The World. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1891-1896, 1893-03-21
AN EMERGENCY HUSBAND
A Newspaper Mans Thirty Min
utcs of Matrimony.

utcs Of Matr.mony.
The date Of this occurrence Is NOT
important; in fact. il is just as wclllcft
untold was on the hotel run for a
morning paper In ST Paul al the time,
and, CHANGING over the Ryan register
one afternoon, | saw the name Mrs.
George Trchune. II was written ia the
long, angular scrawl affected so cxtcr.-
siyely by women of THE dramatic pro-
fcssion, and, although had never be-
fore heard OF Mrs Irehune, her sigma
turc attracted my attention. There ID
more OF instinct than any other sense in
selecting from long list Of signatures
those people worth interviewing. Mrs.
Trehune's slap-dash characters set me
wondering what sort Of d woman she
was. and nothing was easier than to
find out, 50 | handed my card to the
clerk, pointed to tile room, number 205,
and awaited the return u the bell boy.
In five minutes, or whereabouts. he
informed me that l was to Ego right
up, and up went
Como in,n called a voice, in answer
TO my tap on the door. i entered. Near
the open FIRE. in an armchair, sat a
young woman. She wore a white
gown OF that soft cnressing wool that
SO invariably sets OH we'll the wearer's
charms. Rising as entered sshe ad-
vanced toward me, and her manner be-
trnyed at once the well-bred woman.
! took q mental photograph Of the face
and figure before me. The former was
oval, welf-featnred, set with q pair of
lustrous dark eyes, and framed in curls
Of IN indefinable color-half golden.
half brown. The latter was tall and
shapely.
pray be seated" she said. as i be-
gan to explain why had asked for an
interview. oh. yes, she went on, II
know why you came. have several
friends in the profession, and in fact
have the greatest regard for daily
newspaper writer's They are equal TO
almost anything"
You flatter the craft" ! answered
Some OF us are very retiring. ann
II hope you are not. siri'' said my
charming vis-a-vis, 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. TWAS an embar-
RAISING situation, and confess hard
ly knew what TO make Of it With an
effort met the gaze Of this strange
young woman, and said, inquiringiy:
"You dislike nervous people2'
Il should hate myself II that were
the case, replied Mrs Trehunc, '.for
l am all nerves. Oh. dear, dear, ii |
only dared to do it
With a sudden whisk she was out Of
the chair and pacing back and forth on
the carpet like Gagged lioncss. There
was very evidently something wrong
with Mrs. Trchune. 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 a stranger would
do"
The sight Of the tears had scattered
my self. possession to the winds. was
ready now to fight dnel Or two II
necessary in defense Of this mysterious
young Person.
ASK anything you like, said, dcs-
perately. '.Ill do it,
tWill you?" whispered Mrs. Ire.
hume, coming hurricdiy toward me
If You viii do what ask can never
do enough for you in return. Mine il
case that requires immediate and
skillfui action. You Will have to rse
all your finesse, for have not time "a
explain matters fully. You must be
patient, then indignant, and finally ex-
aspcratcd. No you UNDERESTIMATE
Certainly" | answered promptly.
Crazy as March hare was my inward
reflection.
And you will do this for stran.
2 ger2" inquired Mrs. Trehune,
command me, ! replied.
"Then listen, she said; drawing he's
chair near mAne with an apprehsnsive
glance ut the door II am not Mrs.
Trehune, shall be this afternoon ii
all goes we'll, hut at present i am Clara
Talbot have run away from nv
home in Chicago to marry aIr. IRE.
hume. He is Of Kansas City, and was
to have met me here. have fNeceigcd
q telegram from him to say that I'LL
train Is several hours late. Never
mind why il was necessary for me Il
RUN away It is a family matter nv
people have never seen MIR. Tfehunc.
met him at the house Of friend ii
Europe last year They wanted me, 10
marry another man. fed yesterday
after telegraphing George to meet me
here. My father has followed me
He is in the hotel now tln6ther
glance at the door,; '.liis card preceded
yours seat word that was dress.
ing, and he II waiting down stairs.
When read tie name on your card
newspaper mani conceived this plan:
WIN you be my husband for half an
hOur?' Nh
started up like ascared Jack rab-
bit Good gracious, madam" ex.
claimed, II don't know enough about
You 70 do the thing successfully