192 | TRUE RICHES ; OR,

 

“ T will leave all with you, father,” was the very
natural response made to this. ‘ All I have is yours.
Do just as you think best.”

On the next day a power of attorney in the
name of Edward Claire was executed ; and, as Jas-
per was anxious to get the business settled, every
facility thereto was offered. Claire examined the
will of Mr. Elder, in which certain property was men-
tioned, and saw that it agreed with the guardian's
statement. All the accounts were scrutinized ; and
all the vouchers for expenditure compared with the
various entries. Every thing appeared correct, and
Claire expressed himself entirely satisfied. All le-
gal forms were then complied with; and, in due
time, the necessary documents were prepared ready
for the signature of Claire, by which Jasper would
be freed from the nervous anxiety he had for years
felt whenever his thoughts went forward to this par-
ticular point of time.

On the evening preceding the day when a con-
summation so long and earnestly looked for was to
take place, Jasper, with his mind too much absorbed
‘1 business troubles to mingle with his family, sat
alone in his library, deeply absorbed in plans and
calculations. His confidence in fortune and his own
prudence had been growing weaker, daily ; and
now it seemed to him as if a great darkness were
gathering all around. He had fully trusted in him-
self; alas! how weak now seemed to him his hu-
man arm; how dim the vision with which he would
penetrate the future. Herwas mocked of his own
overweening and proud confidence.

This was his state of mind when a servant came