The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1854-03-17
MISCELLAN
From Pster.on's Ladies Magazine.
MARGARET NEsBITT's STRATAGEM
OR, A NEW LovETEsT.
BY l.. w. DEVICES.

Pretty Margaret Nesbitt had two unex.
ceptionable lovers, and sadly puzzled was
she TO choose between them at least Sc
she pretended, as she gravely debated their
respective merits, with her cousin and con.
fidant, Phoebe Field. Certainly if she had
preference, she kept her secret well guard
cd.
a tall handsome girl was Margaret-well
formed and graceful. Full of mischief and
spirit, she delighted in frolc or jest,
and some there were, who. judging her
merely by some Of the mad freaks in which
she had been engaged, held her to be Il
thoughtless, giddy g,rl. Yet the friends
who knew her best, discovered beneath
her merry humor, fund Of plain, good
sense, and true feeling, which won her both
respect and love.
One evening after returning from party
where she had met both aspiranis for her ia
yor, Margaret sat thoughtiully by the fire
in the dressing room, her little white slip
pered feet resting on the fender, and for the
hundredth time debated the merits of hei
two lovers with cousin Phoebe.
"You see, Phoebe" continued, gravely
knitting her brow with great pcrplexily
''cach has his advantages. Hamilton Myers
has so much talents so handsome-o
such a good iamily--and withal ilaIters me
so charmingly, that find him very agree
able on the other hand, though Winthrop
North talks so much less, and lets me fairly
pine and pour forth comp liment, there is
something so open, genial, and manly about
him, that think like him almost, or quite
as well as Mr.. Myers"
"Alr. Myers is far the handsomest," said
cousin Phoebe.
81 don't know about that" returned
Margaret, quickly-"Mr. North has the
most manly and expressive face, and never
did care for regular features. Yet, as you
say, MIR. Myers would be thought the hand.
soonest, and he certainly does make himself
very agreeable. After talking with him
half an hour. began to feel that my old
notion that am pretty much like other peo-
Pile, is all mistake. He seems so assured
OF my infinite superiority, that he almos,
succeeds in bringing me to the same agree.
able conclusion. Heigh-ho-l do wish
could decide"
"Then you are not in love with either ~
asked Phoebe, a little annoyed by her friends
unromantic indecision.
"Not bit, cousin-and what is more,
intend to keep myself heart-wholc, ut least
till ascertain which OF my admirers loves
me most wonhily and sincerely. wish j
knew of some way to lest the qustion."
al heard of Il case a few days ago, where
the streuCth Of husbands affection was
severely tried" said PhDbe. "My friend,
Mrs c, had the smallpox during hei
husbands absence from home. knowing
herself to be fighlfully diSfgured-not u
vestige left Of her former beauty, she looked
forward with dread to his return, fearing
his feeling toward her might undergo u
change. But hear that on the contrary,
he seems more attached to her than ever,
and seeks by thousand little cares and at.
tentions, to show her that her misfortune
has but made her more dear TO him."
Tears rose in Margaret's clear hazlc eyes
at her friends recital.
THAT is true love-" she cried with en-
thusiasm-"it is so that want to be loved.
care little for affection which springs from
mere admiration OF beauty. Oh, PhUbe,
il could but meet with such loye-Sueh II
lover! Phoebe, I'm in love with your
friends husband - She rose as she spoke,
and began to lay aside her habiliments, in
preparation for bed; and so the friends part.
ed for the night.
On the morrow Margaret woke with q
strange oppression in her head, a pain in
her face, and a stiff neck; it was evident
she had caught severe cold ut the party
the night before.
Though feeling miserable, she rose, and
began to dress. Going to the glass to ar.
range her hair, she was shocked ut the inn
age it presented TO her. The disproportion.
aie swelling of one check had entirely de-.
stroyed the fair oval Of her face; her eyes
were dull and languid, and the color had
fled IRON her cheeks 10 find u lodging place
in her nose. While she was still gazing at
herself in CONSERVATION, PhGbe entered
the room.
Margaret drew her attention to her own
ruelul face in the mirror, exclaiming-
"Did you ever see such frightW
PhUbe burst out laughing, and answered
Cmphaticaly-
"Never! Oh, Maggy, if your lovers could
but see you now, what fine chance to test
the strength of their afectionW
She spoke in the merest Jest, but the idea
seems to take hold of Marg.ret's mind. a
wild project had entered her head, which
she was determined to carry out. Cousin
PhGbe was easily persuaded to enter into
plan, and become chief alder and abetter
therein.
For about two weeks Margaret's cold,
which was very severe one, confined her
to her room; during this time PhDbc &C.
casiOnally saw, and replied in person to the
inquiries of the two anxious lovers, who, on
hearing Of Miss Nesbitt's ILLNESS, daily
called TO ascertain the state of her health.
| am sorry to say that Phoebe, with wanton
cruelty, and little regard for truth, constant
ly represented the illness to be of the most
serious nature, and the daily visits of two
physicians gave confirmation to her state
ments.
In course of time, however, Miss Nesbitt
was pronounced conyalescent. Both lovers
heard the good tidings with great apparent
delight, and on the following day, Mr.. Myers
entrusted to Ph@be's care the following
note-to be conveyed to her cousin-he
waited for an answer.
"CIIARMING Miss NEsBlTT-l have suffered
unspeakable anxiety on your account
When may | hope to see you am i'm
patient to whisper secret which has long
lowered on my lips. Dearest Margaret, can
YOU not diyineit!
"Grant me an interview at once, be.
seeeh you. Ever most faithfully yours,
HAMILTON MYERs."
Margaret returned for an answer the fol-
lowing hurried lines
I'll will see you this evening at half past
eight oelock-but prepare yourself to find
me much changed by my illness"
Ii was already late when these words
were written, and but an hour was allowed
to our heroine to prepare her toilet to receive