24 TRUE RICHES; OR,

 

had wound up his business some months before, paid
off what he owed, and collected in nearly all out-
standing accounts; so that little work remained for
his executor, except to dispose of the unprofitable
tract of land and invest the proceeds.

On the day following the opening of our story,
Jasper, who still felt annoyed at the prospect of
more trouble than profit in the matter of his execu-
torship, made a formal e¢all upon the widow of his
old friend.

The servant, to whom he gave his name, stated
that Mrs. Elder was so ill as not to be able to leave —
her room. 7 —

“‘T will call again, then, in a few days,” said he.
“‘Be sure you give her my name correctly. Mr. ©
Jasper—Leonard Jasper.”’

The face of the servant wore a troubled aspect. .

“She is very sick, sir,” said she, in a worried, j
hesitating manner. ‘ Won’t you take a seat, for a 4
moment, until I go up and tell her that you are here? ~
Maybe she would like to see you. I think I heard ~
her mention your name a little while ago.”

Jasper sat down, and the domestic left the room. ~
She was gone but a short time, when she returned &
and said that Mrs. Elder wished to see him. Jasper —
arose and followed her up-stairs. There were some
strange misgivings in his heart—some vague, trou- _
bled anticipations, that oppressed his feelings. But
he had little time for thought ere he was ushered
into the chamber of his friend’s widow. |

A single glance sufficed to tell him the whole sad ~
truth of the case. There was no room for mistake.
The bright, glazed eyes, the rigid, colourless lips,