The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1893-06-16
BRIEF WEDLOCK.

told was On the hotel run for a morn
ing paper in ST. Paul at the time, and
glancing over the Ryan register one aft
ernoon l saw the name Mrs. George IRE
hume. Il was written IN the long, angu-
lar 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. Trehune5
slapdzsh characters set me wondering
what sort Of a woman she was, and moth
ing was easier than 70 find out, so
handed my card TO the clerk, pointed TO
the room, No. 205, and awaited the re-
turn OF the bellboy.
In FIVE minutes, or thereabouts, he in
formed me that was 20 '.go right up
and up went.
Come in" called q voice In answer
to my tap on the door Ientered. Near
the open fire in an armchair sat young
woman. She wore white gown Of that
soft caressing wool that so invarlable sets
of well the wearer's charms Rising as
I entered she advanced toward me, and
her manner betrayed at once the wei
bred woman. / took a mental photo
graph of the face and figure before me.
The former was oval, well featured, set
with a pair Of lustrous dark eyes and
framed In curis Of an indefEable color
half golden. half browl- The latter was
tall and shapely.
Pray be seated she said as 1 began
10 explain WHY had asked for an inter
view. '.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 writ
ers They are equal to almost ything.'
You fatter the craft" / answered.
Some OF rs are very retiring / am
L hope Won are not, SIR: said my
charming vis-a-vis, leaning impulsiyely
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 embarrassing situation,
and I confess / hardly knew what to
make OF it. With an effort 1 met the
gaze OF this strange young woman and
said inquiringly. You dislike nervous
peopleT
Il should hate myself If that were the
case" replied Mrs. Trehune, ''for 1 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 ike Gagged Honess- There
was very evidently something wrong
with Mrs. Trehune. Why, good heaT-
ems, she was sobbingl
My dear madam" exclaimed, ''if
can be Of any possible service"-
.'Oh. dare not ask it of a stranger"
she protested, throwing up both hands
dramatically. And yet" she added,
none but stranger would do"
The sight OF the tears had scattered
nv self possession to the winds. was
ready now to fight duel or two If neces-
sary IN defense Of this mysterious young
person
Ask anything You Ike" I said des-
perately. I'll do it."
viii you whispered Mrs. Trehune,
coming hurriedly toward me. 'Tf you
VIII do what ask, can never do enough
for you in return. Mine is case that
requires immediate and skillful action.
You will have to use all your fnesse, for
] have not time &c, explain matters fully
You must be patient, then indignant and
finally exasperated. Do you understand?
Certainly" / answered promptly.
Crazy as March hare was my inward
reflection
And you Will do this for a Stranger
inquired Mrs Trehune.
Command me-" replied
Then listen" she said, drawing her
chair near mine with an apprehensive
glance at the door. Il am not Mrs. Ire
hume. | shall be this afternoon If all
goes well. but at present am Clara Tai
bot. have run away from my home IN
Chicago 70 marry Mr. Trehune. he Is
of Kansas City and 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. It is a family mat
ter. Ny people have never seen Mr.. Ire
hume. Imet him at the house of friend
in Europe last year. They wanted me
to marry another man. fed yesterday
after telling George to meet me here.
Ny father has followed me. He Is IN the
hotel now; (snOJher glance at the door
his card preceded yours / sent word
that / was dressing, and he Is waiting
down stairs When read the name on
your card-a newspaper mani con-
eeived this plan: VIII you be my hus-
band for half an hour
/ started up like a scared jack rabbit.
Good gracious, madam, exclaimed,
Il don't know enough about you TO do
the thing successfully"
"Oh, Try" pleaded the brown eyed
fugitive. please try"
I'm do it." said desperately, and the
next instant there was n crash The
door few back, and in burst an old gen
tleman with very red face, from which
a couple of small eyes snapped angr1y
as he dashed his hat and cane down OF
the center table. Using the latter as 6
sort Of restrain, he glared straight at the
girl and began to rave, ignoring me en-
tirely.
We'll, madame" in a tone Of concen
trated fury, what the devil do you NEAR
by this disgraceful escapade:"
My temporary wife glanced hopeful.
toward where / sat, within easy reach o
the old gentleman's cane. Summonini
all my fortitude 1 arose and looked tn
irate parent straight in the eye.
Il shall have TO request, SIR" said
that in addressing this lady you Wi
remember that respect is due her as m
wife and your daughter. You must sho,
hEr that .resnect. sir. Do you unde,