The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1893-02-10
THIRTY MINUTES OFMATRIMoNY.

lIlR DdDtI Ill Ol. Idul at lllC ltlnts anu
CHANGING over the Ryan register one af-
ternoon, | saw the name Mrs. George
Trehune. 1t was written in the long,
angular scrawl affected so extensively by
women of the dramatic profession, and
although | had never before heard of
Mrs. Trehune, her signature attracted
my attention. There is more of instinct
than any other sense in selecting from a
long list of signatures those of people
worth interviewing. Mrs. Trehune's
slapdash characters set me wondering
what sort of a woman she was, and moth
ing was easier than to find out, so l
handed my card to the clerk, pointed TO
the room. number 205, and awaited the
return of the bell boy.
In five minutes, or thereabouts, he IN
formed me that was to go right up,
and up went.
"Come in called voice, in answer
to my tap on the door. | entered. Near
the open fire in an arm chair sat young
woman. She wore white gown of that
soft caressiAg wool that so invariably
sets off well the wearers charms. Rising
as | entered she advanced toward me,
and her manner betrayed at once the
well bred woman. l took mental pho
tograph of the face and figure before me.
The former was oval, well featured, set
with a pair of lustrous dark eyes and
framed in curs of an indetinable color
half golden, half brown. The latter was
tall and shapely.
''Pray be seated" she said, as l began
to explain why had asked for an inter
view. "Oh, yes,' she went on, Il
know why you came. have several
in the profession, and in fact have the
greatest regard for daily newspapers.
They are equal to almost anything"
"You faLter the craft" | answered.
"Some of us are very retiring. am
81 hope you are not, sirY' said my
charming vis-a-vis, leaning impnlsively
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
iuto mine. 1t was an embarrassing sit
uatiOn, and l confess | hardly knew
what to make of it. With an effort
met the gaze of this strange young
woman, and said inquiringly, ''you dis
like nervous people"
Il should hate myself il that were the
case" replied Mrs. Trehune, "for am
all nerves. Oh dear, dear, if only dared
to do it."
With a sudden whisk she was out of
the chair and pacing back and forth on
the carpet like a Gagged lioness. There
was very evidently something wrong
with Mrs. Trehune. Why good heavens |!
she was sobbing.
my dear madam" exclaimed, 'if
can be Of any possible service"
"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 nee
essary in defense of this mysterious
young person.
ASK anything you like" I said des-
perately, "rll do it."
"Will you?' whispered Mrs. Trehune,
coming hurriedly toward me. "If you
will do what l ask can never do enough
Tor you in return. Mine is case that
requires immediate and skillful action.
You will have to use all your .inesSe, for
have not time to explain matters fully.
You must be patient, then indignant and
finally exssperated. Do you under
stand ?'' 81.
"Certainly," 1 answered promptly.
Crazy as March hare was my inward
rehecti N.
"And you will do all this for a stran-
ger ?" inquired Mrs. Trehune.
"Command me-" replied.
"Then listen, she said, drawing her
chair near nine with an apprehensive
glance at the door. II am not Mrs. Ire
hume. / shall be this afternoon if all
goes well, but at present L am Clara Tai
bot. l have run away from my home in
Chicago to marry Mr.. Trehune. He is
of Kansas City aud was to have met me
here. have received telegram from
him to say that his train is several hours
late Never mind why it was necessary
for me to run away. IJ is a family mat
ter. My people have never seen Mr..
| Trehune. met him at the house of a
| friend in Europe last year. They wanted
me to marry another man. | fled yes
terday after telegraphing George t meet
me here. My father has followed me.
He is in the hotel now;" (anOther glance
at the door,, This card preceded yours.
sent word that was dressing, and he
is waiting down stairs. When read the
name on your card-a newspaper mani
conceived this plan: Will you be my
husband for half an hour?"
/ started up like scared jack rabbit.
Good gracious, madam" exclaimed,
81 don't know enough about you to do
the thing successfully"
"Oh, try" pleaded the brown eyed
fugitive, 'please try
''Ill do it." / said desperately, and the
next instant there was crash. The
door flew back, and in burst an old gen.
tleman with a very red face, from which
a couple of small eyes snapped angrily
as he dashed his hat and cane down on
the center table. Using the latter as a
sort of restrain, he glared straight at the
girl and began to rave, ignoring me en-
tirely.
"Well. madam" lin tone of concen-
trated fury), what the devil do you
mean by this disgraceful escapade p
My temporary wife glanced hopefully
toward where sat, within cay reach of
the old gentleman's cane. Summoning
all my fortitude l arose and looked the
irate parent straight in the eye.
81 shall have to request, sir" said,
''that in addressing this lady you will
remember that respect is due her as my
wife and your daughter. You must
show her that respect, sir. Do you un-
derstandP' raising my voice little on
the last few words.
"Oh," shrieked the venerable pater,
literally dancing with rage. $50 you
are the blackguard who has inveigled
my daughter into this id idiocy. By
CAD, sir, I've good min, to thrash you'll"
and the cane was raised threateningly.
II hope you will change your mind
and improve your language" went on
as calmly as possible. Your present