128 TRUE RICHES; OR,

 

CHAPTER XIV.

From that time Claire and his wife heard no
more from Jasper, who regularly paid the sums
— demanded for Fanny’s maintenance. This

emand was not now made in person by Claire. He
sent a written order, which the guardian never
failed to honour on the first presentation.

Mr. Melleville, according to promise, called
upon the firm of Edgar & Co., in order to speak
a good word for Edward; but learned, not a little
to his surprise, that no vacancy was anticipated in
the house.

‘‘Mr. Jasper,” said he, “told one of my young
men that a clerk had left, or was about leaving

ou.”
me It’s a mistake,’ was the positive answer. “ He
may have meant some other firm.”

“All a wicked deception on the part of Jasper,”
said Melleville to himself, asheleft the store. “A
lie told with sinister purpose. How given over to
all baseness is the man !”

Claire was no little disappointed when this was
told him; but his answer showed how he was
gaining in just views of life; and how he could
lean on right principles and find in them a firm
support.

‘“¢T would rather,” said he, ‘‘be the deceived than
the deceiver. The one most wronged in this is °