will HaWley is poor, isn't he2"
Certainly, there is no mistake
about that. His mother was help
less invalid for the last ten years Of
her life, and VIII insisted on her US
ing for her comfort every penny he
earned. 1t hasn't been six months
since he was relieved of that burden.
He's poor, therefore, as you say
poor as Jobs turkeyw
"Then he'll have to leave his darl-
ing Clara" sneered Miss Pedder ven
emously. "He'Il have to be absent
himself from his deary in order to
earn their mutual bread and butter.
In short, he'll have to go to sea
again?'
swell, yes; 1 suppose he will" as
sented Pedder. "He can get better
wages at sea than elsewhere. -"He'n
sail again soon, no doubt"
81 thought as much. And the sea
is full Of terrible dangers! When do
you sail again for Australian
"In about two weeks-possibly in
ten days, as the ships filing up rap
idly"
"Hawley is thoroughly competent
to be your first mater"
Pedder looked Wonderingly at his
sister a moment, and then answered:
"Of course. l know of no better
man for the post"
"He must be your first mate,
then. You have influence enough
with your owners, I hope, to turn
out the present Incumbent"
"Why, the post is already ready
vacant. Mr.. Jarding-you have
seen him-Mr. Jarding has just been
called home suddenly to Ohio, on
account of his fathers illness
"Good! That's fortunate. You
must recommend Hawley for the
vacant place to your owners, and |
get them to engage him. The thing |
can be donel"
"Without the least doubt. It was
understood, you know, as I just |
now remarked, that 1 was to help |
Hawley at the first opportunity. |
Well accordingly suppose that he |
sails with me as first mate the next |
"What then?"
"You must leave him-not dead, |
but prisoner-on some desert is
land between here and Australian
Pedder looked his astonishment. |
"Ifit can be done," he said, after
a pause, "what next?"
sYou must come back and rennrt