"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.