The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1893-02-16

affected so extensively 10y Woileii VI .hS "'"'
matte profession. and although hao never
before heard of Mrs Trehune her signature
attracted NV attention. There is more OF IN
sfinct than any other sense in selecting from
a long list of signatures those OF people
worth interviewing. Mrs Trehunes slap
dash characters set me wondering what sort
of a woman she was and nothing was easier
than to find out. so i handed my card to the
clerk. pointed to the room, number no,
and awaited the return of the bell boy
In five minutes or Whereabouts, he informed
me that / was to 'go right up, and up
went
Come in. . called voice, in answer to my
tap on the door. j entered. Near the open
fire in an armchair sat young woman one
wore a white gown of that soft c;lresSlhS
wool that so invariably sets oil well the
wearer's charms. Rising as L entered she
advanced toward me, and her manner ne
trayed at once the well-bred woman. TOOK
a mental photograph of the face ana hsure
before me- The former was oval, well feat-
ured, set with pair of lustrous dark eyes,
and framed in curls of an indefinable color
half golden, half brown. The latter was
tall and slapely.
q Pray be seated" she said, as / began to
explain why | had asked for an interview.
"Oh. ves.n she went on. "a know why YOU
came. / have several friends in the probes
sion. and in fact have the greatest regard for
daily newspaper writers. They are equal to
almost anything"
"You fatter thecraft, y Ianswered. ''Some
of US are very retiring. / ann
81 hope YOU are not. sr?'' said my charm
ing Wis avis. 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. 1t was an en-
barTasSng situation. and l confess L hardly
knew what to make of it. With an effort L
met the gaze of this strange young woman,
and said, inquiringly, You dislike nervous
people?"
II should hate myself if that were the
case. replied Mrs. Trehune, "for / am all
nerves Oh, DEAR dear, if l 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 ioness. There was very evil
IDENTIFY something wrong with Mrs. Trehune.
Why. good heavens. she was Sobbing.
NV dear madam | exclaimed, If can
be of any possible service .
''Oh. / dare not ask it of a stranger" she
protested, throwing up both hands dra-
matically. And yet.' she added, none
but stranger would do"
The sight OF the tears had scattered my SELF
possession TO the winds. i was ready now to
fight duel or two if necessary in defense OF
this mysterious young person.
Ask anything you like" l said, des-
perafely. "I'll do it.''
"Will you?" whispered Mrs. Trehune,
coming hurriedly toward me. If you will
do what ] ask / can never do enough for you
hat i'm
mediate and skilful action. You will have
20 use all you finesse, for / have not time to
explain matters fully You must be patient,
then indignant, and finally exasperated. Do
you understand?"
Certainly, y answered promptly. Crazy
as March hare was my inward reflection.
And YOU Will do this for a Stranger" in
quired Mis- Trehune.
Command me,'' ] replied.
"Tben listen she said. drawing her chair
near mine with an apprehensive glance at the
door. - / am not Mrs. Trehune. ! shall be
this afternoon If all goes well, but at present
/ am Clara Talbot / have run away from
my hone ID Chicago to marry Mr.. Trehune.
He is of Kansas City. and was to have met me
here. j have received a telegram from him to
say that his train is several hours late. Never
mind why it was necessary for me to run
away 1t is family matter. My people
have never seen Mr.. Trehune / met him at
the house of friend in Europe last year.
They wanted me TO marry another man. l
fed yesterday after teegraphing George to
meet me here. My father has followed me.
He is in the hotel now" lanother glance at
the door his card preceded yours i sent
word that / was dressing, and he is waiting
down stairs. When j read the name on your
eard-a newspaper mani conceived this
plan: VIII you be my husband for half All
hour"
/ started up like scared jack rabbit.
"Good gracious, madam, / exclaimed, Il
don't know enough about you to do the thing
successfully
''0h, try" pleaded the brown-eyed fugitive
''please try"
"Ill do it," / said, desperately, and the
next instant there was a crash. The door
few back, and in burst an old gentleman
with very red face from which 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 a rostTum, he
glared straight at the girl and began 10 rave,
ignoring me entirely.
"Well, madam lin tone of cencentra-
ted fury, "what the devil do you mean by
this disgiaceful escapade?"
My temporary wife glanced hopefully to-
ward where j sat, within easy reach OF the
old gentlemans cane. Summoning all
my fortitude i arose and looked the irate
parent straight in the eve
- shall have to request, SIR - ] said, that
In addressing this lady you viii remember
that respect is due her as my wife and your
daughter. You must show her that respect,
sir DO you understand 20 raising my voice
q little on the last few words.
"Oh." sbrieked the venerable pater, liter
ally dancing with rage. $50 you are the
blackguard who has inyeigled my daughter
into this id idiocy. by Cad, SIR, I've
good mind to thrash you!" and the cane was
raised threatenly.
Il hope you will change you mind and
improve your language went on as calmly
as possible. 9 Your present conduct viii re-
suit IN a scandal y
Scandal be d. sir What could be
more scandalous than the present state of
affairs?'' he cried.
Things went on in this way for 10 minutes,
until the old man howled himself hoarse,
and could hear the bell boys tittering in
the hall outside Then he gradually Gained
down, and as last resort tried the sympa-
thetic dodge on the terrified young woman.
The latter had hardly spoken word through
out the scene. She was too badly frightened,