The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1920-12-16
ON Time
BY CORONA REMINGTON.

See! I'm insane!" he calculated as
he let the paper fall from his hand
and plunged toward the door.
whats the matter, LangdOn"
asked an astOnished fellow club MEM
ber
"Just noticed the date on that paper
! Its the twenty-eighth and t0mor-
row"
His friend did not hear the rest as
| the door slammed behind him.
Most absent-minded fellow l ever
knew; always forgetting some dinner
engagement or something" volunteered
| another member who was sitting near
| by.
| John Langdon dashed up to his
room, glanced at the clock, threw a
| few things into suitcase. laid a
brand-new suit carefully on top, picked
up his hat, overcoat and valise and
rushed down to the street. AS he
opened the front door a gust of snow
laden wind nearly knocked him over.
He blinked as the sharp particles bit
| his face, but hurried to the corner,
where taxi picked him up.
Grand Central" he ordered. sin
hurry" And few minutes later he
was scrambling up the steps of Num-
Der Thirtyeight.
"Golly! That was close squeak y.
he calculated as he dropped Imply
! into nearby seat and In another sec
ond the train began slowly moving out
of the station.
1t was typical February night, and
Langdon's young. clear-cut features
took on an expression IF anxiety as
he reviewed the possibilities of be
coming snowbound
"And the farther west we 90 the
worse it's apt to get" he grOaned I'M
der his breath.
Thoroughly exhausted he retired
early. When he awoke the next
morning he rang for the porter.
"How long before we get to Hunt
ington2" he asked.
"Due at five-twenty. but ives three
hours late already, sah," and the black
head withdrew.
Good Lord! And we were TO be
married at eight" moaned Langdcn.
shell never forgive me-"
His face turned a CHASTITY white a.
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
be-where? Adele would never for
give him.
Have to let it go at that" he said
at last, as he reread his latest efforts:
II know you can never forgive me,
but shall not reach Huntington before
8:15 or 8 80 at least. Whatever you
do about it / shall love you always
VIII explain when l arrive"
When the wire reached Huntington
Adele read it in bewilderment.
what can it mean?" she asked as
she handed 1t to her mother.
81 can't understand it at ALL" she
answered.
Langdon will never forget that day.
The world cannot abuse one for
ever. At last 80 crawled into Hun
tington and Langdon leaped from the
car before 1t came to standstill AS
he rushed through the station he
glanced at the clock. Eight thirty-tiv
1t placidly announced. He jumped into
the first taxi and soon found himself
standing at the Hamiltons' front door,
with his heart missing every other
beat.
He was dumbfounded to find that no
guests were assembled, no carriages
stood without Had she decided not
to marry him and sent them all awayf
He reeled as the thought flashed into
his mind, and for q second, contem-
plated flight. An instant later she
was beside him. He never remembered
having entered the house.
Dear Jack, do tell me what's the
matter. Everything's so strange and
incomprehensible. I've been nearly
distracted since your telegram came
this morning"
Darling, can you ever forgive me?"
he pleaded.
Forgive you for what?" she de-
manded, growing pale with anticipa-
ton.
For what?" he shrieked, "Why,
for being late. You know we were
to be married at s o'clock and it's
nearly now"
But we decided that the wedding
was to be tomorrow, the first of March
and my birthday"
But today is the first of March
Yesterday was the last day Of Febru-
ary."
mo, it wasn't, Jack. Yesterday was
the 2Sth. Tits is leap-year, you know"
1t was Langdon's turn to be sur
prised now. An expression Of intense
relief and happiness overspread his
face as he sprang off the couch in a
bound and caught the little girl in
his arms.
@TOmorroW we will drink fooSt IN