The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1914-01-02

was young man VINO longed Tor GER
tain prize just out of his reach"
And this is apropos OF whatT' in
quired Sibyl.
''Tantalus would have been happier
II his prize had been out OF his sight as
well as out OF his reach. In order to
escape the madness Of Tantalus have
been letting my prize 90 out Of sight.
They are Waiting very nicely" he
added. drawing her attention to one or
the couples floating near them.
lord Densham and Daisy Molly
neuxP'
YES. Densham's a nice fellow, isn't
he?"
"Ye-eS. l suppose one would hardly
call him shy or modest. would one?'
when a fellow like that can choose
any girl he likes-when he knows they
are all like pretty apples asking to be
plucked-it Is enough to make him con-
ceited."
"And other fellows Jealous?" added
Sibyl mischievously. "And l suppose
none Of the pretty apples can be strong
enough to refuse to fall into his handl'
EFT would be a modern miracle IL
they did"
A little later Briarley was trying to
soothe his feelings with a cigarette In
the smoking room when Lord Densham
came up to him
II say. old chap. funny thing has
happened. Daisy Molyneux has refused
me-"
by Jove! Were any signs of insan-
fly ever noticed in the family before"
asked Cecil
mo, believe not" answered the
peer. failing. as usual. to see any sar-
casm in the question 81 tried to point
out to her what it meant, but she stuck
to it Nice little girl too
well, I'm awfully sorry. Densham:
really am"
at doesn't matter so very much
Miss Castlemaine is here. isn't she!
You see. | can ask her and get 1t set
tied. | think I'll go find her. I'm rath-
er sorry wasted my time over that
other silly girl. Anyway. it makes my
choice much easier
When Lord Densham suggested to
Sibyl Castlemaine that they should sit
the dance out in the conservatory she
saw that he meant to propose to her,
and his lordship perceived that under
the circumsta noes there was nothing
to be gained by beating about the bush,
and so he quickly led up to the bust
ness he had come to negotiate.
1T is rather serious to be standing
on the edge of new year." he said.
Dear Miss Castemaine. want to be
a better man in the future than in the
past and you. only you, can help me.
What is needed to make my happiness
complete to crown all my hopes and
perfect my manhood. is a woman's
love. Sibyl-let me call you Sibyl, my
love-will you be the woman? Will
you marry me?"
In the seclusion of the conservatory
he opened his arms a little. as though
he expected her to creep in, and he ex-
banded his chest to receive the burden
Of the dainty little head that was to
nestle gently on 1t. But it was a
night of surprises.
II am very sorry you should have
asked me this. Lord Densham." said
Sibyl gravely. II am conscious of the
vastness of the compliment. and | am
not blind to the advantages Of your
offer, but do not love you
"You don't love me?" repeated his
lordship In tone Of disappointment
that had suspicion of incredulity in
1t. 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, Sibyl"-
MY decision would not alter, Lord
Densham. Will you please take me
back? am engaged for the next
dance"
With a wonderful smile on his lips
in which modification, pity and sur
prise were blended, he politely offered
her his arm and led her back to the |
ballroom As they entered it they al |
most ran into Cecil Briarley. He was
about to walk past them when Sibyl
said:
"Oh, Cecil. here you are! You're just I
in time"
Densham yielded her up with his
customary smile.
They were about TO join the dancers
when it was announced that the mys-
tic midnight moment had arrived. and
those who cared to do so were to go to
the open windows and on to the door
steps and the balconies to listen and !
wait for the solemn peal that was to
mark the annual recommencement.
Briarley got wrap to throw over his
Cousins shoulders. and then they went
to the farther corner Of the long bal
cony
"Are you thinking Of the new weary"
asked Cecil,
mo; | was thinking Of Tantalus
II hope you pity him"
81 don't think | do" responded his
cousin softly. feeling glad that the
shadows hid her blushing cheek. Per
haps bis prize was not so far out Of
his reach as he Imagined
"SibyI. didn't Densham ask you any
thlngT' he whispered
"Yea. CeciI. and and I performed q