WEALTH WITHOUT WINGS. 83

 

or two casually-uttered sentiments did not fall like
refreshing dew upon the feelings of Claire, but
rather stung him like words of sharp rebuke, and
made him half regret the wrong he had done to her.
He felt relieved when she retired.

It so happened that, while this customer was in,
Jasper left the store. Soon after, a clerk went to
dinner. Only a lad remained with Claire, and he
was sent up-stairs to arrange some goods.

The hour of temptation had again come, and the
young man’s mind was overshadowed by the powers
of darkness.

“Ten dollars clear gain on that transaction,” said
he to himself, as he drew open the money-drawer in
which he had deposited the cash paid to him by his
late customer.

For some time his thoughts were busy, while his
fingers toyed with the gold and bills in the drawer. -
Two five-dollar pieces were included in the payment
just received.

“ Jasper, surely, ought to be satisfied with one of
these.” Thus he began to argue with himself. “TI
drove the bargain; am I not entitled to a fair pro-
portion of the profit? It strikes me so. What
wrong will it be to him? Wrong? Humph!
Wrong? The wrong has been done already; but
it falls not on his head. :

“Tf I am to do this kind of work for him,’’—the
feelings of Claire now commenced running in a more
disturbed channel; there were deep contractions on
his forehead, and his lips were shut firmly,—“ this
kind of work, I must have a share of the benefit.

.