The Kansas herald of freedom., 1858-01-30
THE sR1pE OF AN EVENING.
By EMMA D. E. N. so5THwoRTH.
CHAPTER 7.
THE AsTRoLoGER's PREDICTION.

Reading, few weeks since, one of De
Quincey's papers -"Three Memorable
Murders, recalled to my mind the
strange circumstances of one of the most
mysterious domestic dramas that ever
taxed the ingenuity of man, or required
the fight of time to develop.
The locality of our story lies amid one
of the widest and most picturesque re-
gions Of the Old Dominion, where the
head waters of the Rappahannock wash
the base of the Blue Ridge.
The precise spot-Crossland-is sub
lime and beautiful scene, where two for
est-crowned ranges of mountains cross
each other at right angles.
At the intersecting point of these ridges
nestles little hamlet, named, from its
elevated position, Altamont.
At the period at which our story opens.
the four estates, in the four angles of the
irregular mountain cross, were owned as
follows
The eastern farm, called Piedmont.
was the life property of Madame Auder-
ly, Virginia lady of the old school.
The western and most valuable estate
was the inheritance of Honora Paule, an
orphan heiress, grand daughter and ward
of Madame Auderly.
The northern and smallest one. called.
from being the deepest vale of the four
Hawe's Hole-was the property of old
Hugh Have, widower of gloomy tenn
per, parsimonious habits, and almost fabu-
lous wealth.
The southern farm-named, from the
extravagant cost of the elegant mansion
house, elaborate out-buildings, and highly
ornamented grounds, which had absorbed
the means of the late owner, "Farquier's
Folly"--was the heavily mortgaged pat
rimony of Godfrey Farquier Dulanie, the
grandson OF Hugh Have, and now young
aspirant for legal honors at the University
of Virginia.
But little benefit to the heir was to be
hoped from the inheritance of his fathers
burthened property. In the first place,
old Hugh Have had ughtup in his own
name, all the claims against the estate of
Farquier's Folly-doubtless to prevent a
foreclosure, and to save the property for
his grandson.
But, unhappily, Godfrey had mortally
offended the despotic old man by declin-
ing an agricultural life, and persisting in
the study of a profession-a course that
had resulted in his own disinheritance.
To make this punishment more bitter
to his grandson, the old man had taken
into favor his nephew, DR.. Henry Have,
who he had established near himself at
Farquier's Folly.
At this time, the disinherited heir, hav-
ing finished term at the University, had
come down to spend part of his vaea-
ton in his native place.
1t was upon the Saturday evening OF
his arrival that he found the little hotel,
and, indeed, the whole village of Alta
mont, IN great state of excitement, from
the fact that the celebrated heiress, Miss
Honora Paule, had just stopped there, and
passed through on her way home.
Those who had been so happy as to
catch glimpse of her face, We'd with
each other in praise of her many charms,
while those who had not, listened with
eagerness, and looked forward to indemni-
fy themselves by seeing her at church
the next morning.
The next day Godfrey Dulanie attend.
ed church, where he saw and fell in love
with the most beautiful and intellectual
looking girl ne had ever beheld. From,
the. cheapness and simplicity of her attire,
ne supposed her to be some poor depen-
dent of Madame Auderly's, in whose pew
she sat. Godfrey was completely capti-
waited, and he resolved at once to WOO
and, if possible, win this lovely being fel
ms wife, poor girl though she was. He
was glad that she was poor, because she
could fer that reason be more easily won.
But on accompanying Mr. Willoughby
the clergyman, and his brother-in-law
Ernest Heine, home after church. what
was his astonishment and dismay at be.
ing introduced to the supposed "pool
GIRL" whom he found to be no other than
the celebrated Miss Honora Paule, the
greatest heiress and belle, as well as the
best and noblest girl, in the State of Vir.
glnia. She greeted him cordially, and in
few minutes the company were blsily
engaged in conversation. The topic Of
capital punishment" having been start
ed, Godfrey turned to Honora, and said
Il take an especial personal interest in
having capital punishment abolished
Miss Paule, do you believe in astrology? ?'i
Honofa started, fixed her eyes intently
upon the questioner, and then withdraw.
ing them answered.
"Sir, why did you ask me if believe
in astrology ?"
Because, Miss Paule, I was about To
relate for your amusement a prediction
that was made concerning myself. by .
professor of that black art''
ga Dradiofiop
ioughby. drawing near, with eager in
terest.
YES, madam" replied Mr.. Dulanie
smiling, "a prediction which, if believed
would certainly dispose me to favor the
aooiishment of the death penalty. Three
years since, while / was sojourning for a
short time in the city of Richmond. on
my way 30 the University, I chanced 10
hear of the Egyptian Dervis, Achbod
who was at that time creating quite sen.
satlon ia the city. His wonderful repu.
tation was the theme of every tongue
idleness and curiosity combined to
lead me TO his rooms. He required q
night to cast my horoscope. He de-
manded, and I gave him, the dav and
hour OF my birth, and then I took leave
with the promise to return in the morn.
ing. The next day / WENT
We'll" questioned Honora, earnestly.
u horoscope was HORROR scope in.
deed II predicted for me-a short and
stormy life, and sharp and sudden
death.v
"Gocd Heayenl But-the details p,
ut prophesied four remarkable events
the Ifirst of which has already come t
pass"
"And that was-e,
The loss ofmy patrimonial estate 10
singular coincidence !'' interrupted
Mr. Willoughby, as he arose and joinec
his wife and brother-in-law at the othe
end Of the room.
thought 50 when the prophecy wa.
fulfilled replied Godfrey.
..And the other three events P, soffl,
inquired Honora.