The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1893-04-02
AN EMERGENCY HUSBAND
A Newspaper Mans Thirty Min
utes Of Matrimony.


untold. / was on the hotel run for a
morning paper in St Paul at the time,
and, glancing over the Ryan register
one afternoon, I saw the name Mrs
George Trehune. 1t was written in the
long, angular scrawl affected SO exten-
sively by women of the dramatic pro-
fession, and, although l 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 long list of signatures
those people worth interviewing. Mrs.
Trehune's slap-dash characters set me
wondering what sort of woman she
was, and nothing was easier than to
find out, so l handed my card to the
clerk, pointed to the room. mum Der 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 l went.
Come ill.," called a voice, in answer
to my tap on the door. l entered. Near
the open fire, in an armchair, sat i
young woman. She wore 4 white
so invariably sets off well the wearers
charms. Rising as l entered she ad-
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. welI-featured, set with pair of
lustrous dark eyes, and framed i'll curls
80 III h,l
half brown. The latter was tall and
shapely.
Pray be seated" she said. as be-
gan to explain why I had asked for an
interview. ''Oh, yes" she went on, Il
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 fatter the craft" l answered
'Some of us are very retiring. am
Il 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 confess hard
ly knew what to make of it With an
effort 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
only dared to do it"
With sudden whisk she was out of
the chair and pacing back and forth on
the carpet like Gagged lioness- There
was very evidently something wrong
with Mrs. Trehune. Why, good
heavens. she was sobbing.
My dear madam" exclaimed, If
l 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. l was
ready now to fight a duel or two if
necessary in defense of this mysterious
young person.
ASK any thing you like" said. des-
perately. I'm do it,
Twill you?" whispered Mrs. Ire
hume, coming hurriedly toward me.
IF you will do what ask 1 can never
do enough for you in return. Mine is
a case that requires immediate and
skillful action. You viii have to use
all your fnesse, for have not time to
explain matters fully. You must be
patient, then indignant. and finally ex-
asperated. Do you understand"
Certainly" I answered promptly
Crazy as March hare was my inward
reflection.
'And you Will do this for a stran-
ger?" inquired Mrs. Trehune.
Command me-" l 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 If
all goes well, but at present | am Clara
Talbot / 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 10 say that his
train is several hours late. Never
mind why il was necessary Tor me to
run away. 1t is family matter. Ny
people have never seen Mr.. Trehune.
/ met him at the house of friend in
L. al 20
marry another man l fed yesterday
after telegraphing George 20 meet me
here. My father has followed me.
He is in the hotel now" (anothcr
glance at the door,; his card preceded
yours. l seat word that ! was dress
ing. and he is waiting down stairs.
When read the name on your card-a
newspaper mani conceived this plan:
VIII you be my husband FOR half an
hour?"
started up like scared jack rab-
bit Good gracious. madam, ! ex-
claimed. II don't know enough about
you 70 do the thing successfully"
''oh, try pleaded the brown-eyed
fugitive, please try.
III do it." | said. desperately. and
the next instant there was crash
The door few back, and IN burst an
old gentleman with very red face.
from which couple OF small eyes
snapped augrily as he dashed his hat
and cane down on the ceuter "a bic
Using the latter as sort of rostr I'm.
he glared straight a. the girl and be-
gan 10 rave, ignoring me entirely
Well. madam" lin q tone of coueen-
trated fury. what do YOU mean Sy
,hts aies-a~.s, -.ao--S.p''