52 TRUE RICHES; OR,

 

Yes.”

“J think not. I can’t do any good.”

‘¢ No,—only for the looks of the thing.”

The undertaker was already beginning to feel the
heartless indifference of Jasper, and his last remark
was half in irony, half in smothered contempt.

‘Looks! Oh! I never do any thing for looks.
If I can be of any service, I will be there—but, if not, —
not. I’maright up-and-down, straight-forward man
of the world, you see.”

The undertaker bowed, saying that all should be
as he wished.

‘You can step around there, after a while, Ed-
ward,”’ said Jasper, as soon as the undertaker had
retired. ‘‘When you go, I wish you would ascer-
tain, particularly, what has been done with the child.
If a neighbour has taken her home, make inquiry as
to whether she will be retained in the family; or,
better still, adopted. You can hint, in a casual way,
you know, that her parents have left property, which
may, some time or other, be valuable. This may be
a temptation, and turn the scale in favour of adop-
tion; which may save me a world of trouble and re-
sponsibility.”

“There is some property left?” remarked Claire.

*¢ A small house or two, and a bit of worthless
land in the mountains. All, no doubt, mortgaged
within a trifle of their value. Still, it’s property
you know ; and the word ‘property’ has a very at-
tractive sound in some people’s ears.”’

A strong, feeling of disgust toward Jasper swelled
in the young man’s heart, but he guarded against its
expression in look or words.