WEALTH WITHOUT WINGS. 165

 

CHAPTER XVII.

A FEW weeks subsequent to the occurrences
mentioned in the last chapter, Leonard Jasper
received a call from Mr. Melleville, in whose ser-
vice Claire still remained. The greeting of the two
men was distant, yet courteous. A few words on
current topics passed between them, after which Mr.
Melleville said—

“T have called to ask you a question or two in
regard toa child of the late Mr. Elder, to whom
you are guardian.”

The blood came instantly to the face of Jasper,
who was not prepared for this; and in spite of his
struggle to seem self-possessed, his eyes sank under
those of his visitor. In a few moments, he recovered
himself, and replied—

“The child, you mean, who is boarding with Ed-
ward, Claire ?”’

“The same.” The eyes of Melleville were
fixed on those of Jasper so steadily, that the latter
wavered, and, finally, again dropped to the floor.

“ Well, Iam ready to hear any thing that you
have to say.” Jasper had thrown off, once more,
the vague sense of coming evil that made him cower
under the steady gaze of Melleville.

“T learn,” said the latter, “from Mr. Claire, that
you refuse to pay any further sums for her main-
tenance. Is the property left by her father, to