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ch groweth so silently,--upspringing everywhere, even in the lonely places of burial, a fit covering for those who slumber,--emblematical of the life beyond the tomb. The joyous mirth which abode in Winnie's nature had superseded, in a measure, days of deep mourning; yet this first taste of earth's sorrow had left an impress upon her mind never to be erased;

a great sacrifice. Old Vingo, who had wondered if his young missy would take him by the hand, as she used, when he heard that another long year must pass before he would see her again, cried like a child; but no one was more disappointed than Harry, who had counted the days for months, when she would come home; but his patience was not to be tested thus. He had visited his sister in Boston, and had received so favorable an impression of city life, or it may be that he had received a more favorable impression of a certain pair of black eyes, which were constantly fixed upon him, when he had accidentally glanced towards a certain young lady, whom, report said, (Mr. Montague being among the foremost to give credit thereto,) was the "greatest catch" in town. Whether it was actually the lady's beauty in questio

has brought with it the knowledge and experience of many. Perhaps the Sea-flower's influence, which fortunately she has been under, may have had its effect upon her character, which is now forming itself; and y

rself if it were possible that Winnie could be so heartless as to impress her brother with erroneous views in regard to her sentiments. She would

it was not quite a year since Mrs. Santon had died. Harry had left them the day before, and had bade them both a warm farewell. Winnie h

y thoughtful moments, I am such a gay creature; but, dear Natalie, there are ti

red of sufficient importance to banish those dimples from your cheek? Come, rogue, ma

lf in your power, for fear you might repay me with interest, in making yo

was about to clasp her in her arms, calling her by the name of sister, when a well-known

e by which I am called in my

ith your character?" he asked, taking the seat by her side w

is sacred memory," she replied; and a tear, which Delwood looked upon as also

ciate with that name all that is of purity? May I not call you by that name? Ca

er scene. Death had claimed it for his own. The hand which he held was not withdrawn, neither did a simper mark her reply. With eyes meekly turned upward, she answered in a calm, low voice,--"My dear father is in heaven; if he is looking down, I feel that he w

but by God's help, I pledge myself to be one of Christ's followers; and of one thing I am confident, I shall never

"go, when I return, and with your own lips ask my mother, if she can find a place in

oon had sunk far below the horizon, ere these two

, his home was not desolate, for he cherished his daughter as the "apple of his eye," and he had come to be like himself again. Happy faces met him as he came in wearied from his duties "on 'change," and

only for the want of an opportunity. And thus was everything going on harmoniously at Santon Mansion, when, to the no little surprise of every one, it was rumored that the wealthy Mr. Santon was about to introduce

n,--there was no heart in his daughter's mechanical tones. Winnie had not as yet seen her intended mother-in-law; she might be all that could be desired of one standing in that peculiar relation, and she might be otherwise; it was not that which

ger than myself, I have learned to look up to you, as a valuable bequest left me by my mother, who smiled even in death, when

r, filling the most sanguine wishes of your father's heart, who would be wretched, if

became a meek and dutiful child; but she did not tell her of the trembling within her own heart, lest this new tie should prove a source of sorrows, sowing her youthf

is world's goods go to give caste; but if, aside from depth of purse, she was his inferior, we have yet to learn. The marriage ceremonies were attended with little

dy passed with her, her superior discernment of character had judged of her aright; she never had cause to vary from the opinion which she had from the first formed of her; she choked back the tears, so strange to see within her eyes, and kneeling, she repeated the very first prayer her mothe

n, and Winnie's heart to love her under any circumstances, but when she saw with what frigidity she received Winnie's warm welcome, thinking not of the condescension with which she had taken

ner, an extreme opposite? It was thus in Mr. Santon's experience, as he but too soon was obliged to acknowledge to himself, though he would not that others should have a suspicion of the fact; yet it was evi

ere a question, if placed in a balance with that of her new mistress, which were the weightier. The woman apologized for

r!" but recalling the servant, with her next thought, she added, "merely say to my mother, th

ng. Winnie bade her mother "good morning," and was about to ask if she had rested well

e for the best. What I wished to speak with you more particularly about this morning, is in regard to the keys; you will please produce them, as I shall have a thorough overhauling at once, and if I mistake not," said she, gla

ll gaining her eye, unobserved by Mrs. Santon she glided away. Instead of the rage Winnie would have poured forth, she merely said, "I will send you the keys," and left the room. Despatching a servant with the keys, which she had intended to have put into her hands at the earliest opportunity, thereby acknowledgi

ever realized it until now, and," she spoke in a lower tone, "dear Winnie, should you ever receive other than the kindly treatment to whic

nature getting the better of her, she burst into tears. Natalie threw her arm about her neck, and, her own voice tremulous with the pity which she felt for her, she tried to soothe her spirits; "you shall have a mother! My mother shall b

it." The hard-hearted woman quailed a little, at the Sea-flower's proffered assistance, and Natalie accompanied her to the upper drawing-room, wondering much what could have given offence to her ideas of a well-regulated house; for under the housekeeper's scrupulous care, everything was kept in the nicest order. Desiring Natalie to assist her in the disposal of some articles, she directed Winnie to find some out-of-the-way place, and to stow away the rubbish which she would find in the next apartment, pointing to the room which had been her mother's, and which Winnie had not permitted any one to disturb, since her death. Everything had been left just as she had left it, even some withered flowers had not been removed, and the book from which she had read, had been left opened at the place her eye had last looked upon. This room had been kept as a place sacred to Winnie's heart, and indeed the very

was a woman of nearly fifty years, and those good looks were the secret of Mr. Santon's unfortunate connection with her. From the first, the woman had taken a dislike to Natalie; it seemed as if she was determined to spite her in every way possible. Why she should have felt thu

nd, as a drowning man would catch at a straw, saying, if she would not entirely sever the golden thread which was once bound around their home circle, she would defer her departure, for at least, a little time; and she had se

. Santon's reply; and we heartily

spensation, for she said within herself,--"I am but bearing a part of the burden which would crush dear Winnie's heart;" and so she sang and played with her usual glad spirit

th more meekness of spirit. If Natalie had resented such conduct, giving "measure for measure," the stern woman could have borne it better; but as it was, it enraged her, that she could no

not be likely to improve under her skim-milk discipline. Leave me alone for managing affairs. I've got the staff in my own hands, and all they can do wont make me anything but the Honorable Mr. Santon's lady! though I'm greatly mistaken if he don't look with evil eyes on the day that made me his bride; but that's not of the slightest consequence, as I used to tell my first husband. Poor fellow! I suppose I was rather hard upon him once in a while; but I knew he was waiting patiently for the day which should separate us. He little thought he would go first," and the woman laughed aloud, as she thought how she had crept into the good graces of her present husband. "Leave me alone for playing my part," she said, as seated in her own apartment, she listened to the voice of Delwood in the drawing-room.

much as he had been accustomed to look upon a character so spotless, that he was not prepared for the detestable machinations of one who was not worthy the name of woman. It had been far from the Sea-flower to

hich you have taken under your especial charge, and poor Mrs. Brown's child is so ill, I fear a few hours' delay in taking the necessary restoratives recommended by our physician,

ysician said any time this afternoon would do, as the little suf

he little fellow's death. It will be a great relief to my mind if you will just step around and look in upon them, as it is b

ken his hat to accompany her, but Mrs. Santon held him fast by commencing a b

e, which the Signor has introduced," remarked Mrs. Santon, e

mong all my sojournings among their people, I have never met with one whose style is more pure than that of Miss Grosven

may more properly say, with the only person she has ever me

efer?" asked Delwood, in

asiness, not only to myself, but to every member of my family; and as you have shown a manifest interest in

be?" asked Delwood

venor could so lose her self-respect and standing, as to look upon a poor professor, who gains his bread by his own exertions, as a favored competitor for her hand, and, it was not until I saw with my own eyes, that I could credit what I had heard. I was satisfied in time, that his rapt admiration as he gazed upon her, was something more than enthusiasm that she had excelled even his most ardent expectations; and the expressio

Delwood, in a state o

madam, but I think there must be some dreadful misunderstanding in regard to the facts which you have stated. No! I would scorn myself if I had a doubt of her innocence! and if such a thing migh

hat you have heard to any one, but come here to-morrow morning at ten, when the Signor will make his appearance, and from a pr

elf," said Delwood, endeavoring to compose himself as he heard the light step of the Sea-flower in the hal

street, for she could not but notice an estrangement in his manners; but she did not

past, and innocence laid her head upon her pillow and slept, unmindful of plots

,"--those words still sounded in his ears, and, as he drew nearer the house, it seemed as if they grew louder and louder, till his brain was nearly distracted. B

ly feeing the porter who answered his summons, he asked to see Miss Santon; "and, James," said he, "you need ment

e info a most knowing wink, as he smiled up

her in particular, was a matter more mysterious. His manners, so unlike himself, served to check at once her flow of spirits, which, in spite of the weight of oppression which had marked the last year, wo

day previous, but what was his astonishment to find her totally ignorant

ch a statement? Surely, your mother would not wish to injure my feelings, by repeating what may hav

hom, if she had ever looked upon as a mother, must from this moment forf

s that she has invented such a vile scheme, but it is by injuring Natalie's character in your eyes, she may banish from her heart all future happiness. Nay, do not start at such a strange declaration from my lips; you are the only person, out of my father's household, who has a suspicion that our happiness is not what it on

was thun

born of light. And has Miss Grosvenor suffered the ill-will of this cruel, cruel woman, and never lisped a word but should lead others to r

meaning is there in that?" asked Winnie; for sur

hesitate to do a meaner thing, favorable to the furtherance of her plans; and it is my opinion there is more to be learned in regard to this matter. I will foil he

avorite air, and as he listened, he gradually lost sight of the object of his visit,--engulfed in the ocean of bliss which her impassioned tones had spread before him, when he was recalled to a sense of outward circumstances by the voice of the Signor, who, as the bird-like trill of her voice died away, sprang to his feet, and in a voice hoarse with p

ern my welfare! And do not, I pray you, sir, force me to treat you as oth

; for should it come to the ear of madam that her secret is a secret

ccount of your strange conduct; but in doing thus, if I find you undeserving of censure,

of gold upon the floor,--"there, sir, is indeed the root of all evil! that gold was placed in my hands by

el

lief of her inconstancy, and an attachment for myself. It was some time before I could be bought with gold, but she, doubling the amount, I at last yielded to what, thank God, I have not had strength to perform. Had it been other than Miss Grosvenor whom I was to i

n's bribe in the Signor's hand; "you have done well, sir; and mark my words,--gold can never

his lips, saying,--"You have helped to do away with the sinful impressions which did their best to fasten themselves upon me. You will never be forgotten b

y; for it is in pity for my father and his motherless child,

visitor to the house; yet this defeat did not subdue her bitter feelings towards the Sea-flower; they only slumbered, to break out afresh on the first occasion that might present. Natal

can pity her; for perhaps she has never had d