r the last few days. I hope
that now we are together once more, there is nothing to disturb your
happiness," remarked Harry, as the two sat together on the little
promenade ground in front of the house, enjoying the beautiful sunset of
a summer's evening.

"There is nothing which makes me unhappy now, for although 'we know not
what a day may bring forth,' yet I have learned to smile under the most
trying dispensations of Providence, knowing that His ways are higher
than our ways; but," and her voice was hushed almost to a whisper,
"there has been something upon my mind of late, of which I would make
you a confidant, my son."

There was a pause,--well did Harry judge of what his mother would speak,
and looking into her face, he said,--"Natalie,--she is not my sister by
birth, yet I shall ever claim her as such; and I know, should she learn
that she was of other parentage to-morrow, she would cling to you,
mother, as her dearest earthly friend."

"And for that reason I know she is of noble birth. But tell me, Harry,
can it be that you, who was but a child, remember the circumstance?"

"Yes, mother, I can well remember the infant with the gold bands, and
the pretty white dress, all wet with salt water; then were my first
ideas of innocency."

"She has proved a rich blessing to us, and I do not feel that I can ever
part with her; but I have been thinking it was selfish, indeed, in
keeping her with us, to deprive her of those advantages which would fit
her for filling the station which I can plainly see belongs to her. Not
but that she might finish her education at home, for 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 request of a dear friend residing in
Boston, that my daughter should spend some time in her family, where she
may receive the same excellent instructions with her own child. Our
means have been for the last year or two somewhat curtailed, yet as long
as we have enough to be comfortable, we will share with her what she
most justly deserves."

"Yes, mother, give my portion to her; I can take care of myself, and
you shall not want for anything so long as I can help you. I do not know
how we can let her go, but it is for the best. S