The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1858-01-06

LrTERATURE.
C bearing this bright smile played around the lips
Of nonora ait nanished the clouds from her brow She
waited lew minutes for him to proceed but finding that
well Mr.. Dusne, 80 onl what The third predicted
eyen,s''
''Do You command me 10 inform YOUR
$40, sir; ] beg you, of your courtesy, 70 DO So"
Every well, he said, drOpFug his Voice To low nm
dcrtone, "t wa. to be my marriage with the woman
A deep vivid blush suppssssed the orgh. smile that
Quvered oyer Honora's variable face There was
pause, broken a. length by her voice. she gently in
qnred-
The came reluctantly, and in tones so low as 10
'The fourth and last prediction was before my
twenty NTH birth day should perish the scaffoid"
low cry broke from the hips OF Honora her hands
fe up and covered her faoe After minute two she
dropped them and looking him steadily in the face, said
sYou doubtless wonder ut my emotion. Now hear
On the autumn following the summer in which that
prediction made To you was in Baltimore with my
grandmother AM with Mrs willoughby, who then
Miss Heine Curiosity took u the Of the Egyp
ss s m u ,ns, my hs
my horoscope ana read my future. was this, that
before my twentieth birth day, should be bride, but
Wife, Tor that the fatal form Of the scaod arose
between the nupal benedio&on and the bridal chamber
Such the words Of the prophecy" She spoke with
solenny that seemed to overshadow every other feel
ing.
syBL's
The next day, Hopora informed her grandmother, Ma
dame Auderly Godfrey presence in the neghbohood
and the old ady her only brother Colonel shannon
ton On his arrival he found that General Sterne, the
Governor elect Of Virginia. and his SON. had just taken up
and the old lady in his honor at once cards of
vatop TO some of the neghbors 10 visit her that evening
When tea was over, the company adjourned TO the
drawing room where after the guests invited for the
evening joined them.
First came Father oIouhery the parish priest Of St.
ADD oh.
The next arrivals Mr. and Mrs. Wioughby and
Mr. Heine.
Immediately after them came DR.. and Mrs Henry Have
the doctor man Of great fashion and elegance; the
lady delicate, pensive woman with sort OF sad,
light face beamng softly out between her eecy locks of
And last Of ALL to establishment of everybody, came
old Hugh Have who had been invited matter Of
courtesy and was not the least degree make
his appearance
He came not alone. On his arm he brought young
girl unnvited, but whom, with grave courtesy, he pre-
scented 10 his hostess Agnes Darke the daughter OF
deceased friend and now his ward who had arrived only
that morning, and whom, presuming on Madame Auder
lys well known kndness he had ventured 10 present to
her
Madame Auderly, reader of faces, certainly at
tracted towards her. and after little talk that confirm
ed her first favorable impressions she took the hand Of
the orphan girl and conducted her the group formed by
the Misses Auderly, Mr.. Serne Mr. Heine, Mr. Dulanie
and Honora Paule
Under the auspices of Miss Rose Audery they
just about TO form what she called Syb's Circle for
which purpose Messrs Hene Serne were despatched
to bring forward round table Miss Rose went TO cao
net TO seek the "Sybils Leaves" which she presently
produced All then seated themselves around the table
dead silence regned. Rose shufed the cards turned
them with their faces down. and them addressing her
right hand neighbor Mr.. Sterne in low voice, she de
''what would you with the SyblYn
"lwoud know the future partner Of my life, was the
formal ans Ser.
The young man hestated for q while, smiled, and
ectng all those cards that were nearest himself put his
hand under the pack and withdrew the lowest one.
"Read' he said, extending the card To the Sybil.
"Hearf" she exclaimed
"A widow, beautiful as light,
Twill be your lot TO we'd
With a rich jonture, which shall pour
its blessings on your head "
There was general clappng Of hands, and shouts OF
laughter.
young lady, she would not put the question in the usual
FORM but merely inquired what should be her future fate
10 dandle fools and chroni lie small beer.'n
reply that nearly ex,ngshed Mise Jessie for the even
ing
the lively Liy as the old mser saunered deliberately TO
the table, and stood looking with ndolent curiosity upon
the game OF the young people. Come, Mr.. HAVE de-
clare you shall have your fortune told ~
"well, wel-the commands of young ladies' are not TO
be disceeyed replied the old man calamity, as be
tended bis hand and drew card which he passed to the
| sybl.
Amid profound silence, and in a solemn voice, she
"srhy fate looms full Of horror From false friends
Near Al hand perdition threatens thee -
fearful sign stands IN thy house OF life -
An enemy-a fend turks close behind
The radiance Of thy panet-Oh, be warnedp"
"fshaw what serious mockery y exclaimed the old
nephew, who had all the while been posted behind him
peepng over his shoulder.
"wll you permit to ties, my fortune ~ inquired the
And 3 hat would you with the syblf' was the
sponse.
would know the future,
Draw said the sybl, in Of esumsd sternness
Smiling his graceful but most sinister smile the doctor
drew a card and passed Il TO che reader
~ and
reading
With her piercing stars and her deep winds might
There's tone In her voice thou fam wouldst shun
For Il asks what the secret soul hath donel
And thouf there's weight On thincl Awayi
Back 10 thy home and prayr"
"Iookl declare how pale the doctor has grownr OK
claimed tho nppan Jessie. One would really think,
look at him, that deep remorse for some Enacted
crime prayed on him.
"Nonse6sel Juggery said the latter, turning away 10
The eyes Of Honofa paue followed him with tho dsepes
interest There WAS that ID his brow that she had
The turn Agnes Turning TO her Rose said -
what seek you in the magic circle, isdyS'
"My destiny" answered the luscious tones.
"fnvoke tie knowledge
Agnes drew a,abe,, and passcdt usual TO the syb,
"'Oh, ask me not TO speak thy fatei
Oh, tempt me not 10 tell
The doom shall make thee dezolaie,
The wrong thou mayst not auelli
Away away for death would be
Even a mercy unto theep "
Agnes shuddered, and covered her face with hands
"Put UP the tabletzl They are grown fatal" said
Rosc.
"Not for the world, that each word IL fsei There
acoupc yet 10 be disposed of Miss Paule, draw pear
said Mr.. Hene
The check Of Honora Fsule changed yet striving with
feeling that she felt 10 he unworthy she smiled reached
forth her hand, drew tablet and passed 10 the syb
who, in a effective voice, read
"'But how s this? dream Is on my soui
see brdc-all crowned with flowers, and smiling,
As In delighted visions, the brink
Df dread chasm--and thou art shel"
Honors heard in silence, remembering the strange
rcspondencc Of these lines with the prediction Of the
irologer made long ago. endeavorng convince herself
that coincidence, and vainly trying 20 subdue
the foreboiing of her heart
ayr pulanie'' said Rose, shutting the tablets, and
passing them to him.
He drew q card, and returned II 70 be perused.
The Sybn took IL, and thrill Of supcrsfitious terror
shook her frame she read
--". Disgrace and nj