wishing to accept the
place he offers me."

"Well, just as you please," said Jasper, coldly. "Every one must suit
himself."

And, with the air of a person offended, he turned himself from the
young man. Soon after he went out, and did not come back for two or
three hours. When he re-entered the store there was an angry flash in
his eyes, which rested somewhat sternly upon Claire.

"Let me say a word with you, Edward."

There happened to be no customer in to engage the clerk's attention,
and he retired, with his employer, to the back part of the store.
Jasper then turned and confronted him with a stern aspect.

"Well, young man!" said he sharply, "it seems that you have been
making rather free with my good name, of late; representing me as a
cheat and a swindler."

For a few moments the mind of Claire was strongly excited and in a
perfect maze of confusion. The blood mounted to his face, and he felt
a rising and choking sensation in his throat. Wisely he forbore
any answer until he had regained his self-possession. Then, with a
coolness that surprised even himself, he said--

"That's a broad accusation, Mr. Jasper. Will you go with me to your
authority?"

Jasper was not just prepared for a response like this; and he cooled
down, instantly, several degrees.

"My authority is quite satisfactory," he returned, still manifesting
angry feeling. "That you have been slandering me is plain; and, also,
betraying the confidential transactions of the house. It is full time
we parted--full time. I didn't dream that I was warming an adder to
sting me?"

"I must insist, Mr. Jasper," said Claire firmly, "that you give me
your authority for all this. Let me stand face to face with the man
who has so broadly accused me."

"Then you deny it all?"

"I shall neither affirm nor deny any thing. You have angrily accused
me of having done you a great wrong. All I ask is your authority, and
the right to stand face to face with that authority. This is no light
matter, Mr. Jasper."

"Well said, young man. It is no light matter, as you will, perhaps,
know to your sorrow in the end. Don't suppose, for a moment, that I
shall either forget or forgive this outrage. Leave me because I cheat
in my business!" An expression of unmitigated contempt was on his
face. "Poh! What hypocrisy! I know you! And let Mr. Melleville beware.
He, I more than suspect, is at the bottom of this. But he'll rue the
day he crossed my path--he will!"

And