The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1896-04-23
THE LEAP YEAR BALL.
me Freshmen, the Junior, the Maid and
the Plot That Failed.

the gang laughed and said, Is i62''
ssTbink Of it, cried Teddy in great
pIee. she has actually given me the
preference over that big junior Hayes, the
varsity half back and first bass on the glee
club"
asTns 7uso she has said the gang.
ssRead 1t. said Teddy, and the gang
stuck their heads together and read
KAPPA ALPHA THETA House,
AM ARBoE, Mich. Feb p.
DFsn aYR CoILINs-Aiay presume upon
your wei known good nature and offer myself
AZ YOUR escort to the leap year ball on the aft
ernooE OF tho 2eth9 Sincerely,
KATHERINE KELLER
week 5tter. on the afternoon Of the
hall. Teddy was in his apartments dress
ing rapitlT Bradley, who for some guess
ebio reason was not going, acted as his
valet.
t.Lend me collar, Brad, tallest one you
hRva. and, say, may wear your patent
laatE.c1sY Mine are cracked, and the gov
ernor would not cough up the dogs for
new pair
As Bradley tossed in the articles men
toned. Buttons came TO the doo- and an
nounoed that Mr.. Collins was wanted
ssEe Gown in a moment, % he answered
There she is now Coed Lord, help me
on with this Internal collar. All, that is
better; looks swell when you once get the
thing on. How do L look anyway? Cor
eeous. amt it? The old girl will be proud
Of her Teddy, don e you think9
And say, dear boy, can you let me take
that solitaire ring of yours-the one
Blanche returned you-guess you viii not
be likely to use it again. I've always
wanted q diamond. Dad promised me one
for Christmas but he 1unked or it Then
if like it I VIII buy it, don't you know
You won't go and give it away, will
your
why, Of course not-that is-oh come
now. Brad, let loose on It'll viii give you
more than you paid for it, And Teddy
trod the stairs with the sinner in his vest.
As Miss Keller led him to the carriage
his pride ovorcane him, and be devoutly
wished that Hayes might see him at that
moment leaning on her arm
Alas, his wish was soon gratidedt
Comfortably settled in the carriage was
the big football man himself with his
complacent grin and nasty, easy ways
Somehow he tumbled into the seat OPP
posite the Junior, while Miss Keller took
her place beside the latter. Oh, it was
awful He saw through it all now
Whatever preference she might have for
one or tho other was e6ectually concealed
by this strategeln-
1Mddy crouched in his corner, taking
but a Hstless part in the conversation,
while the half back was gay and fascinab-
ing Teddy was thinking He was plot
ting against the long haired man of the
leathern sphere. During the ball, which
was held In the big gymnasium, his ebul-
lent spirits returned. He was presented
to the baldheaded, beyghiskered ehaperons.
consisting Of q dozen professors pair Of
regents and a tute or two. He reached the
refreshments before they had disappeared
entirely, and no had his card filed with 20
charming Goods, In all of which he felt
that he had conducted himself like a per-
feet lady
The grand ball was nearly over. He
bolted o dance and stole out to look for
the hack driver.
George, . he whispered when he had
found that individual, Il want you to do
something for me.
Yes sch, % replied the driver, whose
pronunciation would disclose his complex
ion at midnight
"Here is IS. Now when you drive as
home Be sure to 60 to the Deke House
first and let out the other gentleman.
Never mind what she says. Tell her you
forgot anything, but get him out first;
then you can ramblo around town most
anywhere before going to our place. You
seq want q word in private with the
lady. Do you catcng'
''Oh, yes, sab, " showing his worries.
you viii do it, then?'
''Sure ting. sab. "
AS Teddy re-entered the gymnasium he
felt the ring in his pocket and smiled
syveetly As he was working up a mild
interest in the remarks of an elderly fe-
male from tho medical school, Miss Keller,
with the half back in tow, came up.
"Oh Mr.. Collins, we have looked every
where for you. We are going home now.
In the carriage side by side sat the jun
Tor and the freshman for Miss Keller had
demanded o seat to herself, pleading weari-
ness. For some moments the silence was
oppressive.
What a grinning villain be isr'
thought the freshman.
what a sneaking little freshmani''
thought the junior.
Teddy glanced uneasily out Of the win
dow We're they going to the Deke House?
They should have been there by that time.
The streets were dark; he was not quite
sure where they were.
did you enjoy yourself, Mr.. Collins?"
she asked.
Had an immense time.
Il thought you seemed preoccupied In
the early part of the dance. ="
Not in the least. Never spent a more
enjoyable evening in my life p"
'fWhar a cheerful liarl" thought Hayes.
"Ah, here you are, Mr.. Collins, " she
said as the carriage wheeled up to Teddy's
fraternity house. Il am SO glad you en-
joyed the ball
Teddy crawled out, mumbled his thanks
and said good night. Avoiding the gang,
he reached his own rooms and surveyed
his double in the mirror
Edward Collins, p he said sternly, his
fists closed, ''you have permitted yourself
to be duped; you have acted like an ass;
you are worse than an ass-you are an
IDIOT But for all that say confound the
niggert'
A few days later he caught sight Of
George and his cab.
"Hello, George you Internal Indiani'
he yelled. 81 want to know what you
mean by not keeping your contract with
me-"
The grinning negro refined in his horses.