Clarksville chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1857-1865, 1858-01-22


belle, as well as the best and noblest girl,
in the State of Virginia She greeted him
cordially, and in few minutes the COM
pany were buisily engaged in conversa-
ton. The topic of "capital punishment"
having been started, Godfrey turned to
Honora, and said
81 take an especial personal interest in
having capital punishment abolished
Miss Paule, do you believe in astrology?'
Honora started, fixed her eyes intently
upon the questionor, and then withdraw
ing them answered.
"Sir, why did you ask me if believe in
astrology?'
"Becausc, Miss Paule, was about to
relate for your amusement a prediction
that was made concerning myself, by a
professor of that black art.
ga prediction" exclaimed Mrs. Will
oughby, drawing near, with eager interest.
eyes, madam" replied Mr.. Dulanie,
smiling, "a prediction which, if l believed,
would certainly dispose me to favor the
abolishment of the penalty. Three years
since, while I was sojourning for short
time in the city of Richmond, on my way
to the University, l CHANGED to hear of the
Egyptian Dervis, Achbad, who was at that
time creating quite sensation in the city.
His wonderful reputation was the theme
of every tongue.
"Idlencss and curiosity combined to lead
me to his rooms. He required night to
cast my horoscope. He demanded, and l
gave him, the day and hour of my birth,
and then 1 took leave, with the promise to
return in the morning. The next day |
went"
"Well?' questioned Honora, earnestly.
"My horoscope was a HoRRoR-scope in
deed! 1t predicted for me-a short and
stormy life, and sharp and sudden death.
Good Heavenl But-the details?"
at prophesied four remarkable events,
the first of which has already come to pass.
"And that wasp"
"The loss of my patrimonial estate!"
singular cOincidcnce!' interrupted Mr.
Willoughby, as he arose and joined his
wife and brother-in law at the other end
of the room.
81 thought so when the prophecy was
fulfilled, " replied Godfrey.
"And the other three events?" softly in
quired Honora.
"The other three events, if they follow
as predicted, must happen within the next
two Years, or before [ reach my twenty
fifth anniversary The first of these is to
be the unexpected inheritance of vast
wealth"
Upon hearing this, bright smile play
around the lips of Honora, and tanished
the clouds from her brow. She waited a
few minutes for him to proceed, but finding
that he continued silent, she said
"Well, Mr., Dulanie, go on! what was
the third predicted event?,'
"Do you command me to inform you?"
"No, sir; | beg you, of your courtesy
to do so.
every we'll, che said, dropping his voice
to a low undertone, at was to be my mar,
riage with the woman | should worship. -
Adeepyiyid blush supplanted the bright
smile that quivcrod over Honora's variable
face. There was a 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 ear,
"Thc fourth and last prediction was thai
before my tccnHffh J1th-ddy / shouzo
perish on the scaboid"
a low cry broke from the lips of Honor;
as her hands flew up and covered her face
After minute or two she dropped them
and looking him steadily in tho face, sale
with quiet firmncss-
"You doubtless wonder at my emotion
Now hear me, On the autumn following
the summer in which that prediction was
made to you, was in Baltimore with my
grandmother, and with Mrs. ,Willoughby
who was then Miss Heinc. Curiosity tool
us to the rooms q the Egyptian, who wa,
then practicing in that city. And afte
some such preparations as he had used il
your case, he cast my horoscope and reaC
my futurs& 1t was this, that before m,
twentieth birthday, ) should be a bride
but never a wife, for that tie fatal form o
he ScaboH dros, brtrccn the nupital Jeae
diction and he Lridai chamber. Such wer
the words of the prophecy" She spok
with a solcmnity that seemed to over