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

something better-your noble, generous ma
ture, which is still left you, and Of which
no misfortune can deprive you. Dear Marga
rel, tell me that have not loved in vain."
But Margaret was unable to speak, 81
violently was she weeping-happy, blissin
tears they were, but they compelled her Il
fly from the apartment to regain her com
posture.
On reaching her own room, however, she
lost not a moment in fingipg from her thc
disguises which disfgured her. The rec
disappeared from her nose, the yellow from
her teeth, and the patch from her eye in Q
marvelously short space Of time. Her rich
beautiful lair was released from the ugly
cap, and folded simply round her elegantly
formed head. a whith robe replaced the
shapeless wrapper; excitement had brough
brisht color to her cheeks; but the tear
were yet sparkling in her clear brown eye;
as she reappeared before her lover.
Winthrop North was pacing up ant
down the room when she entered; she mp
preached him unpcrceived, and laying hel
hand on his arm, looked up in his face.
Winthrop turned and gazcd at her in as
tonsment. Never had she looked so perfect
ly lovely. Tears and smiles-tenderness
and merriment were struggling for mastery
in her bright face.
"Forgive me, Winthrop she said, in a
low, sweet voice, full Of tenderness-"lor'
give me jest-too serious, perhaps,-bu,
one | can never regret, since it has revealed
to me how manly and generous is the love
OF true noble heart. How glad | am moi
to be obliged to accept the sacrifice yor
showed yourself so capable Of making
since u, best, am not worthy Of such love
as yours"
AS Mr.. Nor,h's circumstances were sucl
as to justify his immediate marriage, and a'
there was no reason for his engagement
with our heroine being kept q secret, it was
soon very generally known; and, as II
usual, made the topic Of much conversation
for day or two.
Hamilton Myers, among others, was dis
cussing the subject the morning after the
engagement "came out" Hc was standing
with group of young men al the corner
the street, and had jus, said,
"Well, wish North joy Of his bargain
for can attest, from ocular demonstration
that the late pretty Miss Ncsbitt is ut pre-
sent perfect fright-a mere wreck.
tremble when | think Of the escape l have
myself had-for | was nearly caught, / as
sure you. Never saw any body go much
changed by an illness in my lite-why she
has lost all her teeth, and her hair, and one
eye her nose was rs red as an old topper s.
and her skin the color of dandelon-she
looked like caricaturc of one of the witch
es in Macbeth. 'Pon honor. l feel like O
man who has just escaped being caught and
eaten by an ogrcss.
SO tar had Myers volubly proceeded in his
description, when one Of his companions
touched him-he turned, and saw, close be-
side him, Miss Ncsbilt leaning on hei
lovers arm, and looking more beautiful than
he had ever seen her.
Mr.. North had delayed her moment 10
speak to an old friend Of his, whom he re.
cognized in the group, and while he was
doing so, Margaret had time to say to Myers
with malicious smile, her bright eyes
dancing with mcrriment.
al fear it is too late for you to confide
your secret to me. Mr.. Myers, but perhaps
with my resemblance to witches, | am also
endowed with enough of their attributes to
divine what it might have been, had not
fortune rescued you from The hands of the
'ogress.' And heneeiorth you will know
how to beware of witches and ogresses."
Leaving the discomfted and puzzled Mr..
Myers, (whose' brains on this subject have
never cleared) to reply as he best can 10 the
indignant queries Of his companions as to
ihe|meaning of the representations he had
been making them, and to solace himself as
well as he is able, for having lost the hope
of obtaining the sweetest and protest girl
in the city for wife, we take our leave OF
him, as well as Of our happy heroine, and
the lover who so nobly stood the loye-test.