Staunton vindicator and general advertiser. (Staunton, Augusta County, Va.) 1858-1860, 1858-01-23

THE sYD1L's CIRCLE.

The next day. Honora informed her
grandmother, Madame Auderly, Of God
frey's presence in the neigAherhood, and the
old lady sent her only brother, Colonel,
Shannon, to fetch linn to Piedmont God
frey accepted the invitation. On his arri-
val, he found that General Sterne, the gov
ernor elect of Virginia, and his son, had
just taken up their quarters, for several
days with Madame Auderly and the old
lady, in his honor, at once sent off cards of
Invitation to some Of the ncighbors to visit
her that evening.
When tea was over, the company adjourn
ed to the drawing-room, where, soon after,
the guests invited Tor the evening Joined
| them.
First came Father O'Louherty, the par
| ish priest Of St. Andrews Church at Cross
land
The next arrivals were Mr. and Mrs.
Willoughby, and Mr. Heine.
| Immediately after them came Dr. and
Mrs. Henry Hawc-the doctor, man Of
great fashion and elegance, the lady, a del
icate, pensive woman, with sort Of sad,
moonlight face, beaming softly out between
her feecy locks of jet.
And, last Of all, to the astonishment of
every body, came old Hugh Have, who had
been invited as a matter of courtesy, and
was not in the least degree expected to make
his appearance.
He came not alone On his arm he
brought a young girl, unlimited, but whom
with grave courtesy, he presented to his
hostess as Agnes Darke, the daughter Of a
deceased friend, and now his ward, who had
arrived only that morning, and whom, pre-
suming on Madame Auderly's well-known
kindness, he had ventured to present to her.
Madame Auderly, reader Of faces, was
certainly attracted towards her and, after
little talk, that confirmed her first fayora-
BILE impressions, she took the hand Of the
orphan girl, and conducted her to the group
formed by the Misses Auderly, Mr.. Sterne,
Mr.. Hsine, Mr. Dulanie, and Honora
Paule
Under the auspices Of Miss Rose Auder-
ly, they were just about to form what she
called SYPHILIS Circle, for which purpose,
Messrs Heine and Sterne were dispatched
ito bring forward a round table. Miss Rose
went to cabinet to seek the ''Sybips
Leaves" which she presently produced. -
All then seated themselves around the ia
BILE.
A dead silence reigned Rose shufled
the cards, turned them with their faces
down, and then, addressing her right-hand
llneighbor, Mr.. Sterne, in a low voice, she
demanded
"What would you with the Sybil?"
Il would know the future partner Of my
/, life," was the formal answer.
DRAW ~
The young man hesitated for while,
smiled, and, rejecting al those cards that
were nearest himself, put his hand under
the pack, and withdrew the lowest one.
s'Readr' he said, extending the card to
the Sybil.
clear p she exclaimed
ga widow beautiful as light,
/, Twill be your lot to we'd
With rich jointure, which shall pour
| Its blessings on your head
There was general. clapping Of hands,
and shouts Of laughter.
| 1t was now Miss Jessie's turn to test her
fate. Being young lady, she would not
put the question in the usual form, but
merely inquired what should be her future
fate. The answer drawn was
ssTo dandle fools and chronicle small beer
reply that nearly extinguished Miss Jes-
sic for the evening.
RI declare, if here is not Mr.. Hugh
Hawep' exclaimed the lively Lily, as the
old miser sauntered deliberately to the Ia
bic, and stood looking with INDECENT curlos-
ity upon The game of the young people !,
| Come, Mr. Have ] declare, you shall
have your fortune told Y
! "Well, weH-the commands Of young
ladies are not to be disobeyed," replied the
old man, calamity, as he extended his hand
and drew card, which he passed 70 the
Sybil.