Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1854-06-23
NEW SERIES, VOL. 5, NO. 20.

On the morrow Margaisl woke WIN
strange oppression in her head, pain IN her
face, and a stiff neck 1t was evident she had
caught a severe cold at 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 at the image
il presented to her The disproPor,iouate
swelling Of one cheek had entirely destroy
ed the fair oval Of her face her eyes were
dull and languid, ahd the color had fled from
her cheeks to find lodging place in her
nose. While she was still gaming at her.
self in CONSERVATION, Phpbe enteied the
ro.m.
Margaret drew her attention to her own
rueful face IN the mirror, eNclaiminr--
"nid .cs rysr ever -or such a frighIr -
Phrbo burs, cut laughing, aud answered
emphatically-
Never, Oh, Macgy, Il your lovers could
but see YOU now, what fine chance TO ties,
the strength Of their Affection"
She spoke in the mercst Jest, bu, the idea
seems to take hold OF Mnrgaret's mind, A
Wild project had entered her head, which
she was determined TO carry out Cousin
Phubc was easily persuaded to enter into
plan, and become chief alder and abeiior
therein.
For about two week, Marsarets cold,
which vas a very severe one, confined her
to her room; during this time Phrbe Occa.
,onally saw, and replied in person to the
inquire, Of the two aux ious lovers, who, on
hearing or Miss Ncs5iu's illness, daily
called to ascertain the state Of her health.
. | am sorry to say lha, Phpbc, with wanIon
cruelty, and lu'c regard for truth, constant.
/ Is represented the illness to be of the mos,
serious nature, and the daily visits OF two
physicians gave confirmation to her state.
ments.
In course Of time. however, Mis-, Neshiu
was pronounced eonvalesccn,. Both lovers
heard the good udiugs With great apparent,
delight, and on the following day, Mr., Myers
cn,ru,,ed to Phuby's care the following note
to be- conveyed to her coGsiu-ho waited
. for an answer.
. "CmrvfSG Miss Nr.Ulrr-I have suffer.
"a uuspcaknblc anxiety Un your account
When NAV hope 10 see YOU am impa-
ucnt 20 whisper a secret which has long how
cred on my lips. Dearest Margaret, can YOU
not divine ~
Grant the au Interview AZ once, bcsccch
YOU. Ever most fafthiully yours.
HAMILTON MYERS"
I Marrare, returned for an answer, tie fol-
lowing hurried lines
81 will see YOU this evening At h1lf past
eight o'clock-bu, prepare yoursclf'o dni me
much changed by my illness"
Il was ALREADY a,, when these words
were written, and bu, an hour was allowed
to OUT heroine to prepare her toilet to receive
her lover. Il was commenced a, once, and
d, mus, be confessed was rather a singular
one.
In the fr., place, she withdrew all her
rich. dark hair from her face and hid /, be-
nra,h close fitting cap, such as sometimes
d.sfrrrcs ladies when some misfortune or
illness compels them to have the hair shaved
from the head. Next a loose wrapper ut
unbecominc style, and Of a make which con-
cealcd The figure. was donncd So hr had
the ,oile, proceeded, when phube entered
the room staring a, the odd figure ,h1, was
befor, her, aud she laughed long and mer-
rly.
you fright YOU Mcdu,a" she cried,
"you are enough to scare away the cows,
lc, alone your lovers Never fear but your
trick will succeed
/ have no, We, DONE cried Margaret,
laughing heartily as her friend. "Pray get
me a raw bee, roo, iron the kIlchen-l have
my saffron leaves here
/ The beet was soon produced. and Margaret
proceeded amid pcals Of laughter from both
herself and cousin, to die the tip Of her nose
dark red with the beet juice, aud to stain
. her pcarly teeth yellow by chewing a few
leaves Of saffron. She next produced small
green patch. which she placed over one eve,
although she had had the misfortune to
lose II through her illness, and her ,oilII
was complete. When We add, howev-
er, ,ha, she still pale from her late in ndlsposl-
ton. ami her face vet slightly dlsfgured by
the swelling which had not entirely subsided,
the reader will have no difficulty in realizing
,ba, she did look as Phube said, like per-
feet fright.
Before thi. uni cue toilet was entirely made
ring a, the door announced the arrival OF
the impa,ien, lover.
Margaret delayed, to have one more hearty
laugh with her cousin, and then proceeded
demurely down stairs. AS she opened the
rarlor door. Mr.. Myers sprans forward to
NEE, her. He gained the middle Of the
room. and there stood as If he was spell
bound.
Margaret advanced with grave seIi'P'''e''
sion, and extended her hand.
The county Mr.. Myers had not even pres
epce Of mind enough to take II.
"You find me greatly changed" :" said Mar
gare,. in a tone Of concern, (she was some
thing Of an actress, and fully equal to the
pau she had unjeriaken,) "l see YOU are
shocked-I thought had prepared YOU lot
the alteration in my appearance D'd you
no, receive nv note this afternoon ~