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TH WITHOUT WINGS. 81

 

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he metsEdward,*to hear from him that he would re-
maip in his service. A different decision took him
altégether by surprise.

«Where are you going?” he asked. Hdward
hesitated a moment ere replying.

‘‘ Back to Mr. Melleville’s.” ?

‘lo Melleville’s ! Will he give you more salary
than I have agreed to pay ?”

“No,” was the answer ; ‘but I have reasons for
wishing to accept the place he offers me.”

“Well, just as you please,” said Jasper, coldly.
“Every one must suit himself.”

And, with the air of a person offended, he turned.
himself fromthe young man. Soonaftey he went out,, |

and did not come back for two orthreeMours. When
he re-entered the store there was an angry flash in
his eyes, which rested somewhat sternly upon Claire.

“Let me say a word with you, Edward.”

There happened to be no customer in to engage
the clerk’s attention, and he retired, with his em-
ployer, to the back part of the store. Jasper then
turned and confronted him with a stern aspect.

‘Well, young man!” said he sharply, ‘it seems
\. that you have been making rather free with my good
oe: of late; representing me as a cheat and a
_ SwWindler.”’

For a few moments the mind of Claire was strong-
ly,excited and in a perfect maze of confusion. The
blood mounted to his face, and he felt a rising and
choking sensation in his throat. Wisely he forbore
any answer urftil he had regained his self-possession.
ae with a coolness that surprised even himself, he
sald— .