The impression, however, which had been made upon the mind of the young lady, was too deep to be easily effaced. She often mentioned the remark made so rudely by Mary, and expressed an opinion one day in the presence of an old lady who was visiting Mrs. Dalby, that it was strange that any one should think of speaking as Mary did, if there was no foundation at all for the assertion.

'Why, child,' said this old lady, without reflection, 'it is true that you are not the daughter of Mrs. Dalby.' 'Are you certain of that?' asked that lady, who heard what her visitor had said.

'Certain? yes, indeed, I am,' replied the old lady, apparently unconscious of the effect produced, by what she had affirmed, upon the minds of Mrs. Dalby and her adopted child.

Then,' said she, 'my child died, I presume?'

'Yes,' responded the other; and the infant of Abby was dressed in the clothes belonging to your babe, and carried to you.'

The breast of Mrs. Dalby was now agitated by a variety of emotions, and she wept silently for some time. Sarah Anna, too, wept bitterly at the mortification she felt in knowing that she was in reality a child disowned by her natural father, while she was fearful a knowledge of the fact that deception had been practised, would affect the feelings of her foster-mother towards herself.

The feelings of this good woman were the reverse toward this dear girl from what she feared. It seemed, as Mrs. Dalby said, that this development was the means of binding Sarah Anna to her heart by a stronger tie than

the one by which she had hitherto been endeared to her. She regretted that she had been kept in ignorance of the death of her babe, not so much on her account, as because she was apprehensive that Sarah would be made unhappy by learning her history, which was, in some respects, most unfortunate, at so late a period.

Even Mr. Dalby, when he was apprised of the abrupt manner in which the poor girl had been told of the circumstances connected with her parentage, regretted the course pursued by him in her infancy.

6

Mrs. Dalby told her husband, that although she appreciated his motives, she could not approve his conduct, in concealing the truth from her in regard to the children. Had I known,' continued she, that I was left childless, and at the same time that a little helpless stranger, such as Sarah Anna then was, had been directed by Providence to my house, I think my feelings would have led me to do my duty to the dependent little one just as you have made me. It would have been decidedly better, too, to have had Sarah Anna acquainted with the interesting story of her life, as soon as she could understand it. would thus have been spared the pain she has now endured, as I should have been enabled to fortify her mind so that it would not be affected by the unfeeling taunts of the vulgar and hard-hearted. Be assured it is a mistake. to resort to stratagem, in endeavouring to do good. You will always have occasion, as in this instance, to regret doing anything that savors of duplicity.'

She

Mrs. Dalby enfolded Sarah Anna in her arms, with a feeling of greater fondness than she had ever done before, saying to her at the same moment, 'you are my dear

daughter, in the best sense of the term, and shall ever remain so. If you are' proceeded this lady, 'the daughter of Abby Olmsted, you are also the daughter of the father of Mary. She cannot boast more in point of birthright than you.'

'Are you confident, mother, that this is true?' inquired the girl.

'Yes, my dear, I have always known that the child of your mother belonged to Colonel Chambers,' replied she, 'but have, until recently, supposed it dead.'

'I should like to tell Mary, this fact,' said Sarah Anna. 'Not tauntingly I hope,' rejoined the mother.

She looked somewhat confused as her mother made this remark, and answered, 'Not exactly in that way; but would it not be just to have her feelings hurt as much as she hurt mine?'

6

I can

'It would, perhaps,' said her mother, but it is not your prerogative to administer justice in such a case. imagine your feelings, and do not wonder that you feel tempted to retaliate, yet you must resist such feelings. "Be not overcome with evil, but overcome evil with good," is a divine precept which ought to be obeyed.'

'I know it, mother,' responded the daughter, yet she was provoking, you know.'

6 Yes, I do know she was,' said the other; and that is the greatest reason why you should not imitate her example. Remember, Mary is your sister; if you are not acknowledged, it is nevertheless your duty to cultivate an affection for her. It is right you should inform her that she has been the means of your knowing this mortifying

truth, which, but for her unkind remarks, might not have been known any further than it had been heretofore."

"Now,' continued the kind woman, 'I advise you, Sarah Anna, to tell Mary, affectionately, what you have of late learned of your history, and treat her evermore as a sister. You are in as respectable a situation as she is; you have as many friends, and may rightly feel yourself her equal; treat her as such, but never for a moment feel abashed at the recollection of your origin; you have no cause to do so. You cannot be blamed for the faults of others, and will not be reproached for them by any but those who are not worth regarding.'

'Be careful,' further remarked the foster-mother, 'to avoid the errors into which your parents have fallen. Your mother was, I trust, forgiven by her Father in Heaven, ere she left this world. She abhorred her sins, and deeply repented of them, while she wished to admonish all young ladies to take warning from the affecting tale of her life, and avoid her errors. Love to do right, and you will be safe.'

Sarah Anna felt soothed and encouraged, by the conversation of her more than mother, to pursue a course of high-minded and virtuous action in regard to her newlydiscovered sister, and she resolved not to be tempted by her unkindness to act an unfriendly part towards her.

It was not long ere she had an opportunity to see Mary alone, when, putting her arm affectionately around her waist, she said to her, 'Mary, you and I are related to each other, and we ought to be good friends, I am sure.' 'How are we related?' asked Mary.

6

"Your father is also mine,' said Sarah Anna. You told the truth the other day when you affirmed that Abby Olmsted was my mother; she was left by your father, Mary, at the time of your parents' marriage. We can sympathize with each other, in some respects, at least, and we must be friends.'

Mary was astonished at the calm manner of Sarah, though she was not surprised at the statement she had made concerning herself, for hints had been thrown out in her presence by those who knew of her unkindness to Sarah Anna, that made her acquainted with these facts, which could not be denied by her parents. Mary, therefore, readily acceded to the generous proposal of her sister to be friendly to her. of her past despicable conduct in regard to the noble-spirited girl, and it is believed she profited by the great mistake she had made at that time.

She was mortified at the reflection

Ever after this event, so trifling in itself, these two young ladies continued to reciprocate each other's kindness. Mary was greatly indebted to her sister for many kind hints, by which she profited; and as they advanced in life, they ceased not to cultivate feelings of good-will towards each other.

The foster-mother of Sarah Anna rejoiced in view of the course pursued by her daughter, and was happy that it had been in her power to render her the assistance she had so cheerfully imparted to her, while at the same time she had been solaced by the engaging society of this lovely girl.

Years passed on, and these sisters dwelt in the same town; and both became heads of families. Sarah was