WEALTH WITHOUT WINGS. 59

 

“Yes, Edward,” replied the old man.

“Then I will notify Mr. Jasper this afternoon, —

and enter your service on the first of the coming
month. My heart is lighter already. Good day.”

And Edward hurried off home. |

During the afternoon he found no opportunity
to speak to Mr. Jasper on the subject first in his
thoughts, as that : dividual wished him to attend Mrs.
Elder’s funeral, and gather for him all possible in-
formation about the child. It was late when he
came back from the burial-ground—so late that he
concluded not to return, on that evening, to the
store. In the carriage in which he rode, was the
clergyman who officiated, and the orphan child who,
though but half comprehending her loss, was yet
overwhelmed with sorrow. On their way back, the
clergyman asked to be left at his own dwelling ;
and this was done. Claire was then alone with the
child, who shrank close to him in the carriage. He
did not speak to her; nor did she do more than lift,
now and then, her large, soft, tear-suffused eyes to
his face. ?

Arrived, at length, at the dwelling from which
they had just borne forth the dead, Claire gently
lifted out the child, and entered the house with her.
Two persons only were within, the domestic and the
woman who, on the day previous, had spoken of
taking to her own home the little orphaned one.

The former had on her shawl and bonnet, and said

that she was about going away.
“You will not leave this child here alone,” said
Edward.

“J will take her for the present,” spoke up the

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