The home journal. (Winchester, Tenn.) 1858-188?, 1872-07-11
The Plot Against Hawley.
CHAPTER /.
now TIE PLOT ORIGINATED.

~ ~ "N' ~
and restless, his whole mien indicative OF koon
anguish.
Turning 10 the right into Blocker street, be
soon reached a plain three story and basement
brick house, to which he gave himself admit
tance.
"Arc you there, Ruth ?" he called from the
hall.
A stop was heard overhead, followed by the
rustling of u dress, and n young lady d~ctconded
tho front stairs. Despite several points OF
marked contrast, there was Il family likeness
about the couple that proclaimed them to be
brother and slstcg.
"Why, what's the matter, Luke 2" cried the
latter, starting at sight Of the disturbed counte-
nance that met her view "Arc you ill?"
"rve Just received bad I"@s,' replied the
brother, leading the way into the pnrlor--"news
which has given mo u terrible shock"
'"Shockcd? You What has happoncd2"
"ln a word, Clara Aymar il married."
"Marriodl" echoed tho sister, recoiling.
"Clara Aymar married. ls it possible"
"Ycs, 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"
"Thcn you really loved hcrf"
"LOUed her | must have rorShirpcd her, or
else this thing would not have 80 completely
upset me-"
"Oh, AZ to that, the loss Of a thing always
gives us an exaggerated notion Of its yalue,'
said the sister philosoplically, as she sank Ian
guidfy into an easy chair, and smoothod out a
fold IN her SNOWY morning robo. You are
simply shocked, as you say. But by tomorrow
you will laugh at the whole matter"
don't Ruth !" impIorcd the brother, sinking
heavily into the nearest chair. "Clara Aymar
is more to me than my lifcl My love for her is
u doliriuml It's no such passing fancy as you
suppose, but nm everlasting passion-a ragc-a
flood of molten lava And I've counted all along
upon marrying her. True, 4,c has rejected me
twice, but | thought she'd change her mind"
"bhc was in no way committed to your
"No, OF course not. She has never given me
any encouragement. But | am none the less
surprised. | supposed that everything was
favorable enough 10 my wishes. | knew TINT
sho was still Young to m0rrv- an orphan with
out money aud without Iri,rne presumably
without %suitors and | fattcrcd myself that
she couldn't always rcnain inecnsibh to my
attentions"
You reasoned wisely enough, of course,
Luke but reason nuycr decides these matters
declared the sister, With n sort of cuntcmptuous
compassion. "a whim- q chance meeting
smile or n word moments wCakncss-any
trinn Ih,I, nY, fla, II tnt, lr ,rItAl, ,n 80 ,,p
are brought about, But who is the bride
groom"
All that's u point that will touch yOu q
little, | think. Can't yoI Gucss who he ISL"
81 haven't the lcast ida"
We'll, then, hoe VIII. I~iawlcy."
Tho sister sprang abruptly to her feet, clasp
ing both hands IA her hCurt. Tho changing
colors u her brother, hls agitation, his anguish,
all passed 81 her own features.
"Will. Hawleyt p sho gaspod. "Oh, Uudon't
mean 1t, Lukel n
"But | do though. Ite Gods truth. Clara
AymGr and Win. Hawloy are husband and
heavy fall succeeded. The sister had faint
cd. she lay upon the iloor as one dead.
Did she think that much Of ilawlcy p nut
tered the brother, astOuieled. 81 didn't sup
pose"
Ito hastcncd TO bring a pitcher Of water and
battle the white features, aud then SGT himself
to chatting the clcnchcd handle.
Capt, Lube PCllor wat tw,1ty-hCvCn years Of
ago, with an originally light complexion, which
had rcddcrd with generous h;irG and brOnZcd
with exposure 10 WIND and sun. His form was
Of the average riHu and height, and his features
Of the most ordinary type. lie was singularly
selfish and u~ns'rupuluuH, hut N gcntlcmanly
manncrs, being wcil educated and used to good
society. His ability as n navigator was fair for
Il man OF hs agc and experience, Int ne owed
his position as commander Ut n fine Australian
clipper, more to respect for his late father and
to sympathizing favor tlnn to his own merits.
Miss Ruth leldcr was two years younger than
her brother, and consequently twenty-five years
OF age, although she owned to only twenty. She
was tall, thin, and II little inclined IN her out
lines, MS III her temper, to mgularity. She wax
not particularly bright, but she was bold and
INSCRIPTIONS, and possessed " fierce energy
which was capable Of cOmpensaiing In an,
emergency for lack Of genius.
Tho father 9th couple had boon a prominent
ship-ownor and merchant. But in his latter
days the senior Fodder had been unfortunate
and had finally been broken up completely
result hastenod, 4 was whispered, ~ tho villa
ways and financial irregularities ofhis BOD. The
old mans failure had aoou boon OllOwed by his
death, and already for such is fame he was
generally forgotten.
= GLOW odd it is !" calculated Capt. Pcddcr, as
no rubbed his sisters cold hands. "She madly
In love with Will. Hawloy, and Icrazy after
clara Aymarl And now Will. ard Clara are
married, and Ruth and | arc lch cut in the
cold"
Under the vigorous treatment he had adopted,
MISS Fodder Boon recovered her senses.
"Aro you sure They're married ?" she DO
manded.
"Perfcctly. learned the fact half an hour
since from Hawloy's commandcr-Captain
IrpnUu vnl know Epntuin (irpuua Waa at tln
wedding. 1t took place last Friday evening
the very evening ator Hawloy's return from his
last voyage to Rio. 1t was a quiet affair. Only a
few friends wcro invited. But Et mo ask you a
question. Did Hawlcy ever propose to you Z"
"No. But | expected that he would soon do
30. He has been here often enough"
"Ycs, he came several times to nsk me for n
berth in my clipper. l promised to think of
him at tho first opening, and really meant to
help him, for | knew In a general way that you
liked him."
81 Thought ho'd realize that you could be of
service to him." explained Miss Peddor. 81
Thought he'd remember that mother left mo
this house and q few thousand dollars to do az
l pleased with. l was conscious, too, that |
possessed a fair share Of personal attractions.
And as | supposed him to DO entirely heart-froc,
/ took it for granted that ! should got him. Ills
attentions seemed marked enough"
"HU treated you politely, Of course" inter-
ruptcd Pedder, ''and he couldn't have web
done less, after asking mt to bofricnd him.
But he never made a y formal declarations ?"
"No, he didn't. As mate Of Il Rio ship, he
was away scycI-e;Bhths of the time, aud l did
MT expect a regular courtblip. Blu l took 1t
for granted"
Fodder made an impatient gesture.
"No'ye deceived ourselves" he muttcrcd.
"We'yo been carried away by our feelings.
The girls rejection Of INT was really intended
to be final, and Havlsy's visits here were mere
y visits Of business and friendship. Blu why
Clara should prefer Hawley TO me ] can't imag-
inc" added Pcdder, drawing himself up
haughtily. "Hawley has neither name, nor
money, nor positionl"
"Nor can I see why Hawloy should prefer
Clara Aymar TO me !" said Miss Peddor, AZ she
glanced at her reflection in one Of the long
mirrrra near her. "SheA n hired attendant,
or SOL Thing of that kind-the creature"
I'D NJ idea that you thought 80 much Of
Hawley," observed the brother, as he strove to
calm his painful emotions.