WEALTH WITHOUT WINGS. 57°

 

“Fis system of unfair dealing toward his cus-
tomers is your principal objection to Mr. Jasper i

“That is one objection, and a very serious one,
too: particularly as I am required to be as unjust
to customers as himself. But there is still another
reason why I wish to get away from this situation.
Mr. Jasper seems to think and care for nothing but
money-getting. In his mind, gold is the highest good.
To a far greater extent than I was, until very re-
cently, aware, have I fallen, by slow degrees, into
his way of thinking and feeling; until I have grown
dissatisfied with my position. Temptation has come,
as a natural result ; and, before I dreamed that my
feet were wandering from the path of safety, I have
found myself on the prink of a fearful precipice.”

“My dear young friend!” said Mr. Melleville,
visiblygfioved, ‘ this is dreadful !”’

«TEs dreadful. I can scarcely realize that it is
so,” replied Claire, also exhibiting emotion.

“You ought not to remain in the employment of
Leonard Jasper. That, at least, is plain. Better, far
better, to subsist on bread and water, than to live
sumptuously on the ill-gotten gold of such a man.”

“Yes, yes, Mr. Melleville, I feel all the truth of
what you affirm, and am resolved to seek for ano-
ther place. Did you not say, when we parted two
years ago, that if ever I wished to return, you would
endeavour to make an opening for me .

“T did, Edward; and can readily brig you in
now, as one of my young men is going to leave me
for a higher salary than | can afford to pay. There
is one drawback, however.”

“What is that, Mr. Melleville?”