WEALTH WITHOUT WINGS. - 69

 

“Oh, lovely! How I would like just such a
picture !””

‘She is a beautiful child,” said Edward.

‘‘ Very,” was the hearty response. “ Very—and |
so sweet-tempered and winning in her ways. Do
you know, I am already attached to her. And little
Edie is so delighted. ‘They have played all the
morning like kittens; and a little while ago lay
_ down, just as you see them—tired out, I suppose—
and fell off to sleep. It must have been hard for the
mother to part with that child—hard, very hard.”’

And Mrs. Claire sighed.

“You will scarcely be willing to give her up, if
she remains here long,’’ said Edward.

“T don’t know how I should feel to part from
her, even now. Oh, isn’t it sad to think that she
has no living soul to love or care for her in the
world.”

“Mr. Jasper is her guardian, you know.”

‘¢Yes; and such a guardian !”’

“T should not like to have my child dependent
on his tender mercies, certainly. But he will have
little to do with her beyond paying the bills for her
maintenance. He will place her in some family to
board; and her present comfort and future well-
being will depend very much upon the character of
the persons who have charge of her.”

Edith sighed. j

‘“‘T wish,” said she, after a pause, “‘ that we were
able to take her. But we are not.”’

And she sighed again.

“Mr. Jasper will pay six dollars a week to any