Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1884-09-11
The Sturp Teller.
HOW A WIFE WAS WON.

HOW A WIFE WAS WON.
The opening of the Grand Industrial Elk.
position had brought me to the city in the
early part of the Spring in 1879. Tired from
long standing and walking around; more
tired still by the shows and wonderful ex'
hibitions of the mighty progress of civlllza,
ton at home displayed at this exposition
I turned my steps homeWard one afternoon
earlier than usual. I had taken leave OF
my friends, making an engagement for a
reunion later on in the evening, and di.
rected my course to one of the quiet quar-
tiers of the city in which my hotel was stu.
ated. The less frequent the bazaars and
show-windows became, so much more In
significant became the number of foot pas
sengers on the streets. But it seemed to
me much more stylish-looking part OF the
city than the public drives of the central
portion, because here the high, grave-look,
ing houses were either government offices
or were inhabited by city officials or veal
thy private citizens.
Before me walked for some distance a
young and elegantly attired lady. AT
curve of the street succeeded in getting a
self thereby urged to observe carefully even
the knot of golden blonde and sunshiny
hair, half covered by the dark English hat,
as we'll as the extremely delicate, graceful
figure of the still youthful girl.
Suddenly her step faltered, she half turn
ed, 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 a lady on his arm, gayly chat
ting and laughing. Gould they have fright
ened my Unknown? \ sudden interest
stirred within me; I wished to gain some
fore made haSty turn, following her and
keeping only few PAGES behind.
Then I saw how she pressed the little
clenched hand passionately to her heart
and with tears in her violet eyes and a
half-sad, half-scornful expression, murmur:
ed something to herself which my excited
imagination fancied to be: 80, foolish
heart, why art thou not quiet; why mounts
the blood to my cheek and compels me to
turn back lest betray myself?"
This childish ebullition moved me uncon-
sciously, and feeling Of jealousy stole over
me against that officer whom | had invol,
UNFAIRLY thought of in connection with TINS
Young girl. If I had only dared to address
her; but that could not bring myself to
do. She evidently belonged to the first
class of society, and nothing was further
from my thought than a desire to insult o.
intrude upon her. But fortune favored me
A small package which she had hitherto
carried slipped from her arm without hel
having remarked it. Quickly 1 picked il
up and gave it back to its fair owner
with a few polite words. She looked al
me with surprised, somewhat naughty
glance, as remained standing before hel
rather longer than was absolutely necessary
L. Al ~ nhs ctI
filled with tears and the delicate face was
deathly pale.
81 thank you," she said, briefly, taking
the package from my hand.
But I did not allow myself to be dismiss
ed thus quickly.
"You are not well, my dear young lady,
said I. "Will you not command my SER
vices 2"
Something in my voice, perhaps also my
quiet, respectful manner, seemed to inspire
her with confidence. She looked at me
with wonder in her beautiful, fearful eyes
and said, less curtly than before:
"You are very kind, sir. 1 would like te
have drOsche."
I bowed; and while she stood at the
window of a flower store, l hurried down
the street and soon found an empty vehicle
in which joyfully, and with gentle feel
ing of expectation of what would happen
next, drove back to my little Unknown.
Meanwhile she had regained her self-com'
mand only her hand yet trembled as she
in entering the carriage 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 I called the address to the coachmar
1 knew how certain would be not to for
get it myself I closed the carriage door
She then bowed her lovely head at the open
window and thanked me for my service but
she spoke confusedly, and in her embarrass
ment her pale cheeks colored with a rosy
blush, so that she appeared even much more
charming than before.
"May call tomorrow and inquire after
YOUR health ?'' I ventured to ask, but she
seemed taken by surprise at the question
and hesitated to answer, while the blush
deepened on her cheek.
"Hi ~ cried the coachman at this mo-
ment, the horses started off, and asI stepped
again on the side walk the vehicle was al
ready rattling away.
Asi in q dream 1 entered my hotel.
could not refrain from laughing at myself
this ardor, this interest about young lady
entirely unknown to me-mOre beautiful
more dazzling visions than this childish
shy girl had often during myl life crossed my
path without having attracted me particu
iarlv. I was riddle to myself; however
I made the firm resolve to find out to-mor
row some particulars about this new stree
acquaintance.
A few hour, later sat with a number o
pleasant friends in one OF the best restau
rants under the lndens. The conversation
was lively and cheerful, and there were
many ladies and gentlemen continually go
ing in and out.
In the neighborhood of the table at which
we sat and made ourselves merry was gath
cred large party, joyous and gay like ours
Some young girlish faces before us having
attracted me involuntarily looked arount
for nv Unknown, but there-yes, certainly
there he was next to the little blonde co
uuette, with the seductive little small nose
and the snowy felt hat-the officer of Lutz
over street, the same before whom my lit
tie friend had taken flight, for although
had no foundation for the idea, since we hac