Clinch Valley news. [volume] (Jeffersonville, Va.) 18??-2019, 1894-08-10

| uoIlow every ono knew Miss Rushton,
and no one stared at tho sweet blcm-
ished face.
he loved her very much Mt times,
though there were long hours in which
he never remembered her existence. /
suppose none of us ever quite believe
that the men we are fondest of work
us into their bargaining and ledger
Keeping, rs we work them into our
sewing and preserving. If he only
thinks OF you after dark, You are n
happy woman. If he takes your mem
DRY ont with his dress coat and even
ing tic, consider yourself blessed.
Twice week, Mt least, Luke thought
enough OF Fanny to buy her bouquet
or some music, and to spend two hours
on dusty railroad for tho sake of
seeing her.
He felt her love for him in her very
finger tips; he saw it in her eyes; he
heard it i'll her voice He was u man
who is happy in being beloved. And
1T 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 to Mill
Hollow he would ask Fanny to have
him for better or for worse. And he
knew that she would say eyes" very
we'll
There arc evil moments in every
ones life-momcnts that change cne's
destiny for the worst If only it had
raincd one morning, if only Fanny
had fallen ill; il only she had not un-
dertaken that trip to tho city Just
when she did, this would be n different
story.
She used to be shy of going into the
crowded streets alone, and even when
with her mother wore thick veil, and
felt uncomfortable when anyone
looked Mt her. But now she cared
nothing for strangers eyes. Somehow
her blcmished face hnd found favor in
his. HID he not told her how sweet
her eyes were? Had he not kissed her
hand? Was she not sure he loved her
her most perfect Of nll living men?
Let them stare. The prctticst girl
living was not so happy.
She went smiling down to the city.
She made her little purchases with
light heart. And then, willing away
an hour of waiting over strawberry
short, cake in pretty restaurant, she
saw Luke Robbins-ycs, really Luke
himself, coming to meet her.
Looks rs il some one had slnppcd
her Ill tho face, said giggling girls
voice.
And he turned his head MS he sat nj
tnblc and saw her, and went to her
ut once.
ooh, Pm so glnd To meet you," said
Fanny. 81 suppose l ought to start Mt
once"
And I'll go with you," said Luke
Robbins.
He saw people stare Mt her MS thov
passed down the room. Part of the
stirring was Mt the mark, part of it ut
the pretty fnce and figure. He laid if
all to the mark, us she hnd Nil her life.
1t made him uncomfortable. But that
his thoughts of her were what they
were, it could not have affected him;
but his future wife, rs he already
thought her in his heart, that WAS
different. He grew very grave. 1t was
terrible blcmish. In those moon
light lovers walks in the country he
had forgotten all about it, but in
bright Broadway how il forced itself
upon him Every one stared so.
In the car which they soon Stoned
into, little child opened its round
eyes, and with II child's innocent i'm
pertincnce, pointed IFS finger straight
ut the mark on Fannys fncc, with an,
''Oh, how f,Innyl"
Its nurse slapped the small palm at
once, and turned scarlet herself, but
that did not mend matters.
AT the ferry there WIS IL crowd.
Luke hnd passed Fanny i'll first, and
stopped to pay the fare.
Two, said he.
"rhe old lndy?" asked The man.
mo-" sail Luke.
"Oh, that one with the red scar on
her face, said the man, lowering his
voice. "All right"
"Confound you!" said Luke, in n
rage.
But the man had meant no rudencss,
nor had Fanny heard him, but luke
was excited, confused, ngitated. He
hardly knew why then.
They crossed the ferry together, and
he spoke no word to her, nor she to
him. lie handed her into the cars.
Then he pressed her hand
''Good-by, until we meet" he said,
and stepped to the platform.
There stood one of those white
bearded, red-cheeked old gentlemen
who are always members of clubs, who
are always fast, 10 certain degree.
and who affect to be Judges of wo-
men i'll way that is insulting to
every woman, since it places her on
level with wine and horses, having
nothing whatever to do with anything
but her personal attractions.
"Ah, how dc do?" said this old gen
tleman, grasping Luke's hand. "Glad
to see yon, my boy. Doing the gal
liant, ] see. No rclation?"
no." said Luke.
Thought not, said the old gentle.
man. owe let our sisters and cousins
take care OF themselves, for the most
part. Pretty figure rather; good
step; but confounded ugly red mark.