62 TRUE RICHES; OR,

 

dred dollars! How poorly will that compensate for
broken peace and a disquieted conscience. Kdward,
is it possible for you to remain where you are, and
be innocent ?”’

‘“‘T fear not, Edith,’ was the unhesitating reply.
“And yet, dear, I should be man enough, should
have integrity enough, to resist the temptations that .
might come in my way.”

‘Do not think of remaining where you are,’’ said
the young wife earnestly. “If Mr. Melleville will
pay you four hundred dollars a year, take his offer
and leave Mr. Jasper. It will be a gain rather than
a loss to us.”’

*¢ A gain, Edith ?”

“Yes, a gain in all that is worth having in life—
peace of mind flowing from a consciousness of right
action. Will money buy this? No, Edward. High-
ly as riches are esteemed—the one great good in
life as they are regarded—they never have given
and never will give this best of all blessings. How
little, how very little of the world’s happiness, after
all, flows from the possession of money. Did you
ever think of that, Edward ?”

‘“¢ Perhaps not.”

“ And yet, is it not worth a passing thought ? Mr.
and Mrs. Casswell are rich—we are poor. Which
do you think the happiest ?”’

‘“‘Oh, we are happiest, a thousand times,” said
Edward warmly. “I would not exchange places
with him, were he worth a million for every thou-
sand.”’

“Nor I with his wife,” returned Edith. ‘So
money, in their case, does not give happiness. Now