n day by day, for
twenty years, were revealed to him,--the features of his
Madonna--his child!

"My God!" exclaimed he, "I thank thee that thou hast brought me from
darkness to light, not only that I may acknowledge thy supremacy, but to
bless thee during the brief remainder of my days; if I may atone for my
deep sin in living so long without thee, even doubting thy existence!
This is truly a convincing proof that thou art all in all. I here vow,
that should the gracious Lord see fit to chasten his servant, by taking
away this, my last support, it shall only serve to increase my faith in
the love of my most precious Redeemer!" and with tearful eyes the old
gentleman held his grand-daughter to his heart.

"And is it really thus?" asked Natalie; "can it be that my mother has
been looking down upon me, from her home in the skies?"

"Your sainted mother is in heaven," spake Mr. Alboni.

The Sea-flower glanced towards her from whom she had ever received a
mother's tenderness; there was a smile upon her countenance, yet Natalie
observed, though she would fain be happy that her loved one was restored
to her kindred, undoubtedly an advantageous discovery in every point of
view, it was like an arrow to her heart; for was she not her child?
Natalie arose, and giving one hand to her mother, the other to him whom
she would henceforth look upon as a father, she said,--"Yes, my own
mother has gone to her home; she is an angel there, where I shall meet
her at the last; but you, my mother, can never be less dear to me; I
must always look upon you as my mother!" and throwing her arms about
Mrs. Grosvenor's neck, she exclaimed, "though others shall claim me by
the ties of kindred, they never shall part me from you; your child will
never forsake you!"

It was enough; the widowed mother was not "written childless." Then it
was that Mrs. Grosvenor related every minute particular in regard to the
child's discovery, and how she had been a blessing to them all,
repaying them doubly for their care. It was a long and interesting
story, to which this little circle listened, regardless of the raging
elements without, with the exception of the Sea-flower, who drank in
every note of nature's mighty chorus, scarcely thinking of the perils to
which those who were riding at the mercy of the waves, might be exposed;
for her young heart shrank not from ocean's awe; she had always looked
upon an ocean grave as a hallowed place of burial.

"And your