The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1858-01-22
CHAPTER III.
The Sybil's Circle.

The next day, HOnora informed her granu-
mother, Madame Auderly, Of Godfrey's
presence in the neigt borhood, and the old
lady sent her only brother, Colonel Shan
non, 10 fetch him to Piedmont. Godfrey
accepted the invitation. On his arrival, he
found that General Sterne, the governor elect
of Virginia, and his son, had just taken up
their quarters, for several days. with Mad
anne Auderly and the old lady, in his hon.
or, at once sent Of cards Of invitation to
some of the neighbors to visit her that eve
ming.
When tea was over, the company nd journ-
cd to the drawing room, where, soon after,
the guests invited for the evening Joined
them.
First came Father o 'Louherty, the parish
priest Of st. Andrews church, Mt Grassland.
The next arrivals were Mr.. and Mrs. VIII
loughby, and Mr.. Heine.
Immediately after them came DR.. and
Mrs. Henry Hawe-the doctor, . man OF
great fashion and elegance, the lady, del
icate, pensiye woman, with sort OF sad,
moonlight face, beaming softly out between
her feecy locks Of jet.
And, last of all. to the establishment Of
everybody, came old Hugh Have, who had
been invited Us u matter Of courtesy, and
was not in the least degree expected to make
his appearance.
He came not alone. On his arm he brou't
young girl, unlimited, but whom, with
grave courtesy, he presented to his hostess
as Agnes Darke, the daughter OF Diseased
friend, and now his ward, who had arrived
only that morning, and whom, presuming
on Madame Auderly's well-known kindness,
he had yentured to present TO her.
Madame Auderly, u reader Of faces, was
certainly attracted towards her (; and, after
u little talk, that confirmed her first favor
able impressions. she took the hand Of the
orphan girl, and conducted her to the group
formed by the Misses Auderly, Mr.. Sterne,
Mr.. IIeine, Mr.. Dulanie, and Honora Paule.
Under the auspices Of Miss Rose Auderly,
they were Just about TO form what she called
n SYPHILIS Circle, for which purpose, Messrs.
Heine and Sterne were despatched to bring
forward round table. Miss Rose went u
q cabinet to seek the "Sybil's Leaves
which she presently produced. AL then
seated themselves around the table.
A dead silence reigne1. Rose shuttled the
cards, turned them with their faces down
and then, addressing her right.hand neigh
Dor, Mr.. Sterne, in q low voice, she demand
ed
"what would you with the Sybil1"
81 would know the future partner Of my
life, was the formal answer.
"Dnw :"
The young man hesitated for while
smiled, and rejected all those cards tina
were nearest himself, put his hand unde
the pack, and withdrew the lowest one.
"Rcad :" he said, extending the card t
the Sybll.
clear she exclaimed;
"a widow, beautiful rs hight,
Twill be your lot To wed -
With rich joiElure, which shall! pour
Its blessings on your hssd.''
There wasa general elapplns Of hands
and shouts of laughter.
Ii was now Miss JessIe's turn to test hel
fate. The answer drawn was
''To dsndle fools and chronicle small beer
q reply that nearly extinguishcd Miss JESSIE
for the evening.
&" | declare, il here is not Mr.. Hugl
Have ~ exclaimed the lively Lily, us tn,
old miser sauntertd delibentely to the tabl,
and stood looking with indolent curiOsit,
upon the game Of the young people. 'Come
Mr.. Have, l declare! you shall have you
fortune told
"Well, well-the commands OF young Ia
dies are not to be disobeycd. replied tn
old man, CALAMITY, US no extended his han,
and drew card, which ne passed to tn
Sybil.
Amid profound silence, and in solemi
voice, she read
"Thy tate looms iu of horror From false iiend'
Near at hand, perdiiiOn threatens thee
A fearful ign stands in thy house OF life -
An enemy-a mend turks close behind
The radiance OF thy plannet.-Oh, be warned I!
"Pshaw what serious mockery !" eS
claimed the old man, scornfully, Is he turn
cd away. and gave place to his nephew, VIII
had all the while been posted behind him
pceping over his shoulder.
wv will you permit me to test my for
tune?" inquired the " fascinating" Dr.
Have.
"And what would YoU with the Sybil ?
was the response.
al would know the future
"Draw ," said the Sybil, in u tone of as
sumed sternness.
Smiling bis graceful but most siniste
smile, the doctor drew card, and passed
to the reader.
"lIear ~ said the latter, lifting the table
Of fate, and reading
az k.OV iAse thou fearesl TIE solemn night
With her piercing stars, aud her deep winds
| might p
Theirs a tone in her voice thou fain would
shun,
| For il asks what the secret soul hath dOue
| Aud thou there's weight on thine :
Back to thy home aud prayr
"Iook declare how pale the docto
has grown :" exclaimed the hippant Jessie
"One would really think, TO look at hin
that'a deep remorse for some Enacted crime
preyed ON him."
"Nonsense Jugglery !" said the latter
turning away TO conceal his agitation.
The eyes of Honon Paule following hin
with I'll deepest interest-thers was that W
ON his brow that she had never seen b,
fore.
The next in turn was Agnes. Turning t
her, Rose said:
"what seek you in the magic circle, ID
dyg"
an destiny, answered the luscious tones
"lnvoke the knowledge ~
Agnes drew tablet, and passed it, as u'
ual. to the Sybil, who road
"Oh, ask me not TO speak thy fate
Oh. tempt me not To tell
| The doom shall make thee desolsic,
The wrVng thou mayst not quell'
Aray! Airay for aslh coRlIk
Esss 40 Dsircy sato hss -
Agnes shuddered. and covered her fac
with her hands.
"Put up the tablets They are CROWN
fatal :" said Rose.
"Not for the world now that eac
word is tate There is u couple yet to b
disposed Of! Miss Paulc, draw near ," sal
Mr.. leine.
The cheek Of Honora Paulc changed ye
striving with feeling that she felt to DO un
worthy, she smiled, reached forth her hand
drew tablet. and passed il to the Sybil
who, IN an effective voice, rcad-
i