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Page 42
"Comfortably," was answered.
"What is your salary?"
There was a momentary hesitation on the part of Claire, and then he
replied--
"Five hundred dollars."
"Is that all? I was under the impression that you received a thousand.
I am very certain that some one told me so. Too little, Edward--too
little. You are worth more than that to any one. Are you acquainted at
Edgar & Co.'s?"
"No."
"I wish you were. One of their young men is going to leave, and
they will have to fill his place immediately. The salary is twelve
hundred."
Claire's heart gave a quick bound.
"Shall I speak to Edgar for you?" added the merchant.
"If you will do so, Mr. Jasper," said Edward, with a sudden
earnestness of manner, "I shall be greatly indebted to you. I find it
a little difficult to get along on five hundred dollars a year."
"How much family have you now?"
"Three children."
"Indeed. Oh yes, you should have a higher salary. I know you would
just suit Edgar & Co., and I think the place may be secured for you."
A few moments of silence followed, and then Jasper resumed--
"But, as just said, I wish to talk with you about this ward of mine.
Your salary is so light that you, no doubt, find the income received
through her quite a help to you?"
"No--no," replied Claire; "it costs for her boarding, clothes,
schooling, etc., quite as much as we receive."
"It does?" Jasper manifested some surprise.
"Oh yes. We have no wish to make any profit out of her."
"That being the case, Edward," said the merchant, "why are you so
reluctant to give her up?"
"Because," was the reply, "both myself and wife have become strongly
attached to her. In fact, she seems like one of our own children."
"When she is twelve, you know," Edward, returned Jasper, "you will
have to resign her. Our agreement only extends to that time." He spoke
in a mild, insinuating, friendly tone of voice. So much so, in fact,
that Claire, well as he knew him, was partially deceived and thrown
off of his guard.
"True; unless you have seen reason by that time, which we hope will
be the case, to let her remain in her present home. Believe me, Mr.
Jasper,"--Claire spoke earnestly--"that Fanny will take the parting
very hard, if ever it comes."
"As come it must, Edward, sooner or later," was the mild, yet firm
response.
"Are you so earnest about this, Mr. Jasper? I have flattered myself
that you did not really care a great deal about having Fanny."
"I am entirely in earnest, Edward," was the reply. "I may have seemed
to you indifferent about this child, but such has not been the case.
I have feelings and purposes in regard to her which I cannot explain,
but which are near my heart. I see your position and that of your
wife, and I feel for you. If compatible with what I conceive to be
my duty, I would let her remain under your care. But such is not the
case. Surely, it will be far better for both you and Fanny for the
change that must come to be made now."
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