The Ashland union. [volume] (Ashland, Ashland County, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1857-04-29
gelett MliseeIlanp.
IFrom Baliou's Monthly Mag.zine.1
THE HISTORY OF a BEAUTIFUL
FACE.
(coNTINUED) J

I could hear low buzzing converse
tion, out of which I distinguished tn
words.
What do you suppose her nice Low
er would say, if be should see her now?'
81 don't know-pity her, probably :
replied voice which knew to be Ma
rvs.
She is very much altofed," said FL
len, the arst speaker.
1" Yes; but that ought not to max.
any difference" spoke up Mary again
IN sure should hate him if thought
il would"
She loves him so, poor thing how
she has raved these past few daJs'
comprehended it all in moment,
as took in the meaning ofthese words,
and the mtmofy of the accident with
the scythe came back to my mind 1
had been sick The injury, the fright
and exposure had been two much of a
shock for any constitution to rally under
without struggle, and from the CONVEX
sation had overheard, it was also eri-
dent that I had also been delirious-
But what had transpired during my i'll
ness. or how long ! had Lam there, 1
could not tell.
I looked about the room. Mary and
Ellen " ere sitting with their backs to
me, and facing the open window, through
which the warm, d. eamy, summer air
came in, laden with the low, indistiuct
sounds of c untry life, and bringing the
fresh smell of hay fields o. the little
table at the head of my bed, few Chi.
ma asters rose from the brim of an ear
then mug; and in mirror opposite, l
could see a few squares of the patch
work spread which coveredme. l rails
cd myself partially, hoping to get a
glimpse of my features, but fell back
weak and faint.
I" Mary !'' called.
The honest girl gave bound which
came near overturning the chair in
which she sat, and was at my side
How long have 1 been sick ?" was
my first query.
Not quite week"
Has Leonard come ?'
Not that l know"
az Bring me mirror, if you please"
Mary hesitated, looked at Ellen, and
then did as she was requested.
One glance was enough. The fresh
ness of my complexion had faded, giving
place to sallow paleness, and through |
the thin plaster which covered nearly
one side of my face, I could distinctly
trace the long, half healed cash, extend
ing across my cheek. My hair had
been cut close, for convenience sake,
probably; and had outward appearance
been the only method of self-identity, /
never should have recognized Margaret
Lull, in the invalid looking at me from
the glass. gave it back with great
feeling of disnay at my heart which
made me for time weaker than an in
'aRt
Mary pitied me, and half,understood
ny sensations, I was sure, from the del
cate manner in which she expressed her
sorrow at my misfortune, her joy that
lad regained ny senses, and her careful
avoidance of mentioning the change
which she knew 1 could not but notice.
&c took letter from the post-ofice
or you, yesterday; do you think you
ire able to read it ?"
30, yes!" / cried, eagerly. "Let
ne see it,"
Size smiled and left the room, but al
most Immediately returned with the let
er, which I snatched without stopping
o thank her.
1t was long, tenderly- written missivc
rom Leonard, and at any other time
gould have been hailed with untold de-
light. At its close he said
" think do not realize half thank
ully enough this new blessing that God
las given me. I was always a skeptic
u love affairs, dear Margaret, until your
'eahtifpl face dawned, like a young
noon of hope and happiness, in the
'ventless horizon of my life. And even
low am inclined to wonder if the fdeE
ty, and purity, and earnestness of<all