The daily morning Alaskan. (Skagway, Alaska) 1899-1904, 1900-12-30
.RYCARD'S SACRIFICE,

1.s-Ss-s-s-S-s-s-s~s-s-SG -Ss-SSs-s-e~s-s-S-s
John Regard strobe up and down the
palatial room with a load of care upon
his mind A knock sounded upon the
! door, and Mr.. Manners, banker, enter
ed the room. After greetings he said:
'Rycard, feel as though l could trust
you. For the last II months 1 have been
gambling heavily. At first everything l
touched seemed to turn to gold, and
thought that huge fortune was well
within my grasp. Ill luck came, how
ever, and l soon lost all l had won. I
plunged heavily in the hope of recouping
myself. Still l lost, and, all my own
money being gone-I used-I used the
trust funds in my possession
For moment neither man spoke, only
their heavy breathing telling of their
emotions. Then Manners continued:
Il have tried in every direction to OBJ
tain the money, but for some strange
reason l have not succeeded. Tomorrow
the executors will want to see my securi-
ties-my guilt will be made plain to the
entire world. My poor daughter-my
poor Eveline will be known as a felon's
daughter! Rycard, can you lend me this
money!
Willingly would l help you, if
If! interrupted the other, half mad
dened by the thought of what was in
store for him. You who are rolling in
wealth saying if about paltry 500, 900!
1t Is preposterous!
you should take your money troubles
as take mine. Is it possible that you
have heard no rumors about my financial
position? Tomorrow you will be stamped
as thief! Tomorrow l shall be known
as failure! 1t will be terrible day for
us bothp
SIS this-is this true?' said the banker,
clutching the arm of the chair. you
have not the money to lend me? Oh,
how my sin is finding me out! 1t will
kill my daughter-it will kill herv'
After. Manners left Regard put on his
hat and coat, and, descending into the
street, hailed cab and was rapidly
driven to the home of the Mannerses.
Miss Manners received him, as her ia
ther was not at home.
81 WISH" she said, father would give
up business. 1t is making him look bag
gard and pale. He shall give it up soon
l have made up my mind upon that
point"
Regard looked at her with eyes of pity
that pity which is akin to love.
81 will tell him tomorrow after Har.
ry"- He stopped; the blush upon her
face became deeper, and she cast her eyes
demurely downward.
"And who is Harry?" be tried to say in
ordinary tones. 81 hope I have not of
Tended you by asking?" he added hastily
"You have not" she replied, after a
moments pensiveness. Harry is Mr.
Fortesque. You know him."
Regard nodded He could hardly trust
himself to speak.
you're an old friend of my father"
she said rather quickly, still keeping her
eyes away from his face. "Only an hour
since father said you were the best friend
he had in the world, so I don't mind tell
ing you. Har-I mean Mr. Fortesque, is
going to ask fathers consent to our en-
gagement tomorrow"
Tomorrow" cried Regard, starting up
and almost sweeping several pieces OF
valuable bric-a-brac from the table.
With an effort he regained his compo-
sure. Twill you be happy with Harry"
he asked.
"Yes; we love each other with all our
hearts," she confessed. ut must seem
strange to you that l should have spoken
so openly, but feel impelled to do it."
"And if anything should happen to part
you?" said Rycard anxiously.
ITO part us? Oh, why talk Of such
thingY she said in dismay. THAT would
break my heart-I should want to die"
Tomorrow! Instead of being the day of
Joy she was expecting it would be day
of sorrow to blight the whole of her fair
life The picture he imagined made him
catch his breath in horror.
He recalled all the incidents he could
remember in which the secret lover had
given his all, even to his life, for his
what he thought their foolishness, but it
did not seem foolish now-rather the OPP
posite. In fact
"Now, here is a ring, Mr.. Regard"
said Eveline, who had left the room and
returned at this point of his meditations.
"My father gave it to me only a fort
him the man who presented it would do
something great for him. He would not
explain further. Now, give me your
opinion upon it."
A cry of bewilderment escaped Ry
cards lips. "This ring? What a beauti
full one it is" he said nervously, trying
to conceal the impression the sight of it
had made upon him. He had given it,
ten years before, to man who had saved
his life in Africa. He now saw that
Manners was the man.
"Thank you a thousand times" said
Regard in low voice as he slipped the
ring upon his finger. 81 am sorry" he
said suddenly, 81 cannot await your ia
TIERS return. Tell him that l have call
ed and said he had to cheer up. l will
write TO him. Goodby, goodby! hope
you will be happy with Harry" Then
he passed out of her presence forever.
He went home and took from his desk
$4,000 he had saved from the wreck.
He addressed it to Mr.. Manners with
this letter:
Mr.. W. Manners:
SHOWING to certain circumstances am able
to send you the amount you asked for, which you
will not be required to repay. The bullion is in
easily cashed notes and bonds. With it you
save your honor and your daughter from living
death. Only two conditions do impose. For
tesque must marry your daughter, and you must
keep absolute silence about this affair. l
wearing a ring gave you ten years ago. Yours