The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1897-02-20
Selett Storg.
A BELATBD new YEARS RESOLUTION.
From Harper's Bazar.

his neck-tie with practised skill, and Mrs.
Darlington took last glance at herself
over his shoulder, the bright face flashing
in the mirror like sunbeam.
81 suppose we should make resolution
or two, if only to be in keeping with the
spirit of the day Darlington said. ''lt
is my first New Year day as married
man, and the first New Year when | did
not feel that | should make not one resclu-
ton, but half dozen. You have made
it SO easy for me to be good that can t
think of one pitfall wherein | may stumble
Can you suggest anything, dear p
"Not thing, John, Mrs. Darlington
said, with whole souled emphasis.
81 can't think that my glass of wine at
dinner is thing to renounce, he con-
tinued, rehectively. II might as well
renounce the oysters and soup
cit would be just about as reasonable,
she acquiesced, with one Of her sweet IN
discriminate kisses, which neither seemed
to notice, landed somewhere between the
tip of his ear and the top of his collar.
"Well, then, we will resolve not to re-
solve" he said; and they went down to to
breakfast hand in hand, for they were still
in their first fervor
After breakfast Darlington went out to
get shaved. 81 shall be back as soon as
can, were his parting words, "but you
know it takes no end Of time to get shaved
on holiday | don't want to be away
from you one minute more than | can help.
1t is only right that we should pass our
first New Year day together.
''Take your time, John; | will write
some letters to the home people while you
are gone"
AS Darlington went down the street,
whistling softly to himself, he met Thomp-
son coming out of the particular shop he
had in view.
sYou have struck it at the wrong time,
Darlington, Thompson said, after a cor
dial exchange of the greetings of the day.
''Big crowd in there. You had better
take a little drive with me until the rush
is over" His horse and buggy stood at
the curb.
oI don't know that should, Thomp-
son; [ promised Mrs. Darlington to be
home early.
"And so you shall. As long as you
cherish the delusion that only one barber
in the town can shave you, you will have
some awful spaces in your life. You
might as well spend the time breathing the
free air of heaven as to wait your turn In
that atmosphere of soap and hair-oil.
His argument was unquestionable, and
without further objection Darlington got
into the carriage with his friend They
went rapidly along the boulevard, Caring
ton S spirits rising with every fresh breath
of the clear frosty air.
II am going to stop here for moment,
if you don t object. Thompson said,
drawing up before large, cheerful look
ing house. II want to wish my brother
in-law and his family happy New Year.
1t is little ceremony that is always ex-
pected of me But you know Saunders
well, somewhat. Darlington said.
Saunders and he were old friends. Judg-
ing from the time that elapsed before the
two men reappeared, the little ceremony
must have been of truly Oriental length
and magniicence. As they got into the
carriage again, Thompson said
''You remember Will Jones, Caring
ton. He lives within stone s-throw.
Let us look in on him for moment.
The moment was of such duration that
even Thompson was conscience-strlcken,
and drove Darlington to the barber shop at
breakneck pace After shave of the
most hurried character, Darlington got
back Just in time for luncheon.
''Forgive me, dearest he said, peni-
tently, bursting in upon his wife. She
was seated at her desk the room was full
of the delicate scent Of perfumed sealing
wax
s.For what?' she said, cheerfully, put
ting out loving hand. II did not expect
YOU until luncheon. Didn't | tell you so
been written weeks ago l didn' tstop t'
have done heaps of good work In you
absence-gotten off letters that should have
make any resolutions about it just die
it. After all, that is the best kind Of 1
start, isn't it
When they sat down to luncheon Car
rington said, ''You must let me tell you
all about my morning He went through
every particular truthfully, graphically
leaving nothing out. Nothing less than :
full confession would satisfy his sense O
Justice; it was the expiation demanded BY
his conscience. He was so penltent, 81
remorseful, that Mollie felt that he was t.
be pitied rather than blamed. 81 wal
always saying to myself, 'Mollie will b.
looking for me; it is not quite fair to Mol
lie, and somehow l was thinking grea
deal harder of you than l was doing any
thing else. But we will spend the rest O
the day together How would you hk'
TO take little drive? You never knew
such day-mild as day in May. We
will take the dog, too, so that 1t will be
Jolly New Year for everybody.
1 FfnCf ri