Free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1888-1908, 1900-12-01
; reDOrt Inc folIoWing


WILL YOU DANCE WITH ME?"
was heard to exclaim with his last
breath: +Queenie, Queenie, oh, my
Iong-lost loved one!' No doubt this
piteous appeal wrung from a noble
heart was to some faithless sweet
heart who had deserted him years be-
fore"
This simple little paragraph had
been copied and recopied, and dis
cussed, AMI made the theme for count
less stories and ballads.
But Jack, who uttered it, didn't die.
He lived to return to America, was
honorably discharged, and resolved to
pass another Thanksgiving in the old.
neighborhood where his young days
had been spent. So he returned, after
an absence of nearly ten years, and
was at the house of his father on this
evening, gazing sadly into the fire
which seemed to reflect his own ach-
ing heart.
What was life to. him now?
That chief charm, that only light
to his SOUL had gone out, leaving all
gloom and darkness.
He was like an old man.
His hair, once dark as the ravens
wing, showed traces of silver in it,
and his face, so handsome, clear and
fresh, now had the lines Of care upon
it,
Though he sometimes smiled and as
sumed an appearance Eof gayety, his
mother knew that his heart was sad.
But that mother had hope that
happiness would yet dawn on her son.
She had piece of Intelligence she
had not broken to him. Queenie Ora
ham, after an absence of ten. years,
had returned to visit an aunt.
There was to be a great Thanksgiv-
ing party at Jacks granGmotheF's the
oldest lady in the neighborhood, at
which she was to invite all the young
folks, for Grandma Goodwin took
great pleasure in young people.
,Queenie would no doubt be there,
and she determined. that Jack should
meet her. The mother knew that her
sons pride would keep him away if
he knew Queenie was to be there, so
she kept that surprise a secret from
him.
She little knew how love had hum
bled Jacks pride.
In the vest pocket Of the veteran, he
carried the self same ring which
Queenie had thrust back on him ten
years before: It was next his heart
when he stormed San Juan. hill. and
he hoped if he was slain the bullet
would pass within the golden circle
of his youthful love, and that he might
die with her. name on his lips.
But fate destined Jack to live. He
was once more home, among friends
who had crowded about to hear him
tell of the wild charge and the storm
of death;
Would he go to grandmother next
day to the Thanksgiving dinner! Yes,
he would.
The mother was happy.
The old carriage was loaded with
! jolly young folks and middle-aged peO-
! pie, and among them the veteran OF
| Grandma's table groaned with plen-
! ty; goose and turkey, pies and can
dies, c1uer, nuts and apples in. album
1 dance.
But what was far more precious to
! the ex-rough rider was radiant face
I ne QaQ lOVSQ SO long. DeIOTS-
He thought she had suffered as well
/ as he. They were too much surprised
/ at meeting that neither. would tell
what emotions were being stirred in
the others heart.
Queenie's beauty was matured and
4 seemed more heightened by time. She
was far more lovely than before. Aft
1 er the first moments shock of surprise
pride assumed control, and placed each
/ other on the guard. =
! They longeds TO break the ice, but
/ neither wanted to make the advance
After the feasting was over tbs
happy group assembled in the great
!. parlor to talk over pleasant reminis-
cenees OF indulge In a quiet tete-a-
+ tete
I Then someone. may his tribe in
+ crease. said
81 brought my violin I will play
and call of; let US have dance to
i night
The suggestion was greeted witt
a. hearty shout, and!the young fellows
rushed to ind 3fheEs partners.
! Right {quickdy. they all. took thei
places on. the floor, when they fount
that theys;wsntzf just one couple
more ~
Come. come, Soldier Jack. securr
a paxtnef. cried rle .yoluntary mu
stefan
Moved by some uncomfortable i'm
pulse, Jack arose and went to wfer
Queenie Graham sat- and, bendin;
low. whispered.
WIN you come and dance Haste t
the Weddin-s Eith me Pc
She assensed, and all were at thei
places