Fair play., 1901-07-27
A LICE FRAZIER was 90 wears of aga

y
IN when she married Silas Hopkins;
she was - when he died, leaving her
sole heir to all his wealth. Strictly
speaking. ii would be more correct to
say that he had married her; she had
small volition in the matter.
1t had never occurred to her to re-
gard Mr.. Hopkins as possible suitor.
Almost as old as her father, his hair
nearly as gray, he had been the ia
miliar friend of the family ever since
she could remember. As n child she
sat on his knee, and he brought her
toys and candy; as young lady he
kept her supplied with flowers and
matinee tickets.
| The FraZiers were well off enough
to have all the necessaries and many
of the luNuries of life, but they could
aot afford superfiuitics. Mr. Frazier
was director of the Bull Dog Security
bank. la which also his moderate for
tune WAS invested; having implicit
| confidence in the bank, he had not hes
ttated TO trust all his eggs therein.
1t was the old story of a bank pres
ident and treasurer speculating with
the money of the depositors. and when
the consequent crash came Mr.. Frazier
| was overwhelmed, not only because
of his personal loss. but by crushing
sense of responsibility for the losses
sustained by others. He argued that
as a director he should have detected
and prevented dishonesty before it en-
tailed ruin.
This was why the shock killed him;
not instantly, since he fingered for
days afterwards. but the news
brought ON "A paralytic stroke from
which he never entirely rallied.
Alice was away, visiting a wealthy
relative at Il fashionable seaside re-
sort. when the calamity befell. 1t was
Mr. Hopkins who sent the dispatch an
nouncing her fathers illness; Mr. Hop
kIns who with his coupe met her at
the railway station when she hurled
home.
Alice found her fat her tormented by
anxiety, which amounted to anguish.
about his wife and daughter. His life
was insured for trifling sum, so
small that ii was impossible they
could live on il even after his death:
meanwhile he was helpless and bank
rupt.
Then it was hat Mr.. Hopkins asked
Alice TO be his wife. saying. simply.
that 81 had loved her for years. but
never thought TO tell her so. Now he
venturcd 10 beg that in her time of
need she would give him the right to
provide for her and hers. And, with
out waiting for Alice 10 answer, he as
sured her father that to do so would
be the greatest happiness which he
could ask.
Oh, the look of ineffable relief which |
came into the face of the diving man.
He did not ask If his daughter We're
willing. but. bracing himself to final |
effor;. took her hand and laid it in hat |
of his friend. God bless YOU both"
he murmured. and then. with a smile |
on his lips, went our into the Great |
Ierea fter.
After this it was more than ever Mr.. |
Hopkins who did everything. Alice |
'eIt herself bound hand and foot: al |
though the bonds were of softest silk,
they we're strong as steel
How could she tell them about Dick? |
Dick. who loved her. and whom she
loved dearly. but who had nothing but
his youth and strength. his manly
beauty and his pay as ensign in the
United States navy? Dick, for whom
she had promised to wait lifetime, If |
need be, and who had sailed away on
a three-years' cruise the day before
Mr.. Hopkins telegram came
There was 4 naval station near the
place where Alice was visit
ing. and the officers of the man-o-war
in port were coming and going contin-
nally. As one of the prcttiest girls at
the Cape. Alice had been one of the
bellies of the season. She and Richard
IIarvie had fallen in love with each
other. after the inconseguent manner
Of young things who take no thought
Of The future. They had settled it that
hey were to be married when Dick got
his step" meanwhile he was to per-
form prodigies of valor, and it would
ne happiness to be engaged.
There were moments when Alice felt
to tell Mr.. Hopkins the story
and throw herself upon his magnanim-
ty, which she felt sure would not fail,
put refrained for the sake of her
mother. Crushed and broken-hearted.
Mrs. Frazier had but one joy left, the
which she took in her
engagement to Mr.. Hop
lins. When it came TO the point, Alice
'elt that she must suffer anything
'ather than deprive her of that.
She wrote to Dick and waited fever
silly for an answer, her letter being
scarcely more than an incoherent ap-
zeal for advice. Weeks passed. bring
ng no reply, and Alice bethought her. -,
elf bitterly that il had been general
Y understood at the Cape that Miss
frazier was the only child of well-to-
10 parents.
She let Mr.. Hopkins and her mother
the wedding day, and resigned her
t to the inevitable. 1t was on her ,
lrriage morn that the expected let
came:
I am deeply grieved to hear Of your loss !;
d sympathize with you and your mother.
Justice to yourself. since you ask my G
unsel. ] must advise you to accept your Z
reaithy suitor; poor devil like me can
ot expect to count.
May You have all the happiness you de-
erve.
Sincerely yours,
''R. 8. HARVIE." 8
Alice read the note twice, seeing b
nly the sarcasm. and not the pain be-