Herald of Wales and Monmouthshire Recorder

r 0 [ALL Rights Ejesektto.] I Two Christmas Eves. & 0, By J. J. BELL & • l I. 1 6 f the door of the private room closed 4eliind the young man with the white ^•jlface, twitching lips, and bowed shoulders, "the junior partner of Marlow and Lock- yer. West India merchants, let out a half-strangled oath. Marlow, 'you're- a soft-hearted fooli" said harshly. If there was a for prosecution yon had it yonder. my peaoo because oi your seniority, but--Pah He broke off in disgust and fljHig himself back in hid chair, fumbling ?&? his .cigarette caf?. i' .iihe senior partner was wiping his eyes. ?' I couldn't do it, Lockyer; I simply -couldn't do it," he said unsteadily, though not apologetically. "1 couldn't ruin a young fellow so utterly at the be- jg inning of his career—nor could you.v V ft Me?*' snapped Lockyer. "But for j"ou he would have been on bis way to the police-station by now. I draw the line at encouraging dishonesty." !„ "lint—lie he realised that he was sns- pected 1 it was our 3uty to have him punished. ifa Ah, Lockyer," paid tho older man < £ with a 't»igh, "don't be afraid that he v-^in't be punished. Think of the hhame H piiri??liptl. Tlii,k of il)(?, tilillue !$' i .find employment without a-c ¡IU ra<:t{' $without a reference ? I'm bitterly ?n'ry to. I)r-iii.-on. ? J\IY;>V¡,I'()(.I. boy. ? YoT alwuyn ):(' everybody. You ?. have no discrimination, no judgment. The wonder is that, you have not been j swindled l ight ¡¡ lid left." ? Mr. Atarh)? d'd n?t seem to hear. £ l.ockyer." he said softly, it is CI11'i;t-1 -U?s Lve. 'I 'I he junior parircr—a man of Ave and I.. ,p..IO. I,d! l,, ¡- man of flYe awl tL rl,l--i'[' a l,rlnrt 1:l11g1. "I Waf: won-I \iYl:n, _t'a¥C¡:u¡:'¡);:] I l;r:fnrtunafclv\ to my plain mInd, crime ? on C: ');i ?\'0 is JU&t the same as I -l ¡:;i, };¡:- j'tt'1o11'nm, ;¡" 4;? icry tii(,, otli,satliv      pa,j ,? ??? :e; ('l:c-l- "1 .) ,/u (.?:? Evc-?!. rx.cky?r?' T ]i is ciy. ro< fc», merely [:i' .h i s (' 1"1 11 C 1'1:: ".V71 •«( >aop-i to the boy?" Mar- 't .1 1 '1-- 1 t] ? :v r. 'hi-p d. Abr'.r?ly h" rose, 'stepped < :'t?- ?nd 'opening it aa inch t?t-o d l?.n.? .S. ;t';¡,¡'i: ;d ,p,g ;n, i T ? and yHur b'<??!'?;" Mr. Loc 1('0 "II ir ally (inquired. i. -.ild-'r .ius.d v.'i"?'d. ?.? ('td not r?! I'r <i>'tly he r?'rc.?.j.t the open-1 ?:. .? ?L? d;;or and peero ouh P >  Fs dimly Ii! by ? sin?h' ?' ?: ?i)" stafi h aù Idt an hour a?o— ..M .? disgraced young cl«rU. An(! ;;Jl it' (,t;,(':{:(:. "}¡,l 1(:\(!\ "í }, r,.v: per.'onal b.'Jf?tgin?H from ? d sk. ITis ha?d was groping, scem- 'K ? ?'? handle of the door—the I i' TI tt r.r which was about to shut  ':?. .out K.r ?v.?r frcm the place h? had  ?-t  tl>years virevionidy. so fuU of yon '?.?'1 uniKxi-tn, detenu in-»d to fe!i"fy h?? -?mn'Mvprs. SoT'othin? like a ?'' 'a??d h:']/3.nr¡ng breast. A.? hia .?n? 'rs El b?t turned th" handle i1- .uh.r rartnor "amp quh'k'!y aloi)?! !h? ras;i' D<? i ;), ]-? Fai(I in a nu?v iô E"'f,i;;t );d. ,rJ 'l fi'hVf sTiook'^is b;?,d, unalile to nl-'t-' r a word. 1-1 can't let yen go like this," said! Mr. idarlow. "'Will you corae back hero i" hal.an-liour • [ wish to speak to you • j- :n private. Promise hi- you'll nmie '?? ?'' ?n'?'-t H, young ,,? on- 1 :l' h :(l (1¡! t ;f'l':¡.1I1 ¡ 1 :)t ¡:!J /'I,: "Pro:is" me yon']'! corn" back— in half- { <=hal! hr> alone then.- ■ l!a!f- was u  t ?. Very w-U. ;t;i pr.m?.? ( 'r'cfrnr!? the nteiTiew in the dMprtcd ohir-fv amsd the nn:, of Ch ristmas Eve, Mr. Maiiow woold'fain have kept silence, b\:i he could not refuse to answer the .CjUr.-tMM! of hif> partner when the latter i Jt'?t.?.-f! frum his holiday. '•?>ei!evc Pie, Lockyer," h" a¡d gent'v, 1): nnison is truly r-j?ntant; but apa:'t? f!r. t'?)t. he hav a mother \n invalid, -hotlriddeti motion', no' drub; was I.uckyei's dry remark. "And lie was her sole support, I suppose." Marlow flushed elightl.v. "No; I j .didn't gather that she was an invalid, and he informed me that he has two who arc able to keep her to (-oll- (it-, think of the awfnl; il, ol, and hope that; Would have taken place had he gone ¡ home with the news of his—his disgracf. And on Christmas Eve, too!' ,Fur God's sake don't laugh, man! Can't j v,-(> have one night in the year when there is real pcac1 on The other did not laugh, but his voice was cold. A beautiful sentiment. Mar- low. but I can't rise to it. You might as well tell me that, a biil need not be paid because it happens to fall due on the 24th of December! However, I daresay you v.nlcl have treated Dennison in simi- lar fashion ha 1 he boon found guilty on the 1st of A pril Well, I suppose it ifi no use arguing the point, my friend, but if we all had your ideas, dishonesty would .1 "oon be at a premium." .The, ssiiior partner held up his hand. Y I uught to tell you-that I begged Denni- son to say nothing to his people. In his misery and shame be was about to con- fess everything." And vhat else did you do to make things easv ior hi*' "I suggested that he should tell his people that Marlow and Lockyer found it necessary to decrease their staff, and- I "Oh, Lord I" exclaimed the i-m-ni- partner. "What next? By the way," he asked abrutly, has the case no redeem- ing feature? Did not Dennison take the A:75 to help a friend, or something of the sort ?" Marlow hesitated, them shook his head. I'm sorry I can't pay yes to that. He told me he had got into difficulties simply through personal extravagance. One fiioment, Lockyer,! It would have been easy enough for him to have blamed it In] a friend. My hopes for his future rose when he oered no excuse." And von forthwith presented him with a certificate of good character, 1 sup- pose Tmi go too far, said the older nmn, angered at ?. B? his J -ce softe?M in the next 6tmtR, -^k" ver I have neither wife nor child, and I cam only imagine the feel-1 ings of a lather. But you hve a peaceful home, with little boys and • irhi, and you are freifh from the ex-j perienee of a happy Christmastidp. Would you willingly have any young man ruined, anv home blighted—— M Sentiment, sentiment, Marlow ^Loc kyei; sat np. U I tell you that if a. son of mine did what Denmeon bae done, Don't say it, may friend Don't even ,imagine. U- You don't know what you would do. Try now simply to believe that Dennison is being punished though 'not hy the law. It is right that the law. *h<,nlu punish, 'yet I am convinced that 0there arc times when humanity is above v flle law- imes when hrnnandty stira the conscience, whereas the law would merely kill it. At any rate, lJOåyer. don't judge my action in this matter just yet. Wait and seo what happens to The other shrugged his shoulders. I think we shall hear of Dennison again," continued Marlow, picking up a I paper-knife and toying with it. I advised him to try hrs fortune abroad-to go as soon as possible. No; I could not give him references or introductions. I could not feel responsible for him to other people. Still "Havp his people got the money to spare to send him abroad r" interrupted Lockyer. I'm afraid not. But-" Then if he has the money in his pos- session, it must be handed over to us in j reduction of his—b'm!—debt to the firm." lie j ,—was quite penniless, Lockyer." There was a short silence. Then- ow, how much money did you fsive him?" j 1—1 wanted to give the boy a enaDcc- to make a fresh atari." flow much?" It would have been no use his goill; abroad will] nothing behind him. And! then it—it was Christmas Eve. Of course. I drew the cheque on my personal ac- count." The older man stammered in his speech. I'd rather you didn't ask In the circumstances I think I have a right to know, Marlow. How much •" dM you give Denriii».u. A—a hundred pounds." Good God said the junior partner. II. But for all the uncongeTtIal natures of its partners the. firm of .Harlow and Lock- yer went on and prospered. Perhaps tho differences in temperament, the clashing of ideas, were providential in a way. A men; onlooker would have said that they werr>. Certainly there were occasions when the hard head of Mr. I.ockycr—to i-'are his heart out of the question— ur-enied needed to balance the daring mind of his senior; for Mr. Marlow was by no nivalis averse from speculative transac- tions which, it must nevertheless be ad- mitted, generally turned out on the right side. Still, if Mr. Lockyer lessened the probable gains by putting on the brake,t he also lessened the possible losses, and. he was a man who always looked first to the latter. I happen to have a wife and young children," he would' remind his col- h-ugue; but this was perhaps more an exuise than a reason, for he had been born cautious. Moreover, he knew that j the argument,appealed to the older manl as no other argument of his could be expected to do. I "Yery welL" Marlow would say, good-t humouredly, we'll reduce the present stakes; but all tlie same, Lockyer," lie would add, we have got to tak,j risks-¡ big risks—in tliis coucern of ours. I've been in it longer than you, and I know. Things are goi!? easily at present, h;¡t I there will be years—as t here have been Y(;WSia the past—when no risks simply speil no, business." !/>i:ev, however, had convinced himself l that his partner was wrong, that satis- factory profits might always be secured without Uj-jjjt,extraordinary haaarde. And this was the rock on which—though neither suspected it for years—the part- nership was destined to split. Yet ihe collision might have been longer avoided, or altogether averted, had there been only a little sentiment and sym- pathy on T.ockyer's part. There are lllen will not—or cannot—give something for nothing, who regard as fools and | weaklings those that do so. Again and. again Lockyer would have quarrelled out- right with Marlow had the latter failed, in soft answers. Now it was the case of an plderly clerk who ought to be got rid of because a third part of his salary i won id pay for the same work done bet ter i by a young man; now that of a young j j clerk who had cost the firm money I through a stupid blunder which merited i nothing but dismissal: now that of an agent of the firm OIl a West Indian island who begged home-leave three months before it was due, lest he should not see his father alive—an unjustifiable request, considering that the agency had not. yet. begun to pay. Hut the casee over which the partners differed need not be enumerated here. They occurred fre- quently, and the accompanying friction did not, decrease with repetition. lx>ekyer becamo more and more irritated by what; he termed Mar low's unbusinesslike1 methods; Marlow began to experience an increasing sense of disgust at Lockyer's I apparent lack of common humanity. Something like a crisis was reached on a certain morning, nearly seven years irm the data of our first meeting with Marlow and Lockyer. Marlow looked up from a letter con- sisting of a few lines which lIe had taken from an envelope bearing a foreign post- mark. His countenance was radiant. Lockyer! What do you think of this? I've heard from Dennison at last 1" Dennison? Who is—oh, you mean the thief." The other winced. T/ct that be for- I gotten. T always believed he would re- deem himself." Has he written to BaY ;o-" lIe has roturned the firm's money, and the mouey that I gave him—with interest!" cried Marlow in a tone of triumph. "Now what have you to say. Lockyer gave his shoulders a shrug. Let us hope he came by it honestly," he F-aid DOe-, lie mention its oource ?" Marlow made a movement as if he had been stung. Confound you!" he ex- claimed, "are you as devoid of justice as you were of mrr(!y? Won't you give Dennison any creditat all ?" If vooi wish me to do so. 111 see that he gets pi-edifed in the books against the record The <1 1 vm- 1 .)t.h. He restrained h At last be said: Lockyer, if Dennison were to enter this room now, what would you do?" Give him. a receipt for the money." Nothing else?" "What else should I give him?"" Your hand, your goodwill "Oh rot, Marlow! It isn't ChrMtmas Eve. y<yu In?w'" d and MArlow's Muntenance flushed red and went ]Mtle. ? Lockyer," he said passion- ately, a fool-a heartless fool Which waR Bcarcely the criticism ex- pected by the junior partner. Six months later came the split. There war, no quarrel. Mariow mildly declared that he had had enough of non-specu- lative, humdrum business. lie would | retire, and spend the next few years of his leisure in seeing the world. Lockyer did his beat to conceal his gratification at the prospect of running the Business alone under the old name, but by no means on the old lines. They parted on quite amicable terms. They would in all ¡ probability not meet again. The last ties were severed by the paying out of the retiring partner's capital. Marlow had suggested that this might be done by instalments, but Lockyer. thirsting for independence, found the large earn rc-j graced by harrowing it 1

J [Aia Bights RESEBVTO.J I "CHRISTMAS IS A JOLLY TIME." (J I Words and Music by ALICIA ADELAIDE NEED HAM. III. 1 HI. l The most sociable member or the Argen- tine liner's passengers had cornered the most retiring member in the, smoke-room. I have just had it trom the captain himself," he announced, dropping upon the divan, that we shall positively be in London on the morning of Christmas Eve I" "Indeed!" murmured the retiring; member, laying uown his book and en- deavouring to look pleased. His age might have been a little over thirty, and he evidently' desired to be iourteoiis to the intruder, who was apparently his senior by a score of years. Indeed he repeated, then seemed at a loss for further conversation. The other, how- ever, had plenty to say for himself. After a few congratulatory remarks on the liner's speedy passage, he fell to ask- ing questions. "Going home for good ?-" For six months, at any rate." Ah Haven't, made up your mind about settling I at home ? Not quite. JuSt so, just so. Are you a Ion- doner ? I was. H'm I see. Yon have been abroad for some time. How long have you been in the Argentine ?," Eleven years." Dear me! But you have been home H This is my first trip home." Well, well; you'll set-, some changes in London, I can tell Yon-in the streets, at all events. Your people are in London, I suppose? The younger man shook his head. I am not sure that I shall find any triencls in London," he said slowly. After my mother's death a few years ago, my two brothers—my only relations in London- went to Canada. One is apt to be for- gotten by friends and acquaintances in the course of eleven years." Come, come," said the other briskly. I think you will find you are wrong there!" He proceeded to relate anec- dotes of warm welcomes accorded return- ing exiles of his own acquaintance. When be pauwd for his breath- Well, there is perhaps one who will rfmlemoor me," the younger man said, and inquired with a certain diffidence of man- ner whether hiA companion by any chance knew a Mr. Marlow, a West Indian mer- chant. No," was the reply. Th-en -Not Mar- low of Marlow and I/ockyer ? You know himr eagerly. u Not personally, but- The elder man hesitated, looking grave. Don't tell me he is dead! I have not noticed a death under thilt name lately; but, as I said, I do not know Mr. Marlow personally, nor have 1. had any dealings with the firm. My businesa is of quite a different nature." The speaker rose, as if eager to depart. One moment, sir, if you please. You seem to know of something which you shrink from telling mje. I beg you to tell——* H'm! h'm! I'm sure I had no demre bo pain you. This is extremely awkward for me; and, after all, I may have been misinformed. You are a frien.d of this Mr. Marlow's, and I would rather you did not ask me to—to——" "I would rather know the worst. Is it something to do with the firm ?" The sociable member bowed and looked miserable. I can only tell you what I heard on 'Change the day before I left London, ten weeks ago—and the report may have been false." "What did you hmr," That the firm of Marlow and Lockyer was shaky-on its last legs, in fact." IV. t In the dusk of the 24th of December I Mr'. Lockyer emerged from the portals of a great bank. He looked the crushed and beaten man he was. The manager of the ttMik. sincerely regretful, for the business i

LANDORE AMBULANCE CLASS. ,A meeting was held Jit Landore Station for the purpose of distributing certificate, medallions, and labels to the successful candidates of the Landore Central Ambu- lant* Class in the e-xamination held in April, 1914. Mr. B. Bavies, stationmaster, presided over a splendid gathering, amongst whom were Mr. Powell and Mr. Roberts, of the Divisional Superinten- dent's Office; Mr. C. Koberte, of the Dis- trict Goods Manager's Office; and Mr. Griffiths and Mr. J ohns, of the Loco' Department. The Chairman referred to the splendid work done by the members. Out of 28 candidates 28 were successful, viz., 10 in the first year, three second year, four third year, and 11 fourth year. The lecturer was Dr. and Capt. D. B. Chiles Evans, who is at present at the front with the 3rd Welsh. The various awards were made by Mr. Powell, who strongly urged the members to continue in their studies until they obtained the higheet possible grant awarded by the St. John Ambulance Association. Mr. Trevor Robert sand Mr. j C. Roberts also addressed the members. The lecturer wa.s presented by the chair- man with a silver table gong, in recogni- tion of his efforts with the claws. Dr. and Capt. Evans was referred to by the chair- man as being an ideal lecturer. The doctor was represented by Mr. Dryden, chemist., who gave sound advice to the members. The in.si motor and secretary, Mr. E. 0. Jones, and Mr. J. Comley, were afterwards pre.sented by Mr. W. Rees with a handbag each. Mr. Jones gained the directors' silver medal and certificate for rendering aid in exceptional circum- stances, whilst Mr. Comley had gained the director's certificate for similar ser- vices. Several other members also spoke. Mr. J. Griffin propoped a vote of tha.nks to Mr. Powell and other gentlemen pre- sent for their attendance, which was car- ried.

MIDLAND RAILWAY EXCURSION-s.1 On December 24th. the above railway com- pany ajuoo?nc? excm?ione to Birmingham, I?erby, Ij&ic?et?r, Nottingham, }lanOhe6te r,/I Liverpool. ShcSBeld. Le?d& Bradford, York, et.c., for 5. 6, 8. or 15 days, from Swan%em. Upper Bsnk, Morri«ton, etc. (via Brecon ¡ ami Wojvest«T>, leaving Swansea at 8.30 a.m. j

[All Rights Rkservkd.] Christmas in 2,014 IA HUMOROUS FORECASJ By T. JAY. It may be true that centuries ag* Columbus was fitted out with a new suit of a-rmour, and given the latest edition of the Half Seas Over Daily Sail, and told to hop it and discover America- under penalty of .having his driving license endorsed; but to tell a person of my lamb-like disposition, who would think twice before hunting a, cheeee, to go to "2014" is, to say the leaafc of it, flying in the face of the R.S.P.C.A. However, 1 shall endeavour, as far aa Î8 humanly possible, faithfully to record the happenings of that fax off Christmas Day. The Press being a faithful recorder of world happeirugs, I am indebted to many editors* not yet born for a few advance copies q £ the daily p-ap-em of December 36, 2014, from which I shall have the blessed cheek 1 n quote liberally. Being a person who ncv^r allows the grass to grow und. my feat, or under my ears if it comes to that, I at onos J made a frantic, attempt to telephone j through to 20*4, but, a- I expected, tiler* were no telephones, ojtly the lemnants ef them that remained in the National Mn-erm i of Obsolete Instrument-. From a copy the Wireless Mail" of December 2c. 2014. 1 note then concerts were fctill the rage of all Christmas festivities,, thougii it appears the intense he-at and long spell cf sunshine bad 60mewhat- marred the evening performance 1 Another thing which was extremely notice- able was the exceilent idea then in vogue of every concert artist having to submit Me voice to t1-1.e Chief Voice Ceneor, a.n official employed by the National Society for the Prevention of Crnelty to Concert Goers, who wae always assisted by a medical officer of the Ear Drum Insurance Society. A FUTURIST CONCERT. The year 2014 wa*. to judge from rtiy paper, a Futurist year, thit is. to say.earery- thing was Futurist, even to the concert, and if in this you find it difficult to believe me I will proceed to quote from the report as it appeared in the "Wireteas Mail" of December 26. 2014: "Prom Our Armour- Plated Ear-Plugged Musical Cbrrespondent. The Christmas festivities of the Opera House, London, last night were somewhat marred by the fact that the chief opera-tao artistes were travelling by the Skyways Overhead Railway which, as our readers know, was the scene of a terrible collision over Epping Forest. With this one excep- tion the concert w.is a remarkable. tmccew, the audience being so moved that many of them were found clutching the chairs for support, while some of the more emotional were found crawling out to the doer OIl their hands and k-neam"- A WONDERFUL EVENING. But the musical part was the thtnfr. and, continuing our report, we find a very descriptive account of the music as follows: Deep, dim tspirce, with a dense eileiiee wliich you could chip with a knife. Slowly. with a myeterioua wave, there creepe over us a perfume, which rolls over and over. looping the loop, a. scent of Parma. violeto. Then a weird sound of a pale pink, like the moon sneaking up over the hilL TheD a great whoop of sea-green appearance. I amber and old lace. Posh! Bang! Woggle! Caboosh! A (flutter of overturned tea things. A crash of worlds. Two crashes of worlds. Oocoltation of the Pleiades by the tym- panum and the bassinette. A wild yell and flashes of phosphorescent blue. Sileme as deep as the grave when dug for two. Voices. Listen! Tagore, Alfred Wingle, Bart Kennedy, Bernard Shaw, in their eu cees The Gasp.' Bart pulfc out a.11 the stops. Shaw pokes them b-ick. jincle blow*; a blast. Two blasts. The sparkling plug pulled right out. Bang! Bang! Comes a 6ound softer than nothing. Silence with, two green eyes. One fell whoop clears thlJ rornn. Silence on the trombone, the elide is broken. Silence. Peace with horror. Violia strings glide the glide. Over." And ihe audience crawl out with handfuls of -mio one else's hair. Ah! my friends, be jjlrvd that you enjoy your Christmas in >914, ?.et 2014. SOCCER MATCH IN THE AIR. Aerial sport seems the thing of this 2014 Christmas; that is if one is to judge from the reports that appeared in a special Good Night Sports Edition of the "Daily Aero- plane." In fact, so advanced has the game become that one heard often oi euch matches as "Gentlemen versus Maddleton Sloggers." The Boxing Day match at Hen- don seemed to be the only thing worth noting in the way of sport. Let us glea.. from the report which appeared in the spoits paper mentioned from the pen of Our Special Steel-cased Correspondent at the Front. "The Aerial Soocer match ar- ranged for Boxing Day between Brooklandi3 a.nd The Scots was a long-looked-fewward-to match, the game last year having fallen somewhat tiat owing to the fact that only- nine referees were pulled out of action. Playing from the Brookla-nds end The Scota were in the first half somewhat handi- capped owing to the fact that two of the players sustained damage to their wings. while petrol shortage proved a nuisance. The Scots half-back, however, after the wiiistie and;. ,iu.«t after a fine fly up the course, looping the loop three times in a vain effort to break through, was called off by the Organiser of the Footballers' Trade Union for flying a French aeroplane, British being the only machines recognisecI by the Union. A meeting of half-backs waa at once held, and it was decided to posV pone the match, t-ii-ough we understand I; that a fight resulted in the hanging sheds.* HEALTH AND HYGIENE.. I noted the other day thlt a London magistrate said that to live near a. gas- worlca was to be healthy, so I am not sur- prised to find in this daily paper of 20t4 thte following advertisements:— Wlif GO BALD?—Live in the new snbnrb and avoid Baldness. Carbide of calcium watered on the roads daily. Fumes -to suit everyone. Every baby two years at age must be shaved. The fames in this district would grow hair on a Christmas puddijig.-Al,ply-, TO THOSE WITH DELICATE TERT5L— Live near a tannery. Come and see our new villas. Our centenarian say a he never oiineit 60 well for years. No dentist can live within a mile of it. Is your saw in bad condition? Then live in this suburb; it will never need sharpening. AifTEfl CLOSING TIME. That the Shops Aot would result in porno, thing terrible by the time it reached Christ-' mac, 2014, we naturally expected, but the following report from our paper sets &U at rest:—"The proprietors of the E.F.G. Res- taurants were yesterday summoned for keeping op-en late on Christmas Eve. It was 12.2 by P.O. Newoxnan's stop-watch when the last guest left, and .the lights were etiii burning at 22.3. The proprietors were tined one thousand pounds each and sentenced for life, and for that term were to he fed on superfatted Christmas pudding supplied by the E.F.G. Restaurants. Upon heading thI sentence the prisoners all fainted, but capital punishment having been abolished they we-re not permitted to die. Two of them upon making this attempt were at onoo inoculated with Professor Ramsay 's Origin of Life germs." LET NOTHING YOU DISMAY." I have, qtioted quite enough to show you that Cn ri* ma« in that far-off time will be nothing to laugh 0, Candidly speaking, 1 could have told you everything in a few lines, and eo I am off. There will be no snow, no dear old fashioned weather, -no gathering of jocund folks together, no frozen ponds, no carnivals of ice. no waspail bowl of mingled wine and spice. (I really should have. been a poet only I missed the post.) There is one consolation. Go now a.nd sip the wassail bowl and be merry, let nothing you dismay, for with very few ex.. oeptions none of you to-day will be celebrat- ing Christmas in 2014. But if you are, rememoor me

relationship had been long and friendly, I had blasted his last hope. The bank could not i.toiid further credit, and the heavy bills payable on the 27th would be dishonoured. After that—bankruptcy. io a modern business many things may happen in the course of three years. The history of Marlow and Lockyer over that period would mean a long story. Enough to say that Lockyer, handicapped by his initial borrowing, had found the first two years so profitless that he had dropped his principles and entered des- perately into big risks. But a certain genius is required for successful specula- tion, and that genius seemed to have quitted the business along with Marlow. The hazards of Lockyer resulted iu nothing but disaster He was alone in his private room—alone on the premises. The clerks—their number reduced since Marlow's time—had gone an hour ago, the youngsters in holiday mood, the elders vaguely uneasy. Lockyer trusted no one with his secrets, but such things leak out, and his manner on his return from the bank had been very strange. He sat at his desk, motionless, his head in his hands. There was nothing to detain him there. He was simply afraid to go home. He had kept his wife in the I h e youl.,?ger dark regarding his affairs. The younger members of his family—the oldest, a girl. was not yet sixteen—were hav-ing a party that evening. How could he face them all? He felt that the mere sight of him would blight their happiness. "My Cud?' iH whispered, "what a! iis thing to happen on Christmas [<Jve!N I'Ll is tired mind wont-baok to its feverish, futile search-the search that bad occupied it throughout those recent, torturing weeks -II- I i(- search for a way of escape, for the name of some fellow being who might, posr- sibly be induced to lend a helping hand. Hut it was only another spasm of vaiu beating against the bars. There waR no way out; there was no fellow being who would aid save, per- haps, one, Marlow. Surely Marlow would do it—if only because it was Christmas Eve. But Marlow was still wandering abroad, Lockyer know not where. His senses dulled by h; mental misery. Lockyer scarcely heard the. opening of the outer door. When footsteps drew nckr the private room he did not stir. A clerk returned for some article forgotten —the char-woman—it mattered not. But when a knock fell on the door, he eat up, groped for a pencil, and feigned to be bu?y. lie moistened his lips and got out the words, Come in." A stranger entered; a man, ?HIl young, well-dret?cd. but apparently ill at ease. I beg vour pardon, ho said, halting awkwardly just within the threshold, but I saw the light in ,thc window, and I was anxious to have a word with Mr. Marlow." He paused, paling a little as  be met the curious dull stare of Lockyer's eyes. Has Mr. Marlow gone home? I should like very much to find him to- night." lxickyer cleared his throat. "Mr. Mar- low is abroad. I do not know his ad- | dress." AbroadThe word was charged with dismay. c. Can you tell me when he will return?" The question came after another pause." "I cannot." The stranger gighed. M I had hoped," lie said softly, lT to offer-to do Mr. Mar- low a little service. I arrived from Buenos Aires but an hour ago. The; steamer was delayed at the laft." May I ask w ho you are?" Lockyer had been asking himself who the stranger, faintly familiar, might be, but his over- wrought memory had offered no answer. The stranger sighed again. "Don't you remember Dennison, Mr. Lockyer?" l Dennison?" Tie thief on whop you hqjd such great mercy, eleven years ago this very night?" Mcrcy?—I?" You, Mr. Lockyer. Ah, Mr. Marlow told me how you sacrificed your principles to be lenient and how you joined with him in giving me that hundred pounds Stop!" Tor a moment Lockyer's pallid countenance -as seavie-t. "1 see you don't wish me to refer to it," said Dcniusoti. "Well, my thanks, would never give you any idea of my gratitude." You owe me no gratitude." Dennison smiled faintly. Nothing you can ever say;" lie said gently, will convince me of that. But now I can say i. to you what I wished to say to Mr. Mar- j low. I had Mr. Marlow first in my mind be- j cause he was senior; and also, perhaps, because he—shook hands with me that night. I can't tell you what that meant, ■■ Mr. Lockyer." I There was a silence. The ruined man; i made as if to rise. What was he now that he should refuse his hand? Had he been! so very honest in the risking of other peopled moneyF Legitimate business, no doubt—but could it be called absolutely, straight? He sank back in his chair. At least he need not act the hypocrite. 1 must repeat," he said. stiffly, that you owe me no gratitude—quite the re- verse. Once more Dennison smiled faintly and shook his head. As you will, sir. But I I know what Mr. imarilow, told me. And 1 now-" "I ought to have informed you that Mr. Marlow is no longer a meni bP, i- of this! firm. He retired more than three years I ago. Retired! Then he is not involved-I beg your pardon, Mr. Lockyer. It may seem impertinent, but i#s everything well and prosperous with him?" I have no reason to doubt it, Mr. Dennison. TIc left the firm at the height lof its prosperity," Lockyer was writing [erratically on the blotting-paper. "At the height of its prosj)erity, he muttered. Height of its prosperity." He had become ghastly. Height of I 99 Mr. Lockyer, you're ill ■" cried Dennison. I'm perfectly w-ell-perfeetly well- perfectJy-" Dennison took a step forward. You are in great trouble. On board the I steamer I heard—no, never mind that. But if you <Sin tell me a little, perhaps Lockyer pulled himself together. U What did vou hear on the steamer." Then he collapsed again. Oh, what does it matter? it:il be in the papers in a few days. We suspend payment on Friday." Dennison's lips quivered slightly as he looked down on the bowed head of the man whom he counted a benefactor. He took an envelope from his pocket. I Mr. Lockyer," he Raid shyly, this is a draft on the Bank of England for eight thousand pounds. I will endorse it to the firm. If it should prove suffi- cient to save your credit, 111 find happi- ness in the thought till the end of my life. 1 beg you to accept it." A long minute passed ero Lockyer raised his head. Emotion had wrought new lines on his face. The money you have offered me, Mr. Dennison," he said very slowly, would save me but I cannot take it." It was honestly come by," returned Dennison quietly. "I have had some fortunate deals in land out there." For Heaven's sake don't misunderstand me! I can't take it—because—eleven years ago I-I would have sent you to jail." But you thought better—more kindly —of it," said Dennison almost cheerfully. He came up to the desk. May I use one of your pens ? Dennison, I can't let you do it. I'm humbled to the dust." -No, sir. You are lii'tim? me from that. I'u go back to the Argent in- iw "You go back soon?" Lockyer spoke absently. To-night. Sail from the Clyde to- morrow." Lockyer appeared to wake up. H But you have just arrived." The younger man reddened. Found a cable recalling me." He stooped and wrote across the back of the draft and passed it over to Lockyer. What man, worried almost to death, could reject the salvation expressed in that oblong of green paper ? "As a loan, Dennison, as a loan," he said huskily, weakly. Very well, Mr. Lockyer, I'll send you my Buenos Aires address when I get there. I'm making a change." Dennison spoke hurriedly, looking uncomfortable. "Didn't expect to return tlcre so soon, you know. Now, sir, if you will do me the honour to shake hands Oh, man, why, should I take this money ? cried Lockyer. Why should you give it? Denni son's faint smile came again. It's Christmas Eve," he replied. "T", t's what Mr. Marlow said to me, eleven years ago.