The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1920-02-28
BY CORONA RKMlMcToN

Il was . typical February night, and
IAngd6n's young, clear-cnt features
took on an expression Of anxiety as he
reviewed the possibilities Of becoming
snoWbound.
And the farther west we 60 the
lvofae It's apt to get" he groaned
1nder his breath.
rhorough1y exhausted. he retireo
carly For the past week he had had
an extremely hard case, and his mind
had been engrossed with legal details
practically every conscious moment.
Hut after he was In bed, he could not
His thoughts kept time with the
rhyfhmic chuffing OF the locomotive n
Il stfuggied through the ever.deepen.
ing snow. This time tomorrow, she'll
be minen he kept saying to himself.
and ~ last fell asleep to dream Of
whimsical gray eyes and quick
little smile. When he awoke the next
morning he rang for the porter.
How long before we get to Hunt
ineton2' he asked.
Due ct five-twenty, but we's three
B6urs late, already, sah," and the black
head withdrew.
Good Lordl And we were to be
married at eight, moaned Lansdon.
Shell never forgive me-"
HIS face turned a CHASTITY white as
the situation impressed itself upon
HIM Before, he could even. hope to
reach Huntington, the guests would
have begun to assemble, the minister
WOULD be there to perform the cere.
mony and he, the bridegroom, would
bevhere? II only he had taken the
afternoon train, but being wrapped mp
In heEcAse almost day aud night for
week had made him lose all track OF
Time Adele would never forgive him.
How could she? Think Of the humilia-
ton he was going to cause her. And
his hands were tied, literal tied.
He could send her 6 wire, OF course.
Not that 1t would do much good. He
decided to do that Immediately, so he
rang Tor some blanks, then wrote and
tswrote and tore up and wrote again.
He knew exactly what he wanted to
say and he had never had any trou.
bic wording q telegram, yet none that
he wrote satisfied him.
Have to let It go at that he said
at last a. he reached his latest eforts:
know you can never forgive me;
hut shall not reach Huntington before
Ss16sor $3.50 at least. Whatever you
do about It, shall love you always.
VIII explatn when arrive"
When the wire reached Huntington,
Adele read It In bewilderment.
What can It mean?" she asked az
she handed It to her mother.
can't understand It at ALL" she
{ answered" but we shall have an en-
, plnpattcn before long, as he says he'll
be- here this evening""
hone so" the girl replied with
WARMTH.
Langdon viii never forget that day.
At every station he consulted his time
table. He gazed with horrible help.
lessuess at the snow-covered scenery
aslit crept slowly past HIS window.
whenever the train stopped, he felt
ltko kicking the passengers off In the
hope of saving seconds time.
Phef world cannot abuse one for.
ever AT least 3s crawled into Hunt.
iustpn and Langdon .leaped from the
CAT before It came to q standBtfll.
Az ne rushed through the station he
Elnnced at the clock. Eight.thirty, 1t
]. ptneidly announced. He jumped into
the first taxi and soon found himsoli
standing at the Hamiltons' front door.
s x'ss his heart missing every other
He was dumhfounded TO ind that
no guests were assembled, no carri-
ages stood without. Had she decided
not to marry him and sent them all
away he reeled as the thourht
flashed into his mind and for q second
! contemplated flight. An instant later
4 she was beside him. He never remem.
bersd having entered the house.
Dear Jack, do tell me what's the
matter. Everything's so strange and
mcomprehensfble. I've been nearly
distracted since your telegram came
this morning"
Darling. can you ever forgive ms..
.iorgtye you for what?- she de-
handed, growing pale with antictpa.
bon.
.For vhat.- he shrisked. .why. for
betug late. You know we were 10 be
narried at s o'clock and IFS nearly
new
sBut We decided thst tia wedding
Wes 70 be tomorrow, the LIST OF March,
and my birthday
"A .But today Is the LIST Of March. Yes.
terday was the last day Of February2
NO, Il wasn't, Jack. Yesterday vSs
the 2sth. This Is leap.year, You
Know,
It was Langdon's turn TO be sur.
tertsed now. An expression Of intense
relief and happiness overspread his
tace e. he spfang off the couch IN 4
bound and caught the little GIRL IN his
Rmk 81 s., . = =
yomorrowlwe Win drink q toast %
The leapsyear and an the llAap-years TO
come he lanehingiy said.
And they did. !.