Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1831-07-21

escence, and the father was delig GIFTED
Alas! poor fool, he knew not that the
worm Of blasted hope was at her heart. -
The hour arrived, and the guests were
assembled. Old Rowland was already
there to take to his bosom the beautiful
being whose temporal and perhaps eter-
nal happiness her parents were about to
sacrifice at the shrine ofgain. Julia was
in the chamber with Clara, preparing her
for the hour which was eternally to sep
arate her from the man she loved.
/ The fatal moment arrived, and amidst
the merry assembly Julia and Clara APP
peared in deep mourning. All were as
tonished at seeing the bride dressed in
so singular manner, and the father was
irritated; but as the priest was already
present, the circumstance was suffered
to pass. Old Summervlle advanced,
took Clara by the hand, and endeavorcd
to lead her forward to where Rowland
stood grinning with triumph, but she re-
treated with look Of horror. But the
penalty of her disobedience was again
whispered in her ear, and with desper-
ate effort she advanced to the side of
Rowland So much did she resemble a
sacrifice, so pale with grief, and so un-
like the once gay, volatile and blooming
Clara, that several other youthful friends
melted in tears.
The ceremony commenced, and as it
proceeded she stood like a statue in
which there is no life. and indeed there
was 70 evidence of her existence, but
the quivering of her parched lip, and
the tear that hung pendant from her half
closed eye. AT the conclusion of the
priest, she said in low tonc-"my doom
is sealed; oh, Brandon" Casting an
indescribablc look in the face of How
land, in which was mingled grief, regret
and horror, she tainted and was caught
in the arms Of her sister, who stood pet
rified at her side.
Such was the sacrifice of young and
beautiful creature, who mi ght have been
happy through life with the man to whom
she was devoted. Such too has been
the miserable lot of thousands.
The sequel of the melancholy story
may be told in few words. Clara was
taken to the splendid mansion of old
Howland; but the constant tears and the
absence of all affection soon soured the
disposition of her husband, and he treat
ed her as Turk would treat slave
She was seldom seen in public and all
that pomp ofwealth which so pleased the
avarice Of the parents only aggravated
her misery and heightened the poignancy
Of despair.
Henry Brandon was honorably dis
charged from prison when the court un-
derstood his motive for entering the house
of Summerville, and that he did so at the
invitation of Clara. But he was a mise
rable wretch. The highest, dearest
hopes of his heart had been blasted, and
his soul had become solitude. He de-
termined on leaving the State, as his pres
ence would only increase their mutual
misery. But he could not depart without
bidding the unhappy Clara one long, last
farewell.
"I am the most miserable of all human
beings" she exclaimed, and again melt
ed into tears.
The enthusiastic Brandon could not
stand the conflict which was desolating
her soul, nor could he approach that fair
being who sat on the sofa looking sorrow
fully on the floor. He could only artic-
ulate farewell, and with hurried steps and
with an agonized heart left the house.
The faint sobs of Clara fell on his ear as
he gained the street, the last sound other
voice he was destined ever to hear. He
departed the next day no one knew with
er.
In the year 1918, Brandon was in Or
leans, and saw in paper an account
stating that Capt. Robert Rowland had
returned to his native State, who was sup
posed to have been killed in the late war,
but who had only been wounded and ta-
ken captive by the Indians, and after a
long captivity had escaped Immediate
ly young Brandon returned home to greet
his long lost father. But how had things
changed? Old Rowland was beggar,
pretending to possess the will of his bro
ther after his supposed death The bro
thcr had now taken possession ofhis prop
erty, and old Rowland had dccamped
ere the arrival of young Brandon. The
once charming and still beautiful Clara
finding herself at liberty (for it was after
wards reported that old Howland was
dead) flew to the Convent of George
town, and had assumed the black veil,
which forever separated her from the
world. Thither, after short delay,
Brandon proceeded, with the hope of at
ast seeing her, but finding his efforts
ruthless he proceeded to New Y ork, s.
ook passage for Europe, with view Of
making a tour, from whence he has nev-