, 1889-01-09
THE 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, l turned
my steps homeward one afternoon
earlier than usual. / had taken leave
Of my friends, making an engagement
for n 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
80 much more insignificant became the
number OF foot passengers ON the
streets. But it seemed 10 me q 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 mo walked for some distance
n young and elegantly attired lady.
At n 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
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 n moment, and
then walked hastily towards me, past
mo mud honly nunr fln nan1 - ,Ls.l
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 Unknownf a saddened in
tcrest stirred within me; l wished to
gain some insight into her strange
conduct, and therefore made a hasty
turn, following her and keeping only
n few PAGES behind.
Then + saw how she pressed the
little clenched hand passionately to her
heart, and with tears in her violet
eyes, and n half sad, half ~scornful ex-
preston, murmured something TO her
self which my excited imagination
fancied TO be: 30, foolish heart, why
art thou not quiet; why mounts the
blood to my check, and compels me
TO turn back lest l betray myselfp
The childish ebullition moved me
unconsciously, and a feeling Of ieal-
ousy stole over me against that officer
whom / 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 a desire
to insult or intrude upon her. But
fortune favored me. Asmall package
which she had hitherto carried slipped
from her arm without her having re-
marked it. Quickly picked it up and
gave it back to its fair owner, with q
few polite words. She looked at me
with n surprised, somewhat naughty
glance, IS | remained standing before
her rather longer than was absolutely
necessary. Her large, violet, childlike
eyes were still filed with tears, and
the delicate face was deathly pale.
81 thank you," she said, briefly, tax
ing the package from my hand. But
| did not allow myself to be dismissed
thus quickly.
You arc not we'll, my dear young
lady" said 1. Twill you not COM
mand my services7"
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 r very kind, sir; 1 would
like to have n droschke.h
l bowed, and, while she stood at the
window of q flower store, l hurried
down the street and soon found an
empty vehicle, in which, joyfully and
with a gentle feeling of expectation OF
what would happen next, drove back
TO my little Unknown.
Meanwhile she had regained her
self command; only her hand YET
trembled as she in entering the car
riago laid it lightly in mine, and il
felt ice cold through her glove.
Your residence7" l asked. She
named m of tho elegant streets in
the west end, and rs l called the nd
dress TO the coachman l knew how
certain would be not to forget 1t my
self. / closed the carriage door; sh,
then bowed her lovely head at tho oper
window and thanked mo for my Ser
vice; but she spoke confusedly, and il
her embarrassment her pale cheek
colored with q rosy blush, so that sh,
appeared even much moro chanting
than before.
May l call tomorrow and inuuir
after your health3" l ventured to ask
but she seemed taken by surprise q
the question, and hesitated TO answer
while the blush deepened ON he
cheek.
"Hir cried the goodman at thi
moment; the horse started off, and a
l stepped again on the sidewalk tn
vehicle was already rafting away.
As if in q dream / entered my hote'
/ could not refrain from laughing c
myself; this ardor, this interest abou
a young lady entirely unknown to m
moro beautiful, more dazzling vi
ions than this childish, shy girl ha
often during my life crossed my pat
without having attracted me partic,