The times., 1899-01-01
a modern miracIe.
A New Years story.

don had recovered from its Christmas fes-
| tivities-and their after effects-and was
| preparing to see the new year in.
! In the misty hours of the December af-
| ternoop two young men were gazing
| through the windows OF Piccadilly club
| at the people who were hurrying up and
| down that popular thoroughfare
Well Densham," said the younger and
! darker of the two ARE you meditating any
lofty and noble resolutions for the new
year?"' ,s..-
Il am afraid that is not much in my
| line, replied Lord Densham in slightly
| affected tone. why do you ask? Are
you going to turn over new leaf, as our
spiritual pastors and masters call it?'
I've turned over many new leaves, "
said Cecil Briarley lightly; but the same
| old tales. the same moth-eaeen jokes of
| fate seem to be written on all OF them
| No two years are the same, but they are all
| beastly similar.
"Ah, Briariey, l am thinking of making
a great alteration said Densham. who
was evidently in a communicative, though
| serious, mood.
Really! Are you going to change your
tailor or only to let your moustache grow p
Don't be fiippant," said his lordship in
| duitc tone. Inc faCt is.
Briarley, old boy, I'm in hole,"
| You in a holei It's not money!
"of course not-it wouldn't be much use
coming to you If it were, would It? No, I'm
| going to get married. This was drawled
out slowly and with deep sigh. as though
the speaker felt he was making some
mighty self sacrifice for the benefit of hu-
| manity.
| Il thought you looked jolly blue about
1 Il,
Briarley. Nobody compels you"
My dear boy, everybody compels me
said Densham. gazing thoughtfully at his
| white and well-kept hands and finger nails
| and adding pathetically: "Of course you
don't know what it is to be highly eiigi-
/! BILE
No replied Briarley with a grim smile
! But, unfortunately, l shall have to mar
ry in self-defense,' proceeded his lordship
taking no notice of his friends remark IT
is siekening to feel that you are being run
after by all the girls and all their match
making. marnmas."
Poor, poor Densham,' murmured
Briarley. No wonder you are in hole. .
Yes, but the worst OF it is that I've
fixed on two girls, and can't for the life
of me decide which OF them to have"
And who are the favored couple be-
tween whom Paris the Second has 10
JudgeE
zone is Daisy Molyneux-the lively lit
tie thing with the blue eyes and the good
figure, you know. OF course. she is very
jolly and awfully fond of me
Yes; and the other?"
The other is Sybil Castelmane.'
'Who?"
"Sybil Castlemaine. your-er-second
cousin. isn't she?''
Good heavens,, muttered BriarIey
What did you say?''
Nothing. Do you think Sybil cares for
| you?"
81 am afraid there is not much doubt
OF it, old man" said his Lordship mourn
fully, as he languidly stroked his clean
shaven chin. Il used to fancy you were
rather fond of her at one time, but, OF
course. it is impossible
Utterly ,-ri9o
We'll. look here, old chap, l shouldn't
ask everybody, but which of the two girls
do you advise me to have?"
Can't you have both?" asked Cecil,
| rather savageiy.
Now, come on, old fellow. give me your
honest opinion. They're both nice loving
little girls, and it's an awful bore to have
to choose. Which would you ask?''
| Well. said Briarley slowly. and with
bitterness his companion did not appear
to see, lit certainly is incredible that any
girl could refuse the honor and privilege
of being Lady Densham. wearing the Cen
sham diamonds, and sharing the Denshanl
| celebrity. The only wonder is that you
have been permitted to enjoy your liberty
| for so long. ! should advise you to have
Daisy Molyneux"
Nat your cousin?"
mo; she would, not suit s.ou nearly as
well as Miss Molyneux would.
Thanks awfully. old chap; l only just
1a1 fful .i.atn fn
help me decide. I'll propose TO Daisy to-
| night: she is ging 10 be At Lady Vivyan's
| dance-and so is Sybil, so / ,an get it set
tied either way Will you be there
Yes. | expect So
Right, then l shall see you later"
AS Cecil Briariey watched the retreat
ing figure of the wealthy and oroneted
! friend who was so overburdened with uT-
sought affections, and didn't know which
| of two maidens he really loved, lie summed
up the situation in one word which he
muttered very low, and with heartfelt sim
| cerity. No one heard it, but il is safe
to conjecture that 1t was syllable of most
emphatic disapprovai.
Lady Vivyan's rooms presented gay
and brilliant scene that evening. To well
come the New Year with dancing and
revelry, with music and mirth. was. per-
haps, typical of the giddy social whirl in
which hostess and guests revolved in theii
more or less important positions; but,
after all, every day, every hour. starts a
new year, and it is only sentiment and
commercial convenience that settles on
one particular chime as marking the COM
mencement of another circle.
Lord Densham arrived early. He was
attired with his usual care and correct
ness. and he wore also an air of determi-
nation that suited him very well. 1t dis
placed the appearance of Indifference and
listlessness which usually made the heredi-
tary legislator look limp and flabby. He
speedily discovered that both Daisy Molly
neux and Sybil Castlemaine had come, ant
with sigh of relief to think that his de-
cision was at last made he proceeded tc
seek out Miss Molyneux that he mighi
acquaint her with the honor he proposed
to do her.
1t was considerably later when Ceci
Briarley arrived. He was not in the best
of spirits, and did not intend to do much
dancing. One OF the first persons he no.
ticed. was his own cousin.
What, Sybil-you not dancing
How are you, Cecil? No; l haven't
been here long
''Shall we sit down somewhere until
someone comes and claims you?"
by all means: it is quite long time
since I've had the chance Of talking II
you, Cecil"
Have you ever heard of Tantalus? ?'
asked her cousin. as he led her TO Sc
cluded corner
who was he? An ancient god WASH
he?" replied Miss Castlemaine. Was h'
a relative of Bacchus? The spirit decant-
ers are named after him.