Columbia Democrat and Bloomsburg general advertiser. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1850-1866, 1858-01-16
CHAPTER II.
THE sYBIL's CIRCLE.

The next day, Honora informed her
grandmother, Madame Auderly, of God
freys presence in the Deighborhood, and
the old lady sent her only brother, Colo.
mel Shannon, to fetch him to Piedmont
Godfrey accepted the invitation. On his
arrival, he found that General Sterne, the
governor elect Of Virginia, and his 500, 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 neighbors to visit
her that evening.
When tea was over, the company ad-
journed to he drawing-room, where, soon
after, the guests invited for The evening
joined them.
First came Father O'Louberty, the par
ish priest of St. Andrews Church, at
Grassland.
The next arrivals were Mr.. and Mrs.
Willoughby and Mr.. Heine,
Immediately after them came DR.. and
Mrs, Henry Have = the doctor, man of
great fashion and elegance, the lady, a
delicate, pensive woman, with sort of sad :,
moonlight face beaming softly out between
her feecy locks jet.
And, last of all, to the establishment of
everybody, came old Hugh Have, who had
been invited as matter Of courtesy, and
was not in the least degree expected to
make his appearance.
He came not alone, On his arm he
brought young girl, uuinvitcd, but whom
with.grave courtesy, he presented to his
hostess as Agnes Darke, the daughter of q
dece friend, and now his ward, who
had arrived only that morning, aud whom,
presuming on Madame Auderly's we'll
known kindness, he had ventured to pre-
sent to her.
Madame Auderly, G reader of faces, was
certainly attracted towards herr and, af.
ter G little talk, that confirmed ber first
favorable impressions, she took the hand
Of the orphan girl, and conducted her to
the group formed by the Misses Auderly
Mr. Sterne, MIR. Heine, Mr. Dulanie, and
IloDora Paule.
Under the auspices of Hiss Rose Au
derly, they were just about to form wha
she called sybils Circle, for which pur
pose, Nessrs. cine aud Sterne were dis
patched to bring for ward a round table,
Miss Rose went to cabinet to seek tn,
"Sybils Leaves" which she presently pro
duced. All then seated themselves arounC
the table.
A dead silence reigned. Rose shuttle,
the cards, turned them with their facel
down and then, addressing her Iight-hanc
ncighbor, Nj. Sterne, in a low voice, sh
demanded
"What would you with the Sybil I"
81 would know the future partner of IN,
life," was the formal answer.
"Draw ~
The young man hesitated for while
smiled, and, rejecting all those cards tha
we're nearest himself, put his hand unde
the pack, and withdrew the lowest ore.
"Readp' he said, extending the card t
the Sybil.
"Hearl" she exclaimed;
"a widow, beautiful as light
Twill be your ito we'd
With richjonture which shall pour
Its blessings on your heads"
There was q general clapping Of hand;
and shouts of laughter
1t was now Miss Jessies turn to test he
fate, Being q young lady, she would no
put the question in the usual form, br
merely inquired what should be her futur
fate. 1 he answer drawn was
ITO dandle fools and chronicle small beer :"
a reply that nearly extiDguished Miss JeI
sic for the evening
II declare, if here is not MIR. Hug
Have W exclaimed the lively Lilly, as tn
old miser sauntered deliberately to the ti
BILE, and stood looking with indolent cur
osity upon the game of the young peopl
"Come, Mr., Have! l declare, you sha
have your fortune tOld!"
swell, well-the commands of youn
ladies are not to be disobeyed," replie
the old man, gallantly, as be extended h