ng this man Martin into a court of justice to
have every thing made clear."

"And this you purpose doing?"

"I shall do so, undoubtedly; unless the object to be gained by such a
course is secured in another way."

"Quite as much, believe me, Edward, can be gained through private
arrangement as by legal investigation," returned Jasper, his manner
greatly subdued. "You and I can settle every thing, I am sure, between
ourselves; and, as far as my ability will carry me, it shall be to
your entire satisfaction. I have greatly mistaken your character, or
you will take no pleasure in destroying me."

"Pleasure in destroying you?" Claire was still further affected with
surprise. "In no man's destruction could I take pleasure."

"I believe you Edward. And now let me give you a history of this
matter from the beginning. You will know better what course to pursue
when you comprehend it fully."

And then, to the astonished ears of Claire, Jasper related how,
through the man Martin, he became possessed of the fact that the
supposed almost valueless piece of land in Pennsylvania which Mr.
Elder had taken to secure a debt of five hundred dollars, contained
a rich coal deposite--and how, as executor to his estate, and the
guardian of his child, he had by presenting the child in person before
commissioners appointed by the court, obtained an order for the sale
of the land, with the declared purpose of investing the proceeds in
some productive property. It was for this that he had been so anxious
to get Fanny, and for this that he carried her off forcibly, although
his agency in the matter did not appear. He then related how, in the
sale, he became the real purchaser; and how, afterward, the tract,
as coal land, was sold to a company for nearly a hundred thousand
dollars.

"But Edward," said Jasper, as he concluded his humiliating narrative,
"I am worse off to-day than if I had never made this transaction. It
gave me a large amount of capital for trade and speculation, but
it also involved me in connections, and led me into schemes for
money-making, that have wellnigh proved my ruin. In all truth, I am
not, this day, worth one-half of what I received for that property."

Jasper ceased speaking; but astonishment kept Claire silent.

"And now, Edward," resumed the former, "I am ready to make restitution
as far as in my power lies. You can drag me into court, and thus blast
my reputation; or, you can obtain for Miss Elder as much