Waterbury evening Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1887-1895, 1893-03-09
AN EMERGENCY HUSBAND
A Newspaper Mans Thirty Min
utes Of Matrimony.

A Newspaper Mans Thirty Min
utes Of Matrimony.
The date of this occurrence is not
important; in fact, it is just as we'll left
untold. l was on the hotel run for q
morning paper in St Paul at the time,
and, glancing over the Ryan register
one afternoon, i saw the name Mrs
George Trehune. II was written in the
long, angular scrawl affected so extern
sively by women of the dramatic pro-
fession, and, although had never be-
fore heard of Mrs. Trehune, her sigma
ture attracted my attention. There is
more of instinct than any other sense in
selecting from a long list of signatures
those people worth interviewing. Mrs.
Trehune's slap-dash characters set me
wondering what sort of n woman she
was, and nothing was easier than to
find out, SO l handed my card to the
clerk, pointed to the room, number 2O5,
and awaited the return of the bell boy.
In five minutes, or Whereabouts, he
informed me that l was to ''go right
up" and up went.
Come in" called a voice, in answer
to my tap on the door. l entered. Near
the open fire, in an armchair, sat a
young woman. She wore n white
gown of that soft caressing wool that
SO invariably sets off we'll the wearer's
charms. Rising as l entered she adj
vanced toward me, and her manner be-
trayed at once the well-bred woman.
took a mental photograph of the face
and figure before me. The former was
oval. well-fcatured, set with pair of
lustrous dark eyes, and framed in curls
of an indefinable color-half golden,
half brown. The latter was tall and
shapely.
pray be seated" she said, as 1 be-
gan to explain why had asked for an
| interview. "Oh, yes" she went on, II
| know why you came. l have several
| friends in the profession. and in fact
have the greatest regard for daily
newspaper writers. They are equal to
almost anything"
You flatter the craft" 1 answered
"Some of us are very retiring. am
II hope you are not, sir!" 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. 1t was an embar-
RAISING situation, and l confess hard
i ly knew what to make of it. With an
effort met the gaze of this strange
/ young woman, and said, inquiringly:
You dislike nervous peoplc?"
Il should hate myself if that were
the case" replied Mrs. Trchune, ''for
1 am all nerves Oh, dear, dear, if
| only dared to do it."
/ With Sn61cro NyhiCly al, ont of
the chair and pacing back and forth on
the carpet like a Gagged lioness. There
was very evidently something wrong
with Mrs. Trchunc. Why, good
| heavens! she was sobbing.
My dear madam" exclaimed, "If
can be of any possible scrvice'-
''Oh, 1 dare not ask it of a stranger"
she protested, throwing up both
hands dramatically. And yet" she
added, none but n stranger would
do"
The sight of the tears had scattered
my self. possession to the winds. l was
ready now to fight q duel or two if
necessary in defense of this mysterious
young person.
ASK anything you like" l said, des-
pcrately. III do it."
1 w III yOuE whispered MIS-. Ire
hume, coming hurriedly toward me.
"If you will do what l ask can never
do enough for you in return. Mine is
case that requires immediate and
shillful action. You will have to use
all your fnesse, for l have not time to
explain matters fully. You must be
patient, then indignant, and finally ex-
/ aSpcrated. Do you understand"
Certainly" 1 answered promptly.
Crazy as March hare was my inward
reflection.
And you will do this for stran.
ger?" inquired Mrs. Trehune.
Command me-" replied.
Then listen" she said, drawing her
chair near mine with an apprehensive
glance at the door. II am not Mrs.
Trehune. ] shall be this afternoon il
all goes we'll, but at present am Clara
Talbot. l have run away from my
home in Chicago to marry Mr.. Ire
hume. He is of Kansas City, and was
to have met me here. have received
a telegram from him to say that his
train is several hours late. Never
mind why it was necessary for me tc
run away. 1t is family matter, My
people have never seen Mr.. Trehune
met him at the house of friend il
Europe last year, They wanted me t.
marry another man. fled yesterday
after telegraphing George to meet me
here. My father has followed me
lie is in the hotel now" (anothel
glance at the door,; his card preceded
yours. 1 sent word that was dress
ing, and he is waiting down stairs
When l read the name on your card
newspaper mani conceived this plan
VIII you be my husband for half al
hour?"
1 started up like scared jack rab
bit Good gracious, madam" ex
claimed, II don't know enough abou
| Won to do the THING SuccesSfullV"