The Daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1845-1850, 1845-07-31
here to night that if am not mistaken, will eclipse

" Ellen Willard"
"There she is now Look at her, and 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, ana
sure enough there was Ellen, plainly dressed,
though neat, and her face wearing an expression
of WEAKNESS. 1t was a moment or two before he
spoke and then he said, in tone OF disappoint-
ment
'As you say, l never saw her look so indifer-
ent In my life. Still, she is sweet girl, even
though eclipsed to night, in every way, by Mar
tina Green"
esThey certainly will not bear comparison"
responded the friend.
Martha Green, who was sitting beside the
friend and confdant mentioned as having called
on her the day before, had been glancing uneasily
towards the door, every time it opened to admit
some new conner, and was among the first to per-
ceive Ellen.
90 dear If that is all, no one need to fear be-
ing thrown into the shade to night, " was her ex-
ulting remark. Why, | thought you told me
that she was at work dress even more beau
tiful than mine.''
&c So she was,'' replied her friend. And can
not for my life, tell why she has not worn it,
''She could not get it done, suppose"
perhaps not. There was great deal to do
on it when | saw her. Indeed, she had Just COM
menced working on it,"
DO you know that right down glad of
t." Martha said.
"No-why ??
4" Because, if she had come out in her very best
style this evening, am very much afraid Mr.
Alton would have been too much pleased with
hers
g Indeed l thought he was paying almost ex-
elusive attention to you"
$50 have flattered myself until within the
last week or two, he has seemed to grow a little
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 sallow,
and her cheeks pale; her whole face has dull,
lfeless expression What on earth can be the
matter Something has happened, no doubt, to
prevent her getting that dress done, which has
worried her so much as to spoil her face. And
see, with what a look Mr.. Alton is regarding
her.
." Yes see; and what is more, see that am
safe.'
In few minutes after, Alton took 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 not been so distinct as to have
been founded upon any serious comparison made
in his mind between the intrinsic claims to est-
nation, which the two young ladies presented.
1t was rather leaning towards Ellen, without
reflection upon the reason why she seemed more
interesting to him than Martha. Of course, it
required but trihe to change that state of mind.
He now renewed his attentions to Martha Green,
with even more than his former assiduity, to the
entire neglect of Ellen Willard, who retired at
very early hour.
Towards the close of the evening, he sat near
Mrs Hinton, who was present, and two or three
ladies who were conversing. The name of Ellen,
mentioned by one of them, attracted his atten-
ton.
ELLEN did not look like herself tonight was
remarked by one.
''No,' said another, I" i never saw her make
more Indifferent appearance. And she was be-
sides, very dull, while she remained, and has left
the room at an early hour. What can the matter
be with her 2"
She 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
always regarded by her'
&C / think that | can explain it all, replied Mrs
Hinton, smiling.
Alton listened attentively to what followed
although it was not intended for his ears.
He sat near enough to hear all that was 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.
" We'll, what is the reason 7" asked two or three
of the ladies'.
ton " Most of you know old Mrs Bender. On
calling to see her few days ago, found her
very i'll, and in need of nourishment and atten-
ton. She is very old, and lives entirely by her.
self. In the condition that found her, it would
have been cruel to have left her for any length of
time. For two nights | remained with her my
self, not wishing to trouble any else and being
in the hope every day that she would get much
better Yesterday found myself so much ia
ugued from loss of rest, that was compelled to
seek for some one who would relieve me- Ac-
cordingly called on several young ladies', and
asked their assistance. But some, like Martha
Green, had their hands so full in making I'M their
dresses for this evening, that they could not pos
sibly sit up while others were afraid that the loss
OF nights rest would entirely unfit them TO enov
tins pleasant company. Any other time. one and
all would have come forward cheerfullv for the
sake OF old Mrs Bender. With feeling Of dis.
enlargement, called in to see Ellen, and found
her engaged on one Of the sweetest dresses have
ever SEEM IT was to be worn this evening"
Busy, too" ! remarked as ] sat down by her
side, with feeling that my search for sitter-up
would prove frutless.
{" am busy, Mrs Hinton was her reply. but
not so busy, hope, but what can oblige YOU"
lnstnctively, it seems, she had perceived
from my tone Of voice. that had a request to
make, which her heart prompted her at once to