The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1879-10-23
The Marked Cheek.
els this Mr.. Rushton's?"

els 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 a pretty little SOUL" lie thought.
Then, as she turned her head, he won
dcrcd for moment whether somebody had
just slapped her on the left check, there
was such singular mark there, exactly
like tho scarlet print of palm and four
fingers.
But that mark had been there all Fanny
Rushton's life, aud it was her one grief her
perpetual torment.
She had grown morbid about it in these
carly days Of womanhood.
But there was no cosmetics and no arts
OF surgery that could remove it,
There tho red mark must be as long as
she brcathcd, its hateful scarlet attracting
the first glances from every stranger.
'AIr. Rushton at home9" said Luke
Robbins with bow.
eyes" SAID Fanny.
Then she ushcrcd Mr.. Robbins into the
parlor and went away; and in few mo-
mcnts the mill owner sauntcrcd in.
1t was u business call.
The business was easily completed, and
then Luke Robbins rose TO depart.
"Thc hotel is a long way off and should
bo pleased to have you stay all night with
us, i" said the old gentleman. '.Thcrc are
one or two spare bedrooms, and supper will
be ready in fifteen minutes. Let lis have
tho pleasure of your company.'
"Thanks," said Luke Robbins. "You
nro very kind"
Then he thought of that pretty face with
the red marl1upon tho check.
Despite this mark no wanted to SEQ it
again.
1t sat opposite to him at supper time.
''The best and kindcst facc in tho world, {"
he said to himself dozen times
And he did his best to win a little chat
from the shy girl who could not forget her
tormenting mark until they sat in the twi-
light on the piazza afterward.
Mrs. Rushton had call from some
ncighbor and sat apart conversing.
Mr.. Rushton, after many amiablc at
tempts to rouse himself, went sound asleep.
Through the evening shadows Luke saw
the girls finely-cut profile and cxquisitcly-
shaped head; and the moon turned all to
black and white soon, and blotted out the
red mark.
And he sat as close to her as he dared,
and her sweet voice charmed him, and hc
fell In love, as men do, for an hour.
Poor little Fanny gave away her heart
that night in ono whole piece
1t is always best to keep little piece, if
ono can; but sometime that is impossible.
'Oh, what beautiful night" said Fan
ny, as she stood on tho porch with her
mother after the gentlemen had retired.
s'Such fine breeze, and such bright
moon."
SITS quito damp, Wc'd better retire.
I wonder whether your pa will be suited
with to-morrow's breakfast. He does ask
visitors so unexpectedly" returned Mrs.
Rushton.
Married forty and single twenty take
different views Of life sometimes.
Fanny went to bed to dream of Paradise,
and next day was all happy in memory of
parting pressure Of the hand, and
whispered hope that they might often meet
again.
"What a pity that mark is," thought
young Robbins. She's darling little
thing; and suppose that Rushton is very
rich man. A young man might do worse
than be his son-in-law."
Then as the train whirled him away, he
said to himself: ~ 'H
"What pity that mark is"
Nevertheless, very often after that he was
with Fanny great deal.
Fanny's mother. felt that though this
suitor was not rich, he was eligible, and she
knew that the red mark was disadvantage
to her Fanny.
"He certainly mcana something" said
mamma.
"And they could always 1.-Two with us, y
said papa; eve need mover part from our
only one"
Our eyes grow used to everything after q
while. 4l, s3
Luke Robbins forgot that there Yves any
mark on Fanny's face, unless something
particular called his attention to 1t. {
He lovslsAer very much at times, though