gligence in escorting the fair
songstress to a seat. "Pardon me, Miss Grosvenor," 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 she commenced, but as she proceeded,
gradually they fell from my hands, and when she had finished, I had
found my way to her side, and clinging to her dress I burst into tears,
begging her to take me to that beautiful place again! It is years since
I have thought of the circumstance, and I trust you will pardon my
enthusiasm, when I say that your "Wanderer's Home," has produced a
similar effect!"

Natalie expressed her thanks for the compliment, with blushing modesty,
and as Delwood bade them good morning, after having made arrangements
for testing 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, that he did not observe miss Winnie, who was trembling lest her
fresh supply of mischief should come to an unendurable crisis, before he
should depart.

It was soon rumored that the lion had been tamed, that the beautiful
Miss Grosvenor had found her way to the heart of Clarence Delwood.
Boston beauties sighed, and those who had been unsuccessful in what is
sometimes termed "setting their caps," looked on with interest, but none
who had seen the favored one, could find it in their hearts to wish 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 its only
element. The time was also drawing near, when Natalie was to have made
glad her mother's heart by her presence. Old Vingo had desired his Massa
Harry to write to young Missy, "dat eben de breakers gettin' impatient
to see her once more, and dat he walk alone now, on de beach in de
moonlight, but he neber 'speck to find anoder Sea-flower."

In a few days the Santon family were to part with Natalie. It was in
vain they had urged