Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1872-06-29
THE PLOT AGAINST HAwLEY.
CHAPTER I.
HOW TIE PLOT ORIGINATED.

walking hurriedly up Broadway, New
York. His features were flushed and con-
vulsed, his glanccs wild and restless, his
whole nicn indicative of keen anguish.
Turning TO the right into Bleecker street,
he soon reached n plain three story and
basement brick house, to which he gave
himself admittaucc.
Are you there, Ruth p he called from
the hall.
A step was heard overhead, followed by
the rusting of dress, and young lady
descended the front stairs. Despite several
points of fmarked contrast, there was n fami-
iy likeness about the couple that proclaim
cd them to be brother and sister.
why, what's the matter, Luke p cried
the latter, starting at sight Of the disturbed
countenance that met her view. Are you
i'll 2"
I've just received bad news replied the
brother, leading the way into the parlor-
news which has given me terrible shock
Shocked ? You! What has happened?'
In word, Clara Aymar is married y
Married ! echoed the sister, rccoiliug
Clara Aymar married Is it possible p
Yes, married the girl I've been laying
siege to for years past the only girl l ever
cared pin for. Imagine the shock this
event gives me. I'm nearly crazy
Then you really loved her p
'Lorcd her l must have ,corShippcd 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 va
lue,' said the sister philosophicaly, as she
sank languidly into an easy chair, and
smoothed out a fold in her snowy morning
robe. You are simply shocked, as you
say. But by tomorrow you will laugh ut
the whole matter
Don't Ruth = implored the brother,
sinking heavily irto the nearest chair.
Clara Aymar is more to me than my life
My love for her is a deirium It's no
such passing fancy rs you suppose, but an
everlasting passion-a rage-a flood of
molten lava And I've counted all along
upon marrying her. True, she has reject
ed me twice, but l 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 every
thing was favorable enough to my wishes.
l knew that she was still young to marry
an orphan-without money and without
friends--presumably without suitors and
l fattered myself that she couldn't always
remain insensible to my attentions
You reasoned wisely enough, of course,
Luke but reason never decides these mat
temptuous compassion. y Wilma chance
meeting-a smile or a word--a moments
wcakness--any trihe--these are the things
by which marriages are brought about.
But who is the bridegroom p
'Ah that's point that will touch yolt
a little, think. Can't you guess who he
is p
4 haven't the least idea
'Well, then, he's win. Uawley.'
f.,l
clasping both hands to her heart. The
changing colors OF her brother, his agita-
ton, his anguish, all passed to her own
features.
"Will. Hawcy' she gasped. 'Oh you
don't mean it, Luke!'
But 1 do though. It's Gods truth.
Clara Aymar and viii. Hawley are hus-
band 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 2
muttered the brother, astonished. i didn't
suppose
lie hastened to bring pitcher of water
and bathe the white features, and then set
himself TO chatting the clenchcd hands.
Capt. Luke Pedder was twenty-sever
years of age, with an originally light com
pleXion, which had Redeemed with generous
living and bronzcd with exposure to wind
and sun. His form was of the average size
and height, and his features of the most
ordinary type. lie was sing ularly selfish and
unscrupulous, but Of gentlemaniy manners
being well educated and used to good So
ciety. His ability as navigator was tail
for man Of his age and experience, bu
he owed his position as commander of {
fine Australian clipper, more to respect fol
ms late father and to sympathizing favol
than to his own merits.
Miss Ruth Peddcr was two years young
or than her brother, and consequently
twenty-five years of age, although she own
cd to only twenty. She was tail, thin, an(
q little inclined in her outlines. as in he
temper, 10 angularity. She was not par
ticularly bright, but she was bold and un
scrupulous, and possessed q fierce enerE,
which was capable of cOmpenSating in any
emergency for lack Of genius.
The father Of the couple had been prom
inent ship-owner and merchant. But il
his latter days the senior Pedler had beer
unfortunate, and had finally been broker
up compIctcly-a result FASTENED, it wa
whispered, by the wild ways and ilnancia
Irregularities of his son. The old man
failure had soon been followed by his death
and already--for such is fame he wa
generally forgotten.
How odd it is = calculated Capt. Ped
der, as he rubbed his sisters cold hands
'Shc madly in love with VIII. Hawley, an
I crazy after Clara Aymar And noN
viii. and Clara are married, and Ruth an
are left out in the cold.'
Under the vigorous treatment he ha
adopted, Miss Peddcr soon recovered he
senses.
Are you sure they're married p she dC
manded.
Perfectly. | learned the fact half n
hour since from Ilawey's commander
Captain Greggs was at the wedding.
took place last Friday evenng-the yer
evening after lIawley's return from his la'
voyage TO Rio. 1t was quiet aflai
Only a few friends were invited. But !,
me ask you question. Did IIawley eve
propose to your
No. But expected that he would SOC
do so. lie has been here often enough
Yes, lie came several times to ask n
for berth in my clipper. l promised
think Of him n tha first onnninU and