The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1884-09-12
SELECT STORY.
HOW A WIFE WAS WON.

The opening of the Grand Indus
trial Exposition had brought me to the
city in the early part of the spring in
1876. Tired from long standing and
walking around; more tired still by
the shows and wonderful exhibitions
of the mighty progress OF civilization
at home displayed at this exposition,
turned my steps homeward one after
noon earlier than usual had taken
leave of my friends, making an en-
gagement for a reunion later on in the
evening, and directed my course to one
of the quiet quarters of the city in
which my hotel was situated. The
less frequent the bazaars and show
windows became, so much more insig-
nifcant became the number of foot
passengers on the streets But it
seemed to me much more stylish
looking part of the city than the pub
lie drives of the central portion, be-
cause here the high, grave-loolling
houses were either government offices
or were inhabited BY city officials or
wealthy private citizens.
Before me walked for some distance
a young and elegantly attired lady. At
a curve of the street | succeeded in
getting a fleeting glimpse of her pro.
file, and felt myself thereby urged to
observe carefully even the knot of
golden blonde and suushiny hair, half
covered by the dark English hat, as
well as the extremely delicate, graceful,
figure of the still youthful girl.
Suddenly her step faltered, she half
turned, fingered for moment, and
then walked hastily towards me, past
me, and back over the road by which
she had just come Not far ahead of
us came sauntering along an officer,
with lady on his arm, gayly chatting
and laughing. Could they have fright
ened my Unknown? A sudden inter-
est stirred within me; / wished to
gain some insi light into her strange
conduct, and therefor made hasty
turn, following her and keeping only a
few PAGES behind.
Then saw how she pressed the lit,
tie clenched hand passionately to heI
heart, and with tears in her violet eyes
and half-sad, halfscornful expression,
murmured something 10 herself which
my excited Imagination fancied to be
80, foolish heart, why are thou no,
quiet; why mounts the blood to my
cheek and compels me to turn back lest
l betray myselfi'
The childish ebullition moved me
unconsciously, and feeling of jeal
ousy stole over me against that officer
whom had involuntarily thought OF
in connection with this young girl. II
l had only dared to address her; but
that l could not bring myself to do
She evidently belonged to the first class
of society, and nothing was further
from my thoughts than desire to in
suit or intrude upon her. But fortune
favored me,
A small package which she had
hitherto carried slipped from her arm
without her having remarked it
Quickly ] picked it up and gave il
back to its fair owner, with few pc
lite words, She looked at me with 6
surprised, somewhat naughty glance
as | remained standing before hel
rather longer than was absolutely nee
essary Her large, violet, childlikt
eyes were still filed with tears and the
delicate face was deathly pale.
81 thank you," she said, briefly,
taking the package from my hand.
But did not allow myself to be
dismissed thus quickly.
"You are not well, my dear young
lady," said l. "Will you not com
mand my services ?"
Something in my voice, perhaps also
my quiet, respectful manner, seemed te
inspire her with confidence. She look
ed at me with wonder in her beautiful
fearful eyes, and said, less curtly thar
| before:
"You are very kind, sir. l would
like to have a drosche."
| bowed and while she stood at the
window of flower store, | hurried
down the street and soon found ar
empty vehicle, in which joyfully, and
Witl a StHlic iCSiiiiS VI 'NPcoVaV'oh VI
what would happen next, drove back
to my little Unknown.
Meanwhile she had regained hel
self-command only her hand YET
trembled as she in entering the car
riage laid it lightly in mine, and it felt
ice cold through her glove,
"Your residence?" l asked She
named one Of the elegant streets in the
West End, and as | called the address
to the coachman l knew how certain
would be not to forget it myself
closed the carriage door; she then
bowed her lovely head at the open
window and thanked me for my ser
vice but she spoke confusedly, and il
her embarrassment her pale cheeks
oolored with a rosy blush, so that shG
appeared even much more charming
than before.
"May | call tomorrow and inquir.
after your health3 7" ventured TO ask
but she seemed taken by surprise a
the question and hesitated to answer
while the blush deepened on her cheek
"Hip y cried the coachman at this