40 TRUE RICHES; OR,

 

culty she could hide her disturbed feelings from
observation.

The absent one came in at last, and with so much
of the old, frank, loving spirit in his voice and man-

ner, that the troubled heart of Mrs. Claire beat with |

freer pulsations. And yet something about her hus-
band appeared strange. There was a marked dif-
ference between his state of mind now, and on the
evening before. Even at dinner-time he was silent
and abstracted.

In fact, Edward Claire was, for the first time,
acting a part toward his wife; and, as in all such
cases, there was sufficient over-action to betray the
artifice, or, at leasty to awaken a doubt. Still,
Edith was greatly relieved by the change, and she
chided herself for having permitted doubt and vague
questionings to find a harbour in her thoughts.

During tea-time, Claire chatted freely, as was his
custom; but he grew serious as they sat together,
after the table was cleared away, and Edith had
taken her sewing. ‘Then, for the first time, he
thought out of himself sufficiently to remember his
visit to the house of death in the morning, and he
said—

“T witnessed something this morning, dear, that
has made me feel sad ever since.”

‘What was that, Edward?” inquired the wife,
looking instantly into his face, with a strongly
manifested interest.

“TJ don’t think you knew Mr. Elder or his family
—Ruben Elder ?”

‘‘T have heard the name, nothing more.”

“Mr. Elder died last week.” |

 

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