Grand River times. [volume] (Grand Haven, Mich.) 1851-18??, 1853-02-23
TIE LOST AND THE LIVING.
ny FANNY FERN

But fleeting twelvemonth had passed since
the heart (that for years had beat against his
own,) was forever stilled, when Walter Lee
brought again fair young creature to share his
widowed home Nor father nor mother, broth
or nor sister, claimed any part OF the orphan
heart that he coveted and won. No expense
or pains had he spared to decorate the mansion
for her reception. Old familiar objects, fraughi
with tenderest associations, have been removed
to make way for the upholsterer's choicest fan
eies. There was no picture left upon the wall
with sweet, sad, mournful eyes, to follow him
with silent reproach. Everything was fresh
and delightful as the newborn joy that filled
his heart
"My dear Edith" said he, fondly pushing
back the hair from her forehead; "there should
be no shadow in your pathway, but have tried
in vain to induce Nelly to give you the well
come you deserve; however she shall not an
noy you shall compel her to stay in the
nursery till she yields to my wishes"
ooh, no don'tdo that" said the young step
mother anxiously; 81 think understand her.
Let me go to her, dear Walter" and she trpt
lightly out of the room and left him 10 himself.
Walter Lee looked after her retreating figure
with lover like fondness. The room seemed
to him to grow suddenly darker, when the door
closed after her. Reaching out his hand, he
almost ANONYMOUSLY took up a book that lay
near him. A slip of paper fluttered out from
between the leaves, like white-winged mes
senger. The joyous expression of his face IA
ded into one of deep sorrow, as he read it. The
hand writing was his child's mothers. 1t ran
thus:
"Oh, to die, and be forgotten. This warm
heart cold-these active limbs still-these lips
dust. Suns to rise and set, flowers to bloom,
the moon to silver leaf and tree around my own
dear home; the merry laugh, the pleasant cir
Gle and / not here! The weeds choking the
flowers at my headstone; the severed tress of
sunny hair forgotten in its envelope; the sun of
happiness so soon absorbing the dew-drop of
sorrow! The cypress changed for the orange
preath! Oh no, no; don't quite forget close
your eyes sometimes, and bring before you the
face that once made sunshine in your home feel
again the twining clasp of loving arms; the
lips that told you (not in words) how dear you
were. Oh, Walter, don't quite forget! From
Nellie's clear eyes, let her mothers soul still
speak to you. MARY Lee"
Warm tears fell upon the paper as Walter
Lee folded it back. He gave himself time to
rally, and then gded gently up to the nursery
door, 1t was partially open. A little fairy
creature, of some five summers, stood in the
middle of the floor. Her tiny face was half hid
den in sunny curls. Her little pnafore was full
oftoys, which she grasped tightlyin either hand.
"No, you are not my mamma" said the child.
al want my own dead mamma, and am sorry
papa brought you here"
"Oh, don't say that" said the young step
mother, "don't call me mamma, if it gives you
pain, dear. am quite willing that you should
love your own mamma better than you do me-"
Nelly looked up with pleasant surprise.
81 had dear mamma and papa once" she
continued and brothers and sisters, so many
and so merry but they are all dead, and some
times my heart is very sad; have no one now
to love me, but your papa and you"
Nelly's eyes began to moisten; and taking
out one after another of the little souvenirs and
toys from her pinafore, she said: "And you
won't take away this--and this-and this-that
my dead mamma gave to me!"
"No indeed, dear Nellyw
"And you will let me climb in my papa's lap,
as used; and put my cheek to his, and kiss
him, and love him, as much as euer l can, won't
you!"
Yes, yes, my darling"
Walter Lee could hear no more, his heart
was full.
What Mary's child pleading with stranger,
for room in fathers heart! In the sudden
gush of this new fount of tenderness, had he
forgotten or overlooked the claims of that help
less little one? God forbid "From Nellie's
clear eyes let her mothers soul still speak to
YOU" Aye and it did
When next Walter Lee met his young bride
1t was with chastened tenderness. Nelly's
loving little heart was pressed closely against
his own. He was again "her own papa" No,
he did not "quite Jorget!" Olive Branch