WEALTH WITHOUT WINGS. 65

 

mind, Edward,” spoke up Edith quickly. ‘ Riches
that never fade, nor fail; that take to themselves
no wings. Oh, let us gather of these abundantly,
as we walk on our way through life.”

‘ Heaven has indeed blessed me.”” Such was the
heartfelt admission of Edward Claire, made in the
silence of his own thoughts. ‘ With a different
wife—a lover of the world and its poor vanities—
how imminent would have been my danger! Alas !
scarcely any thing less than a miracle would have
saved me. 1 shudder as I realize the fearful danger
through which I have just passed. I thank God for
so good a wife.”

The first inquiry made by Jasper, when he met
Edward on the next morning, was in relation to
what he had seen at the funeral, and, particularly,
as to the disposition that had been made of the
child.

“T took her home with me,’
answer to a direct question.

“You did!’ Jasper seemed taken by surprise.
“ How came that, Edward ?”

“When I returned from the cemetery, I found
the domestic ready to leave the house. Of course
the poor child could not remain there alone; so I
took her home with me for the night.”’

“ How did your wife like that?” asked Jasper,
with something in his tone that showed a personal
interest in the reply.

“Very well. I did just what she would have done
under the circumstances.”
“You have only one child, I believe ?”’ said Jasper,
after a pause of some moments.

6*

’

was replied, in