WEALTH WITHOUT WINGS. 85

 

“Yes, sir; that is all he can afford to pay,and of
course all I will receive.”

“And I offered you six hundred and fifty.”

“True.”

“‘Hdward, you are the most consummate fool I
ever heard of.”’

“‘ Time will show that,” was the undisturbed reply.
“‘T have made my election thoughtfully, and am pre-
pared to meet the result.”

“¢ You'll repent of this; mark my word for it.”

“YT may regret your ill-will, Mr. Jasper; but
never repent this step. I’m only thankful that I -
possessed sufficient resolution to take it.”

‘When are you going ?”

“Not before the end of this month, unless you
wish it otherwise. I would like to give you full
time to supply my place.” :

““ You can go at once, if it so please you. In fact,
after what has just passed, I don’t see how you can
remain, or I tolerate your presence.”

“I am ready for this, Mr. Jasper,” coolly replied
the young man.

‘How much is due you?” was inquired, after a
brief silence.

“‘ ‘Twenty-five dollars, I believe,’ answered Claire.

Jasper threw open a ledger that lay on the desk,
and, turning to the young man’s account, ran his
eyes up the two columns of figures, and then struck
a balance.

“‘ Just twenty-seven dollars,” said he, after a se-
cond examination of the figures. ‘ And here’s the
money,” he added, as he took some bills from the
desk and counted out the sum just mentioned. “Now

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