The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1904-01-03
PRIVILEGE OF LEAP YEAR
For the Eagle:


determined he stood before her and Alys
even Aly's-could not summon to her
face that smile that one admirer had
called half-wishful, haifmaddening. So
she didn't look up.
Il believe you've been playing with me
all the time" he went on. When i first
asked you to marry me, you said you
didn't know me well enough. so l waited
six months, and then rushed out TO the
Pacific coast and asked you again. What
did you tell me? l don't believe you ever
remember. Alys."
Alys had regained her conposure and
the smile that maddened shone out in
rare and radiant spIendor as she an
swered AT any rate, / didn't say. This
is so sudden" Let me sse-I must have
told you 1 couldn't leave papa and mann
ma-no-I told Harry James that
You told me-" he interrupted coldly.
you told me that you wanted TO fill
those recital dates first and at Christmas
you would answer me. Now l ask you
again, and you tell me you don't want
to marry anybody"
Il wonder what l shall tell you next
time said AIys refiectively.
You will not have the opportunity TO
tell me anything. 1 see you don't care
for me and ] shall not intrude.'
why, VIII, You are foolish; you are
the dearest, incest kind of a friend and
l couldn't get on without you"
And that isn't what man wants,
Alys He wants love, nome and a wife
who cares for him. l have peen unfortu-
IN, ~, fO,- b1rf a least TAI
be man enough to live it out
Now listen. dear" replied Alys. who
was getting serious ana when Alys got
serious the recording angel took mo-
nent of TO refill his fountain pen. Il
don't believe you and I'd agree, for we
don't like many of the same things. When
I marry, l want TO be all married-most
people are only two-thirds married. l
want TO be at least four-fifths, since
suppose the whole thing IS an impossi-
bility. I'm awfully sorry you feel this
way, VIII. I've really thought perhaps
in time ! could learn TO care for you
There it is again. Aiys; once for all.
ask you. will you be my wife,"
why, VIII, you said you'd never ask
me again.
This was on Christmas eve. The merry
house-party assembled at Mrs. Webbs
suburban home was enjoying life to the
full, and after the scene in the library.
Alys rejoined the throng and enjoyed her
self immensely. VIII, in the meantime.
spent the evening in the coy den and
devoted his time to cigars and reflections.
Nay; let it even be told that Alys after
an evening Of fun, retired and slept
soundly the sleep of the unjust and no
troubled dreams disturbed her. Bright
and merry she rose next morning and the
barometer OF her spirits was high as she
skated till noon on the little pond with
some of the jolly members of the COM
pany Will. in the meantime, was devot-
ing time and attention TO Miss RENDER.
serious minded young woman, with liter
airy aspirations, and was evidently enjoy
ing her society greatly.
This sudden devotion continued and
Alys smiled an amused smile and the
barometer rose bit higher as she told
them at diner hour she was going to cut
a fancy figure upon a very thin piece of
ice at one end of the pond. After dinner
WILL who had not talked with Alys any
that day, paused at her chair and said:
You better stay off tina, ;ower pond; it's
risky; fool hardy
II thought you said you wouldn't in
trude, remarked Alys, and with the
memory of the fateful scene in the library
the night before, a flush rose to Wits
face and with a low-spoken Pardon me"
he passed on.
a. l,,f
wont you play some Tor rs" said her
hostess. Even if it is your vacation.
don't fail to give us fair share in your
delightful music" So Alys passed the
next hour at the piano with a sub-con-
seriousness that Will, who cared little for
music. had retired with Miss Rember t,
the library.
When Alys reached the pond next day
the first sight that met her view was VIII
guiding the shsky strokes of Miss Rcmber
around the ice. Miss Renber said she
was not athletic. q thing which her skat-
ing bore out. Swapping on her skates,
Alys made for the shaky ice. followed by
several of the other men and girls and
despite their warning. had cut part OF
the intricate figure when the expected
rushed to the rescue, and with some din
Guilty the daring heroine was pulled out.
As she stood upon the ice shivering. COW
cred by Mr. Ellis overcoat. she saw Will
and the wabbling Miss Rember skating
back and forth, interested spectators OF
the proceedings When Alys reached
home. she cried. OF course. from the ef-
fects OF the cold and nervous strain. Then
time began 20 be heavy on Ally hand.
and IN. days dragged slowly. She spent
two mornings in the music room practic
ing tempestuously more with fingers than
with brain. Vacations certainly don't
agree with me- said she. Il need to be
working al the time: but wish I knew
more about books than do. One needs TO
&c well read TO get on nowadays. What's
the matter with ne. anyhow?
The day before New Tears. Aiys was
obliged 10 leave for the city. and as she
was driven to the station. after the good
byes had been said. she thought regret
fully OF the merry party she had left be-
hind full IL tho discussion Of leap year
and its privileges.
Kiss Renber, upon whom attention
from man acted Ike a tonic. had de-
20 some ore for the literary experience
and this had led 70 an animated discus
sion Of woman right 70 propose Aiys
wiki her usual touch OK daring. SID az
parting. I n going 70 propose 10 sor2e
man before tomorrow night I'll Use rny
r-ivilege right away