Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1858-01-16
THE BRIDE OF AN EVENING
BY EMMA u. 3. N. soUTHwoRTH.
CHAPTER !.
THE AsrRoLooER's PREDICTION.

Reading A few weeks since, one of De Quincey's
papers-d Three Memorable Murders, RECALLED to
my mind the strange circumstances OF one Of the most
mysterious dramas that taxed the ingenuity Of
man, or required the flight OF time to develop
The locality Of story lies amid one of the Wild
est and most picturesque regions OF the Old Dominion,
where the head waters of the Rappahannock wash the
base of the Blue Ridge
The precise spot rossand-s sublime and beau
tifu scene where two iorestcruwned ranges of noun
tans cross each other ut oblique angles.
At the ntersectng point Of these ridges nestes
little hamlet named, from its elevated position, Alta
mont.
At the period at which our story opens the four
taes in the four angles OF the irregular mountain cross,
were owned as follows:
The eastern farm, called Piedmont was the life
property of Madame Auderly, Nirginan lady Of the
old school.
The western and most valuable estate was the in
herance of lIonora Paue, an orphan hciress, grand
daughter ard ward of Madame Auderly.
The northern and smallest one, called from being
the deepest vale of the four-tawe's uolc-was the
property of old Hugh Have wdower of gloomy TEN
per- parsimonious habits and almost fabulous wealth.
The southern farm-named, from the extravagant
cost of the elegant mansionhousc elaborate out-bud-
ings, and highly onmmented grounds, which had alb
sorbed the means ofthe late owner, Fmquier'e Folly
was the heavily -mortgaged patrinony OF godfrey
Farquer Duanie, the grandson Of Hugh Have, and
young asprant for legal honors at the Univer-
sty Of Virginia.
But little benefit to the heir was to be hoped from
the Inheritance OF his fathers bur hened property. In
the first place, old Hugh Have had bought up in his
FoydOubtless to prevent foreclosure, and to save
the property Of his grandson.
But unhappily, Godfrey had MORALLY offended the
despotic old man by declining agricultural life, and
persistng in the study Of professional course that
had resulted in his own dsinheritance.
To make this punishment more bitter to his grand
son, the old man had taken into favor his nephew, Dr.
Henry Have, whom he had established near himself
at Farquer's Folly.
At this time, the disinherted heir, having finished
term at the University had come down to spend part
Of his vacation in his native place.
1t upon the Saturday evening of his arrival that
he found the little hotel and, indeed, the whole vii
lage OF Altsmont, in great state of excitement, from
the fact that the celebrated heiress, Miss Hono Paule
had just stopped there and passed through on her way
home.
Those who had been so happy to catch glimpse
of her face WED with each other in praise Of her many
charms while those who had not, listened with eager
ness, and looked forward to ndemnifying themselves
by seeing her at church the next morning.
The next day, Godfrey Dulanie attended church,
where he and fell in love with the most beautiful
and nellectua-ookng gill he had ever behold From
the cheapness and simplicity Of her attire he supposed
her to be some poor dependent of Madame Auderv's,
in whose pew she sat. Godfrey was completely cap
tvated, and he resolved at to WOO and, if posi-
BILE win this lovely being for his wife, poor girl though
she was He was glad she was poor, because she
could for that reason be more easily won. But on ac-
companying Mr.. Willoughby. the clergyman, and his
brotner-in-aw, Ernest Heine home after church, what
was his astonish ment and dismay Mt heng introduced
to the supposed poor girl whom he found to be no
other than the celebrated Miss Honora Pauc the great
girl, in the State of Virginia She greeted him cor
daily and in few minutes the company were busily
engaged in conversation. The topic of capital punish
ment having been started, Godfrey turned to Honora
and said
~ take an especial personal interest in having cap
tal punishment aboished-Miss Paule, do you believe
in astrology?"
Honora started, fixed her eyes ntenty upon the
questioner, and then Withdrawing them answered.
Sir, why did you ask me if believe in astroogy?"
Because, Miss Paule was about to relate for your
myself, by professor of that black art"
>" A prediction exclaimed Mrs Wioughby, draw
ing near, with eager interest.
"Yes madam" replied Mr. Dulanie smiling, /" a
prediction which, if believed would certainly dis
pose me trfavor the Establishment of the death penalty.
Three years since while was soiournng for a short
time in the city of Richmond on my way to the Uni
versy, | CHANGED to hear of the Egyptian Dervis,
Achbad, who was at that time creating quite
ton in the city His wonderful reputation was the
theme ofevcry tongue.
" Idleness and curiosity combined to lead to his
rooms. He required night to cast my horoscope
He demanded, and gave him, the day and hour of
my birth, and then took leave, with the promise to
return in the morning. The next day went"
"Well?" questioned Honora, earnestly.
my horoscope was HoRRoR-scope indeed! 1t
predicted for me-a short and stormy life and sharp
and sudden death"
"Good Heaven But-the details2"
1t prophesied four remarkable events, the first of
which has already come to pass"
And that wasp
THE loss of my patrmonial estate.'
by as he arose and joined his wife and BROTH r-in-law
at the other end of the room.
-! Thought so when the prophecy was fulfilled" re-
piled Godfrey.
And the other three events 2" softly inquired Ho-
THE other three events if they follow as predict
ed must happen within the next two years. or before
| reach my twenty-filh anniversary. The first OF
these Is to DC the unexpected inheritance of vast
wealth.
Upon hearing this q bright smile PLAYED around the
han he rlo from herb
She waited few minutes for him to proceed, but find
ing that he continued silent, she said
dicted event?"
DO you command me to inform vou?"
No, sir; | beg you, of your courtesy, to do So"
every well" he said, dropping his voice to low
undertone 1t was to be my marriage with the wo-
man should worship"
A deep vivid blush suppanted the bright smile
that quvered over Honoras variable face. There was
pause, broken at length by her voice. as she gently
inquired
And the fourth?"
The answer came reluctantly, and in tones so low
as to meet only her
The fourth and last prediction was that Jefor,
my tcenty.ffh birthday should perish on The scotoM
low cry broke from the lips of lIonora rs hel
hands few up and covered her face. After a minute
or two she dropped thom and looking him steadily in
the face, said with quiet firmness-
You doubtless wonder at my emotion. Now hear
On the autumn following the summer in which
that prediction was made to you, was in Baltimore
with my andmother, and with Mrs. Willonghby who
was then MISS Helne curiosity took us to the rooms
of the Egyptian, who was then practicng in that city
And after some such preparations he had used il
your case he cast my horoscope and read my future
TWAS this, that before my twentieth birthday SHOULD
be bride, but wife, for that the fatd form o.
The scG6oM arose beceen The nuptidl 6eaedicfon and III
bridal chamber. Such were the words of the proph
ecy." She spoke with soemnity that seemed to over
shadow every other feeling
CHAPTER II.
THE sYBIL's CIRCLE.
The next day Honora informed her grandmother
Madame Auderly of Godfrey's presence in the neigh
bOrhOOd and the old lady sent her only brother Isol