Litchfield enquirer. [volume] (Litchfield, Conn.) 1829-current, 1843-04-06
From Miss Leslie'S Magazine for March.
THE TWO MAIDENS..

'Poor old Mrs. Bender is very ill-so i'll
that she cannot be left alone any length of
time have been up with her two nights in
succession, and am now looking for ore or
two young ladies who will take charge of her
tonight. Can depend on you?'
No, tonight, Mrs. Hinton. 1t would be
inpossibIe 1t will take me till twelve to-
night, and the most part of tomorrow, 20 fin
ish this dress, which I must wear at Mrs.
Corrie'S party tomorrow evening. Any 9TH
er time l would 90 with pleasure
Il am really sorry for that. | have been
10 two or three this morning, and all have
declined on account of this party"
Hannah Ball can GO as readily rs not,
Mrs. Hinton. She had her new dress made
at the mantaumaker'S.'
Il have seen Hannah
Does she declne!'
yes
That's very strange. What reason does
she gives?
'She says. that if she were to sit up to
night, it would ruin her appearance to-mor-
row evening. That it would mako her look
dreadful
'There is something in that you know
yourself, Mrs. Hinton. Loss of rest has the
same effect upon me- don't look fit to be
seen for two or three DAYS after losing
nights Sleep
Yes I know that sitting up does not i'm
prove 'he looks MUCH Mrs. Hinton gravelv
remarked; and then, after pausng few
moments, got up, and said, as she moved to-
wards the door
well, l must bid you good morning.
Martha, time is passing, and | must find
some one who will relieve me, or shall get
sick myself
Il 10 hope YOU will Martha said, in tone
Of concern. 'Were not situated just as am,
l should 60 with pleasure
And then the visiter went away. After
her departure, Martha Green sat though!fully
for some minutes. She did no, feel altogeth-
err satisfied with herself, and yet, on reflec-
ton, she could not see any cause for self con-
domination. Sincerely did she pity the con-
dition of poor old Mrs. Bender, who was
nearly seventy years of age, sick, and with
could look and claim, from consanguinity,
Il single kind office.
But it was impossible tor her to 60, she
reasoned, in the effort TO quiet her uneasy
feelings under the circumstances-u;terl
mrossble.'
Still she sat thoughtful. without rcsuming
he" needle At length she aroused herself
with tho half audible remark
Somebody will go of coursc'-and that
settled the matter.
1t wa~ perhaps, an hour nficr, that a
Young friend. and confident, dropped in TO
sit an hour with Martha. The conversation
run, OF course, on tho panty to be held at Mrs.
COrre'S on the next evening.
'You will look beautiful. in this dress the
friend remarked, lifting n portion of the gar
ment upon which Martha was at work in her
hand. II suits your complexion admirably ;
besides bring of a rich material, and atirac.
tive, vet appropriate and not too gaudy in
color
i am glad YOU think So Martha replied
with n smile of satisfaction. Il don't believe
there will be anything half so elegant at the
partv.' t..
There will at least be one dress there tina:
will fully equal IT, the visitor said
Are you Sure!' in tone of dsapponi
mont.
Yes. As came along this morning, on
nv way here. dropped in p moment TO see
Ellen WilIard.anh found her NJ work rs you
are. upon her own dress. She has certainly
selected it with exquisite taste. Much as !
admired yours, really think that ! should
prefer the one she has chosen. She will
attract much attention Of course. for you
know that she is a gill OF great deal of
taste, and knows how to dress to he very best
advantnge.'
This intelligence Ind the effect to change
naturally the tone Of Marlha's feelings AS
far rs was in her power. she concealed this
change from her friend, but after she had
left. her co'lntcnance expressed much con-
concern. The reason was this. A young
man named Alton, had paid her good ma
ny attentions, in the last few months, and Of
such ~ marked kind, that she had suffered
heE affections 10 become n good deal inter-
esied. The extent of this interest had not be-
come apparent to herself, until within week
or two, during which time, she thought she
perceived slight change in his manner to-
wards her. united with, on two or three occa-
sions. perccptihle preference Of the compa.
ny Of Ellen Willard. One reason for her
being unusually DESTROYS Of making, if posi-
bic the very best appearance nj the party
of Mrs. Corrie, was to fix again the wavering
regard of Mr.. Alton. To learn, then, that
Ellen was likely to equal, if not TO eclipse
her, was no very pleasant information. and it
troubled herin spite of every effort to rally
her feelings. '
Time passed. and the evening came for
the anticipated company. Martha was there
early, dressed with the most strupuInus re-
gard to effect, yet tastefully. in every re-
spect. Alton came in perhaps half an hour
after. The maiden's heart bounded as she
saw him enter, while the soft tint Of her
cheek. delicate as the rose blossom, deep
ened its hue. The eye of the young man
glanced around the brilliantly lighted room.
evidently in search of some one. and then
ne seated himself alone. as if disappointed,