Free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1888-1908, 1901-08-24

49,
WILL YOU DANCE WITH ME?'
was heard to exclaim with his last
breath: 'Queenie, Queenie, oh, my
long-lost loved oRei' No doubt this
piteous appeal wrung from a noble
heart was to some faithIess sweet
heart who had deserted him years be-
FORE
This simple little paragraph had
been copied and recopied, and dis
cussed, and 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 of gayety, his
mother knew that his heart was sad.
But that mother had a hope that
happiness would yet dawn on her SON.
She had a piece of intelligence she
had not broken to him. Queenie Ora
ham; after an absence of ten years,
had returned to visit IN aunt.
There was to De great ,Thanksgiv-
ing party at Jacks grandmother'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. 1t 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's 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
San Juan.
Grandma's table groaned with pIen-
ty; goose and turkey, pies and CAN
dies, cIuer, nuts and apples in album
dance.
But what was far more precious to
the ex-rough rider was a radiant face
he had loved so long before.
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
seemed more heightened by time She
was far more lovely than before. Aft
er the first moments shock of surprise
pride assumed control, and placed each
other on the guard
They longed to break the ice. but
neither wanted to make the advance.
After the feastfng was over the
happy group assembled in the great
cences or indulge IN quiet tete-a-
tete.
Then someone, may his tribe in
crease. said:
Z brought my violin. I viii play
and call OF; let US have dance to-
night
The suggestion was greeted with
a hearty shout, and the young fellows
rushed to find their partners.
Right quickly they all took their
places on the floor, when they found
that they wanl-I just one couple
more
Come. come, Soldier Jack. secure
a partner" cried lie voluntary mu-
stefan
Moved by some uncomfortable i'm
pulse. Jack arose and went to where
Queenie Graham sat and, bending
low, whispered:
VIII you come and dance Haste to
/ the Weddin-S with me 20
She assensed. and all were at their
places.