papa, kissing mamma's hand, as if it was a roseleaf, and might be hurt or bruised in the act. He could not bend over to kiss her cheek, neither could she do the same by him. So I was their messenger, and carried their love-tokens from one to the other; and had kisses of my own as a reward.

"More hair-breadth escapes of our darling?" asked mamma, smiling.

Yes; if you hear that she flew down from the topmost branch of the large beech tree, without wings, you must not be surprised."

"I am surprised at nothing," said mamma. "But we know if she survived the peril of that storm at her birth, she is born for no common fate."

"So you always say, mamma," answered my father. "And I must agree with you.-You bore a charmed life then, little one, for some

wise purpose."

"How, papa

?" I asked.

VOL. I.

с

We will get mamma to tell us the whole story, as a birth-day treat."

Willingly," answered mamma. "I have

long wished her to know the events of her birth. It seems to me her life was not so strangely preserved, but for some high purpose."

"To be a queen!" whispered papa to me.

And," continued mamma, sighing,

know not for how long, my husband-"

we

"Ah! hush," said papa, shuddering, "damp not this day by aught melancholy."

"But we ought to prepare her, Roland," faltered my mother.

My father buried his face in his hands. "If God takes you and papa to heaven, take me also," I exclaimed in agony.

"The child defines, husband. God has spoken to her.-Nellie, listen to your mother's story."

CHAPTER III.

"And living hills of water

Sweep up as the storm-wind calls;

Here a black gulf is gaping,

And there a white tower falls.

"And sounds of sickness and wailing

From the depths of the cabin come.
I keep a firm hold of the bulwarks,
And wish I was at home."

HEINE-Leland's translation.

"My darling, sit by my side," said mamma, "while I tell you the reason old Moss thinks you bear a charmed life. You know you were

"Your father was ordered to join his regiment at the Cape. He did not wish me to

But,

accompany him, until such times that I could hold my little child safe within my arms. Nellie, as your fate is, such was mine. I had no relations, neither father nor mother"

"Mamma!" I exclaimed: with one arm I clasped her, and stretched out my other hand to papa. "Had I not both, yet before me, living, loving?" Tears gushed from my eyes.

Forgive me, child. Nay, weep not thus, sweet Nell, God is thy father, mother—all to thee! In mercy, He foreshadows to you, the removal of your earthly parents, only to prove the boundless store of good He holdeth yet for you. Comfort her, Roland."

She paused, exhausted.

I calmed my sobs on the instant; the tears went back into my heart.

"And so, papa, mamma, would go?" I asked in a firm voice.

"Yes, love," she said; "she should be so desolate, and withal she looked so piteous and forlorn, that (with some misgivings indeed), we

sailed together. I ought, perhaps, to have been more firm in my decision: transports in those days were scarcely fit for cattle, much less for delicate ladies.

But, Roland, thanks to your care," inter

the voyage.

well: I enjoyed

Even over the rough waves of Biscay, we had fair and gentle usage. And late one evening we heard the happy tidings that we were in Algoa Bay, and the next day should land. I went on deck, to catch a glimpse of this promised land-that was to be the birth place of my child. Though I was assured it was almost possible to throw a biscuit on shore, yet was it too dark to discern ought. We busied ourselves, therefore, in preparations, and as, late at night, I laid down in my berth, joyfully thinking it was for the last time, a hollow, sweeping wind rocked the vessel to and fro. In my first sleep, I was awakened by the heaving up of the anchor-all the noise, hurry, and turmoil attendant on a gale of wind."