Arkansas intelligencer., 1848-01-08
For the Arkansas lntelligencer.
A SkE Gil.
BY MENCI INE.

Continued and Concluded, from Dec. 1871
In narrow and obscure street, in The suburbs
of one of our most populous cities, might be seen
tall figure, closely nuflled up, moving rapidly
along. Intricate as the road was, the individual
seemed TO be familiar with it, though pausng &C.
caslonay from fatigue, but finally succeeded in
reaching mean hovel, situated short distance
from the road side. 1t looked tenantiess, being
much dilapdared; part of the roof having fall:
en- in, and the ragged and shattered window
blinds swaging 10 and fro with every blast. The
individual tapped lightly at the old shaken door;
which stood afar, and was responded to by a sim
guarly ug y old crone, who was habted in a
scanty dress of the coarseSt material her black,
lank hair hung loose and disheveed over her unco-
vered neck and shoulders, and her small, piercing
grey eyes seemed 10 twinkle with Internal fire ;
her whole appearance was such to inspire hor
ror, and the form Of the masked individual invol-
unfairly trembled, on being alone with this hide
piece of humanity.
The room was scantilv furnished the only a r
tlcle of furniture visible was pallet of straw
in ono corner of the roofn-an old clock
that ticked on table, which bore the marks oil
time on IFS face-a few much abused chairs and
a stand in the centre which stood lamp that
shed through the low easement lis feeble and flick
er'ng rays. The room had been pasted and lined
with old newspapers which, doubtless; gave it an
those destructive and troublesome little vermin,
had committed serious depredations The tenant
of the house {If il could be called one) was an
old woman who lived entirely alone, a nd who pre-
tended 10 be versed in the art of Palmistry. This
old syb had always lived secluded, never min.
Cling in the gay aad active scenes Of life; held
no intercourse, whatever, with mankind, save,
when some occasional visitor would drop in TO get
her to predict his destiny, as in ,he case Of this
instance.
Who comes at this hour of hight ? Is it some
wandering spirit of darkness come to mock my
misery Away avuunt tempt not fortune
fly from this den of wretchedness, for, tonight
hold converse with the fends of the internal
realms"
:" | wish you to look into futurity. learned Sy-
bll, and read me my destiny spoke assweet and
peculiarly winning voice. The mantle fell from
the stranger and the beautiful and accomplished
Florence ST. Clair stood before her.
The sorcere5s drew back in surprise:
" How did you venture hither unattended at
this hour You so fair, tho belle Of the city, the
toast Of the country? Do.y not fear to visit
alone, who is The terror of all classes of civil
Used beings? You. SO fair and fragile, pay me
a nocturnal visit. lta, ha ~ and she broke forth
in loud and demoniacai laugh.
'' 4 fear nothing; bat let rs not consume time
thus idly, my moments are few see if the fates
the future bright and hopeful, as the present is
dark and hopoles -
She seated herself by the Sybil according TO her
request, and placed her small, jeweled hand within
that Of the old crone, whose thick, chubby, red
hands formed striking contrast to the slender Ia
pering finger of Florence. The Sybil gazed in
tentIy for few minutes on lis white palm. then
raised her glowing grey eyes to those of Florence:
" Lady have seached and looked into futurity
often, and have learned strange things, but thy
destiny surpasses them all: you love soldier
fine Colonel Of his regiment adores you you will
never be united; he will fall in battle crowned
with honors your life will terminate in con
vent. Go lady, forget your cavalier, he will ne
yer be thine"
J. Florence seemed somewhat awed by this pre-
diction a cloud seemed to hang on her brow bu
for moment, as the shadow of the nightingale
fitting DER the moont moss.
Forget" said Florence, fastening her gaze OF
the crone, never, nerer, while this warm bloot
meanders through my veins, sleeping or waking
! shall never forget him."
So saving, she again denned her disguise ant
throw ed into The Sybil's hand richly wrough
purse of agoid-she disappeared in the 'obscurit,
ofstho nigiit. =,
g The brave and gallant General (whose nam
will be insc ribed on the deathless pages of re
nown) was giving the orders Of command to marc
10 the. next town, toprepare for storming il, whe
one of his Aid-de-camps informed him that
young man without the camp demanded an audi
ence, if, but fora minute.
!" Bring him hther," said the General.
l. He stepped forth aud bowed polilcly--thc Gen