Natalie

ls walked thi

ess, thou wert

NYM

and palaces, whe

mble, there's no

e skies seems t

the world, is ne'er

O

and bring your eye to bear a little to the

lready overcharged, capacious mouth, "I suppose you would have me believe that you

from among a thousand! As I caught its last rays then, it seemed to me the pensive, forgiving smile of my mother, for, as you know, I came away from home without my mother's consent; but I long ago received her forgiveness, and everything will be forgotten in the happiness which

shed Sampson, as Harry walked the deck in raptures, talking as fast

aboard, but shiver my topsails, if the fellow don't talk as if he expected to find old V

r his glass, he sang out "Sankoty light, ahoy!" which brought all hands on deck in an instant, rubbing open their

een caught up by the unshorn tars, as the sound of their near proximity to home aroused them from the dreamy visions thereof to the vivid realities, were borne over the waters which separated them fro

re. None were more light-hearted at the prospect before them than Harry Grosvenor; not that he had become weary of the sailor's life, for he loved the ocean with the same free, wild love as when three years before, it had beckoned his boyish heart to brave its perils; but

's no use in shedding fresh water tears over it, for I'm thinking this'll not be your last voyage, and as for me, there's nothing to hinder my hanging around this little sand-heap a bit

not one friend? is there no spot in the wide world which

goes; all I know is, I found myself, at six years old, on the top of a London dust heap, taking a survey of the great metropolis. Whether I was left there by the refuse gatherers, to come under the head of starved dogs, or whether I was accidentally dropped by my l

have not, in all your yarns in the forecastle, spun us this one. But have you

ho was worthy the name of friend! but she, kind, beautiful lady, is gone;" and the rough tar drew his sleeve across his eyes, and turning toward the island, muttered,--"

kindness to me and my faithful old Nep, while exposed to the harsh treatment of our former captain; and depend upon it, you will have made other true friends, when the dear ones at home shall have heard of your generous conduct.

t! I shall have to lie under a close reef, and by th

eat was his joy that he had not observed that Nep had not accompanied him from the ship. It was evident that he would take the family by surprise, for not even old Vingo was to be seen about the premises. Noiselessly he opened the door,--his mother was sitting with her face from him, engaged with her sewing, and at her feet sat the Sea-flower, so absorbed, reading his last letter, that she was not aware of his presence till he threw his arms about his mother's neck, and sobbed like a child. As he turned to his sister he faltered; what a change had been wrought in her in three years! The child, whose mature mind had not been in accordance with her years, had come to be a fair maiden of sixteen summers! The bud had indeed expanded, till now its unfolding leaves were as

me;" and as the vague remembrance that she was of other parentage flashed across his mind

feared that his conduct had been a source of deeper grief to her than he had supposed; but now that she again looked upon her son, her

ry, then at his mistress, while the pupil of his eye gave place to its lighter counterpart, and raising both hands, he exclaimed,--"De good Lord be praised! 'pears like I c

oung massa, 'deed I is; but w

re?" asked Sea-flower; "at our joy in s

ple one, and now he remembered that he had not seen it for a long time. Why the dog should have noticed so trifling a thing, was indeed singular. Harry related the circumstances by which he had come in possession of the curiosity, and from the presents of silks, crapes, fruits, etc., which he had brought to the Sea-flower, she turned to the mysterious little curiosity with a greater interest, examining the grotesque figures with a fascination, when accidentally pressing a pearl setting, the box (for such it was discovered to be,) flew open, and revealed to her bewildered gaze--what? good God! is it possible? Neatly lined is the box, and lying therein--a cross! th

the only path in which the children of earth might tread, had taught her bereaved mother, that those precious words from the book of life, which she had ever recognized, but had not strength to cling thereto in the hour of trial, were truly Christ's words of tenderness; she could now smile upon the chastening rod. Those dying wor

her?" he asked,

the response of

hat of more genial spheres, helping to swell the--"Father, thy will be done." This was a dreadful announcement to Harry, a stroke which he was not prepared to receive; and now did the past come to his remembrance with sickening frenzy. That terrific night!--he ha

ed a hand, had it been his own father! Thank God, I have his forgiveness for disobeying his last commands! 't is the one great

, but not burying it, the sweet, child-like Sea-flower was gradually putting on the gentle, mystic form of Natalie; and though the name had become familiar to other ears, to her its impress was as when she reverently looked upon that cross of

more," remarked Vingo, as seated astride a wood-horse, he was making vigoro

time of it at home here, have you

u not find so much ob me left, if it not for missy's bright light, dat shine along de way. Dare not anoder

imself to disclose even to Vingo, his knowledge of the mystery in regard to the fair creature who called him brother. He could not bear to think

e more, there is nothing to disturb your happiness," remarked Harry, as the two sat together on the

ile under the most trying dispensations of Providence, knowing that His ways are higher than our ways; but," and her voice wa

,--"Natalie,--she is not my sister by birth, yet I shall ever claim her as such; and I know, should she lea

rth. But tell me, Harry, can it be that you, w

e gold bands, and the pretty white dress, all wet wi

or our island can rank among the first in her systems of education, and there are many of our citizens who are recognized by our most literary friends of the continent, as among the first in the arts and sciences; but I think it would be greatly to her advantage to see more of the world, and my purpose is to accept the urgent reques

want for anything so long as I can help you. I do not know how we can let her go, b

s of a northern sky, at sunset, sank into her soul, mingling with more mellow light than is of southern climes, these words fell upon her ear,--"Natalie, she is not my sister by birth." She paused to hear no more, for she knew the conversation was not designed for her, and noiselessly gliding from the spot, she sought her own

night, I should say you look a little unrefreshed. Where are t

he nearest, till at last there came one, which lifted its head high above the rest, and as it receded, I saw there was left upon the beach a tiny, shining thing, which resembled many drops of dew. Just then the light clouds separated, and there looked down a star, so mild, and presently there came another, equally mild, and the two finally blended into one, still hovering over the glittering one upon the beach. At last there seemed to be a stream of light connecting one with the other; I looked again, and the tiny thing which was left of the waves, had gone to be

ed, she remarked; but fearing the Sea-flower might notice her surprise, she drew her arm ab

om home, my dear? How should you like to graduate wi

, mother; but I know no life will be pleasanter than the h

e attractions which are before you, yet, I trust, my child, your affecti

? Do not repeat the words! How can it

for a little time, yet I will not gratify my desires at your loss; and in giving you to the care of my most

ke, but I know I shall miss t

nd taking an affectionate farewell of the family, (the red bandana of Vingo being counted among the