110 TRUE RICHES; OR,

 

“Shall I speak to Edgar for you?” added the
merchant.

“If you will do so, Mr. Jasper,” said Edward,
with a sudden earnestness of manner, “I shall be
greatly indebted to you. I find it a little difficult to
get along on five hundred dollars a year.”

‘How much family have you now ?”

‘¢Three children.”

“Indeed. Oh yes, you should have a higher sa-
lary. I know you would just suit Edgar & Co., and
I think the place may be secured for you.”

A few moments of silence followed, and then Jas-
per resumed—

“But, as just said, I wish to talk with you about
this ward of mine. Your salary is so light that you,
no doubt, find the income received through her quite
a help to you?!”

“No—no,” replied Claire; ‘it costs for her board-
ing, clothes, schooling, etc., quite as much as we re-
ceive.”

“Ttdoes?” Jasper manifested some surprise.

“Oh yes. We have no wish to make any profit
out of her.”

“That being the case, Edward,” said the mer-
chant, “‘why are you so reluctant to give her up re

“‘ Because,” was the reply, “‘ both myself and wife
have become strongly attached to her. In fact, she
seems like one of our own children.”

‘When she is twelve, you know,” Edward, re-
turned Jasper, “you will have to resign her. Our
agreement only extends to that time.” He spoke
in a mild, insinuating, friendly tone of voice. So
much so, in fact, that Claire, well as he knew