The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-12-31
Eoening Story
The Last Hour.
BY HAROLD Fredericton.


Natalie Wells seemed on the verge
of tears. The big man sitting beside
her on the sofa in front of the COM
Portable fireplace in the Wells home
grinned wickedly and almost chucklcd.
The sound of his suppressed mirth
seemed to make Natalie more angry
than ever.
q don't see why you act so mean.
Jimmie Bates," she exclaimed vigor
ousiy. Il think you're just trying to
make it harder for-for me. You
propose to me tonight-you told me
you would, and i was all ready to be
proposed to--look-I have my prct-
test dress on in your honor: And I
told dad that 1 thought you would
say something. And he" she
paused.
Jimmfe's grin became wider. "Yes?"
he said encCuragingly. What did he
say?"
''He-he said he hoped you would,
and that he hoped that I'd have sense
enough to take you. And now you
Jimmie. accustomed, as he was to
the manners of the modern maid. was
somewhat taken aback by this out
burst of frankness. Everybody in the
little town of Carey knew that he and
Natalie had been going about to-
gether for long time. and everybody
SAID OF them that it was only q uues-
ton of time till they would announce
, their engagement. Jimmy had fallen
In love with Natalie over a year ago.
and it was pretty clear that she had
returned his sentiments.
But spirit of coquetry had made
her keep him ION the fence" for n
long time, ana he had fallen into the
naoit of telling her in advance that
ne was going to propose; she would
invariably reply Wen see." And
wiien ne did propose she always re-
piled. Il can't say yes. You must
wait In Carev it was a standing
Joke entered into with spirit by eyery
pody' Tor everybody realized that Nat
aIie was simply teasing Jimmy in the
! pest spirit in the world. AS she her
self said to her girl friends. Il think
1lhnie's the best man I know. but it's
sucn run TO tease him-he takes it in
sucn line spirit Jimmie himself
liked the teasing, sure of Natalie as
he was.
| On this particular night he had
warned her as usdaI: and now he re-
FUSED to say a word Natalie even
went SO far as to hint that she would
make a definite answer this time I'M,
Jimmie grinned seraphicallv and de-
Ichned to bite. And now Natalie was
on the verge of tears. Her love for
Jimmie was SO sincere that when the
aoles were turned on her, she found
herself wondering, Does he really love
me Z" And she wanted to hear rs
never before, the words of .Iin,n,ie;,
proposal.
Jimmie sank in the cushions a little
farther.
| Il say, Nat" ne said. breaking the
uncomfortable silence, why don't YOU
propose to me? I've never been pro
n NV 70
last night of leap year.
rms was true The 31st of Decem.
Der was upon them. and but a few
hours remained of the year during
which it had been the privilege OF
damsels to make known their feelings
TO the -men of their choice. But Nat.
allie put the offer aside with scorn.
AS II I'd propose to you Jimmie
Bates. Why. we've been engaged fol-
ever SO long-without saying. q
deep blush dyed her cheeks-"bul
you've got to do the proposing
But I've proposed SO often. and
you've never said yes" said Jimmie
plaintively.
We'll. 1--we never said no, have
, TT retorted Natalie.
Jimmie was silent for a moment
Then he frightened with great idea
Listen, Nat" he began. and Ma,
listened
A few minutes later telephones were
ringing up and down Main street and
boys and girls were hidden over to the
Wells house for a. watch night party
to begin at IL o'clock. 1t was then
half past 10. Inside of the half hour
some twenty of Carey's young people
were gathered under the hospita bic
roof of Mr.. Wells. laughing. chatting
and making merry. The clock hands
moved along-haf past IL. a quarter
of IL, ten minutes of-Jimmie rose.
| Ladies and gentlemen"
Hear, hear! Jimmie's going to
make q speech!"
I'VE are ssembled-(goo6)- for
the purpose of seeing the New Year
in and also seeing the old year out
/ (hooray. Jimmie. you're positively
ieloquent), but we are also assem- bled
because this is the last ten minutes of
leap year. I beg to announce to the
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