WEALTH WITHOUT WINGS. 27

 

CHAPTER III.

LEonarp JASPER would have been less than hu-
man had he borne such an assault upon his feelings
without emotion; less than human had his heart
instantly and spontaneously rejected the dying mo-
ther’s wildly eloquent appeal. He was bewildered,
startled, even deeply moved.

The moment he could, with propriety and a decent
regard for appearances, get away from the house
where he had witnessed so painful a scene, he re-
turned to his place of business in a sobered, thought-
ful state of mind. He had not anticipated so direct a
guardianship of Ruben Elder’s child as it was evident
would now devolve upon him, in consequence of the
mother’s death. Here was to be trouble for him—
this was his feeling so soon as there was a little time
for reaction—and trouble without profit. Hewould
have to take upon himself the direct charge of the
little girl, and duly provide for her maintenance and
education.

“Tf there is property enough for this, well and
good,” he muttered to himself; he had not yet be-
come acquainted with the real state of affairs. “If
not,” he added, firmly, ‘the loss will be hers ; that
is all. Ishall have sufficient trouble and annoy-
ance, without being put to expense.”

For some time after his return to his store, Jasper
refrained from entering upon any business. During