"My child! Oh, can it be true?" This was said in a choking voice by Mrs. Linden, as she threw her arms around Ellen and held her to her bosom. In a few moments she withdrew herself, and fixed her eyes long and earnestly upon Ellen's face.
"Ah! what a loving heart have I wronged!" she murmured, putting her hand upon the brow of her new-found child, tenderly. Then she drew her again almost convulsively to her bosom.
All that was passing within was heard without, for Charles and his sister were at the door: they entered at this moment.
"My mother!" exclaimed Charles, springing towards her.
"My son—my dear son! God bless you, and this dear child, who has watched for days and nights like an angel about my pillow."
The mother and son were in each other's arms in a moment. All was forgiven.
From that hour, the proud woman of the world saw with a purified vision. From that hour, she knew the worth of a pure heart.
SMITH AND JONES; OR, THE TOWN LOT.
ONCE upon a time, it happened that the men who governed in the municipal affairs of a certain growing town in the West, resolved, in grave deliberation assembled, to purchase a five-acre lot at the north end of the city—recently incorporated—and have it improved for a park or public square. Now, it also happened, that all the saleable ground lying north of the city was owned by a man named Smith—a shrewd, wide-awake individual, whose motto was,