96 TRUE RICHES; OR,

 

baby was sitting on one knee, Harry on the other,
and Fanny leaning her face on the shoulder of her
“father’-—for so she called him with the rest—
while her glossy curls were resting in sunny clusters
upon his bosom. ‘The memory of the child’s former
home and parents seemed to have faded almost en-
tirely. If the past ever came back to her, like a
dream, with its mingled web of sunshine and tears,
she never spoke of it. Fully had she been taken
‘nto the hearts and home of her new parents; and
she rested there as one having a right to her posi-
tion.

And the pure spirit who presided over this little
Paradise, where was she? Present—observing all,
and sharing in the delight her husband’s return had
occasioned. The expected kiss had not long been
kept from her loving lips.

Happy household! What have its inmates to envy
sn those around them? Within the circle of many
squares were none so rich in all the elements of hap-
piness.

Soon after the evening meal was over, the chil-
dren, after another merry romp with their father,
went off to bed. When Mrs. Claire returned from
the chamber, whither she had accompanied them,
she held a letter in her hand. '

“JT had forgotten all about this letter, Edward,”
said she. “It was left here for you, this afternoon.”

Claire took the letter and broke the seal, running
his eye down to the signature as he unfolded it.

«Leonard Jasper! What is this ?”

His brow contracted instantly, as he commenced
reading the letter. It was brief, and in these words—