Cottonwood chronicle. [volume] (Cottonwood, Idaho) 1917-current, 1921-01-14
ON TIME
sy CORONA REMINGTON.

W. ipss. oy Mcclure Newspaper syndicats.l
Gee I'm insane I" 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 men,
Der.
Just noticed the date on that paper
Its the twenty-eighth and tomor-
row"
His friend did not hear the rest as
the door slammed behind him.
Most absent-mlnded fellow I 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 q
. few things into a 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 hit
his face, but hurried to the corner,
where taxi picked him up.
Grand Central" he ordered. ain a
hurry" And a few minutes later he
was scrambling up the steps Of Num-
Der Thirty-elght.
"Golly! 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.
II was typical February night. and
Langdon's young, clear-cut features
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 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
ingtonT" he asked.
"Due at fve-twenty. but ives three
hours late already, sah." and the black
head withdrew.
Good Lord And we were to be
married at eight" moaned Langdon.
She'll never forgive me-"
His face turned 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
be--where2 Adele would never for
give him.
"Have to let II 60 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
S:15 or $3.50 at least. Whatever you
do about 1t shall love you always.
VIII explain when l arrive"
When the wire reached Huntington
Adele read It In bewilderment.
"What can II meant" she asked as
she handed 1t to her mother.
IL can't understand II at ALL" she
answered.
Langdon viii never forget that day.
The world cannot abuse one for
ever. At last 3S 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-fve.
II 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 away1
He reeled as the thought flashed into
his mind, and for a second. c0ntem-
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 meT
he pleaded.
Forgive you for whatf" she de-
manded. growing pale with anticipa-
ton.
For whatf" he shrieked. "Why,
for being late. You know we were
to be married at 8 o'clock and It's
nearly o 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. This is leap-year. You know"
It was Langdon's turn to be sur
prised now. An expression Of intense
relief and happiness overspread his
face as he sprang of the couch In a
bound and caught the little girl In
his arms.
Tomorrow we will drink q toast to
the leap-year and all the leap-years to
come" he laughingly said.
And thav did