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

That evening, Clara and Brandon were
to meet at the foot of the garden, to de.
wise plan of escape, though Brandon
did not yet know the fate to which Clara
was doomed. The lingering sun a
length went down, and the broad moor
looked smilingly on the deep brown au
tumn woods, waving like a sea of gold
AT the appointed hour Clara stole from
her chamber, and in her beloved groltc
awaited the approach Of her lover. Alas
she little knew she was to meet him there
no more. AT length her quick eye o
love discovere d figure advancing dowr
the avenue, wrapped in night gown
which she supposed to be the cloak
Brandon wore. Still nearer he ap-
preached in the dim shade of the avenue
until Clara had become satisfied that il
was no other than Brandon, when she
sprung forward and called upon the name
she long had loved. In moment she
retreated, as the figure approached tc
the moon light, and discovered her faith
er, who, being troubled in mind on ac-
count of her obstincy, had wandered
from his bed Ii was enough, the name
of Brandon had fallen on his ear, and he
stood sternly gazing upon his weeping
daughter.
"Forgivc me, OH my dear father"
cried the agonizing girl, as she knelt be-
fore him; 81 have long been betrothed
to the man love, and / can never ,love
another"
eyes | will forgive YOU" said her
father, in sarcastic and bitter tone; can
undutiful and ungrateful child deserves
to be forgiven. Hence this moment to
your chamber, and there remain pris-
oncr till you consent to obey the mandate
of those to whom you owe your exis-
tcnce.
As he spoke these words he rudely
seized her by the arm when she scream
ed, and in an instant Brandon, who sup
posed her to be attacked by some rufiian,
flew to her assistance, and his dagger,
aimed at the breast Of Summerville, gilt
tered in the moon light. As the dagger
descended with Herculean force, Sum-
merville eluded it, and discovered him
self to Brandon.
"Away, vile murderer said he; "no
villain who strikes at my life shall ever
possess my child
Had a thunderbolt descended upon
the head of Brandon, he could not have
been more paralyzed. The dagger
dropped from his pervcless grasp, and
when he awoke from his stupor the faith
er and daughter had disappeared, and he
looked IN vain for the dagger which had
fallen at his feet.
The i'll iated Clara was hurried away
to her chamber, to remain prisoner sub
ject to the visits of none but her parents,
and that object whom she loathed and
dreaded more than death. She passed
the remnant Of that night in tears, and
the next day dawned only to renew her
sorrows. Bending her knee to the floor,
and lifting her eyes to heaven, while she
threw back the glossy ringlets that clus-
tered upon her agitated bosom, she pray
ed to the Supreme Being to shield her
from the fate which awaited her, and a
rose more calm. Scarcely had she "a
risen from the floor when her dungeon
was unlocked, and her parents, attended
by old Rowland and Julia, her sister en-
tered.
"Well, Miss Obstinacy," said the ia
thcr, "have you consented to obey your
parents and accept this man, who will
render you happy, and whom you have
treated so rudely"
"Urge me no more, my father" said
the weeping girl; Gin the sight ofheaven
| am the wife of another"
care You then married. screamed the
mother with hysteric wildness."
"Nay-but my VOW has been record
ed in heaven never to we'd any but"
"But whom'' asked the father, in the
voice of stentor.
"Brandon," Clara replied, in calm
tone, vainly expecting some favor from
the disclosure.
Good heavensn calculated old How
land; "then that profligate nephew of
mine is my rival. The ungrateful dog.
he shall be sheltered by my roof no lon
ger.
You see, friend Howland,' said Sum-
merville, eve are both treated with in
gratitude"
81 have never disobeyed you, my fa-
ther," said the gentle Clara, ailcctionate-
ly, "but-"
"Then you shall be the wife of this
man Tomorrow" returned SummervilIe
with sternness.
"Neverw cried Clara, as she dashed
the tear from her cheek, and sprung from
the sofa: "never will wed the man |
cannot love-"
As she spoke she elevated her fine
form, and her beautiful eye sparkled with
emotion, as she drew from beneath her
robe the same dagger Brandon had drop