Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1879-05-21
CAPT. DOLwELL,S CHOICE.

any dearest Cecilia, whose car
rage is it at the door! 1t is Capt.
Dolwell's. This bitter day, too.
What does it meant" Mrs. Doran
closed the door, and glanced at her
daughter, who at that moment was
leaving the window.
"Change your ruffle for lace
frill, put on your diamond breast
pin, my love-" continued her excit-
ed mother, sand go down at once.
I will take your embroidery. As a
rule, gentlemen dislike to be kept
waiting, so go at once"
Cecilia FASTENED to obey, while
at that moment her cousin Nell en-
tered the room, just returning from
her walk. She was spending the
winter at Aunt Doran's.
"You see, Nell" continued Mrs.
Doran, graciously, when the door
closed after Cecilia, "this Capt.
Dolwell comes from one Of the best
families, and is decidedly the best
match of the season. AS you are
aware, Nell" looking sadly pathetic
and reaching for her handkerchief,
"while it would almost break my
heart to part with dear Cecilia, l
naturally feel so solicitous about
seeing her suitably settled; and
Capt. Dolwell is such "a"
But here her further mention Of
the Captain was interrupted by the
temperance of Miss Cecilia, car
rying her head very high, and her
blue eyes sparkling with fire.
"Why, my dear, what is the mat
teri Capt. Dolwell cannot have
gone so soon !"
"No, mother" replied Cecilia,
with studied Indifference, "the Cap
tain called TO see Nell"
"Why, Nell, do you know Capt
Dolwell"
eyes, aunt, know him." answer
ed Nell, demurely, and a moment
later she was gone.
The sun had set when the Cap
tain and Nell returned from their
drive, and at supper Cecelia's sharp
eyes caught the glitter of the dia-
mond ring on her cousins finger.
"What does it mean, Nell 2" ask
ed Cecilia, when they we're alone.
at means that l have promised
to be his wife," faltered Nell, her
sweet face like the heart of June
rose. "And, oh, Cecilia, / am so
happy"
"Let me see it"
Nell held out her pretty finger,
on which shone the magnificent
jewel.
at is splendid" said Cecilia,
modify. 81 never saw finer ring
That diamond is superb. 1t didn't
cost n cent less than $780,"
Nell ran away to her own room
and after having silly girls cry
over her happiness, sat down to
write to her dear father and moth.
er, and tell them her precious Sc.
cret. She was the only child oil
three. One brother had died when
quite young, and her other brother
had joined the army years before,
and nothing was ever heard from
their dear boy. He was thought
dead.
Nell was their all in all, and
great would be their rejoicing over
this untold good fortune which had
befallen her, for Capt. Dolwell was
a man well worth winning. She
wrote a long letter, pouring out all
the grateful Joy with which her in
nocent heart overflowed. The old
clock in the tower tolled the hour
of twelve when she sealed her let
ter.
The next morning, as Nell was
sitting in the drawing-room looking
over some letters, q note was given
her by the servant. who said it was
left by q boy some few moments
before. Nell nervously opened the
letter, which was from no other
than Capt. Dolwell, and which ran !:
81 have been very unexpectedly
summoned to W. / had not
even time to say goodbye, bit
write a short note, which no doubt
you have received. may be away
1t -.l1~ .-o~os II h0no