The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1854-03-17

illness compels them to have the hair shaved
from the head. Next loose wrapper Of
unbscoming style, and of a make which
concealed the figure, was donned. So far
had the toilet proceeded, when Phoebe en-.
tered the room; staring at the odd figure
before her, she laughed long and mer.
rily.
"You fright! you Mcdusa!" she cried,
'tyou are enough to scare away the cows,
let alone your lovers! Never fear but your
trick will succeed"
al have not yet done," cried Margaret,
laughing as heartily as her friend. "Pray
ee, me raw bee, root from the kitchen-I
have my saffron loaycs here"
The beet was soon produced, and Margaret
proceeded amid peals Of laughter from both
herself and cousin, to die the tip OF her
nose dark red with the beet juice, and 10
stain her pearly teeth yellow by chewing n
few leaves Of saffron. She next produced q
small green patch, which she placed over
one eye, as though she had had the mis-.
fortune 10 lose il through her illness, and
her toilet was complete. When we add,
however, that she was still pale from her
late indisposition, and ler face yet slightly
disfgured by the swelling which had not
entirely subsidized, the reader will have no
difficulty in realizing that she did look. as
Phoebe said, like perfect fright.
Before this unique toilet was entirely
made, ring at the door announced the ar
rival of the impatient lvcr.
Margaret delayed, 10 have one more
hearty laugh with her cousin, and then
proceeded demureiy down stairs. AS she
opened the parlor door, llr. Myers sprang
forward to meet her. ii, gained the mid
die Of the room, and then stood as II SPELL
bound.
Margaret advanced with grave selfpos.
session, and extended her hald
The courtly Mr.. Myers had not even pres
cnce Of mind enough 10 take It,
"You find me greatly changed" said
Margaret, in tone Of concern, (she was
something of an actress, and fully equal to
the part she had undcrtakc,,) III sec you
are shocked-I thought | had prepared you
for the alteration in my appearance. Did
you not receive my note this afternoon 7"
"No-yes-I don't know" began Mr..
Myers, so much confused that he did no,
know what he was saying He was engaged
in now gancing furtively at the gorgon be.
fore him, and then looking hastily away
At last partial selfpossession returned TO
thing about his time being short, and took
leave.
81 trust you will not 90 till you have told
me the secre, you were 50 anxious to COM
munica,c," said Margaret, mischicvously,
managing to cut of his retreat to the door.
1T is not late-pray return and make me
the confidence you disired."
mot to-night-no, ,ornight,' he exclaim-
cd, hurriedly, trying to effect an exit, and
finding his attempts were frustrated by
Margaret's manGuyrcs. at was mere
lrihC-quite mistake-any other time will
do" And at last gaining the door by
swift and dextrous movement, he fairly
fled before the advancing Medusa, who still
pertainaciously urged the revelation of the
promised secret.
AS the hall door closed on him, Marga-
re,'s merry peals of laughter brought her
cousin to her side, and the whole late scene
was faithfully rehearsed for PhGbe's amuse.
ment. While the merriment of the giddy
girls was at its height, and Margaret was
just showing how Mr.. Myers tried to dodge
her ut the door, another ring announced
another visitor.
"There that is surely Winthrop North
your other admirer,' cried Phoebe.
Margaret's laughter suddenly died away
she grew very pale, and turned to fly pre-
cipi,ately to her own room. Thither she
went, only pausing on the stairs long enough
to decide by the sound of his footsteps, that
it was indeed Mr.. North. Phoebe followed
her.
In vain Margaret endeavored TO affect the
continuance of her late merry humor. Her
uncomfortable agitation revealed even to the
unsuspecting Phoebe, that the question she
was now about to test, was to her far
different one from the last. Pcrceiving
this she sought to divert her friend from
her intention. But Margaret was deter
mined to carry her whim Out-saying, IT il
was fair for the one, it is fair for the other
the love is worthless that will not bear my
test" She desired Phoebe, however, to 60
down and sec Mr.. North, inform him of her
intention of receiving his visit, and prepare
him for change in her appearance.
Phoebe soon returned from her errand,
and then Margaret gathering up her forti.
lude and composure, descended the stairs.
Notwithstanding the amusement she had
derived from Myers precipitate retreat, its
lesson had not been lost upon her; she
trcmbled for the result Of her own wild
stratagem, fol though unconlessed to all,
even to herself, the secret of her heart now
revealed itsell to her, by the tumult which
agitated her bosom when thought of how
much she had staked on that venture.
Oa reaching the parlor door, she paused
with her hand on the lock-she wished for
one moment moro to calm the beatings of
her heart, but while she yet fingered, the
lock turned beneath her hand, and Win
throp North stood before her face to face.
Inyoluntarily, Margaret sought to con-
ceal her disfgurcd countcnance in her hands,
but she was too late, Mr.. North had seen
all.
With tenderness, such rs he had never
vet manifested towards her, he drew her
arm within his and led her to sofa-tellipr
her of the anxiety he had felt during her
illness, and OF his thankfulness and ioy in
her recovery. Other words he said Of still
tenderer import, but Margaret scarce un.
derstood-scarce dared listen to them she
was saying to herself over and over again
-"He Las not yet seen me-hc will change
when he sees me o." So entirely had her
feelings entered into the situation she had
assumed, that she actually forgot that she
was playing part.
The blessed words she dared not accept
as hers, were still falling on her ear, and at
last she exclaimed in desperation
"Stay You have not yet-looked at me.
| am greatly changed. Pray-pray know
the worst"
1t is true that hitherto, from motive of
delieacy, Winthrop had rcirained from look.