The times., 1899-01-01

! did"
| Then, perhaps. the age OF miracles has
| not yet gone, said Sybil, nodding gayly to
| hint as Lady vivyan came UP and intro
duced new partner TO her.
| A little later Briarley was trying tc
soothe his feelings with a cigarette in the
smoking room, when Lord Densham came
up to him.
Il say, old chap. funny thing has hap
pened. She has refused me"
| who has?''
! why Daisy Molyneux"
by Jove! Were any signs OF insanity
ever noticed in the family before2" asked
| Cecil. fftst
mo. believe not" answered the peer,
falling as usual, to see any sarcasm In the
/ question. II tried TO point out to her what
| 1t meant, but she stuck to 1t. Nice little
/ girl. too.
Well I'm awfully sorry. Densham, real
| iy am
1T doesn't matter so very much: Miss
/ Castlemaine is here, isn't she? You see.
I can ask her. and get 1t settled
/ ''Of course you can, said Cecil, with
/ trace of bitterness in his tone.
Il think I'll go and find her. I'm rather
sorry I wasted my time over that oIher
silly girl, but it was your advice Any
| way, 1t makes my choice much easier.
As he walked of Cecil Briarley watched
| him. and although he was not a man given
| to the use of bad language. il is lament
! able fact that little word before referred
to slipped with terrible earnestness from
| his lips
When Lord Densham suggested TO Sybil
Castlemaine that they should sit the dance
| out in the conservatory, she saw that he
meant to propose 10 her. and his lordship
perceived that. under the circumstances,
there was nothing TO be gained BY beating
I about the bush. and so he quickly Jed up
| to the business he had come to negotiate
1T is rather serious 10 be Standing en-
the edge sf a new year, don you tnink
so. Miss Cgstlemaine? II makes one think.
Really" said Sybii, arching her pretty
eyebrows.
Yes: one looks at the past and then at
the future, you know. Sow, take me. for
example. he went on pluiging into his
carefully prepared and already rehearsed
I speech. with money and good conn &C
ticns one can get on very we'll in life; but
that isn't all. upon my word II isn't, Miss
Castlemaine. No doubt many fellows
would envy what I've got-but after all,
it is very little. There is something mora
that is wanted, and surely TO supply that
want would be the fittest way of starting
new year. Dear Miss Castiemaine,
want to be a better man in the future
than in the past. and you, only you, can
happiness complete, TO crown all my
hopes, and perfect my manhood. Is a
| woman's love Sybil-let me call you
Sybil. my love-wiil you BE- the woman ,
VIII you marry me-
In the seclusion of the conservatory he
opened his arms a little. as though ne ex
pected her 10 creep in, and he expanded
his chest to receive the burden of tue
dainty little head that was to nestle gent
4. I.,.f Rferht rafz zfnrE mr.
Il am very sorry you. should have asked
me this, Lord Densham, said Sybll grave
w. Il am conscious of the vastness OF
the compliment and am not blind to the
| advantages and attractions of your oier
but | do not love you.
''You don't love me?' repeated his lord
ship in a tone of disappointment that had
suspicion of incredulity in it. You
don't love me? But surely that is only
matter OF time; when you have seen more
Of me. when you know me better Sy-
bill"
My decision would not alter. Lord Dem
sham"
But you are quite sure
Il quite realize what / am losing, said
Sybil, calmly, land. although know how
good of you ii is to suggest ii. ! don't
really think that / could make you any
better or anything but what you are,
either in the New Year or any other time"
But you could. Miss Castlemaine.
YOU
Would you please take me back? | am
engaged for the next dance"
With wonderful smile on his lips in
which modification. pity, and surprise
were blended he politely offered her his
arm and led her back to the ballroom
AS they entered il, they almost ran into
Cecil Briariy. He was about to walk past
fhavn v-hau Svhit said.
.'Oh. Cecil. here you are. You're Just in
time
Densham yielded her up with his Gus
tomary smile, and Cecil whispered:
Il was not going to claim you for this
dance; l thought you would prefer TO sit
it out with him."
With him? Whya"
"I-er-I believe he has question he
wants to ask you
Il don't think he has said Sybn
quietly.
They we're about to join the dancers
when it was announced that the mystic
midnight moment had almost arrived and
those who cared 10 do so were to go to the
open windows and on 10 the doorsteps and
the balconies. to listen and wait for the
solemn peal that was to mark the annual
reeommencement Briarley got wrap to
/ throw over his cousins shoulders and then
they went to the further corner of the long
balcony.
1t was clear, frosty night, and the
stars and the moon were shining with a
brightness that reflected in the hoar-fr1st
on the grass and trees. illuminated the
dark hour with a soft poetic light. Cecil
stood silently by Sybirs side for some sec
onds and then he whispered:
And is the beautiful night making you
thoughtful, too"
No." said Sybil. with her face turned