The Jasper news. [volume] (Jasper, Missouri) 1898-1924, 1921-11-17

~rhen perhaps you win be willing
TO take me TO the party tonight. My
mother will cheperon u.s.
with these clothes that have Just
been hauled ont Of a saddle bagT'
said Harry with a look of alarm.
''Even rags could not hide the beau.
~ Of him." said Kelso as he came
down from the porch to greet them.
"And look at her" he went on. "Was
there ever fairer maid In spite of
all her troubles7 See the red In her
cheeks and the diamond glow Of youth
and health in her eyes. You should
see the young men signing and guitar
ing around her"
you'll hear me tuning up" Harry
declared.
"That is fathers way of comforting
my widowhood," said BIN. HE has
made a wonderful beauty mask and
often he claps 1t on me and whistles
up a band of signing lovers. As a
work of the imagination l am a great
success"
"The look Of you sets my heart afire
"Come-take mother and me to the
party at Mrs. Kinzie's," said BIN. "A
very grand young man was coming to
take us In a wonderful carriage, but
he's half an hour late now. We won't
wait for him."
So the three set out together afoat
for Mrs. Kinzie's, while Samson sat
down for visit with Jack Kelso.
The Kinzies' house was of brick
and larger and more pretentious than
any in Chicago. Its lawn, veranda
and parlor were crowded with people
In a curious variety of costumes.
Nearly all the festive company wore
diamonds. They sclntillated on fin
gers, some Of which were knotted with
| toll they glowed on shirt bosoms and
morning as well as evening gowns !;
on necks and ears, which should have
been spared the emphasis Of Jewels.
Col. Zachary Taylor, who had Just
arrived from Florida and was pres
emily returning with a regiment of re-
cruits for the Seminole war, was
at Mrs. Kihzle's party. He remem-
bered Harry and took him In hand
/ friends as the best scout in the Black
Hawk war, and, in spite of his dress,
the young man became one of the
lions of the evening.
| After refreshments the men went
outside to smoke and talk-some with
pipes-of canals, railroads and corner
lots, while the younger people were
dancing and being proudly surveyed
by their mothers.
AS Harry and the ladies' were leav-
Ing Col. Taylor came to them and
said:
"Young man, am the voice Of your
country. call you to Florida. VIII
you 60 with us next week?"
Harry looked into Bins eyes.
"The campaign will be over in a
year, and l need you badly" the Colo
mel urged.
81 can not say no to the call Of my
country" Harry answered. II will
Join your regiment at Beardstown on
its way down the river"
That night Harry and BIN stood by
the gate talking, after Mrs. Kelso had
gone into the house.
"Bim. l love you more than ever"
said the boy. ABE says you can get
a divorce. have brought the papers
for you to sign. They will make you
free. l have done It for your sake.
You will be under no obligation. !
want you to be free to marry whom
| you will. l would be the happiest
man in the world II you were to
choose me. l haven't the wealth OF
some of the city men. can only
offer you my love-"
BE careful and, please, let go Of
my hand" she said. I'm not going
to say word of love to you. am
not free yet. We couldn't marry II
we wanted to. wish you to be under
no sense Of obligation to me. Many
things may happen In a year. l am
| glad you are going to see more Of the
world before you settle down. 1t will
help you to be sure to know yourself
a little better and to be sure Of what
you want to do"
II think that know myself faIrly
WELL" he answered. "There are so
many better men who want to marry
youl / shall go away with a great
fear in me-"
''There are no better men," she an.
swered. "When you get back we shall
see what comes of our little romance.
Meanwhile I'm going to pray for you"
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