The Press., 1893-07-20
BRIEF WEDLOCK.

The date of this occurrence is not inn ,ortant-in fact, it is just as well left un- old, was on the hotel run for a morn ng paper in St. Paul at the time, and dancing over the Ryan register one aft ,rnoon I saw the name Mrs. George Ire ,une. It was written in the long, angu- ar scrawl affected so extensively by women of the dramatic profession, and although I had never before heard of Mrs. Trehune her signature attracted nv attention. There is more of instinct than any other sense in selecting from long list of signatures those of people worth interviewing. Mrs. Trehune's slapdash characters set me wondering what sort of woman she was, and noth- ing was easier than to find out, so l handed my card to the clerk, pointed to the room. No. 2O5, and awaited the re- turn of the bellboy.
 In five minutes, or thereabouts, he in- formed me that I was to Ego right up." and up went.
 "Come in," called voice in answer to my tap on the door. Ientered. Near the open fire in an armchair sat a young woman. She wore white gown of that soft caressing wool that so invariable sets off well the wearer's charms. Rising as I entered she advanced toward me-. and her manner betrayed at once the well bred woman. I took mental photo graph of the face and figure before me. The former was oval, well featured, set with pair of lustrous dark eyes and framed in curls of an indefnable color half golden, half brown. The latter was tall and shapely.
 ..Pray be seated" she said as I began to explain why had asked for an inter- view. ssOh, yes," she went on, 'I know why you came. I have several friends in the profession, and in fact have the greatest regard for daily newspaper writ CTS. They are equal to almost anything"
 "You fatter the craft" answered. '.Some of us are very retiring. ann
 sI hope you are not, sir?' said my charming vis-a-yis, leaning impulsively forward as she spoke. Her elbow found support on the arm of the chair, her chin rested on her shapely white hand, and her large dark eyes looked straight into mine. It was an embarrassing situation, and I confess hardly knew what to make of it. With an effort I met the gaze of this strange young woman and said inquiringly, "You dislike nervous people?'
 sI should hate myself if that were the case," replied Mrs. Trehune, "for l am all nerves. Oh. dear, dear; if I only dared to do it.''
 With sudden whisk she was out of the chair and pacing back and forth on the carpet like 8 caged lioness. There was very evidently something wrong with Mrs. Trehune. Why, good heav- ems, she was sobbing!
 s'My dear madam" exclaimed, eff can be of any possible service'- =
 s'Oh, dare not ask it of stranger" she protested, throwing up both hands dramatically. 'And yet" she added,
 ..none but stranger would do."
 The sight of the tears had scattered my self possession to the winds. was ready now to fight duel or two if neces,
 sary in defense of this mysterious young
 person.
 "Ask anything you ike," l said des
 perately. ''Pll do it." .
 "Will you?" whispered Mrs. Trehune
 coming hurriedly toward me. s'f yor
 will do what ask, can never do enough for YOU in return. Mine is 8 case tha1
 requires immediate and skillful action
 You will have to use all your fnesse, fol
 have not time to explain matters fully
 You must be patient, then indignant ant
 finally exasperated. Do you understand?
 Certainly" I answered promptly Crazy as a March hare was my inward reflection. ...
 "And you will do this for strangerf
 inquired Mrs. Trehune.
 Command me- I replied.
 I. "Then listen," she said. drawing he
 chair near mine with an apprehensiv 2 glance at the door, II am not Mrs. I re
 hume. I shall be this afternoon if al goes well, but at present am Clara Tal
 bot have run away from my home il Chicago to marry MT. Trehune. He of Kansas City and was to have met m
 here. I have received telegram fron him to say that his train is several hour f late. Never mind why it was necessar : for me to run away. It is a family mat
 ter. My people have never seen MT. Ire
 hume. Imet him at the house of frien in Europe last year. They wanted m
 to marry another man. fled yesterda ; after telling George to meet me here n My father has followed me. He is in tn s hotel now; (another glance at the dool Il his card preceded yours. sent wor ,- that Twas dressing, and he is waitin
 down stairs When I read the name o T, your card-a newspaper manI col Il ceived this plan: Will you be my hu t band for half an hour?'
 Istarted up like scared jack rabbi e "Good gracious, madam" exclaimed t. ''I don't know enough about you to q i- the thing successfully.'
 " "Oh, try" pleaded the brown eye |; fugitive, '.please try.
 < 9TH do it." said desperately, and u Il next instant there was crash. IT " door flew back, and in burst an old gel <. tleman with very red face, from whie ir couple of small eyes snapped angri
 as he dashed his hat and cane down { Id the center table. Using the latter as sort of rostrum, he glared straight at u . girl and began to rave, ignoring me e ~ tirely.
 IF I+ WoH, mdudiue, III tone or cOuCe ,e trated fury, "what the devil do you mes is by this disgraceful escapade?" k My temporary wife glanced hopeful y toward where I sat, within easy reach
 the old gentleman's cane. Summonil e- all my fortitude arose and looked u in irate parent straight in the eye. # N IT shall have to request, sir" sai x ssthat in addressing this lady you W remember that respect is due her as n
 wife and your daughter. You must she T. her that respect, sir. Do you unde re stand?" raising my voice 8 little on t h- last few words.
 s, 'sOh," shrieked the venerable pats m literally dancing with rage. ''So y lg are the bIackguard who has inveigled T of d or, c,l,tor s;4,+f1 8+l,;s a.. 7 ;d;ocv