WEALTH WITHOUT WINGS. «95

 

Few homes, in the large city wherein dwelt this
obscure family, were so full of all the elements of
happiness. If, sometimes, the spirit of Claire was
overshadowed by passing clouds—as would unavoid-
ably happen from his contact with the world, and his
own variant states—the evening’s return to the bo-
som of his family, generally made all bright again.

Little Fanny Elder, now ten years of age, had
been steadily growing into his affections from the
first. It is questionable whether his love for his
own children was a purer passion. Older, by several
years, than Edith, she had been to him more com-
panionable; and had ever greeted his return at
evening with warmer expressions of pleasure than
were manifested by Edith, or the two younger
children who had been added to the number of his
household treasures.

On this evening, as Claire drew nearer and nearer
to his home, and his thoughts began'to make pictures
of the scene within, its light and warmth penetrated
his feelings, and when he opened, at length, the door,
he was himself again. :

First to bound into his arms was Fanny Elder.
What a beautiful, fairy-like creature she was! How
more than fulfilled the promise of her early child-
hood! Next came Edith, now six years of age, side
by side with her brother Harry, a wild little rogue,
and were only a few seconds behind Fanny in throw-
ing themselves upon their father; while little baby
Mary, as she sat on the carpet, fluttered her tiny
arms, and crowed out her joyous welcome.

What a merry romp they all had for the next two
or three minutes. When quiet came back again,

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a“

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