The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1896-02-28
A LEAP YEAR PARTY.

''Well, Nell, I hear you were a belle
rather than a beau at the leap year dance"
'Oh, US: came out victorious and had
a glorious time
Make any proposals.
Certainty did. -
Chow did you get up the courage"
''It wasn't courage I had to get, but
boomers -
''Bloomers?"
Eyes, boomers went as the coming
woman to Kate's dance. 1t was fancy
dress affair, you know. So arrayed my
self as the new woman in boomers,
jaunty jacket and a stunning tie. Then
with my large boutonniere 1 felt that l
should conquer timid man.
81 escorted Mr.. Leland, who is a visitor
here. And 1 had the pleasure of seeing
Frank look unhappy as we walked in I
devoted myself to Mr.. Leland and firted
with several others, while kept an out
look for Frank.
Finally strolled off with him and
guided him to quiet nook, where we had
the opportunity to talk unobserved. The
music doated dreamily to our ears, and
Frank looked sentimental.
81 felt wicked.
'He had danced but little; still famed
him as though he were on the verge OF
fainting. (Been treated that way myself
by thoughtful MANI
''Then he tries to be chatty, thinking If
he is agreeable that he will be belle,
suppose.
Lovely floor for dancing, isn't it?'
YES, answer, sitting yawn.
"'Quite q crowd too. like the waltz, ]
believe, better than any of the dances. I
prefer it to any of the new dances
Yes, so do l. (StiIl I show no in
clination to enjoy one now.)
HE keeps up the small talk, while I
look as though planning my escape. Il
hau aofi hat
.Mr. E. looks we'll tonight, L say. (He
hates Mr.. Ed
"'And Mr.. 6. is a graceful dancer,
but the young man escorted this evening
is the prettiest dancer on the floor go
on now, growing animated. 'Ah, there's
the two step, and have that promised me
by him now, SO will take you to the gay
crowd again, as must ask you to excuse
me-
No; you needn't take me anywhere,
he snaps. I'm no woman or baby. 'Oh,
we'll, must play my role, you know, and
be polite to the gentlemen as they are to
the ladies. But there's one thing 1 wans
to say before I go, and here look stern.
You have been with that Bell Bore al
the evening. Now, il you think anything
of me, 1 wish you not to dance with her
again. have my reason for asking this, ,
1 add. (Aly reason is to be revenged for
some former thoughtless conduct on his
part.) Poor fellow, he is miserable and
says in an aggrieved voice:
She asks me, you know, and what am
to do? 1 can't insult lady
livery WELL retort, if you think
more Of her opinion than you do of mine,
it's all right, and since am to leave you
here, will you excuse me, please?' bow
very low and walk off with naughty apd
injured air.
'Outside Z meet Bell looking for him,
7 tot h h hOx IRAN
must feel, and how like Enoch Arden he
must befor she rest Of the evening. He
will hide out from Bell know, and she
was his escort, so she will be angry with
him for disappointing, and the other girls,
having noted his preference for me before
leap year, arc Indifferent, leaving him to
my tender mercieS.
Il dance and look happy and smile so
sweetly on Mr.. Leland that all think he is
winning my heart, or that am winning
his. So I keep it up, which shows that a
woman as we'll as a man may smile and
smile and be villain still.
81 am unusually gay I see Frank
glaring at me, having emerged from his
solitude. He has decided to plead illness
and leave the scene where he has played
the wall flower. But I ask him to waltz
to detain him. NO, thanks, he mutters.
L am not dancing
'''Let's sit and talk then go on very
sweetly.
How can you leave the lovely Mr.. L. p
he asks.
"'Why, could leave anybody for you,
1 say.
" Indeed And he looks incredulous.
{" Well, how could you call attention to
the fact that had danced often with a
certain lady when all who run may read of
your infatuation for Stranger
Ono; visitor, 1 say, and entitled
Al, I.a-+ Il n
$50 visitors make you forget friends?'
'''Oh, no. never, but, Frank, he has
serious intentions. You and 1 shall always
be the best of friends, you know, but you
are not able to marry Che has often told
me SOY, so thought Mr.. L.
60 Mr. L. be BANKED he says excitedly.
''Tis true until recently my salary would
! not justify me in asking the girl L love to
| be mine But now
60 But now, don't interrupt me, break
| in. Il only sked you not to dance with
Bell to bother you and to see if you would
obey me. So having found you willing to
| love and obey, 1 wish to tell you that
care for no one but you; that while dancing
| with Mr.. L., have been thinking of you.
1--WE drift to the quiet nook again, and
proceed: I care only to be with you,
Frank I would die for you, but this be-
| ing leap year may not live for your He
| murmured, Yes. '''-Washington Post.
Uncle Paid.
| At the close of that season in which
| Shutter, the Toole of SO years ago, first be-