The Richmond palladium. (Richmond, Ind.) 1906-1907, 1907-01-24

mo. no. ASA granny. Granny-n
know" the sick man said fretfully.
Granny came in with the looking
glass. as i last resort. behind her. for
Jess had said no. She looked fright
ened.
There, there. Johnny. There. there!
You 60 right to sleep and git rested
up. or. II you'd ruther. I'll fetch you In
some beautiful porridge. Jess made
it, she added artf1lly.
Fetch me a lookin glass;" roared
Johnny. i've been feelin over my
face-there's somethin wrong with it,
Poor Johnny. 1t was all wrong. He
had hazarded and lost all his rough
manly beauty. The thin face on the
pillow was wasted and married.
Granny, I'll get out O. bed if you
don't fetch it," he persisted. and gran
ny yielded weakly. The little un peer
ed over Johnny's shoulder as he looked.
"Ain't you hombly. Johnny?' he piped
shrilly. MY. your face Is all cross
ways"
When Jess came home, JOhnny's face
was turned away. He covered 1t with
his great lean hands.
Johnny. Johnny" quavered Jess.
but she knew the mischief was done.
It had to come. All her tenderness
and foresight could not ward 1t OF.
Granny had only precipitated 1t a little.
How Jess had watched the terrible
wounds heal slowly into ugly seams
and suffered for Johnny, Not for her
self. for what did Jess care for the ug-
illness that blighted Johnny's handsome
face forever? 1t was still Johnny's
face. and Johnny belonged to her. She
was going to marry Johnny.
But her heart ached for him. She
could hardly bear II. Today, speeding
down the long stretch of roadway from
the works. she had wished her face.
too. could be scanned and marred like
Johnny's. Jess knew the fresh. sweet
beauty of her own face. and the con-
trast hurt her for Johnny.
Poor Johnny" murmured Jess. An
other difficulty doomed over her-her
public avowaI before the men and girls
the day Of Johnny's sacrifice. Every
word of it stood out like clear hand
writing on the wall They had all
heard-all but Johnny. What would
he think when he heard Of it, too. out
side. as he would be sure to do? He
was getting stronger all the time. Soon
he would be out again. and some of the
boys would let the secret out.
But that trouble settled itself while
Jess stood and looked down at John
ny's hidden face. The pity and the
love in her soul crowded out every
thing else. She kept soothing the big
white hands with her fingers over and
over. and then she leaned down and
kissed them. Johnny quivered from
head to foot. Johnny" Jess cried.
Johnny, look up. look up. Please.
dear:"
She forced away his hands with gen.
tie frmness. She was looking down at
him. laughing a little. shyly. A wave
Of crimson crept up across her sweet
face what I've got to say is that l.
love you. Johnny. The Lord Almighty ,
knows l do. / want you to let me mar
~ you. Johnny, you've got to! l said
l was goin to. l told them all was
that day you saved the little un-"
The rest she whispered with her face |
In his neck as she kneIt beside the bed. |
Johnny. answer me straight out"
she breathed. Haven't / got right |
to be answered same as-other WON |
en:"
She was laughing softly under her |
breath. but he could feel the hot blood |
ln her face.
I'm goin to marry you. Johnny"
whispered Jess. Il love you, dear"
The little un stopped stealthily out to |
granny. His uncanny, strange child's |
Iace was full Of awe. and he prodded |
Irannyss arm excitedly with Z little |
sharp forednger.
MY, Jess is kissin Johnny" he
thrilled. An Johnny's kissiD Jess
aAlfa I:as~. Mf~~e - n@~.