It bore the words, JASPER &
PARKER.
Involuntarily the young man sighed. If he had remained with Jasper,
there was little doubt but that his name would have been the one now
associated with his in a copartnership. Parker was the young man who
had betrayed the conversation between Claire and Mr. Melleville. His
end in doing this was to gain the favour of Jasper, and thus secure
the place left vacant by the departing clerk. He had succeeded in his
purpose. Jasper offered him the situation, and he took it. Five
years afterward, in which time Jasper had made money rapidly, he
was elevated to the position of partner, with a fair interest in the
business. He had been honest toward his employer, because he saw that
through him there was a chance to rise. Honest in heart he was not,
for he never scrupled to overreach a customer.
Edward Claire, as we have remarked, sighed involuntarily. His own
prospects in life were not what are called flattering. His situation
with Mr. Melleville was now worth five hundred dollars a year, but his
family had increased, and with the increase had come new wants. The
condition of Mr. Melleville's business gave him no encouragement to
hope for a larger income while in his service. Several times during
the last two years he had made application for vacant places, but
without success.
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