The Canton times. (Canton, Miss.) 1893-1906, 1894-08-10

I%QTEZ%zgMNMN IlSn IellOW, VIII
u1VIYXA[ET%aN&so plenty of ligh
OW oU'0 NSS whiskers, and tn
4 latest style of tie and collar. And tn
girl who had opened the door for him
in that pretty country place where tn,
richest people were not very fashion
able, was not a servant, but young
lady Mr.. Rushton's only daughter
herself.
'.What pretty little SOUL" he
thought.
Then as she turned her head, he
wondered for moment whether some
body had just slapped her on the left
cheek, there was such a singular mark
there, exactly like the scarlet print OF
palm and tour fingers.
But that mark had been there all
Fanny Rnshton's life. and it was her
one grief, her perpetual tease and tor
lnent. She had grown morbid about
it in these early days of womanhood,
and would willingly have been fayed
alive to be rid of it. But there were
no cosmetics that could remove it.
There the red slap must be as long
as she breathed, its hateful scarlet at
tracing the first glance from every
stranger.
ssMr. Rushton at homer" said Luke
Robbins, with bow.
eyes" said Fanny.
Then she ushered Mr.. Robbins into
the parlor and went away; and in q
foxr yoonap+c tba mill n r,,, ~, ,o,-,+o.ol
in.
1t was a business call, though not
made exactly in business-like way.
There had been some delay of train,
and the factory was closed when Mr..
Robbins reached Mill Hollow; but
those few words about wooden stufs
were easily said, and the confidential
clerk of the New York firm of Rink &
Hawley knew that the manufacturer
was a man of strict integrity. The
business was easily completed, and
then Luke Robbins rose to depart.
''But you're put out of reckoning
by this delay said the old gentleman,
''and the hotel is a long way off, and
I should be pleased to have you stay
over night with us. The wife always
has one or two spare bedrooms, and
supper will be ready in fifteen minutes.
Let us have the pleasure of your con-
pany."
Thanks" said Luke Robbins.
s'You are very kind. I feel tempted"
Then he thought of the pretty face
with the red slap upon the cheek.
Despete that slap he wanted to see it
again.
1t sat opposite to him at supper
time.
'fThe best and kindest face in the
world" he said to himself dozen
times. And he did his best to win a
chat from the shy girl, who could not
forget her tormenting mark until they
sat in the twilight on the piazza after
ward. Then he discovered that she
could talk. As it grew dark, and the
chickens chirruped in the hedges, she
grew merrier and mefrier
Mrs. Rushton had call from some
neighbor and sat apart conversing.
Mr.. Rushton, after many amiable
attempts to rouse himself, went sound
ly asleep.
Through the evening shadows Luke
saw the girls finely cut profile and
exquisitely shaped head; and the
moon turned all to black and white
soon, and blotted ont the red mark.
And he sat as close to her as he dared.
And her robin-sweet voice charmed
him; and what she said was bright and
fresh, and he fell in love, as men do,
for an hour.
Men actually do fall in love for an
hour. Women cannot do that. They
pretend to be fascinated very often,
but is real or nothing with them at
heart.
Poor little Fanny gave away her
heart that night in one whole lump.
It is always best to keep a little piece,
If one can; but sometimes that is inn
,ssible.
Oh, what beautiful night |" said |
as she stood on the porch with |
err, after the gentleman had
Such fine breeze, and such |
1nl"
1itoes do bite so dread
said the mother, ''and
We'd better retire.
II your pa will be
1w's breakfast He |
>expectedly."
Jingle twenty !
sometimes.
dream OF
was ali