Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1843-04-28

nue.. ne eye oil the young man glanced
around the brilliant lighted room, evidently
in search Of some one, and then he seated
himself alone, as if disappointed, and again
slowly surveyed the company OF course
he did not fail to notice Martha Green. In
a little while others made their appearance,
and soon he found himselfby the side of
one Of his most intimate friends.
"Did you ever see Martha Green look
so beautiful ~ he said to this young man.
"Where is she? Oh, yes-I see. Real
Iy, she is suberb looking woman"
"Isn't she But there is one whom ex-
pect here to night, that, if l am not mistak
en-, will eclipse her"
"Wbo is she p
ELLEN Willard"
"There she is now. Look at her, and
then yield the palm at once to Miss Green.
Really never saw Ellen look so Indifferent
in all my life"
Alton turned his eyes towards the door
and sure enough there was Ellen, plainly
dressed, though neat, and face wearing an
expression of WEAKNESS 1t was a moment
or two before be spoke, and then he said,
in tone Of disappointment
Gas you say, never saw her look so in
different in my life. Still, she is a sweet
girl, even though eclipsed to night in her
way, by Martha Green"
'''They certainly will not bear a compare
son." responded the friend.
Martha Green, who was sitting beside
the friend and confidant mentioned as hav-
ing called on her the evening before, had
been glancing uneasily toward the door,
every time il opened to admit some new
conner and was the first 10 perceive Ellen.
40 dear If that is all, no one here need
fear being thrown into the shade tonight, /"
was her exulting remark. why thought
you told me that she was at work on dress
even more beautiful than mine ?"
$50 she was" replied her friend "And
| cannot for my life, tell why she has not
worn it."
"She could not get it done suppose"
"Perhaps not. There was a good deal
TO do on it when | saw her. Indeed, she
had Just commenced working on it."
"Do you know that am right down glad
of itp Martha said.
"No-whyw
"Because if she had come out in her very
I uCSt SANlC thiS CNCtlbR, very iuuCU
afraid Mr.. Alton would have been too much
pleased with her."
"Indeedl l thought he was paying al
most exclusive attention to you"
$50 have hattered myself until within
the last week or two, when he has seemed
to grow a little more attentive to Ellen,
than is agreeable to me-"
"You have nothing to fear tonight, Mar
tina, Just seel She has that old dress worn
by her at the last half dozen parties And
instead Of her usual brilliant complexion,
her skin looks sallow, and her cheeks pale
and her whole face has dull, lifeless ex.
preston. What on earth can be the mat.
teri Something has happened, no doubt
to prevent her getting that dress done, which
has worried her so much as to spoil her very
face. And see, with what.a look Mr. AL.
ton is now regarding her p
"Yes, see; and what is more, see thai
| am safe"
In few minutes after, Alton took a seal
beside Martha, cured, as he tho't, Of the
evident preference, which recently existed
in his mind for Ellen Willard, over hel
anxious rival. This preference had mo-
been so distinct as to have been founded
upon any serious comparison made in hi:
mind between the intrinsic claims to estma
ton, which the two young ladies presented
1t was rather leaning towards Ellen, withou
rejecting upon the reason why she SCENE,
more interesting to him than Martha. o
course, it required but little to change tina
state of mind. He now renewed his atten
ton to Martha Green, with even more thar
his former assiduity, to the entire neglec
of Ellen Willard, who retired at very ear
ly hour
Il Towards the close of the evening, he sa
near Mrs. Hinton, who was present, an,
two or three ladies who were conversing.-
The name of Ellen, mentioned by one o
them, attracted his attention.
"Ellen did not look like herself, tonight,
was remarked by one.
"No," said another, 81 never saw he
make more Indifferent appearance. An,
she was besides, very dull, while she re
manned, and has left the room at an unusual
" early hour. What can be the matte
with herr"
"She is not very well" Mrs Hinton said
"But even that does not account for tn
want of taste and effect in her dress, tw,
things that are always regarded by her"
81 think that l can explain it all" re
!, Piled Mrs. Hinton, smiling.
Alton listened attentively to what fol
lowed, although il was not intended for hi
: ears He sat near enough to hear all tina
} was said, without making any effort so t
: do-and he was too much interested to ge
+ up, and move to another part of the room.
{ "Well what is the reason?" asked tw
, or three of the ladies.
; at is plain case" resumed Mrs. Hin
, ton. "Most of you know old Mrs Bender