WEALTH WITHOUT WINGS. 185

 

can be done, to settle up the estate of her father,
and pay over to her, or to any person she may se-
lect as her agent, the property in my hands. It
has increased some in value. Will you consult her
on the subject ?”’ |

Claire promised to do so; and, at the same time,
asked as to the amount of Fanny’s property.

“The total value will not fall much short of eight
thousand dollars,” replied Jasper. “‘ There are two
houses and lots that would sell at any time for six
thousand dollars. You live in one of these houses,
and the other is rented for two hundred and fifty
dollars. Then there are nearly two thousand dol-
lars in six per cent. stocks. When her father died,
his estate consisted of these two houses, and a piece
of poor land which he had taken as satisfaction for
a debt. At the first opportunity, I sold the land
and invested the money. ‘This sum, with accumu-
lations of interest, and rents received for several
years, beyond what was required for Fanny’s main-
tenance, has now increased to within a fraction of
two thousand dollars, and is, as just said, invested
in stocks. I think,’ added Jasper, “that you
had better assume the management of this property
yourself. Get from Miss Elder a power of attorney
authorizing you to settle the estate, and the whole
business can be completed in a very short time. I
will make you out an accurate statement of every
thing, so that you will be at no loss to comprehend
the accounts.”

To this there could, of course, be no objection on
the part of Claire. He promised to confer with

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