144 TRUE RICHES; OR,

 

‘“‘T thought you would he so delighted,” said her
husband, evidently much disappointed.

‘‘- You often come home, now, overwearied with the
day’s labour,”’ replied Edith.

‘‘An hour at tea-time will refresh me for the
evening’s work. Don’t think of that a moment,
Edith.”

‘“‘ How can I help thinking of it? No, no, Ed-
ward, you must not do this. It will destroy your
health. You are not very strong.”’

‘“‘My health is perfectly good, Edith.”

But Edith shook her head—

“Not so very good. You look paler, and are
much thinner than you were a year ago. A little
over-exertion throws your system off of its balance;
and then you are sick.”’

_ “TI will be very careful of myself,” replied

Claire. ‘If, after a few weeks, the extra labour is
found to be too severe, I can give up the place,
Nothing like trying, you know, dear.”

Still, Edith was not satisfied. Very strongly she
urged her husband not to increase his labour in the ©
degree contemplated.

‘“‘ Let us try if we can reduce our expenses by a
closer economy. It is better to deny ourselves things
not necessary to health, than to injure health by
extra labour.”

She urged this view, however, in vain. Claire
could not, without at least a trial of his strength,
decline the important offer which had been made to
him. And so, after a consultation with Mr. Melle-
ville, he entered upon his new employment, leaving
his wife to spend the hours of his absence alone.