The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1879-10-23

|
Twice u week, at least, Luke thought
enough of Fanny to buy her a bouquet, or
some music, and SO spend two hours on n
dusty railroad for the sake of seeing her.
lie felt her love for him in her very fin
ger tips; he saw it in her eyes; he heard it
/ her voice.
He was a man who is happy in being be-
loved.
And it was not old Mr. Rushton's money
that made him decide to offer himself TO
her, despite the red mark.
Yes, the next time he went he would ask
Fanny to have him for better or W orsc.
And knew that she would say:
eyes"
There arc evil moments in every ones
lfc---moment's that change ones destiny for
the worst.
If only it had raincd one morning; if
only Fanny had fallen III; if only she had
not undertaken that trip to the city just
when she did, this would have been diff
fcrent story.
She used to be shy of going into the
crowded streets alone, and, even with her
mother wore veil, and felt uncomfortable
whcu any one looked at her.
But now she cared nothing for strangers
eyes.
Somehow her blcmishcd face found favor
in his
Let them stare.
The pretticst girl living was not 50
happy.
She went smiling along.
She made her little purchase with light
heart.
And then she saw Luke Robbins-ycs,
really Luke himsclf-coming to meet her.
'Looks as if some one had slapped her
in the face" said giggling girls voice.
And he turned his head.
lie saw her, and went to her at once.
ooh, Pm SO glad to meet you," said
Fanny. 81 suppose l ought to start at
once"
'And I'll go with you rs far rs NJ,
where you can change carriages, said Luke
Robbins
lie saw people stare at her rs she passed.
of it at the pretty face and figure.
lie grew very grave.
1t was terrible blcmish.
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, q little child opened it's round ewes,
and with child's innocent impertincncc,
pointed its finger straight at the mark on
Fanny's face.
Its nurse slapped the small palm at once,
and turned scarlet herself, but that did not
mend matters.
At the station there was crowd.
Luke had passed Fanny in first, and
stopped to pay the fare.
''Two,' said ho.
''rhc old lady 2" asked tho man.
: t.No," said Luke.
"Oh, that one with the rcd scar on her
face, said tho man, lowering his voice.
Gail right"
"Confound you |" said Luke, in a rage.
But the man had meant no rudencss,
nor had Fanny heard him; but Luke was
excited, confused, agitatcd
lie hardly knew why then.
Hc handed her out of the carriage then
he pressed her hand.
"Good-bye until we meet" he said, and
stepped to the platform. "Hcrc is your
train coming up"
There stood one of those white bearded,
rcd-checkcd old gentleman who affect to be
'judgcs 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.
'Ah how dc doS" said this old gentle
man. "We let our sisters and cousins take
care Of themselves for the most part.
Pretty figure rather; good step; but con-
founded ugly red mark. A man wouldn't
like that, eh, Luke2"
"No," SAID Luke; man wouldn't like
it."
Something rustlcd to his elbow.
'T-I left my parcel, Mr. Robbins" said
a cold little voice.
Fanny stood there, 80 pale that the mark
looked pure scarlet.
s'Thanks. Don't trouble yourself"
But he went back with her, and he would
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 tho speech that caused tho
answer. =
Apd as he looked after her as she entered
the carriage, two tears came into his eyes.
They trickled down upon his cheeks.
lie wiped them away.