Weekly Chillicothe crisis. (Chillicothe, Livingston Co., Mo.) 1878-19??, 1884-08-28
HOW | WON MY WIFE.

Inc opening Oh inc branu lnuuSlrlal
Exposition had brought me to the city
in the early part of the spring of 1879.
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 homcward one afternoon
earlier than usual. | had taken leave
of my friends, making IN engagement
for u 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 insignificant became the
number of foot passengers 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
looking houses were either govern
ment offices or were inhabited by city
officials or wealthy private citizens.
Before me walked for some distance
young and elegantly attircd lady.
At n curve of the street succeeded in
getting a flecting glimpse of her pro-
file, and felt myself thereby urged to
observe carefully even the knot of
golden, blond, sunshiny hair, half Gov
cred by the dark English hat, as well
us the extremely delicate, graceful fig
ure 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 sauntcring along an officer,
with lady on his arm, gayly chatting
and laughing. Could they have fright
cncd my Unknown? A sudden inter.
est stirred within me; | wished to gain
some insight into her strange conduct
and therefore made Il hasty turn, fol
lowed her and keeping only few
PAGES behind.
Then saw how she pressed the lit
tie clcnched hand passionatcly to hel
heart, and with tears in her violet eyes
and half sad, half scornful express
ION, murmurcd something to herself
which my excited imagination fancieC
to be: 80, foolish heart, why art thol
not quiet; why mounts the blood tt
my cheek and compcls me to turn jacR
lest bctray mysclf!'
This childish cbullition moved M
unconsciously, and II feeling of ical
ousy stole over me against that Office
whom | had involuntarily thought o
in connection with this girl. If | ha,
only dared to address her; but that
could not bring myself to do. She eyi
dently belonged to the first class of so
ciety, and nothing was further from m,
thoughts than desire to insult or in
trude upon her. But fortune favorc'
me. A small package which she hat
hitherto carried slipped from her arm
without her having remarked it
Quickly l picked it up and'gavc it bac
to its fair owner, with a few polit
words. She looked at me with SUI
prised, somewhat naughty glance, a
| remained standing before her rathc
longer than was absolutely necessary
Her large, violet, childlike eyes wcr
still filled with tears, and the delicat
face was dcathly pale.
81 thank you, she said, briefly, tai
ing the package from my hand. Br
| did not allow myself to be dismisse
thus quickly.
"You are not well, my dear youn
lady," said l. "Will you not comman
my services?" Something in my voic
perhaps also my quiet, respectful maj
ner, seemed to inspire her with com
dence. She looked at me with wond'
: in her beautiful, fearful eyes, and sa
| less curtly than before:
"You are very kind, sir. wou
like to have droschke."
| bowed, and while she stood at Il
window of flower store, | hurri,
down the street and soon found ;
/ empty vehicle, in which joyfully, al
with a gentle feeling of expectation
what would happen next, drove bat
to my little Unknown.
4 Meanwhile she had regained h
G self-command; only her hand yet trel
bled as she in entering the carriai
!, laid it lightly in mine, and it felt ic
, cold through her glove.
"Your residenceP" | asked, s.
y named one of the elegant streets
d the west end, and as l called the a
J., dress to the coachman | knew how &C
s tain l would be not to forget it myse
l closed the carriage door; she tn
bowed her lovely head at the op
Il window and thanked me tor my Sc
i vice; but she spoke confusedly, and
, her embarrassment her pale chee
- colored with rosy blush, so that s
II appeared even much more charmi
% than before.
'e "May l call to. morrow and inqui
# after your healthp" / ventured to as
a but she seemed taken by surprise
the question and hesitated to answ,
70 while the blush deepened on her chez
10 "Hi!" cried the coachman at d
ic moment; the horse started of, and
D, / stepped again on the sidewalk
,. vehicle was already rattling away.
% As If in dream l entered my hot
70 could not refrain from laughing
v myself; this ardor, this interest abe
ID a young lady entirely unknown TO
,,,,o,.c haa,, t;f,I mora a n xlinu vioif