Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1872-07-02
Misteuang.
THE PLOT
A GAIN ST Ill A w l. b 1
CHAPTFR ].
HOW THE PLOT ORIGINATED.

less, ms WhOle mien lhuicali'e VI
anguish.
Turning to the right into Bleeeker
street, he soon reached a plsin three
story and basement brick house, to
which he gave himself admittance.
care You there, Ruth ~ be called from
The hall.
\ step was heard overheard, followed
by the rustling OF dress, and young
iSdy decended the front stairs. Despte
several points of marked contrast, there
was fsnily likeness about the couple
that proclaimed them to DC brother anC
sister.
why, what's the matter, Luke :
cried the latter, starting at sight OF the
disturbed countenance that met her view
"Are you i'll ~
"Pve Just received bad news" replied
the brother, leading the way into the
parlor,-''news which has given me
terrible shock"
shocked? You What has happen
ed ?n
In word, Clara Aymar is married :!
Married ," echoed the sister, recoil'
Ing, "Clara Aymar married. Is It pos
sible ?n
Yes. married the girl been laying
siege 10 for years past the only girl
ever cared a pin tor. Imagine the shock
this event gives me. I'm nearly crazy
Then You really loved her -
Levcd her must have woyShppea
Aer, OF else ihis Thing would not have SO
completely upset me.
oh. rs 70 that, the loss OF thing n
ways gives Us an exaggerated notion Of
is value, said the sister philosOphically,
rs she sank languidly into IN easy chair,
and smoo.hed out . told in her snowy
morning robe. "You are simply shock
ed, as You say. But by tomorrow you
will laugh az the whole matter"
Don't, Ruth ?" implored the broth6d,
sinking heavily into the nearest chair
Clara AJmar is more TO me than my
lite Ny love for her is iclirium It's
no such passing fancy as you suppose,
but an everlasting paSSion-a rags
flood OF molten lava And I've counted
all along upon marrying hsr. True, she
has rejected me twice. bit l thought
she'd change her mind"
"She was in no way committed tc
you?"
''No, Of course not. She has never
given me any encouragement. But
am none the less surprised. l supposed
that everything was favorable enough 70
my wishes. | knew that she was still
young 10 marry-an oTphan-without
money and without friends-presumsbly
without suitors; and l flattered myself
that she couldn't always remain inSen
sible to my attentions
You reasoned wisely enough. oil
course, Luke; but reason never decides
these matters" declared the sister. with
4 sort OF contemptuOUS compassion. "A
whim-a chance meeting-a smile or q
words moments wednesday, tri1e
these are the things by which marriage,
are brought about. But who is the
bridegroom p
"Ah ! that's O point that will touch
yoa little. think. Can't YOU guess
who he IS -
Il haven't the least idea
We'll, then, he's Will. Hawley."
The sister sprang abruptly TO her feet
Clasping both hands 20 her heart. The
changing colOrs of her brother, his ag-
iiation, his anguish, all passed to hel
own features.
"Will. Hawley ?" she grasped. "Oh
YOU don't mean it, Luke -
''BUt do though. It's Gods truth.
Clara Aymsr and VIII. Hawley are huS-
band and wife,
A heavy fall succeeded. The sister
had tainted. She lay upon the floor "a
one dead.
Ibid she think that much of Hawiey ?
muttered the brother, sStonished. 81
didn't suppose"
He fastened to bring a pitcher of wa
ter and battle the white features, and ther
set himsefto chatting the clenched hands.
Capt. Luke Pedder was twenty-sever
years of age, with an originally light
complexion, which had redeemed with
generous living and bronzed with expos
ure to wind and sun. His form was Of
the average size and height, and his tea
lures Of the most ordinary type. He wa,
Singularly selfish and unscrupulouS. bu
of geu,smanly manners. being well ed
uea.ed and used to good society His
ability o. navigator was fair Tor man
OF his age and experience, but he owed hi:
position Is commander of a fine Austria
lian clipper, more 10 respect for his late
father and TO sympathizing favor thar
10 his own merits.
Miss Ruth Pedier was two yeari
younger than her brother, and cOnse
queutly tWenty-fVeyears ofage, although
She owned to only twenty. She was
tall. thin, ana little inclined in her out
lines, as in her temper. TO angularity
She was not particularly bright. but she
was bold and INSCRIPTIONS, and possess
ed fierce energy which WAS capabl,
OF compromising in any emergency tOl
lack Of genius.
The father OF the couple had been {
prominent ship.owner and merchant
But in his latter days the senior Pedde
had been unfortunate, and had finally
been broken up completely-a resul
fastened, it was whispered, by the will
ways and financial irregularities OF hi.
son. The old mans failure had 80 OF
been followed by his death. and already
for such is fame he was generally for
gotten.
How odd it is - calculated Capt
Pedder, Is ne rubbed his sisters colo
hands. ".She madly in love with win
Hawley, and I crazy after Clara Aymar
And now VIII. and Clara are married
and Ruth and / are left out in the cold"
Under the vigorous treatment he haC
adopted. Miss Pedder soon recovered he
senses.
"Are you sure they arc married ," she
demanded
Perfectly. learned The fact half nj
hour since from Hswley's commander
Captain Greggs, you know. Captain
Greggs was at the wedding. 1t tool
place last Friday eyening-the very
evening after Hawley's return from biz
last voyage TO Rio. 1t was & quiet affair
oniy lew friends were invited. Bu;
let NE ask you question. Did Hawley
ever NrOnOSa 10 Vnu -