WEALTH WITHOUT WINGS. 175

 

Edith ceased speaking. Her husband did not
make an immediate reply; but lay pondering her
words, and letting his thoughts expand their wings
in the purer atmosphere into which she had lifted
him.

After that they conversed together hopefully of
the future; not that they saw the way more clearly
before them, but heavenly confidence had taken
the place of human distrust.

It was, perhaps, eleven o’clock in the day—the
doctor had been there, and pronounced the condition
of his patient favourable, but enjoined quiet and pro-
longed rest from either bodily or mental exertion—
and the mind of Claire was beginning to run again
in a slightly troubled channel.

“Here is a letter for you,” said his wife, coming
into the room, after a brief absence. “A young
man just left it at the door.”

Claire took the letter, wondering as he did so who
it could be from. On breaking the seal, and unfold-
ing it, he was greatly surprised to find within a check
to his order for one hundred and fifty dollars, signed
Leonard Jasper; and still more surprised to read
the accompanying note, which was in these words:

“Enclosed you will find one hundred and fifty
dollars, the sum due you for Fanny Elder’s main-
tenance during the past and current quarter. When
convenient, I should be glad to see you. Seeing
that the child has remained with you so long, I don't
know that it will be advisable to make a change now,
although I had other views in regard to her. How-
ever, when you call, we can settle matters in regard
to her definitively.’’