The failure of the house of Graham electrified the city at the first shock; a libble later came the comprehension that this failure meant loss to many—possibly übter ruin for some—and then came tho ruthless clamour for self and self and self. ' Literally every man for himself,' said Harold Graham, bitterly, one day, ' and the devil take him thatcome3 last. Would to God thab I could but meet all my liabilities, and I would start afresh in a western city, and build up a new name. But burdened as I shall be at tho best ' 'If all is done that is possible,' said Alecia, in her sweet, quiet voice, allowing no shadow of her own suffering to fall upon her husband, ' wo can do no more than start afreeh any way, Harold, and build up tho old name and pay off the old debts and find a happy life through it all.' ' I believe you would find happiness if exiled to Siberia, Alecia,' said her husband wearily, yet always courteous to her. 'What is it in your heart that lifts you over everything—-you, too, who love every good thing as well as I do? One might think you the daughter of Solon, my sweeo philosopher. Whab would Ido without you ?' She went to him and ran her fingers softly and lightly through his hair. There were wrinkles of care in his face and threads of grey in the midnight hair, that had come j within thab short space of trouble. Very soft and tender were her fingers and magnetic in their touch, until the lines softened and a amile fell upon the tenae lips, • Then Mr Earlo will nob compromise the ] matter, Harold — will not give you any grace, no matter how it is urged upon him ?' ' I tell you he is implacable, Alecia ! He has such straight lines of integrity for his own trading that he cannot see a hair's breadth to left or righb in another man's affairs wibh leniency. Ido nob think the man ia really hard-hearted. Ho believes himself righb. Clavering urged the lasb plea for me with him to-day. He mighb as well have pleaded with a rock.' ' Then I will see what I can do. 