The Daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1845-1850, 1845-07-31
THE TWO MAIDENS.


Good morning, Mrs. Hinton" said Martha
Green, lifting her head, as visitor entered the
room IN which she sat, busily engaged in sewing.
"you see that am full of work
" 30 you seem to be- was the quiet reply-
But suppose you can spare to night for work
of mercy?''
g How work of mercy, Mrs Hinton ;"
&c Poor old Mrs. Bender is verv ill-so i'll that
she cannot be left alone any length of time T
have been up with her two nights in succession
and am now looking for one or two Young ladies'
who will take charge of her to night Can de-
pend on you %
&c Not to night. Mrs. Hinton. 1t would be i'm
possible 1t will take me till twelve to night
and the most part of to morrow to finish this dress
which | must wear at Mrs Corrie's party tomor
row evening. AT any other time / would go
with pleasure
g am really very sorry for that, l have been
to two or three this morning, and all have declin
ed on account of this party
6 Hannah Ball can go readily as not, Mrs,
Hinton She had her new dress made at the
mantua-m makers.
have seen Hannah
Does she decline 20
&c Yes''
"That's very strange. What reason does she
give ?"
sc She says that if she were to set up to night.
It would ruin her appearance to morrow evening.
A4"' ~ hOu1u lndh6 u6F LOOK dreadful.
&c There is something in that, YOU know YOUR
sell, 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, know that sitting up does not improve
the looks much" Mrs. Hinton gravely remarked;
and then, after pausing few moments, got up,
and said, as she moved towards the door
Well, must bid you good morning, Martha,
time is passing and must find some one who will
relieve me, or | shall be sick mvseIf''
" | do hope you will,' Martha said in tone of
concern. +" We're | not situated as | am, should
go with pleasure
And then the visitor went away. After her
! departure, Martha Green sat oughtfu for some
minutes. She did not feel altogether satisfied
with herself and yet, on reflection, she could not
see any cause Tor self condemnation. Sincerely
| did she pity the condition of Mrs. Bender who
was nearly seventy years of age, sick, and with
out any one in the world upon whom she could
look and claim, from consanguinity, single kind
othce. But it was impossible for her to go'' she
reasoned, in the effort to quiet her uneasy feel
lngs, " under the circumstances-uttery impos-
sible.''
Still she sat thoughtful, without resumng her
needle. AT length she aroused herself with the
half audible remark
C Somebody will CO. of course, and that set
tied the matter.
1t was perhaps an hour after, that vouno
| ~AAN NOANoAAls ulOPPSu Ill 10 SIT an l0uf with
Martha. The conversation ran. of course. on the
! party to be held at Mrs. Corrie's on the next
! evening
8" You will look beautiful, in this Dress the
friend remarked, lifting portion of the garment
! upon winch Martina was at work, in her hand
" IL suits your complexion admirably; besides
! being OF rich material, and attractive, vet ap-
| propriate and not too gaudy in color''
{" am glad you think So, Martha replied, with
smile OF satisfaction. g don't believe there
will be anything halfso elegant at the party.''
| "There will at least be one dress there that
will fully equal it,, the visitor said.
Are you sure I" in voice of disappointment
Yes. AS came along this morning, on nv
way here, dropped in a moment to see Ellen
Willard, and found her at work, as you are, upon
her own dress. She has certainly selected it with
exquisite taste. Much as / admire yours, | real
ly should prefer the one she has chosen.
She will attract much attention of course, for
you know that she is girl Of great deal of taste
and knows how to dress to the very best advan-
tage."
This intelligence had the effect to change ma
terialy the tone of Marthas feelings. AS far as
! was in her power, she concealed this change from
her irlend but after she had left her countenance
! expressed much concern. The reason was This
young man, named Alton, had paid her good
many attentions, in the last few months, and Of
such marked kind, that she had suffered her
" OSSOhiO SOOu uedl interested, The
extent OF this interest had not become apparent to
herself, until within week or two, during which
time, she thought that she perceived a slight
change in his manner towards her, united with
on TWO OR three occasions, perceptible preference
Tor the company of Ellen Willard. One reason of
her being unusually DESTROYS of making, if posi-
oie' the very best appearance at the party of Mrs
Corrle, was to FIX again the wavering regard of
Mr.. Alton. To learn then, that Ellen was likely
to equal, If not eclipse her, was no very pleasant
information, and it troubled her in spite of every
effort to rally her feelings
Time passed, and the evening came for the an
uclpated company. Martha was there early,
dressed with the most scrupulous regard to effect
yet tastetully, in every respect. Alton came in
| perhaps half an hour after. The maidens heart
bounded as she saw him enter, While the soft tint
OF her cheek, delicate as the rose blossom, deep
ened its hue. The eyes of the young man glanc-
ed around the brilliantly lighted room, evidently
In search OF some one, and then seated himself
alone, as II disappointed, and again slowly sur
veyed the company. Of course he did notice
Martha Green. In little while others made
their appearance, and soon he found himself by
the side OF one OF his most intimate friends.
" Did you ever see Martha Green look so beau
titul =! he said to this young man.