The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1856-01-09

tlon Tor bed, and so the friends parted for
the night.
On the morrow Margaret woke with a
strange oppression in her head, pain in
her face, and stiff neck; il was evident she
had caught severe cold at the party the
night before.
Though feeling very miserable, she rose,
and began to dress. Going to the glass ID
arrange her hair she was shocked at the
images presented to her. The disproportion
ate swelling Of one cheek had entirely de-
strcyed the fair oval of her face; her ewes
were dull and languid, and the color had
fled from her cheeks TO find lodging place
in her nose. While she was still gazing al
herself in CONSERVATION, phebe entered the
room.
Margaret drew her attention TO her own
rueiul face in the mirror, exclaiming-
"Did YOU ever see such fright?'
Phebe burst out laughing, and answered
emphatically--
Never! Oh. Maggy, if yout lovers could
but see you now, what fine chance to test
the strength Of their Affection"
She spoke in the merest Jest, but the. idea
seemed tohave taken hold oi Margaret's mind.
Avid project had entered rhead, which she
was determined to carry out. Cousin Phebe
was easily persuaded to enter into her plan,
aud become rhlef alder and abetter therein.
For about two weeks Margaret's cold,
which was very severe one. confined her Ia
her room; during this time Phebe 0ccasionaIlv :
saw and replied IN person to the inquiries ii
the two anxious lovers. who. ON hearing OF
Miss Nesbitt's illness, ,iaily called 20 ascer-
tain the state of her health. ] am sorry to
say that Phcbe, with wonton cruelty, and little
regard Tor truth. constantly represented the
illness 10 be Of the most serious nature, and
the daily visits Of two physicians gave con-
tirnation to her statements.
In course Of time, however, Miss Nesbitt
was pronounced convalescent. Both lovers
heard the good tidings with great apparent
delight. and on the following day, Mr.. Myers
entrusted to Phrbe'> care The following note
Ito be conveyed TO her cousin--he waiting
Tor an answer.
" Charming Hiss NesJin--I have suffered
unspeakable anxiety on your account. When
may ! hope to see YOU. | am impatieL, 20
whisper 10 YOU secret which has long hU
sered on my lips. Dearest Margaret, can you
not divine il:
Gran, me an interview at once, beseech
you. Ever most faithfully yours,
HAMILTON MYERS"
Margaret returned for answer the follow
ing hurried lines
81 will see you this evening At half past
eight o'clock-bat prepare yourself TO find me
much changed b. my illness"
Il was already late when these words were
written. and but an hour vas allowed 10 our
herone 70 prepare her toiet to receive her
lover. II was commenced at once, and il
must be confessed was rather a singular one.
In the irst place, she withdrew all her rich,
dark hair from her face, aud hid il beneath
a close fitting cap. such MS sometimes dis.
figures ladies' Mhrn some misfortune ar
illness. compels them 10 have the hair shaved
from The head. Next loose wrapper 81 un.
becoming st,le, and Of make which con
ccale,l the figure. was donned. So Tar had the
tnilet proceeded. when Phebc entered the
ropn,i staring At the odd figure before her.
she laughed long and merriIy.
" Yuu fright! you Mrdusas" shc cried,
yuu are enough ii scare away the crows, let
alone ycur lo,ers! Never fear but your
trick will succeed"
al have not vet done." cried Margaret,
laughing as hearth, as her friend. Pray get
me raw beet ruut from the kltchrn-l have
nv saffron leaves here"
he beet was soon produced. and Mar.
garrt proceeded amid pe4ls u laughter from
hnih herself aud cousin, 70 dys die tip u her
muse dark red with tie beet juice. and 10
stain her pearly teeth yellow by chewing a
lev lya,es Of saffron. She next produced
small grern patch, which shs.. placed over
one eve, as Though shs had had the mistur
tune TO lose il through her illness, and her
lnilet was complete. When We add, ho1e,er,
that shr vas still pale IRON hsr late iudispo.
si,ion. and her face yet Slightly disfgurrd by
the swelling which had not entirel, subsidized,
the reader will have no difficulty in realizing
that she did look as Phebc said. like perfect
fright
Before this unique toilet was entirely
made ring ~ the door announced the arri.
val ~ tie inpatient lover.
Margaret delayed 10 have one more hearty
laugh With her cousin, and then proceeded
down stairs. A. she opened the
parlor door, Mr.. Myers sprsng forward 10
meet her le gained the middle of the room,
and thrn stund as il spell bound.
Margaart sd,anerd With grave self posses.
sion, aud extended her hand.
The eourily Mr.. Myers had not even pre-.
srnce oi mind enough 10 take Il.
"you hnd. me greatly changed" said
Margaret. in . tone ef concern. tshe was
something ii an actress. end fully equal TO
The part she had ,undertstsn,) /" sSs you are
thought had prepared yss for
tie alteration IN isy spprarsnes. Did yss not
receive my sotr this sitersouni"
No--yss--l don't know" bsrsa Mr..
Myers, so much confused MAT he did not
know What he was saying. u. Va, engaged