Rutland herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1823-1847, 1843-05-23

mere VIII OF least be one dress there that will
fully equal H. the visitor said
Are you sureT asked Martha, in tone Of dis.
npron,meut
Yes. A. came along this morning on my
way here droprel in moment 10 see Ellen
Willard aud found her at work as you aus. upon
her own dress She has certainly selected i, with
exquisite tls,e Much as admire yours. should
prefer the one she has chosen She will atrac,
much attention Of course, for you know ,ha, she is
girl Of great deal Of taste, and knows how to
dress TO the very best advantage
This intelligence had the effect to change ma
terlally the tone OF Marthas feelings As far as
Il was in her power, she concealed this change
from her friend tut after she had lat her couu,e.
nance expressed much concern. The reason was
this young man named Alton had paid her
good many attentions in thu .as, few months and
OF such a marked kind that fs,. had suffered her
affections to become a good deal interested The
extent OF this interest had not become apparent, to
herself until within week or two during which
time she thought she perceived a slight change in
his manner towards her, united wrh on two or
three occasions, percoptble preference of the
company OF Ellen Willard. One reason for her
being unusually dcslrous of making if possible
'he very BE- ST appearance at the party Of Mrs Cor
RE, was TO fix again the wavering regam of Mr.
equal If not eclipse her, was no very phasan, in
formation, and it troubled her in spite of every eff
fort to rally her feelings
Time passed, and the evening came for the an
ticipated company. Martha was there early dress
cd with the most scrupulous regard to effect, vet
tasteiully, in every respect. Alton came in per.
haps hall an hour after. The maidn's heart
bounded as she saw hi m enter, while the soft tint
OF her check, delicate as a blossom, deepened its
hue. The eye OF the young man glanced around
the brilliantly lighted room evidently in scare
OF some one, and then he seated himself alone. as
if disappointed, and again slowly surveyed the
company In little while others made heir ap.
pearance, and soon he found himself by the side of
one OF his most intimate friends
Did you ever see Martha Green look so beau.
tlul g he SAID to this young man
"Where is shc9 Oh, yes-I see, really she is
superb looking woman"
"lsn't shc2 Blu, there is one when expect
tonight, that if am not mistaken, will eclipse
herr
"Who is sher
"Elen 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 nv
life"
Alton turned his eyes towards the door and sure
enough there was Ellen plainly dressed, though
neal, am her lace wearing an expression of wear
mess, II was moment or two before he spoke
and then he said in tone of disappointment
AS you say, never saw her look so indifer
ent in all my life. Still she is a sweet girl even
though eclipsed tonight, in every way by Martha
Green"
"They certainly will not bear comparison"
responded the friend
Mar f.rao h., i
and confident mentioned as having called on her
the day before had been glancing uneasily towards
the door every time it was opened to admit some
new conner, and was among the first to perceive
Ellen
80 dear II that's all, no one hero need fear
beng thrown into shade tonight" was her ex-
ullihg remark. why thought you told me that
she was at work on dress even more beautiful
than mine ~
so she was replied her friend "Anl |
cannot tell sor my life why she has not worn it,"
"She could not get it done suppose"
"Perhaps not There was good deal 10 do
on 1t when saw her. Indeed she had jus, con-
menced working on it,"
30 you know that | am right down GLAD Of
| it W-Mauha said
mo. WhvP
Because, if she had come on, in her very bcst
style this evening, | am very much afraid Mr..
Alton would have been too much taken up with
her."
Indeed thought he was paying almost exclu-
sive attention TO you"
so have fattered myself until within the
last week or two, when he has seemed to grow a
lutte more 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 salIow
and her cheeks pale; and her whole face has a
dull Iifeless expression. What on earth can DO
the ma,ter}n
| "Sonahing has happened no doubt to prevent
her getting that dress done which mas worried her
SO much as 10 spoil her very face. And see with
what look Mr.. Alton is now regarding herr"
yes, see; AMI what is more, | see that | an
safe"
Ia ieY minutes after, Alton took a seat be.
side Martha. cured, as he thought OF the evident
preference which had recently existed in his mind
| for Ellen Willard, over her anxious rival This
preference had no. been so distinct 70 have been
ioundei upon any serious comparison made IN his
mini between the intrinsic claims 70 estimation
which the two young ladies' presented It was
rather leaning towards Ellen, without reflection
upon The reason why she seemed more Interesting
10 him THAI Martha or course, II required but a
irhe to change that state Of mind He now re.
neved his attentions 10 Miuha Green with even
81. L. Ia. -