The Arkansaw traveler., 1886-04-10
LIS SACRIFICE.
By Maleolm Douglas

seen each other. Over their pipes and tobacco they had been reviving their old friendship. Navaseur leaning against the mantel, looked down into his com panion's face and thought how hand some it was in the >hadowy tirelght.
 And now" he said, at length. " is there nothing left to tell. old fellow :? You have been away whole year, you know Surely in all that time you must have lost your heart to somebody.
 Dacre took his gaze from the red glowing coals.
 Yes,' he said there is one meant to speak to you about--an American like ourselves. She 1t was more than anything else that brought me back You know l had intended remaining abroad several years, IL was in Paris at reception given by the American minister She was making the tour of Europe with her father, They were in Paris for some time, and saw her often Afterward l accompanied them through Switzerland and France
 May l offer you my congratulations
 Not vet, was Dacre's quick reply But there is an understanding between us and we have corrcspondcd eyer since she left England Ahl Paul, she is so beautiful and good! When YOU see her. you will approve my choice, know.
 Navaseur smiled at his friend enthu- Siasm.
 "Then she lives here in New York. he said. And her name? Possibly have heard ofher.
 No, corrected Dacre. her home is up on the Hudson. And her name is Marion Raymond. Why. Paul, in d tone of alarm. "are you ill2"
 He sprung to the aid of Navaseur, who had suddenly placed his hand to his fore head. There was d chair near by, into which he sunk Dacre handed him a glass of brandy from the decanter on the stand
 With trembling fingers, he took it and drained it at a gulp
 Don't mind me, he said in an un- concerned tone; Il shall be all right presently. A slight attack of vertigo that was all l have not been feeling very well of late. am smoking too much, perhaps; l shall have to give it np
 Dacre gave him an anxious look
 You are working too hard Nava- seur" he said You have made your. self ill over that confounded canvas you are getting ready for the exhibition
 Perhaps said Navaseur, and he was silent for the time. Would it surprise you very much, he added, at length, if l told you that already know Miss Raymond?"
 His friend stared at him in astonish- ment.
 You know Marion?" he eaculated Pardon me mc"-bluntly- but had that anything to do with your recent agita- tion?"
 Eavaseur met his gaze unflinchingly Why should 1t, he asked, quietly, when we have only met several times2 Listen, Max, and will tell you how it was. Each year go up the Hudson to sketch, you know. This year fate took me to her neighborhood l was intro duced to her, little dreaming she was anything to you. saw her once or twice afterward-that is all
 Dacre slowly arose.
 "Odd, is it not that you should have met?" he said. But I am very glad that it is SO Come, Paul, give me your opinion of her
 "I think" Vavaseur said, in mea- sured tone, that your estimate of her is correct She is all that is beautiful and good. I-I congratulate you"
 Dacre wrung his hand warmly.
 Thank you" he said And now must be going You will come up and see us, will you not?"
 If can get away Vavaseur said, evasively
 And when Max Dacre had gone, he buried his face in his hands
 "I am mad, he said, bitterly; mad, Though no word of love has ever passed bktween us, 1 love herl had meant to sSb back and try to win her. Aye, even did go back, only to learn that she had gone away And now it is too late, and Max has won her instead But she shall never know-he shall never know how foolish l have been"
 
 A week later Vavaseur held a letter from his friend in his hand.
 Congratulations are now in order, he read; am at last engaged. Bohe- mia no longer has any charm for me Thursday night Marion Is to give party which we are both anxious to have you attend You will come will you not? If you can arrange 1t. write me and We will meet you with a carriage
 Vavaseur laid the letter down
 will go" he said "I will see her once more, and then I will put her out of my thoughts forever. It was not to be-"
 Max and his fdncee met him at the sta 'tion. The beautiful girl extended her gloved hand to Vavaseur.
 Max has told me what friends you are" she said flashing her dark eyes at him. How strange to think that it was Max's best friend met! We must be better friends than ever"
 There was proud, happy ring in Da- .cre's laugh as he said