54 TRUE RICHES; OR,

 

“Tam to pay you two dollars, I believe?” said
the lady, after Claire had told her how much the
articles came to. As she said this, J asper was close
by and heard the remark.

‘Right, ma’am,’’ answered the clerk.

The customer laid a ten-dollar bill on the counter.
Claire saw that the eyes of Jasper were on him. He

took it up, placed it in the money-drawer, and stood -

some time fingering over the change and small bills.
Then, with his back turned toward Jasper, he
slipped a five dollar goldpiece from his pocket. This,
with a three dollar bill from the drawer, he gave to
the lady, who received her change and departed.

Other customers coming in at the moment, both
Jasper and his clerk were kept busy for the next
hour. When they were alone again, the former
said—

‘‘ How large a bill did you sell the old lady from
the country, who wai in this morning ?”

“The amount was seven dollars, I believe.”

“T thought she said two dollars ?”

“She gave me a ten-dollar bill, and I only took
three from the drawer,” said the young man.

“I thought you gave her a piece of gold?”

“There was no gold in the drawer,” was replied,
evasively. |

Much to the relief of Claire, another customer en-
tered, thus putting an end to the conference between
him and Jasper. ts

The mind of the latter, ever suspicious, was not
altogether satisfied. He was almost sure that two
dollars was the price named for the goods, and that
he had seen a gold coin offered in change. Andhe