Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1879-10-08

'hS WIN sililiills dlOil1-
She made her little purchase with light
heart.
And then she saw Luke Robbins-yes,
really Luke himself-coming to meet her.
"Looks as if some one had slapped her
in the face" said giggling girls voice.
And he turned his head.
He saw her. and went to her at once.
''Oh, I'ul so glad TO meet yOu," said
Fanny. 81 suppose l ought to start at
once"
''And I'll 60 with you as far as N,
where you can change carriages, > said Luke
Robbins
He saw people stare at her as she passed.
Part of the staring was at the mark, part
f, of it at the pretty face and figure.
He grew very grave.
1t was a terrible blemish.
In those moonlight lovers walks in the
country he had forgotten all about it, but
in the crowded streets how it forced itself
upon him!
Everyone stared so.
In the carriage which they soon stepped
into, little child opened its round eyes,
and with chilFs innocent impertinence,
pointed its finger straight at the mark on
Fanny's face.
It's nurse slapped the small palm at once,
and turned scarlet herself, but that did not
mend matters.
AT the station there was a crowd
Luke had passed Fanny in first, and
stopped to pay the fare.
Two" said he
''The old lady Z" asked the man.
''No," said Luke.
'-Oh, that one with the red scar on her
face" said the man, lowering his voice.
'All right"
''Confound ysu!" said Luke, in rage.
But the man had meant no rudeness,
nor had Fanny heard him; but Luke was
excited, confused, agitated.
/ He hardly knew why then.
lie handed her out of the carriage; then
/ he pressed her hand.
! Goodbye until we meet he said, and
stepped to the platform. ''llere is your
train coming up"
There stood one of those white-bearded,
red-cheeked old gentleman who affect to be
! ssiudges of women" in way that is in
/ sulting to every woman, since it places her
on a level with wine and horses, having
nothing whatever to do with anything but
her personal attractions
s.Ah. how de ol' said this old gentle
man. eve let our sisters and cousins take
care of themselves for the most part.
Pretty figure rather; good step; but con-
founded ugly red mark. 4 man wouldn't
like that, eh, Luke ?"
'.No," SAID Luke man wouldn't like
it."
Something rustled to his elbow.
Il left my parcel, Mr.. Robbins, " said
a cold little voice.
Fanny stood there, so pale that the mark
looked pure scarlet.
'sThanks. Don't trouble yourself" ."
But he went back with her, and he would
I have pressed her hand once more, only she
kept it from him.
She had heard his speech:
"a man wouldn't like it
| She had heard the speech that caused the
answer.
And as he looked after her as she entered
the carriage, two tears came into his eyes.
They trickled down upon his checks.
lie wiped them away.
Suddenly he felt that he loved Fanny
| Rushton from his soul-that. his cowardly
sort of trouble that the remarks and glances
of strangers had caused him would never
make him ashamed OF himself again.
.Fanny, my darling" he said TO himself,
sFanny, my love, your face is dearer to me
for its blemish, and you shall know it be-
fore I sleep. You should, were you beg
,-ar. I'll hide it from the worlds cold eyes
ON nv bosom. darling and I'll love you al
the more for it,
He followed after her.
i. He walked up the garden path IN th'
twilight.
He asked for Miss Fanny.
"She hasn't come in yet" said the ser
want. They are so frightened about her
master and missus-but / tell 'em she
turn up all right"
Luke's heart stood still.
A presentiment of evil filled his mind.
In the gathering darkness, two anxlou
men went forth, hoping against hope
ssShe stepped out on the platform sud
denly. Either she was bewildered, or sh
did il on purpose. We were going iui
sneed. She had a blue dress and a whit
q hat and there's a red mark on her face
They'll know her by that.
That was the guards story.
That was the story that Luke and Fanny
father heard at last.
Did she step out on purpose, or was sh
I ''bewildered ~
God only knows-no living being.
II Luke tried to believe that what she ha
n heard him say had nothing to do with II.
al Rut If was too late now to tell her wh'
be felt-too late to hide her sweet face O
L his heart.
it He could only stoop over her as she Ia
in her coffin. and press the last kiss his III
E. ever offered to any woman upon the co
ohoak that. even in the death hour, DO
" still upon it that fatal red mark