122 TRUE RICHES; OR,

 

at once to Mr. Jasper, and learn from him whether
he has the child.”

“Go quickly, Edward,” said Edith. ‘Oh! it
will be such a relief to have a certainty; to know
even that she is in his hands.” ,

Without further remark, Claire left his house and
hurried off to the store of Jasper. The merchant
was not there. From one of his clerks he learned
his present residence, which happened not to be far
distant. hither he went, and, on asking to see
him, was told by the servant that lie was not at
home. He then inquired for Mrs. Jasper, who, on
being summoned, met him in one of the parlours. The
manner of Claire was very much agitated, and he
said, with an abruptness that evidently disconcerted
the lady—

“Good evening, madam! My name is Claire.
You remember me, of course 2”

The lady bowed coldly, and with a frown on her
brow.

“Ts little Fanny Elder here?’ was asked, and
with even greater abruptness.

“Fanny Elder? No! Why do you ask that
question ?”’

There was something so positive in the denial of
Mrs. Jasper, that Claire felt her words as truth.

‘Not here?” said he, catching his breath in a
gasping manner. ‘‘ Not here .

‘¢T said that she was not here,”’ was the reply.

‘Oh, where then is she, madam ?” exclaimed the
young man, evincing great distress.

‘“‘ How should I know? Is she not in your pos-
session? What is the meaning of this, Mr. Claire ?”