WEALTH WITHOUT WINGS. 113

 

As sudden was the change that passed over the
merchant. He, too, sprang to his feet, and con-
scious that his offer of bribery, which he had humi-
liated himself to make, had failed, with clenched
hand and set teeth, he fairly hissed out—

“You'll rue this day and hour, Edward Claire—
rue it even to the moment of death! I will never
forget nor forgive the wrong and insult. Don’t
think to escape me—don’t think to foil me. The
child is mine by right, and I will have her, come
what will.”

Feeling how useless it would be to multiply words,
Claire turned away and left the store. He did not
go home immediately, as he had thought of doing,
in order to relieve the suspense of his wife, who was,
he knew, very anxious to learn for what purpose
Jasper had sent for him; but went to his place of
business and laid the whole substance of his inter-
view before his fast friend, Mr. Melleville, whose
first response was one of indignation at the offer
made by Jasper to buy him over to his wishes with
money. He then said—

“There is something wrong here, depend upon it.
Was there much property left by the child’s pa-
rents ?””

“Two houses in the city.”

‘“‘ Was that all?” ,

“ All, I believe, of any value. There was a tract
of land somewhere in the State, taken for debt; but
it was considered of little account.”

“ Regard for the child has nothing to do with this
movement,” remarked Mr. Melleville. “ The cha-
racter of Jasper pracladés the supposition. ”

, 10*