The Arkansas advocate., 1831-03-30
NO. 1s

from his nerveless grasp, and when he awoke ifon, his stupor tile father and daughter had disappeared, and he look ed in vain for the dagger which had fal- len at his feet.
 The ill.fatcd Clara was hurried away to her chamber, to remain prisoner subject to the visits of none but her ps- rents, and that object whom she loatlled and dreaded more than death. Sine pass ed 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, whiie she threw back her glossy ringlets that clustered upon her agitatcd bo- som, sine prayed to the Supreme Being to shield her from the fate which await cd her, and arose more calm. Scarcely had she risen from the floor when her dungeon was unlocked, and her parents. attended by old Rowland and Julia, her sister, entered.
 "Wcll, Miss Obstinacy,' said the fa- ther, sshave 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 ;"in the sight of heaven l am the wife of anothcr.''
 "Are you then married?p screamed the mother with hysteric wildness.
 "Nay-but my VOW has been record ed in heaven never to wed any but--''
 But whom?'' asked the father, in the voice of stentor.
 "Brandon,a Clara replied, in calm tone, vainly expecting some favor from the disclosure.
 "Good heavens" calculated old IIow- land: s'then that proAigate nephew of mine is my rival. The ungrateful dog he shall be sheltered by my roof no longer"
 "You see, friend Rowland, 7said Sum- merville, "we are both treated with in- gratitude
 "I have never disobcycd you, my fsl- ther,' said tho gentle Clara, affection ately. 4but--''
 ssThen you shall be the wife of this man tc-morrow, returned Summcrvillc, with sternness.
 sNever!a, cried Clara, as she dashed tho tear from hcr cheek. and sprung from the sofa, ssnever will wed the man l cannot love-"
 As she spoke she elevated her fine form, and her beautiful eye sparkled with emotion, as she drew from beneath iIcr robe tic s;,ss,c s.s.scs BIsiis:os. mad dropped the evening before, and held 1 it glttering F, their gaze. "'This," said the heroic girl, @shall end the controversy. This, if l cannot wed inc mani love, ,sl,asl wed llie ttosss''e ssass. The heart should decide on all subjects relating to the heart. Take yourchoicc, my father, to- ssAnd take your choice, ungratefiiland disobedient daughter, ssinterruptcd the incensed father, sscither 10 wed with the appreciation of your parents, orr
 GA parcnt," said Clara, intcrrupting ] in return, acannct enter into the feelings of the heart ofa daughter, and therefore. is not competent to decide in a choice of what may produce her happiness. can never consent 10 be bound to loathsome object. whom have eyer dctested.p The fathers eyes flashed fire as he proceeded: .Thentake yourchoices oncs forall, either to obey my command to wed this man to morrow or to be turned out into the world n beggar, to feel that the ties of father and daughter are dissolved forever, and never again to cross the threshold of your once happy home. 1 Your choice shall be irrcvocable.
 The last word had not died upon his lip ere tic unhappy Clara gave one faint shrek, and sunk senselcss into the armsof her weeping sister. The anguishng idea of rendng assupder the ties of kin- dred nature, and of being driven forth disowned and disinherited, was more than her tender heart could bear, and witI- cred up the energies of her soul. The io mother, still possessing the feelings ofall generous women, seeing the sorrow of her daughters, could no longer hold out,
 became an advocate for Clara, but the fathcrremained infexihle. They all retired, and left Julia 10 watch owe her insensiblc sister. Towards noonthc un- happy Clara revived from her dream of sorrow only to sense of still acuter ag- ony. A thousand fears and conjecturcs racked her brain, and drove her almost 1 10 phrenzy. How should she give no-