ch you have," said Grind, "is all as it
shows on the face?"

"It is, upon honour."

"Very well. Then I will draw the necessary papers, so that as little
delay as possible need occur in the transference of security for the
loan."

What further passed between the parties is of no consequence to the
reader.

At four o'clock, precisely, Martin was at the store of Jasper.

"I hope to find you a little more reasonable today," said the
merchant, with a forced smile, as the two men, after retiring to a
remote part of the store, sat down and faced each other.

"I should be sorry to do any thing out of reason," returned Martin.
His manner was more serious than Jasper's.

"I think your present demand out of reason," was answered.

"No good can possibly come, Mr. Jasper," said Martin, with a slight
air of impatience, "out of an argument between you and I, on this
subject. The sum I named to you last night I must have. Nothing less
will meet my present want. But, understand me distinctly, I only ask
it as a loan, and come prepared to give you the fullest security."

As Mr. Martin said this, he drew a package of papers from his pocket.
"Here are the necessary documents," he added.

"Ten thousand dollars! Why, my dear sir, a sum like this is not to be
picked up in the streets."

"I am very well aware of that," was the cool answer. "Had such been
the case, I never would have troubled you with procuring the sum; nor
would I have gone to the expense and fatigue of a long journey."

"You certainly ought to know enough of business, Martin, to be aware
that ten thousand dollars is not always to be commanded, even by the
wealthiest, at a moment's notice."

"I do not ask the whole sum in cash," replied Martin. "Three or four
thousand in ready money will do. Your notes at four and six months
will answer very well for the balance."

But we will not record further what passed between these two men. It
was all in vain that Jasper strove to escape; his adversary was too
powerful. Ere they separated, Martin had in his possession, in cash
and promissory notes, the sum of ten thousand dollars!

Already were the ill-gotten riches of Leonard Jasper taking to
themselves wings. Unhappy man! How wretched was he during that
and many succeeding days! Rolling, so to speak, in wealth, he yet
possessed not life's highest blessing, a truly contented mind, flowing
from conscious rectitude and an abiding trust in Providence. Without
these, how