“I see nothing; and it is well; for my heart already yearns towards the little creature, and in my selfish human nature, I can’t but hope that we may be able to keep her for our own.”  And as she spoke she pressed the clasp of the band, and, behold! the miniature likeness of a lady was brought to view.  The foster mother gazed upon those features, as if it were the face of an angel.

“I cannot have the heart to wish to retain her child!  To deprive that mother of anything that can give her pain to lose.  Would I could ask her to forgive my cruel thoughts; forgive the desire to retain this her gem.  But I know she has gone to her home in the skies; she was too pure for earth.  Yes, this must be the mother, the child is so like her.”

“The same features, the same expression; and,” said the Captain, “I will use every means of finding out if there is one left of that ill-fated crew to tell the tale.  It will probably be reported in a few days, if there are any missing vessels, either from our coasts or foreign ports.  In the meantime I will take care to have this discovery registered at head-quarters, and then if we can discover no trace of her parentage we may have her for our own.”

“Have her for our own!  Nep, do you hear that?  We are to have a new sister!” shouted the boy; and Nep, as if comprehending his young master’s words, laid his great honest face on the feet of the child, and caressed her.

“Please, missus, don’t make little Sea-flower too fresh; she be pining for de sea;” remarked Vingo, as Mrs. Grosvenor proceeded to bathe the child in cool fresh water; and having brought out the baby-clothes worn by Harry, she was soon, by the aid of a little new milk, made comfortable, and, creeping down after old Nep, sat with her hands buried in his shaggy coat, crowing with delight.  The lights at Captain Grosvenor’s burned long into the night of that eventful day, of the discovery of the Sea-flower, while he related to his wife how they had found the little one among the sea-weeds, and in forming plans for her future adoption, should nothing be learned of her parentage, and no friends come to claim the child.

Soon after the commencement of our story, a fearful storm swept the New England coast.  ’Twould seem as if the rage of the storm-king knew no bounds; and many hearts there were made desolate in that long-to-be-remembered September gale.  Fragments of wrecks came ashore on different parts of the island, together with casks, chests, rigging, stoven boats, etc., which were picked up in various places, and by various characters.  Some would watch eagerly for these trophies of destruction, and with grasping hand seize upon them, viewing the storm as sent for their own particular benefit; increasing their worldly goods, regardless of others’ woes.  While some there were, who turned away with a heart sick at the scene of devastation, yet submissively bowing to His will, “who holds the waters in his hand.”  Wreck upon wreck was reported.  The total loss of vessels from all parts of the world was very great, which only served to increase the mystery in regard to the unknown, which went down ’neath a calm noon-day sky.  Days and months passed on, and still no tidings; till finally they came to look upon the loved one as their own.