Little Falls herald. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1889-1950, 1922-01-27
q. = sis. So "ss~
THE SCAR
BY GRACE o. WEATHERS1Y

night in 1916, when the little club
house vas filed to overflowing with
merry, laughing young people whose
minds had not yet adjusted themselves
to the dark shadow of the war that
WAS looming over them. The music
was throbbing plaintively, and it
strangely affected the tall youth lean
ing against the porch rail, putting a
cigarette. Something within him made
him long for vague something that
he could not define. He was lonely,
very lonely, and still he had no need
to be, for with his money, position
and good looks he had host of
friends. But tonight he kept away
from them, strangely disturbed. Gay
figures nitted past the. open door of
. the clubhouse, rsWaying gracefully to
the music. ,~...: a..
Suddenly the slouching figure of the
boy stitfened as girl Whisked by, the
door on the arm Of a. tall young; man.
Who was she? Surely he had never
seen her before. He hurried inside
the dance hall, and looked in vain for
her. She was gone. For over an hour
he searched, until at last he found
her, standing by the porch rail in the
very spot he had occupied little
while before Her gown was Of some
soft. sheer white stlff-the skirt full
and fluffy, her white shoulders and
arms were bare, her shining brown
hair piled high Never had he. seen
such loneliness. His longing was no
longer vague.
Later he managed to dance with
her, and his heart thumped madIy as
the brown eyes smiled up into his.
That same week he learned she was
an artist, and to his unspeakable de-
light she wished to make a sketch Of
his head. The afternoon was one
never to be forgotten. He was an adj
mirable model. and under her slender,
clever fingers the sketch took form
his clear-cut features. his dark, way
ing hair-aimos1 unreal in its perfec-
ton.
You have. a wonderful face" she
said dreaniy. when it was finished.
Don't let anything ever mar it ! Keep
those eyes as clear as they are now,
that chin AS firm-that mouth as
sweet"
All the rest Of that year-thr"ugh
the winter, till the sprng-they were
inseparab|e. He loved her with III
his Young heart. and still he never
TOLD her 50. How could he? He didn't
dream she cared for him! There were
80 many. and while she was always
: kind to him still she was always kind
to everybody Then. in the midst OF
their happiness cam" the war! The
boys Young blood was hot with anger,
and he was one Of the first to 20. In
his trim uniform he was unspeakably
handsome. and the slim girl in white
trembled as she saw him 60 There
had been no word-nO promise-Only
that they would write. She had kissed
his cheek very softly when he said
good by. and that was all.
Christmas. 1921. The little club
house was gayly decorated with ever
green's and holly. Little twigs OF mis-
tletoe were hung in ut-of-the-way
snares for pretty, clever
maidens. High on Stepladder perched
the xirl--a little older--a little wiser
-lovelipr than ever. Before her on
: the wall hung picture-the boy in
his uniform. gazing steadfast|y at her
with solemn, pleading eyes. She felt
q Tightening about her heart. and her
| straight shoulders sagged little.
Come. come, Jeanie-don't give
way now. We've far TOO much to do!'
The girl ut the foot of the stepladder
was very practical.
II cant help it, Mary-he was so
! perfect. Why did it have to be the
| one loved best in the world?"
But the girl at her feet wasn't lis
! tenlng She was busy directing the
i hanging OF huge bell. Then she
hurried out. 1t was late afternoon
and the final decorations were care
! fully placed. The others were ready
| to 30.
Coming Jeanie? Or are you 60
| ing to sit there on the ladder moon
! ing over Carlos all night? Poor Carlos
| He'd give his life again to see YOU
; thus And they were gone. The
! sun. almost set, cast last glory OF
! pale sunshine through the window
setting all the holly berries glowing
! The girl on the ladder sobbed unheeded
! Suddenly her figure stiffened. Ar
uncanny feeling that she was not
alone crept over her, and she lifted
her face from her hands. There a
! the foot of the ladder was man. Hi:
face bore q horrible scar across thu
left cheek-a lurid crimson scar Blu
the eyes were the same clear eyes
the chin as firm-the mouth as sweet
"Jeanie !" he whispered, brokenly t.
the staring girl. Il just couldn't he'll
coming. They wanted to wait unit
tonight, but / couldn't. l wanted t
see you 500 His hand crept to hi
cheek "rm horrible to look al
Jeanne
The girl crept down the ladder, an
grasped the man by his shoulders
"Where have you been all this time
Way back in the fall of 1917 you wer
reported missing. Where did you go
Why didn't you come back to me? Nv
waited 80 long"
But the sad story Of the Germa
prison camp and hospital. and the re
| olo+ tho I'll n
, himself were not told then-but late