dom by
experience, and, if ever he gets into difficulties again, will take
good care that no one man gets an undue preference over another. His
recent failure, I am told, was caused by one of his creditors, who, in
the eager desire to get his own, sacrificed a large amount of property,
to the injury of the other creditors."

Grasper did not venture to make any reply to this, lest he should
betray, by his manner, the fact that he was the individual to whom
allusion was made. He need not have been careful on this point, as the
person with whom he was conversing knew very well who was the grasping
creditor.

A day or two afterwards, Layton took possession of his new store, and
commenced arranging his goods. Grasper felt uneasy when he saw the
doors and windows open, and the goods arriving. He did not wish to meet
Layton. But this could not now be avoided. Much as he loved money, and
much as he had congratulated himself for the promptness by which he had
secured his debt, he now more than half wished that he had been less
stringent in his proceedings.

It was the custom of Grasper to come frequently to his door, and stand
with his thumbs in the arm-holes of his waistcoat, and look forth with
a self-satisfied air. But not once did he venture thus to stand upon
his own threshold on the day Layton commenced receiving his goods. When
business called him out, he was careful to step into the street, so
much turned away from the adjoining store, that he could not see the
face of any one who might be standing in the entrance. On returning, he
would glide along close to the houses, and enter quickly his own door.
By this carefulness to avoid meeting his old debtor, Grasper managed
not to come into direct contact with him for some time. But this was
not always to be the case. One day, just as he was about entering his
store, Layton came out of his own door, and they met face to face.

"Ah! How are you, friend Layton?" he said, with an air of forced
cordiality, extending his hand as he spoke. "So you have become my
next-door neighbour?"

"Yes," was the quiet reply, made in a pleasant manner, and without the
least appearance of resentment for the past.

"I am really glad to find you are on your feet again," said Grasper,
affecting an interest which he did not feel. "For the misfortunes you
have suffered, I always felt grieved, although, perhaps, I was a little
to blame for hastening the crisis in your affairs. But I had waited a