The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-03-02
Euening Story
With Calendars Aid.
BY CORONA REMINGTON.

per--it's the twenty-eighth and to-
morrow
His friend did not hear the rest as
the door slammed behind him.
Most absent-m.nded fellow I ever
knew; always forgetting some dinner
engagement or something" volun-
teered another member who was sit
ting nearby.
John Langdon dashed up to his
room, glanced at the clock, threw
few things into suitcase, laid a
brand new suit carefully on top,
picked up his hat. overcoat and va
lise and rushed down to the street.
AS he opened the front door gust
of snow-laden wind nearly knocked
him over. He blinked as the sharp
particles hit his face, but hurried to
the corner, where a taxi picked him
up.
Grand Central" he ordered, 'in
hurry" And a few minutes later he
was scra mbling up the steps OF Num-
Der Thirty eight.
"GolIy! That was a close squeak
he calculated as he dropped Imply
into a 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 fea-
/ lures took on an expression of anxiety
/ as he reviewed the possibilities of be-
coming snowbound.
! And the farther west we go the
worse it's apt to get" he groaned UNI
| der his breath.
Thoroly exhausted, he retired early.
For the past week he had had an ex5
/ tremely hard case. and his mind had
been engrossed with legal details prac-
| tically every conscious moment But
after he was in bed he could not
sleep. =,
His thoughts kept time with the
rhythmic chuffing of the locomotive
as it struggled thru the ever-deepen-
ing snow. This time tomorrow she'll
be mime" he kept saying to himself.
and at last fell asleep to dream OF
whimsical gray eyes and quick little
smile. When he Invoke the next
morning he rang for the porter.
How long before we get to Hunt
| ington?" he asked.
due at five-twenty. but we's three
hours late already, sah." and the black
head withdrew
Good Lordv And we were to be
married at eight" moaned Langdon.
She'll 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
afternoon train. but being wrapped up
| in the case almost day and night for a
week had made him lose all track of
time. Adele would never forgive him.
How could she? Think of tn :
humiliation he was going to cause her
| And his hands were tied-utterly
tied.
He could send her a wire. of course
| Not that it would do much good. He
| decided to do that immediately, so he
rang for some blanks, then wrote and
rewrote and tore up and wrote again.
| He knew exactly what he wanted to
say and he had never had any trouble
wording a telegram, yet none that he
wrote satisfied him.
| Have to let it go at that" he said
at last, as he reread his latest efforts:
! Il know you can never forgive me,
but shall not reach Huntington before
Sis or $3.50 at least. Whatever you
do about it shall love you always.
| Will explain when 1 arrive"
When the wire reached Huntington
Adele read it in bewilderment.
What can it mean" she asked as
she handed it to her mother
Il can't understand it at ALL she
answered, but we shall have an ex-
planat.on before long, as he says he'll
be here this evening"
| II hope So" the girl replied with
warmth.
Langdon will never forget that day.
At every station he consulted his time
table. He gazed with horrible help
lessness at the snow-covered scenery
/ as it crept slowly past his window.
| Whenever the train stopped he felt
Ike kicking the passengers off in the
! hope of saving a seconds time.
The world cannot abuse one forever
At last 50 crawled into Huntington
and Langdon leaped from the car be-
fore 1t came to a standstill. AS he
rushed thru the station he glanced at
the clock. Eight thirty-five, it placid
ly announced. He jumped into the
first taxi and soon found himself
standing at the Hamilton front door,
with his heart missing every other
beat.
| ! He was dumbfounded to find that
no guests were assembled, no car
riages stood without. Had she decid-
ed not to marry him and sent them
all away? He reeled as the thought
i flashed into his mind, and for a sec
ond contemplated 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 2"
he pleaded.
Forgive you for what?" she de-
manded, growing pale with anticipa-
ton.
For what?" he shrieked. why,
for being late. You knew We were to
be married at o'clock and it's nearly
! 9 now"
: But We decided that the wedding
was to be tomorrow, the 1st of March,
and my birthday"
| Put today is the list of March. Yes
tSrday was the last day of February"
7 mo. it wasn't. Jack. Yesterday
was the 2Sth. This is leap year, you
I know"
It 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 a toast to
the leap year and all leap years to
come" he laughingly said.
And they did.
! (Copyright, 1920 bv the Mcclure News