Cooper's Clarksburg register. [volume] (Clarksburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1851-1861, 1854-03-01
THE Tw MAIpENs.

tor entered the room in which she sat, bu-
silly engaged in sewing. "YOu see that
am full of work. a i
:" So you seem to be-, was the quiet re-
ply. :" But I suppose you can spare to-
night, for work of mercy 2" lq
How work of mercy, Mrs. Hin.
ton ?'' zoe an ass4 x
''Poor old Mrs. Bender is very ill-so
i'll that she cannot be left alone at any
length of time. / have been up with her
two nights in succession, and am now
looking for one or two young ladies who
win take charge of her tonight. Can 1
depend upon you p
F" Not tonight, Mrs. Hinton. Itwould
be impossible 1t will take me tilltwelve
tonight, and the most part of to- morrow,
TO finish the dress, which must wear at
Mrs. Corrie's party to morrow evening"
Any other time l would go with plea
sure - .,y-lF
Z" l am really sorry for that. 1 have
been to two or three this morning, aud all
have declined on account Of this party
+" Hannah Ball can go as readily as not,
Mrs. Hinton. She had her new dress
made at the mantua- makers" r, H5.s
8" 1 have seen Hannah" 7#g
" Does she decline 2" ms
ayes" .'' go. t -r-,.s.., 81
That's very strange. What reason
does she give?" 4aar .ad a.ssa
: ''She says that If she were to set up to.
night it would ruin her appearance to-
morrow evening. That it would make
her look dreadful" a., mo-
"There is something in that, you know
yourself. Mrs. Hinton. Loss of rest has
the same effect on me. don't look 1T
to be seen for two or three days after
loosing nights sleep" .,
"Yes, l know that sitting updoes not
improve looks much" Mrs, Hinton grave.
ly remarked and then after pausing a
few movements. got up, and said as she
moved towards the door
'' "Wen, I must bid you good morning.
Martha /; time is passing, and must fnd
some one who will relieve me, or will be
sick myself"
-"'' l hope you WILL" Martha said. in a
tone Of concern. Were l not situated
just as am. should go with pleasure, !"
And then the visitor went away. After
her departure, Martha Green sat thought
fully for some minutes, She did not feel
altogether satisfied which herself, and yet,
on reflection she could not see any cause
for self-coudemna:ion. Sincerely did she
pity the condition of poor Mrs. Bender,
who was nearly seventy years of age, sick,
and without any one in the world upon
whom she could look and claim, from
consangunity, single kind Office. /" But
il was impossible for her to co. she rea-
soned, in the effort to quiet her uneasy
feeling, " under the circustances-uLte
impo sible." u-r
Still she sat thoughtful, without resu.
ming her needle. At length she aroused
herself, with the half audible remark p
Somebody will go, of course" and
that settled the matter.
1t was, perhaps. an hour after, that a
young friend and confident, dropped in to
sit an hour with Martha. The conversa.
ton run Of course. on the party to be held
at Mrs. Corrie's on that evening,
You will look beautiful in .his dress, >
the friend remarked. lifting portion Of the
garment upon which Martha was at work
in her hand, {" II suits your complexion
admirably; besides being Of rich mate
rial, and attractive, yet appropriate and
and not too gaudy in color"
I am glad you think SO" Martha re
piled. with smile of satisfaction. g
don't believe there will be anything hal
so elegant at the party"
There will at least be one dress there
that will fully equal it," the visitor said.
Are you sure ?" asked Martha, in &
tone Of disappointment.
Yes. AS 1 came along this morning
on my way here, dropped in momen,
to see Ellen Willard. and found her al
work as you ere, upon her own dress
She has certainly selected it with excel
lent taste. Much as admire yours. re.
ally think that should prefer the one she
has chosen. She will attract much atten.
ton, Of course you know that she is g
girl Of good deal of taste, and knows
now to dress TO the very best advantage
This intelligence had the effect to change
materially the tone Of Martha's feelings
AS far as was in her power, she concealed
this change from her friend, but after
she had left. her countenance expressed
much concern. The reason was this: A
young man, named Alton. bad paid her 4
good many attentions in the last few
months, and of such marked kind, thai
she had suffered her affections to become
good deal interested. The extent ot
this interest had not become apparent Il
herself until within a week or two, during
which, Zine she thought that she Perceiy.
ed Slight change in his manner toward
her, united with, on one or tRo occasions
PcrcePtibl2 preference for the company
Of Ellen Willard. One reason for her be-
ing unusually desirous ofmaking, it posi-
BILE, the very best appearance at the par.
ty of Mrs. Corrie, was TO fix again the
wavering regard Of Mr. Alton. To learn
then, that Ellen was likely to equal. If mol
to eclipse her, was no pleasant informa.
tion, and it troubled her in spite Of every
effort to rally her feelings. .