The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1882-01-12
EEG,s FACE.

and VINO was TO the dOt1ng parent as the
apple of his eye. But, kind as he was, he
never could reconcile her to his pro-
fession.
Meg hated every doctor-qua doctor
in creation, and the only reason she could
give for it was early "reminiscences.
"When was child, "she used to say,
ct couldn't even put the tip of my nose
outside when it rained, but my father
would send me to bed, with bottle of
cod-liver oil as my companion. 1 hate
doctors"
But, notwithstanding this popularity,
she was charming creature, and was as
merry as the day was long.
No troubles ever affected her peace of
mind, and although she might some
times get angry, she was never known to
be sal and detected.
One beautiful June day she was visited
by her two cousins, Susan and Lily
Charterous, and the trio made visit to
Richmond, where they amused them
selves all day with trying to get the deer
in the park to eat out of their hands.
Returning home in the evening, it was
agreed by all three that they had spent
happy day-as Meg expressed it, sit was
quite too lovely"
But their faces. They were burned
deeply, darkly. not beautifully red; but
poor Meg's face, the skin of which was
naturally very white and delicate, fairly
shone.
"Oh, my love is like red, red rose,'
sang Meg; and zone, two, three, puff !"
The little mischief had blown out the
candle, and left all there, with Meg's
little sister Louise, to scramble into bed
the best they could in the dark.
There were two beds in the room, one
of which was occupied by Lily and Meg,
the other by Susan and little Lou.
Just as Susan was dropping into the
land of Nod, she heard Meg cry out,
"Oh, my face burns terribly"
"Poor, dear cousinl" said Susan, sym
pathetically; "get up and put some rose
water and glycerine ON 1.-THE bottle is
on the left hand side Of the dressing
table-and rub it we'll in"
81 have found it; but it don't make
my lovely countenance feel much bet
ter"
And Meg jumped into bed again.
In the morning, when Lily awoke, she
was terrified to behold that during the
night Meg's face had turned deep blue.
Getting out of bed, Lily gave her
6lSItT 0uSHu u V6ITiucu bu6hC, anu GA
claimed in loud whisper. "Oh. Susan,
look at Megw
Susan sprang towards Meg's bed, and
gave her rough shake.
She opened her eyes sleepily, and
asked what was wanted, then closed them
again.
Susan then began to cry piteously.
Meg, darling, l fear you have the
smallpox"
No need to shake her now; she was
thoroughly awake.
With bound she reached for the look
ing-glass, and at the sight of her face
tainted away in Lily's arms, who sprang
to catch her.
Aunt Martha arrived ON the scene in
very scant robe de mutt, and night-cap
on one side of her head.
She caught a glimpse of Meg's face
then totally collapsed, bysterically cry
ing, "What is it?-what is it?"
Doctor Langdon, who had been out
making an early visit to patient, ut last
entered the room. He was soon holding
Meg's hand, asking if her throat felt
sore; but she said she did not feel i'll
at all.
"Oh, papa, what ais my face?" And
the poor child buried her head in the
unsympathetic bed-clothes, sobbing vio-
lently.
DR.. Langdon looked puzzled. He
passed his hand over Meg's face; it felt
cool and smooth; why had it turned SO
blue?
he walked to the window, his brow knit
in deep burrows. "a they always we're
when he thought deeply.
He came back in . moment, and asked
If Meg had ever put anything on her
face, as girls sometimes do, to whiten
the skin.
''Nothing," she replied. "but that rose
water, pointing to the bureau, where he
stood.
The bottle she meant was not there; in
its stead WAS bottle of violet ink! The
truth burst on the mind of DR.. Lsugdon
and Susan at the same instant; and the
latter flew to the wash stand, snatched
the wet-wash rag, and in another mo-
ment was rapidly scrubbing the aston
isbed face Of Meg.
.'Oh, Meg. Meg!' she Dried, falling on
the floor in an ecstacy Of mirth. You
painted yonr face with violet ink!"
Meg looked 1t the wash-rag. Yes,
there it lay, stained with the ink of her
face. The relief was 90 great that she
laughed and cried together in the same
breath.
When they had all been told Of it,how
4 ~S.> at <o<1 iii. 1~uuAAo~i