WEALTH WITHOUT WINGS. 121

 

‘And then carried off our dear, dear Fanny !’’
sobbed out Edith.

‘Carried off Fanny !” exclaimed Claire.

‘This lady,” said Edith, growing calmer, “found
our little Edie crying, in the square, and brought
her home. Edie says the lady took them down
there, and then told her to wait until she went with
Fanny to buy some candies. They went, but did
not return.”’

The meaning of all this was quite as clear to the
mind of Edward Claire as it was to his wife. He
understood, likewise, that this was the work of Jas-
per, and that Fanny was now in his possession.
What was to be done ?”’

“Our first step,” said Claire, after the stranger
had retired, “must be to ascertain, if possible,
whether what we believe to be true in regard to Fan-
ny is really true. We must know certainly, whether
she be really in the hands of Mr. Jasper.”

‘‘Where else can she be?” asked Edith, a new
fear throwing its quick flash into her face.

‘We, naturally,’ replied her husband, “ take it
for granted that Mr. Jasper has put his threat into
execution. ‘There is a bare possibility that such is
not the case; and we must not rest until we have,
on this point, the most absolute certainty.”

‘“‘For what other purpose could she have been en-
ticed away ?” said Mrs. Claire, her face again blanch-
ing to a deadly paleness.

‘““We know nothing certain, Edith; and while
this is the case, we cannot but feel a double anxiety.
But, I must not linger here. Be as calm as possi-
ble, my dear wife, in this painful trial. I will go

ll