The Vermont transcript. [volume] (St. Albans, Vt.) 1864-1870, 1864-08-05
Which TO Choose.

Mrs. Champion, n rich widow of only
thirty summers, and in the full bloom
of her beauty, was in the matrimonial
snarket closely besieged by three suit
ors, all of them good looking. all gen
Eemen, and all protesting unbounded
and disinterested affection for the fair
hdy. Crevanieu had been a cavalry
oficer, but had retired from the SER
6ce. He was tall, dashing figure,
NTH very aristocratic manners, and
Hke Ned Pepper, Paul Clifford's friend,
possessed an "unkimmon fine head of
hair. Indeed, it was rumored that
bis ambrosal curls were not natures
git to him, but the spoiia opima of
some nameless and more favored indi-
ndual, procured of Boyle by the inter
mediation of certain amount of filthy
mere. The captain had inherited a
large fortune
Suitor No. was young man about
bwn, very fashionable, polished and
pleasant He contrived to keep out of
debt, but his financial resources were
@id to be very limited Mr.. Claude
Sareless evidently had a good prospect
81 success.
The third sutton, Mr.. Stanley More
Pm, was an art-student, and also cult
pted poetry. Though very modest
nd unaffected he was slightly eccen-
nc IN the matter of costume-wore a
4ubens hat, and black velvet coat,
nd during Kossuth excitement had
erious thought of completing his
Equipment by feather-but his better
enlus saved him from this solecism.
Is he was quite sensitive and timid,
ad an awkward habit of blushing, and
las silent in company, the Captain
20 Careless made light of his rival
ip and considered the contest as con-
ped to themselves.
Inc captain proposed after the most
approved taste of fashion, dropping
facefuliy on one knee, and pressing
ne lips that murmured his vows to
pc far hand he solicited as his guer-
hon. ' . W
"heh ne mad retired, Claude paid
~ sdeVoirs, and made his proposals
pun great earnestness. His profess
'ons OF Observation-Disclosures were no less
Emphatic than the Captains.
ihepainter came next. When alone
Ni.h the lady of his love he found a
s1 y which failed him in the presence
10 each of the suitors she gave the
'.ne namely, that she would
'urn a definite answer to his exactly
l'ee weeks from the date of his pro-
oSai requiring him in the interval to
ram nom calling or inquiring about
ei and to absent himself from the
Y; The commands of rich beauty
Imperative. Each wooer promised
snghtly obedience and kept his
iouSe' The Captain ran down to
eSpoft; Claude went to Saratoga,
~ Stanley carried his sketch book up
y The White Mountains.
ine widow shut herself up for three
eeHs' AT the expiration of that time
aac'ual to the appointed day, hour
a nu minute, the elegant Captain en-
r ns Mrs. Champions drawing room
~ surveyed himself from head To
H., In the Versailles mirror, with O
nie OF satisfaction. He was engage d
IN, contamination when light step re-
meu nm to a sense of propriety. He
S;a ueo ana beheld the widow, but q
D,Sk vel covered her face. He drew
mar man to her side and addressed her
dearest Isabella" said he, in hi,
nos' persuasive tones, "allow me to re-
s love The envious screen which shrouds
aarms that were never meant to b.
concealed" "
tAas, Captain" said the widow
"a tremulous voice, and drawing