The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1879-08-28
shsre you charge earriaees," !" said Luke

XHcIe you rhan6e c1Ila8Ss, sdiu Luke
He saw people stare at her as she
passed Part Of the staring was at the
mark, part of it at the pretty face and
figure He laid IL AN to the mark, as
she had all her life. He grew very
grave. 1t was a terrible blemish. In
those moonlight lovers walks in the coun-
try 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 child's innocent impertinence,
pointed its finger straight at the mark on
Fanny's face It's nurse stamped the
small palm at once, and turned scarles
herself, but that did not mend mattert.
At the station there was crowd. Luke
had passed Fanny IN first, and stopped to
pay fhe fare.
Two" said he. 49, SO
The old ladyT' asked the man.
No." said Luke. ss
o., shat one with the red scar on
her ACE said the man lowering his
voice. !" All right"
G&nfound your said Luke, ina rage.
But the man had meant no rudeness,
nor Mad Fanny heard him; but Luke was
excited, confused, agitated.
He hardly knew why then.
He handed her out R the carriage;
then he pressed her hand.
"Good-by until We meet" he said, and
stepped to the platform. Here is YOUR
train coming up"
There stood one of those white-beardcd,
red-cheeked old gentlemen who affect to
TO be e Judges of women" in a way that
is Insulting to every woman, since it
places her on a level with wine and
| horses, having nothing whatever to do
with anything but her personal attrac-
| TONS
"Ah! how de DOR said this old gentle
man, srasping Luke's hand. "Glad to
see you, my boy. Doing the gallant, l
see. No relation, supposeT
| No." said Luke.
"Thought not" said the old gentle
man. We let our sisters and cousins
take care of themselves for the most
part. Pretty figure rather; good step;
but confounded ugly red mark. A man
wouidn't Hke-that eh, Luke?'
mo-" said Luke; "a man wouldn't
like it."
Something rustled to his elbow.
"I-I left my parcel, Mr.. Robbins u
said cold little voice.
Fanny stood there, so pale that the
mark looked pure scarlet.
"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:
4 "A man wouldn'tlike it."f
She had heard the speech that caused
his answer. And as he looked after hcr
as she. entered the carriage, two tears
came into his1eyes They trickled down
upon his cheeks. He wiped them away
Suddenly he felt that he loved Fanny
Rushton from his soul-that this cow
ardly sort of trouble that the remarks
and glances of strangers had caused him
would never make him ashamed of him
self again.
Fanny, my darling" he said to him
self, Fanny, my love, your face i,
dearer to me for its blemish, and you
shall know it before l sleep. You
should, were you a beggar. I'll hide il
from the worlds cold eyes on my bosom
darling; and I'll love you all the more
for it."
He followed after her. He walked III
the garden path in the twilight. HI
asked for Miss Fanny.
She hasn't come in yet" said the
servant. "They are so frightened about
her-master and missus l tell EN-
she'll turn up all right
Luke's heart stood still. A present.
ment of evil filled his mind. In tn,
gathering darkness, two anxious mel
went forth, hoping against hope.
"She stepped out on the platform
suddenly. Either she was bewildercd
or she did it on purpose. We were goin,
full speed. The had blue dress and /
white hat, and there's red mark on he
face. They'll know her by that"
That was the guards story. That wa
the story that Luke and Fanny's fathe
heard at last. Did she step out on pun
pose, or was she bewilderedT' Co
only knows-no living being. Luke trie'
Il to believe that what she had heard hin
say hadnothing to do with it. But i
was too1ate now to tell her what he fel
too late to hide her sweet face on hi
heart. He could only stoop over her, a
she lay in her coffin, and press The las
kiss his lips ever offered to any woma
upon the cold cheek that, even in tn
death hour, bore still upon it that fata
red mark