The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1843-05-02


a superb looking woman
ISN'T she? But there is ono whom / expect here
tonight that if am not mistaken, will eclipse her.
sWho is she?'
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 toward the door and sure
enough there was Ellen, plainly dressed, though neat,
and her face wearing an expression ofweariness. 1t
was moment or two before he spoke, and then he
said, in tone of disappointment,
'As you ay, never saw her look so Indifferent in
my hte Still, she is sweet girl, though ecps-
cd tonight in her way, by Martha Green
'They certainly will not bear a comparison re-
sponded the friend
Martha Green, who was sitting beside the friend
and confdant mentioned as having called on her the
evening before, had been glancirg uneasily toward
the door, every time it opened to admit some new
conner and was the first to perceive Ellen.
% dear If that is all, one here need fear being
thrown into the shade to night was her exulting re-
mark.
'Why, thought you told me that she was at work
on dress even more beautiful than mine!'
so she was,' replied her friend. sAnd | cannot
for my life tell why she has not worn it,
'She could not get it done, SUPPOSE
Perhaps hot. There was good deal to do on it
when saw her. indeed she had just commenced
working on it.
do you know that l am right down glad of it'
Martha said.
'No-why?'
because if she had come out in her very best style
this evening, ala very much afraid Mr. Alton would
have been too much pleased with her.
'Indeed! / thought he was paying almost exclu-
sive attention to you.'
$50 have hattered myself until within the last
week two, when he has seemed to grow little
attentive to Ellen, than is agreeable to me-
You have nothing to fear to night, Martha, just
see! She has that old dress worn by her at the last
half dozen parties. And instead Of her usual brilliant
complexion, her skin looks saow, and her cheeks
pale; and her whole face has dull, lifeess express
sion. What earth can be the matter? Something
has happened, doubt, to prevent her getting that
dress done, which has worried her much to spoil
her very face And see, with what look Mr. Alton
is now regarding her'
Eyes, see: and what is more, 1 see that safe.'
In a few minutes after, Alton took seat beside
Martha, cured he thought, Of the evident prefer
ence, which recently existed in his mind for Ellen
not been founded upon any serious comparison made
in his mind between the intrinsic claims to estimation,
which the two young ladies presented 1t was rath-
er leaning towards Elem without rcfecting upon the
reason why she seemed more interesting to him than
Martha OF course, it required but little to change
that state of mind. He renewed his attention to
Martha Green, with than his former ASST
duty TO the entire neglect o. Ellen Willard who re-
tired at very early hour
Towards the close of the evening, he sat near Mrs
Hinton, who was present, and two thee ladies who
were oonversng The name of Ellen, mentioned by
one of them, attracted his attention.
ELLEN did not look like herself, to night was re-
marked by one'
NO., said another. Il never saw her make a
Indifferent appearance. And she was besides, very
dull while she remained, and has left the at
unusually early hour What be the matter with her?
sShe is not very well, Mrs Hinton said.
But even that does not account for the want of
taste and effect in her dress, two things that are al
ways regarded by her.
Il think that can explain it ALL replied Mrs Hin
ton, smiling.
Alton listened attentively to what followed, altho'
it was not intended for his He sat near enough
to hear all that said, without making any effort
SO TO do-and he was too much interested to get up
and move to another part of the room.
sWell what is the reason? asked two or three ladies'
st is plain case,' resumed Mrs Hinton. Most OF
YOU know old Mrs Bender On calling in to see her
a few days ago, found her very i'll, and in need OF
nourishment and attention She is very old, and lives
entirely by herself In the condition that found her.
it would have been cruel to have left her alone for
any length of time. For two nights remained with
her myself, not wishing to trouble any one eise' and
being in the hope every day that she would get much
better Yesterday found myself so much fatigued
from loss of rest, that was compelled to seek for
some one who would relieve me. Accordingly
called upon several young ladies and asked their as
sistance But some, like Martha Green, had their
hands SO full in making up dresses Tor this evening
that they could possibly sit up-while others were
afraid that the loss ola nights rest would entirely
unfit them to enjoy this pleasant company. ANY 9TH
er time, one and all would have come forward cheer