The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1879-08-28


and four fingers.
But that mark had been there all
Fanny Rushton's life, and il was her one
grief, her perpetual torment. She had
grown morbid about il in these early days
of womanhood. But there were no cos
metics and no arts Of surgery that could
remove it. There the red mark must be
as long as she breathed, its hateful scarlet
Attracting the first glance Of every
=, " Mr.. Rushton at home said Luke
Robbins with bow. sFaftft aal
a Yes" said Fanny. sftFsssSl
Then she ushered Mr.. Robbins into
the parlor, and went away; and in few
moments the mill owner sauntered in.
1t was a business call. The business was
easily completed, and then Luke Robbins
rose to depart.
"The hotel is a long way off, and
should he pleased to have you stay over
night with u.s." said the old gentleman.
"There are one or two spare bedrooms,
and supper will be ready in fifteen min
utcs. Let us have the pleasure of your
company" .T
Thanks" said Luke Robbins. "You
are very kind"
Then he thought Of the pretty face
with the red mark on the cheek
Despite this mark, he wanted to see it
again.
1t sat opposite to him at supper time.
"The best and kindest face in the
world" he said to himself dozen times.
And he did his best to win little chat
from the shy girl, who could not forget
her tormenting mark until they sat in
the twilight on the piazza aftcEward. a.
Mrs. Rushton had a cali from some
neighbor, and sat apart conversing. Mr..
Rushton, after many aimiable attempts
to rouse himself, went soundly asleep.
Through the evening shadows Luke saw
the girls finely-cut profile and exquis-
itely-shaped head; and the moon turned
all to black and white soon, and blotted
out the red mark. - :
And he sat as Close 70 Ger ashe dared,
and her sweet voice charmed him, and
he fell in loye, as men do, for an hour.
Poor little Fanny gave away her heart
that night in one whole piece. 1t is
} always best to keeps little piece, il one
can; but sometimes that Il impossible. !.
Il HOh, what a. beautiful night said
Fanny, as she stood on the porch with
her mother after the gentleman had re.
tired. "Such fine breeze, and such a
bright moon"
"It'squite damp. We'd better retire
/ Iwonder 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 viewsof life sometimes. Fanny
went to bed TO dream of Paradise; and
the next day was all happy in memory Of
a parting pressure of the hand, and 9
whispered hope that they might otter
meet again.
What pity that mark is," thought
young Robbins. "She's a darling littl,
thing; and / suppose that Rushton is ;
very rich man. A young man might dc
worse than be his son-in-law."
Then as theftrain whirled him away
he said to himself; -4f&l.sF =
What a pity that mark is"
Nevertheless, very often after that ht
was with Fanny great deal.
Fanny's mother felt that though thi
suitor was not rich, he was eligible, anc
she knew that that red mark was dis
advantage to her Fanny.
He certainly means something" sait
mamma.
And they could always live with us,
said papa; eve need never part from
our only one" 80
Our eyes grow used to everything afte
awhile. Luke Robbins forgot that Their
was any mark on Fanny's face, unles
something particularly called his atten
ton toit. He loved her very much a
Lines, though there were long hours i
which he never remembered her exist
ence. Twice n week, at least, LUX
thought enough of Fanny to buy her
bouquet, or some music, and to spen
two hours on dusty railroad fer tn
sake of seeing her. He felt her love 70
him in her very finger tips; he saw it i
her eyes; he heard it in her voice. Fl
was man who is happy in being bt
loved. And it was not old Mr.. Rusf
tons money that made him decide {
offer himself to her, despite the red mari
Yes, the next time he went he would as
Fanny TO have him for better or wors,
And he knew that she would say
"Yes.v +-s
Thereare evil moments in every one
life-moments that change ones destin
for the worst. NE
II only it had rained one morning;
.only Fanny had fallen i'll; il only sh
-had not undertaken that trip to the cit
just when she did, this,would be a difFe
ent story. ~
= Sheused to be shy Of going into I'll
crowded streets alone, and, even with HI
mother, wore thick vail, and felt III
comfortable when any one looked at he
but now she cared nothing for stranger
eyes. %Somehow her blemished face ha
found favor in his. Let them star
The prettiest girl living was not 30 happ,
She Went smiling along. She made h
little purchases with a light heart. Ar
then she saw Luke Robbins-yes, real
Luke himself, coming TO meet heri
Looks as il some one had slapped h
in the face" said giggling girls voice
And he turned his head. He saw he
and went 10 her at once.
"Oh, I'm so glad to meet you," sai
Fanny. al suppose I ought to start
once"