Beaufort Republican. [volume] (Beaufort, S.C.) 1871-1873, 1872-08-01
The Plot Against Hawley.
CHAPTER I.
HOW THE PLOT ORIGINATED.

CHAPTER I.
HOW THE PLOT ORIGINATED.
Near noon, the 9Th of September, 1852, man
laboring under great excitement was viking
hurriedly up Broadway, New York. Hisfcatures
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 p ain three story and basement
brick house, to which he gave himself admit
tance.
care you there, Ruth 2" he called from the
hall
step was heard overhead, followed by the
rustling of dress, and young lady descended
the front stairs. Despite several points et
marked contrast, there was family likeness
about the couple that proclaimed them to be
brother and sister.
"Why, what's the matter, Luke ?" cried the
latter, starting at sight Of the disturbed counte-
nance that met her view care you ll?"
"rve just received bad news" replied the
brother, leading the way into the parlor-"new
which has given me terrible shock"
'.shocked2 You! What has happened2"
"In a word, Clara Aymar is marriedl"
"Marriedl" echoed the sister, recoiling.
"Clara Aymar married. Is it possible'"
"Yes, married! the girl I've been laying siege
to for years past-the only girl I ever cared
pin for Imagine the shock this event gives me
I'm nearly crazy"
"Then you really loved herr"
"Loued her. J must have Dorshipped her, OF
else this thing would not have 30 completely
upset me-"
"Oh, as to that, the loss Of thing alwaye
gives us an exaggerated notion Of its value,
said the sister philosophically, as she sank Ian,
guidly 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 at the whole matter"
"Dont Ruth J" implored the brother. sinking
heavily into the nearest chair. "Clara Aymar
is more to me than my life My love for her il
a delirium! It's no such passing fancy as you
suppose, but an everlasting passion-a rage-s
flood 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 was in no way committed to your"
"No, Of course not. She has never given me
any encouragement. But am none the les;
surprised. 1 supposed that everything was
favorable enough to my wishes l knew that
she was still Young to marry-an orphan with
out money and without friends presumably
without suitors and I fattered myself thai
she couldn't always remain insenslble to my
| attentions"
"Yon reasoned wisely enough, Of course
Luke butreason never decides these matters,
declared the sister, with sort Of contemptuout
compassion. GA Wilma chance meeting-t
smile or a word-a moments wednesday,
trife-these are the things bv which marriages
are brought about. But who is the bride
groom"
"Ah! that's point that will touch you {
little, think. Can't you guess who he Isl"
q 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. Hawley?" she gasped. "ob, you dom
mean it, Lukel"
"But | do though It's Gods truth. Clar,
Aymar and Will. Hawley are husband anc
wife"
A heavy fall succeeded The sister had faint
ed. She lay upon the iioor as one dead.
"Did she think that much Of Hawley2" NUT
tered the brother, astonished. 81 didn't sup
pose"
He fastened to bring pitcher of water am
bathe the white features, and then set himself
to chatting the clenched hands.
Capt. Luke Pedder was twenty-seven years O
age with an originally light complexion, which
had reddened with generous living and bronzet
with exposure to wind and sun. His form wal
of the average size and height. and his features
of the most ordinary type. He was singularl!
selfish and interruptions. but OF gentlemanl!
manners, being we'll educated and used to goot
society. His ability as navigator was fair fo
a man of his age and experience, but ne owef
his position as commander of fine Australian
clipper, more to respect for his late father ant
to sympathizing favor than to his own merits.
Miss Ruth Pedder was two years younger thar
her brother and consequently twenty-five year:
Of age, although she owned to only twenty. Sht
was tall thin, and little inclined in her out
lines, as in her temper, to angularity. She wat
not particularly bright, but she was bold ant
unscrupulous and possessed fierce energy
which was capable Of compensaiing in any
emergency for lack OF genius.
The father ofthe couple had been a prominen
ship-osner and merchant. But in his latter
DAYS the senior Pedder had been unfortunate
and had finally been broken up completely
result hastened, it was whisp red. by the wilt
ways and financial Irregularities ofhis son. The
old mans failure had soon been followed by his
death, and already-for such is fame he wal
generally forgotten.
"How odd it is !" calculated Capt. Pedder. al
he rubbed his sisters cold hands. "Ste madly
in love with Will. Haw ey, and IcraZy aftel
Clara Aymar! And now Will. and Clara art
married, and Ruth and l are left out in tht
cold"
Under the vigorous treatment he had adopted
Miss Pedder soon recovered her senses.
care you sure they're married?" she de
manded.
Perfectly. learned the fact half an houl
since from Hawley's commander-Captair
Greggs, you know. Captain Greggs was at th'
wedding 1t took place last Friday evening
the very evening after Hawley's return from hi
last voyage to Rio. 1t was quiet affair. Only
few friends were invited. But let me ask you
question. Did Hawley ever propose to you ?"
"No. But expected that he would soon d'
So He has been here often enough"
eyes, he came several times to ask me for
berth in my clipper. I promised to think o
him at the first opening, and really meant u
help him, for knew in general way that yol
liked him."
az thought he'd realize that you could be o
service to him." explained Miss Pedder. :"
thought he'd remember that mother left MI
this house and few thousand dollars to do al
l pleased with. was conscious, too, that
possessed fair share Of personal attractions
And as 1 supposed him to be entirely heart-free
took it for granted that should get him. Hi
attentions seemed marked enough"
"He treate you politely, of course" inter
rupted Pedder, ''and he couldn't have vel
done less, after asking me to befriend him
But he never made a y formal dcclaration?'
"No. he didn't. AS mate of Rio ship, h.
was away seven-e;ghths OF the time, and did
MT expect a regular courtship. But l took
for granted"