The Denver Jewish news. [volume] (Denver, Colo.) 1915-1925, 1922-03-29
THE SCAR
BY GRACE o. wEATHEassY

night III 1916, when the little club
house was filed to Overlooking 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 rhrobbing plaintively, and II
strangely affected the tall youth lean.
ing against the porch rail, pufslng .
cigarette Something within him made
him long for vague something mat
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 a host Of
friends. But tonight he kept awny
from them. strangely disturbed. Gay
figures fitted past the open door Of
the clubhouse. swayins gracefully to
the music.
Suddenly the slouching figure Of the
boy stiffened as a girl whisked by the
door on the arm of tall young man.
Who was she7 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 stun-the skirt full
and FUZZY, her white shoulders and
arms were bare, her shining brown
hair piled high. Never had he Seen
such loneliness. His longing WIS no
longer vague.
Later he managed to dance with
her, and ~ heart thumped madly as
the brown eyes Amiled up into his.
That same week he learned she was
an artist, and to his unspeakable de-
light she wished to make q sketch Of
his head. The afternoon was one
never to be forgotten. He was an nd
rnirable model, and under her slender.
clever fingers the sketch took form
his clear-cut features, his dark. wnv-
Ing hair-almost unreal in Its perfec-
ton.
"You have . wonderful face" she
said dreamily. when 1t was finished
Don't let anything ever mar 1t Kccr
those eyes a. clear as they are now,
that chin as firm-that mouth as
sweet"
All the rest Of that year-throusl
the winter. till the spring-they were
inseparable. He loved her with all
his young heart, and still he never
told her SO. How could he? He didn't
dream she cared for him! There were
SO many, and while she was always
kind to him, still she was always kind
TO everybody Then, In the midst OF
their happiness came the war! The
boys young blood was hot with anger.
and he was one Of the trst to 20. In
his. trim Uniform he was unspenkably
handsome, and the slim girl in white
trembled as she saw him 20. 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 out-of-the-way
places-snares for pretty. clever
maidens. High on a stepladder perched
the girl-a little older-a little wiser
-lovelier than ever. Before her on
the wall hung 4 picture-the boy In
his uniform, gazing steadfastly at her
with solemn, pleading eyes. She felt
n Tightening about her henri. and her
straight shoulders sagged a little.
Come, come, Jeanie-don't give
way now. We've far too much to do !"
The girl at the foot of the stepladder
was very practical.
~ can't help 1t, Mary-he was 80
perfect! Why did 1t have to be the
one loved best in the world7"
But the girl Mt her feet wasn't lis
tening. She was busy directing the
hanging Of huge bell. Then she
hurried out. 1t was Int afternoon.
and the final decorations were cnre-
fully placed The others were ready
TO go.
Coming, Jennie? Or are you GO
Ing to sit there on the ladder MOON
ing over Carlos all night? Poor Carlos
He'd give his life again to sec 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 stifrened. An
uncanny feeling that she was not
alone crept over her. and she lifted
her face from her hands. There at
the foot of the ladder WAS a man. His
face bore horrible scnr across the
left cheek-a lurld crimson scarf But
the eyes were the same clear eyes
the chin MS firm-the mouth as sweet.
"Jeanie!" he whispered, brokenly to
the staring girl. II just couldn't help
coming. They wanted to wait until
tonight, but l couldn't. 1 wanted to
see you so'' His hand crept to his
cheek. am horrible to look at