WEALTH WITHOUT WINGS. 167

 

“Tt is for you, Mr. Jasper,” was returned, ‘ to
determine for yourself, whether the surveillance of
a man like Claire, who cannot now cease to feel a
parent’s interest in your ward, will be altogether
agreeable.”

“ Surveillance! What do you mean? I don’t
understand this language. It looks like an effort
to force me into measures. Pray, what have I to
fear from Edward Claire ?”’

“ Sometimes,” replied Melleville, with a slow,
meaning enunciation, “those we regard as most
insignificant are the very ones we should most
fear.”

“Fear! Fear, Mr. Melleville! You make use
of strange language.”

“Perhaps I do,” was answered. ‘‘ And, as it
seems unpleasant to you, I will say no more. I did
not mean, when I called, to speak just as I have
done. But, as the words have been uttered, I beg
you to weigh them well, and to believe that they
havea meaning. Good morning.”

Jasper suppressed the utterance of the word
“stay,” which arose to his lips, and returned the
bow of Mr. Melleville, who left without further
remark.

“ What can this mean?” Thus mused Leonard
Jasper, when alone. “ Can this scoundrel, Martin,
have dropped a hint of the truth ¢” A slight shiver
went through his nerves. ‘“‘ Something is wrong.
There is suspicion in the thought of Melleville. I
didn’t look for trouble in this quarter.”

To his own unpleasant reflections we will leave