ey is behind us. We can pull
through if we stand together."

The stolid face of the banker became a motionless mask as he asked:

"Are we going to stand together?"

Bivens sprang to his feet, exclaiming fiercely:

"Until hell freezes over!"

The banker smiled feebly for the first time in a week.

"Then it's all right, Mr. Bivens. We'll pull through. They'll start a
run on us to-morrow. Five millions in cash will meet it and we'll win,
hands down. We have powerful friends. Our only sin is our association
with your group. We must have that five millions in the safe before the
doors are opened to-morrow."

"You shall have it," was the firm answer.

With a cheerful pressure of the hand the president of the Van Dam Trust
Company left and Bivens called his secretary.

"We turn the market to-morrow--orders to all our men. Knock the bottom
out of it until the noon hour, then turn and send it skyward with a
bound. You understand?"

"Yes sir."

With an instinctive military salute the secretary hurried to execute
the order.

* * * * *

When Dr. Woodman returned home that night from one of his endless
tramps among the poor, Harriet opened the door.

Something about the expression of his face startled her. For the first
time in her life she saw in its gaunt lines the shadow of despair. He
had aged rapidly of late, but the sunlight had never before quite faded
from his eyes.

"What is it, Papa dear?" she asked tenderly, slipping an arm about his
neck as she drew him down into his favourite chair.

"What, child?" he responded vaguely.

"You look utterly worn out. Tell me what's the matter. I'm no longer a
child. I'm a woman now--strong and well and brave. Let me help you."

"You do help me, baby!" he laughed with an effort at his old-time
joyous spirit. "Every time I touch your little hand, you give me new
life. Every note from your sweet voice thrills me with new hope. And I
dream dreams and build castles and plan for to-morrow as if I were a
boy. What more can a woman do? What more did God mean for a beautiful
daughter to do for her old father?"

"Well, I want to do more, I want to share your troubles and help you
carry your burdens."

"And so you shall, my dear. Some day your voice will thrill thousands
as it now thrills my heart. You'll win fame and wealth for your father.
You shall care for him in old age. And his pride and joy shall be to
say to those he meets--