T0 TRUE RICHES; OR,

 

one who will take the entire care of her until she is
twelve years of age.”

“Will he?” A sudden light had gleamed over
the face of Mrs. Claire.

“Yes; he said so this morning.”

‘‘Then, why may not we take her? Iam will-
ing,” was Edith’s quick suggestion.

‘‘It is a great care and responsibility,”’ said Ed-
ward. |

‘“‘T shall not feel it so. When the heart prompts,
duty becomes a pleasure. O yes, dear, let us take
the child by all means.”

‘¢Can we make room for her ?”’

“Why not? Her little bed, in a corner of our
chamber, will in noway incommode us; and through
the day she will be a companion for Edie. If you
could only have seen how sweetly they played to-
gether! Edie has not been half the trouble to-day
that she usually is.”’

“‘ Tt will rest altogether with you, Edith,” said
Claire, seriously. ‘In fact, Mr. Jasper proposed
that we should take Fanny. I did not give him
much encouragement, however.’

_“ Have you any objection, dear?” asked Edith.

‘‘None. ‘The sum to be paid weekly will more
than cover the additional cost of housekeeping. If
you are prepared for the extra duties that must
come, I have nothing to urge against the arrange-
ment.”

‘“‘ If extra duties are involved, I will perform them
as a labour of love. Without the sum to be paid
for the child’s maintenance, I would have been
ready to take her in and let her share our home.