Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1888-12-28
TIE FAIR UNKNOWN.

The opening of the grand industrial
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 homeward one afternoon
earlier than usual. had taken leave
of my friends, making an engagement
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 bazars and show windows became
SO much more insignificant became the
number of foot passengers on the
streets. But it seemed to me a 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 attired lady.
At curve of the street I succeeded in
getting heeting glimpse of her pro
file, and felt myself thereby urged to
observe carefully even the knot of
of golden blonde, sunshiny hair, half
covered by the dark English hat, as
well as the extremely delicate, grace
full figure of the still youthful girl.
Suddenly her step faltered, she half
turned, fingered for a 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 Unknown2 A saddened in
terest stirred within me; / wished to
gain some insight into her strange
conduct. and therefore made a hasty
turn, following her and keeping only
a few PAGES behind
Then saw how she pressed the
little clenched hand passionately to her
heart, and with tears in her violet
eyes, and half sad, half scornful ex-
preston, murmured something to her.
self which my excited imagination
fancied to be: 10, foolish heart, why
art thou not quiet; why mounts the
blood to my cheek, and compels me
to turn back lest betray myself2"
The childish ebullition moved me
unconsciously, and feeling of jeal-
ousy stole over me against that officer
whom 1 had involuntarily thought of
In connection with this young girl. If
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 fur
ther from my thoughts than q desire
to insult or intrude upon her. But
fortune favored me. A small package
which she had hitherto carried slipped
from her arm without her having re-
marked it. Quickly l picked it up and
gave it back to its fair owner, with a
few polite words. She looked at me
with surprised, somewhat naughty
glance, as l remained standing before
her rather longer than was absolutely
necessary. Her large, violet, childlike
eyes were still filled with tears, and
the delicate face was deathly pale
II thank YOU" she said, briefly, TAX
ing the package from my hand But
/ did not allow myself to be dismissed
thus quickly.
You are not well, my dear young
lady," said I. "Will you not com,
mand my servicesa"
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
CURLY than before:
"You are very kind, sir; I would
like to have a droschke."
bowed, and, while she stood at the
window of flower store, l hurried
down the street and soon found an
empty vehicle, in which l joyfully and
with gentle feeling of expectation Of
what would happen next, drove back
to my little Unknown.
Meanwhile she had regained hel
self commando; only her hand YET
trembled as she in entering the car
riage laid it lightly in mine, and il
felt ice cold through her glove.
Your residence" l asked. She
named one of the elegant streets il
the vest end, and as called the ad
dress to the coachman l knew how
certain would be not to forget it my
self. closed the carriage door; sh,
then bowed her lovely head at the ope1
window and thanked me for my ser
vice; but she spoke confusedly, and il
her embarrassment her pale cheek
colored with rosy blush, SO that sh'
appearsl cyen much moro charming
than before.
May I call tomorrow and inquir,
after your hcalth2' l ventured to ask
but shs seemed taken by surprise a
the question, and hesitated to answer
while the blush deepeued OH he
cheek
Hi cried the coachman at thi
moment; the horse started off, and a
l stepped again on the sidewalk thu
vehicle was already rafting away.
AS if in dream entered my hotel
could rot refrain from laughing a
myself, ,h;s ardor, this interest abou
u young lady entirely unknown to M
more beautiful, more dazzling Wis
ions than this childish, shy girl ha,
often during my life crossed my patl
without having attracted me particu