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ng up his fortune. The little Winifred, whom we left making merry over the Erin simplicity of Biddy and Patrick, had grown to be a young miss of seventeen. Those black eyes of hers, which had attracted the gaze of the tall western youths for the last time, had in no way lost their brilliancy. Mischief still sat triumphant therein, and not a day passed but some poor uninitiated was brought to test the merits of that gift. Miss Winnie looked upon this removal to more enlightened regions, as a change altoge

u speak of your early friend, Mrs. Grosvenor, but you have never seen her daughter, and who knows but she may be,--well, I wont say; but you know Nantucket is but an isolated, out-of-the-way p

elves informed of each other's welfare from time to time, and thinking that the daughter might possess the same amiable disposition as her mother, I thought that her presence in our family might be pleasant to us all, besides gaining for her, under you

e her, after all. But Nantucket brought to my mind such visions of unrefined oil, that I really

weary with her journey, Natalie retired early, to dream of those far, low

reature! I know I shall love her! And such spiritual eyes! Did you not

e a complacent look, as she thought of the favorable effect which their guest might have upon the mind of her daughter; for owing to frequent ill-health, Mrs. Santon had not been able to be with her child as much as s

o look out for that fairy-like creature, or even your bewitching charms will be cast in the shade!" and as he spoke he

th figure, reflected in a pier-glass; "if Boston forgets Winnie Santon's black eyes, she wi

liar tone from those she loved so well, for her mother's fond embrace, and the free, glad laugh of brother Harry, yet she was happy, excelling in those pursuits which seemed to recognize her touc

alian by birth, and of great fame in his profession, was in raptures with the progress of his two pupils, and in the extraordinary talent displayed by the Sea-flower, was he perfectly amazed; for not only was her

less attention to a new piece which he had brought for her; her echoing tones died a

d,--"I love the peculiar air of your nation, it presents such a striking contrast to our cold, less pathetic style; but do not exclude what Winnie terms 'the productions of the genii's more sensible

heart, etc., I did not know but the presence of a third person might be agreeably dispensed with;" and it was

een listening to my feeble endeavors to r

be executed with milder intonations;' or, 'Miss Winifred, that chapter of Spanish must be told with greater fluency.' I have come to dread the very name of Professor, and I never can look out of the window but I see some pale-faced gentleman of the profession

g performances of the celebrated Madam Forresti, whose name is in every mouth, pass without hearing her? I must say, I was completely nonplussed, when young Montague

accept of his inv

e for an escort, I do not see the least impropriety in attending. I need not trouble mother about it, f

may be worthy of attention, but he is the same as a stranger to us, for your father has known him but a little while, and I n

y one into his family, who is not a fit associate for his da

you would not go without con

annot see that she can reasonably object; besides, am I alwa

any pleasure, unless it is for your own good. But do not be displeased with me for speaking my thou

trembling with rage, she turned to the Sea-flower,--but the fire of her eye was subdued, her tongue did not give utterance to the bitter, cruel words, which would have sounded so strangely upon an ear that had never known such tones! she gave on

ou! I was just upon the point of saying what I know I shou

was reading from the "Christian's Hope," and as she read, ever and anon cast her eye toward Winnie, who appeared unusually thoughtful. The nervous state, however, of Mrs. Santon would admit of but little excitement, and as Natalie closed her book, and rose to bid her good-night, she observed that she looked unusually happy, and taking her dear children by the hand, she thanked them tenderly for their devoted attention to her, and drawing close to Winn

joining,) she spoke aloud, "I will try to be more like her." With this resolve, she fell asleep; but as the rising sun peeped in at her window, there were to be found no tr

nton to his daughter, as the door closed upon one of the mustached upper

exquisites are foolish enough to burn their fingers

of the coquettish Winnie, for it was evident she was a sad coquette. Often had Natalie observed her, as she received each admirer with the same bewitching smile, impressing him wit

Mr. Redfield one of your winning smiles? You are so reserved, and take so little notice of the

did not receive Mr. Re

ing. Had Mr. Redfield been my only admirer, I should have been jealous of the glances which he cast at you; but I don't know as

nother, I have not; and, Winnie dear, just ask yourself if you ever give one thought to any one of

them a thought, after the door once clo

k it right to de

ct! But really, I don't know as there is anything very criminal in helping such people to open their eyes; the

ver idle words, and though Winnie appeared to give them little heed, yet many times afterward, in

oor of the boudoir, she paused; arranged upon the table were her birthday gifts, and Mr. Santon had spared no pains to make the collection as rare as possible. In the centre of the table was a set of diamonds for the hair, and as Winnie clasped them about her dark tresses, she laughed outright, exclaiming,--"They are so handsome! papa, I cannot wait for night to come! B

a-flower, who stood enjoying Winnie's delight. "I

d Natalie, hesitatin

r high esteem for you; and," added he, "I, for one, shall petition, after you have finished your

n brought to her remembrance her mother's last letter, which spoke of her return

evening. The brilliant lights already streamed from every window in the mansion, and the finishing touch, (if such a thing can be said of a lady's toilet,) had been made by Winnie's attendant, much to the satisfaction of all concerned; for although the beauty was willing to submit to all the tortures of hair-dressing, etc., etc., yet before she was quite converted into a "Parisian belle," she positively declared she would suffer none of those official

ou to a fairy, preparing for a camp-meeting!" and her wild laugh was hear

ewildered gaze, Winnie? Is my simple

dear; you will eclipse us all!" and Winnie, taking both

is like you! but where, I cannot tell; and yet, when I look at you, the

at the brilliant dress of Winnie; "yet for all tha

d,--"Bless me! I have looked upon the glorious morning, in the beauty of its freshness, and the ge

the flood of gas-light; and the set of diamonds bound about her dark tresses, which fell in rich profusion about her finely arched neck, setting off her dark complexion, her cheeks roseate with health, to great advantage; and as she moved among her guests; her tall, slender form, so full of dignity, she was the "observed of all observers." Her winning smile, so dangerous to those gallants in attendance who had never realized the true sen

star, which was formed by the glittering of the diamonds through the delicately-wrought pearl, which being the centre of the collection was worn upon her forehe

the principal streets were two young men, engaged in conv

ked the younger of the two, who was far less

r, in a more reserved tone. "D

s of such an occasion. Wit and beauty do not hold forth

o faces, putting aside the decorum of intelligent society, for the rude jests and unrefined manners of other associates, can be called gentlemen,) who had attracted Mrs. Santon's notice by his frequent visits to her daughter. Before proceeding farthe

that proud, unyielding spirit of his father, yet he was like him, inasmuch as he possessed the same dignified, reserved manner, the which, having called forth the startling declaration from manoeuvering mothers, and languishing daughters, that "Mr. Clarence Delwood would look farther than Boston for a bride." So they had folded their gossamer wings with resignation, receiving his polite attentions with pleasure, yet never be

that we may find what success those penetrating eyes, which grew big with mischief even in a prairie home, shall

ure over the young man's head; and as this report had not been corrected by Montague, he not being over-burdened with many scruples of conscience, it is not surprising that there should have been those, who looked upon him as a desirable match for their dowerless daughters; but he, having realized the desolation which empty pockets can produce, was now living upon the hope that he might build upon his fortune, which never had foundation, by introducing himself among the fair ones of uppertendom, as a candidate for matrimony. For some time he had had an eye to the well-filled purse of Winnie San

avoring to draw him into conversation, he added, "there's a young protégé of Santon's, staying with his daughter,

Delwood, me

add that he had worked his passage) and though some twenty miles distant, we fancied that we got a whiff of the hump-backs. Our captain was a jolly sort of fellow, and would have us land-lubbers believe that his exper

irst dance. The Sea-flower stood by Mrs. Santon's side, that she might attend to her least wish, when young Montague, disappointed that he had not been the first to secure the hand of Winnie, in an obsequious manner, solicited the pleasure of Miss Grosvenor's company, to complete the set,

added he, glancing rudely into her face, "there are s

ner motive had prompted the question, when she remarked, "you evidently have nev

for the information," said he, his eyes wide ope

natural propensity for wielding the harpoon, that should a person differing from their kind appear amo

rew into a hearty laugh, in which the chagrined Montague joined, as being the safest way of retreat, and although piqued by the ludicrous positi

Winnie is to-night! I do not know who can help loving her!" So enthusiastic was she in her praises, that she had not observed the two contemplating her, and ere she was aware of their approach, the bewitching Winnie had taken her hand, and presenting M

s known to appear a second time upon the floor, and it also happened, how, or at what moment was a mystery, that the two had sought to dispel fatigue, by the conservatory's soothing influences, whither the eye of Winnie wandered ever and anon, as with Mr. Montague she vied with her competitors in the giddy waltz. Miss Winnie's brain was capable of containing two thoughts at the same time, and no one would have suspected, absorbed as she appeared to be with the attentions of Montague, who was playing the agreeable to the best of his knowledge, that her curi

f his mother in infancy, never having known the blessings of a sister's society, he was not to be condemned for the impressions which a gaudily attired attendant had left upon his mind as he grew up into boyhood. But as he listened to the Sea-flower, as she told him of her home in the sea, of the music of th

thought of the warmth with which she had expressed herself to

y, "and yet I shall remember Boston with feeling

e soul. Natalie withdrew her gaze, while Delwood, stooping to pluck a moss rose-bud from an urn at her feet, placed it within his diamond fastener, and the two retraced their steps to join their friends again. Montague was still at Winnie's side, and though the unusual flush upon Natalie's c

ent bade the blooming Winnie seek repose, and quiet reigned triumphant at Santon Mansion; yet there was one who seemed to have forgotten that the morning follows so close upon the evening. The Sea-flower had lingered among the last to say adieu, and now, in her own apartment,

new feelings have sprung; even the last low words of Delwood, which are still sounding in her ear, do not lead her to mistrust, and we leave her, as the fringed eyelids at last droop in r

he added--"I feel confident that she of all others, is the only one who could have wrought this change! No, I cannot look upon this as weakness! I must see more of her; she is an angel of purity, too good for such as I. Can she think favorably of me? and what will my father say, if he learns that his only son will sue for favor in the eyes of

een holding late revels with the water nymphs by moonlight! and now, when the stronger light of the sun bids us mortals awake, you have made good your retreat, a

f us all before the day is ended, if you go on thus." Opening her eyes, she looked about her, endeavoring to collect her senses. Her eye fell upon a bouquet, of the finest, most delicate flowers, in a vase, upon her toilet table; it had evident

om some one who was thoughtful of your well-being! but come, make yourself look as charming as possible, for

flections. Banishing all other thoughts from her mind, Natalie kneeled at her morning devotions, her low voice went up in thanks for the many blessings which were hers, not forgetting

wing-room. Seated upon an ottoman, was no other than Clarence Delwood, who arose as she entered, taking her proffered hand with some little embarrassment, which was soon dispelled by the adroit Winnie, who took a seat at the piano, and with a rich full voice sang the last opera. "Your friend, Miss Santon, has an enviable voice,"

voice," remarked Delwood,

is moved and seconded that Miss Grosvenor shall give us a benefit, and if she fails to

his house. Natalie chose a simple piece--"The Wanderer's Home," and as the sound of her voice died away, there was not a dry eye in the room. Winnie was the first to break the spell, and smiling away a tear, she e

," said Natalie, glancing at Delwood

he said, "but the first tone of your voice carried me far back, to when I was a child of five or six years. It was in Italy, where my father spent some time, after my mother's death, and it so happened that I was permitted to accompany him to an entertainment given by an Italian lady of note, who, in the course of the evening, favored the company with a song. I was engaged with some sweetmeats as

sting their courage with his iron grays, on the following morning; so long did his eye linger upon her, who had full command of his every thought, t

h her other than a life of joy. And thus time passed on, scarcely a day sped, but Clarence Delwood was seen ascending the steps of Mr. Santon's hospitable mansion. As Winnie expressed herself--"the affair was coming on bravely;" she had now found for whom Natalie was reserving that heart, which in spite of her caution, would impart to others it

wards Natalie were reciprocated, and yet he was confident that she regarded him with no common interest. He had read it in her soul, but he would hear from her own lips if happiness or misery was to be his through life, and it was with a nervous step that he wended his way on this last evening of her stay in Boston, that he might hear his fate. As he drew near the house, he observed, though early in the evening, but one dim light gleaming f

g-room, which opened to the room of the dying one. Mr. Santon sat with his face buried in his hands, sobbing aloud. Mr. Delwood took him tenderly by the hand, and whispered a few w

s trying hour?" asked Delwood

of her grief-stricken daughter, she said: "farewell, my dearest husband; it is but a little parting; you will meet me there at last." Turning to the Sea-flower, with her hand still upon the head of her daughter, she added, "my child will soon be motherless; through you, she is what I could wish to see her; and when I am gone, will you never lose sight of her? make her to be like yourself!" In a feeble voice she continued, "thank God that we may see heaven upon earth; the gentle spirit is pointing me to my rest;" a sligh