"But no; it cannot be.

Your mother is lying in Chicopee, and Ella, my sister, died in England." Every particle of color had left Mary's face, and her eyes, now black as midnight, stared wildly at Mrs.Campbell.The sad story, which her mother had once told her, came back to her mind, bringing with it the thought, which had so agitated her companion.
"Yes," she continued, without noticing what Mrs.Campbell had said, "my mother was Ella Temple, and she had two sisters, one her own, and the other, a half sister,--Sarah Fletcher and Jane Temple,--both of whom came to America many years ago." "Tell me more,--tell me all you know!" whispered Mrs.Campbell, grasping Mary's hand; "and how it came bout that I thought she was dead,--my sister." Upon this point Mary could throw no light, but of all that she had heard from her mother she told, and then Mrs Campbell, pointing to her writing desk, said, "Bring it to me.

I must read that letter again." Mary obeyed, and taking out a much soiled, blotted letter, Mrs.
Campbell asked her to read it aloud.

It was as follows--"Daughter Jane,--I now take this opportunity of informing you, that I've lost your sister Ella, and have now no child saving yourself, who, if you behave well, will be my only heir.

Sometimes I wish you were here, for it's lonesome living alone, but, I suppose you're better off where you are.