Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1879-10-08
The Marked Cheek.
SIS this Mr.. RuShton's!"

1t was handsome young man who asked
this question.
And the girl who had opened the door
for him, in that pretty country place where
the richest people were not very fashiona-
bic, was Mr.. Rushton's only daughter,
Fanny, herself.
''What pretty little soul." he thought.
Then, as she turned her head, he Won
dered for moment whether somebody had
just slapped her on the left cheek, there
was such a singular mark there, exactly
like the scarlet print of a palm and four
fingers.
But that mark had been there all Fanny
Rushton's life, and it was her one grief, her
perpetual torment.
She had grown morbid about it in these
early days of womanhoOd
But there was no cosmetics and no arts
of surgery that cOuldJremOve it.
There the red mark must be as long as
she breathed, its hateful scarlet attracting
the first glances from every stranger.
'.NIr. Rushton at homeln said Luke
Robbins with a bow.
'.Yes," sad Fanny.
Then she ushered Mr.. Robbins into the
parlor and went away; and in few mo-
ments the mill owner sauntered in.
II was business call.
The business was easily completed, and
then Luke Robbins rose TO depart.
The hotel is long way of and ! should
be pleased to have you stay all night with
Us, = said the old gentleman. There arr
one or two spare bedrooms, and supper viii
be ready in fifteen minutes. Let us have
the pleasure Of your company
.'Thanks, said Luke Robbins. ''Iou
are very kind
Then he thought of that pretty face will
the red mark upon the cheek.
Despite this mark he wanted to see il
again.
1t sat opposite TO him at supper time
''The best and kindest face in the world,
he said to himself a dozen times.
And he did his best to win a little chat
from the shy girl who could not forget hel
tormentfng mark until they sat in the twi
light on the piazza afterward-
| Mrs. RuShton had q call from somC
neighbor and sat apart conversing.
Mr.. Rushton, after many amiable at
tempts to rouse himself, went sound asleep.
Through the evening shadows Luke saw
The girls finely-cut profile and exquisitely-
shaped head; and the moon turned all tC
black and white soon, and blOtted out the
red mark.
And he sat as close to her rs he dared,
and her sweet voice charmed him, and ht
fell in love, as men do, for an hour.
Poor little Fanny gave away her hear
that night in one whole piece.
1t is always best to keep a little piece, il
one can: but sometime that is impossible
'-Oh, what beautiful night!' said Fan
nv. as she stood on the porch with he
mother after the gentlemen had retired
s.Such a fine breeze, and such brigh
moon"
SITS qaite damp, Wed better retire
I wonder whether your pa will be suite'
with to-morrow's breakfast. He does asl
visitors so unexpectedly, returned Mrs
Rushton.
Married forty and single twenty TAX
different views of life sometimes.
Fanny went to bed to dream of Paradise
and next day was all happy in memory
4 parting pressure of the hand, and
whispered hope that they might often NEE
again.
s.What a pity that mark is" though
Young Robbins. She's darling htli
thing; and suppose that Rushton IS a yer
rich man. \ young man might do wors
than be his son-in-law.'
Then as the train whirled him away, d
, said to himself:
'eWhat a pity that mark IS
Nevertheless, very often after that he wa
with Fanny great deal. -,
Fanny's mother felt that though III
suitor was not rich, he was eligible, ana 81
knew that the red mark was disadVanias
to her Fanny.
scHe certainly means something, sa
mamma.
"And they could always live with us
said mana; owe need never part from oil
only one" ,.e.or
Our eyes grow used to everything after
while.
Inle Robbins forgot that there was al
mark ON Fanny's face, unless somethii
narticular called his attention to 1t.
I, He loved her very much at times, thous
there were long hours in which lac he'
T remembered her existence.
= Twice week, at least, Luke 'hous
enough of Fanny to buy her bouquet
!; some music, and so spend two hours Oh
, dusty railroad for the sake oil seeing iiei,
He felt her love for him in her very \
Ger tins: he saw it in her eyes; he near u
her voice. lin, (,
He was a man who is happy in Deing
loved.
Al :, ,yoo not old Mr. Rushton hion