“If there is property enough for this, well and good,” he muttered to himself; he had not yet become acquainted with the real state of affairs.  “If not,” he added, firmly, “the loss will be hers; that is all.  I shall have sufficient trouble and annoyance, without being put to expense.”

For some time after his return to his store, Jasper refrained from entering upon any business.  During at least fifteen or twenty minutes, he sat at his desk, completely absorbed in thought.  At length he called to Edward Claire, his principal clerk, and said that he wished to speak a few words with him.  The young man came back from the counter to where he was sitting, wondering what had produced the very apparent change in his employer’s state of mind.

“Edward,” said Mr. Jasper, in a low, serious voice, “there is a little matter that I must get you to attend to for me.  It is not very pleasant, it is true; though nothing more than people are required to do every day.  You remember Mr. Elder, Ruben Elder, who formerly kept store in Second street?”

“Very well.”

“He died last week.”

“I noticed his death in the papers.”

“He has appointed me his executor.”

“Ah?”

“Yes; and I wish to my heart he had appointed somebody else.  I’ve too much business of my own to attend to.”

“Of course,” said Claire, “you will receive your regular commissions for attending to the settlement of his estate.”

“Poor picking there,” replied Jasper, shrugging his shoulders.  “I’d very cheerfully give up the profit to be rid of the trouble.  But that doesn’t signify now.  Elder has left his affairs in my hands, and I must give them at least some attention.  I’m not coming to the point, however.  A little while ago I witnessed the most painful scene that ever fell under my eyes.”

“Ah!”

“Yes, truly.  Ugh!  It makes the chills creep over me as I think of it.  Last evening I received regular notification of my appointment as executor to Elder’s estate, and to-day thought it only right to call upon the widow, and see if any present service were needed by the family.  Such a scene as I encountered!  Mrs. Elder was just at the point of death, and expired a few moments after my entrance.  Besides a single domestic and a child, I was the only witness of her last extremity.”

“Shocking!”

“You may well say shocking, Edward, unprepared as I was for such an occurrence.  My nerves are quivering yet.”

“Then the widow is dead also?”

“Yes; both have gone to their long home.”

“How many children are left?”

“Only one—­a little girl, not, I should think, above four years of age.”

“Some near relative will, I presume, take charge of her.”

“In dying, the mother declared that she had no friend to whom she could leave the child.  On me, therefore, devolves the care of seeing to its maintenance.”