WEALTH WITHOUT WINGS. 55

 

took occasion to refer to it at the next opportunity,
when his clerk’s positive manner, backed by the en-
try of seven dollars on the sales’ book, silenced him.

As for Claire, this act of restitution, so far as it
was in his power to make it, took from his mind a
heavy burden. He had, still, three dollars in his
possession that were not rightfully his own. It was
by no means probable that a similar opportunity to
the one just embraced would occur. What then
was it best for him to do? This question was soon
after decided, by his throwing the money into the
cash-drawer of Jasper.

On his way home to dinner that day, Claire called
‘nto the store of a Mr. Melleville, referred to in the
conversation with his wife on the previous evening.
This gentleman, who was somewhat advanced in
yedrs,ggas in the same business with Jasper. He
‘vas kif@wn as a strictly upright dealer—‘‘ Too ho-
nest to get along in this world,” as some said. ‘ Old
Stick-in-the-mud,” others called him. ‘6A man be-
hind the times,” as the new-comers in the trade were
pleased to say. Claire had lived with him for some
years, and left him on the offer of Jasper to give him
» hundred dollars more per annum than he was
getting.

«Ah, Edward! How do you do to-day?” said
Mr. Melleville, kindly, as the young man came in.

“Very well in body, but not so well in mind,”
was.the frank reply, as he took the proffered hand
of his old employer.

‘Not well in mind, ah! That’s about the worst
kind of sickness I know of, Edward. What's the
matter 2”