The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1893-04-14
BRIEF WEDLOCK.

ing paper in St. Paul at the time, and
slsncing over the Ryan register one aft
Hnoon saw the name Mrs. George Ire
hume. 1t was written i'll 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
long list Of signatures those Of people
worth interviewing. Mrs. Trehune's
slapdAAh characters set me wondering
what sort Of n woman she was, and moth
ing was easier than to find out, so
handed Try card to the clerk, pointed to
the room, No. POS. and awaited the re
turn Of the belboy,
In Ave minutes, or thereabouts, he in
formed me that was to "go right up, >
ard up went.
Come in" called a voice in answer
to my tap on the door. lentered. Neal
the open fire in an armchair sat young
woman. She wore white gown of thai
soft caressing wool that so invariable setS
off we'll the wearer's charms. Rising a.
I entered she advanced toward me, ant
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, se
with pair of lustrous dark eyes ant
framed in curls of an indefnable color
half go!Ies. half brown. The latter wa
tall and shApely.
pray be seated" she said as begal
to explain why | had asked for an inter
view. "Oh. yes" she went on, II know
why you came. | have several friend
in the profession, and in fact have tn
greatest regard for daily newspaper writ
ers. They are equal to almostanything.
You flatter the craft" answered
Some of rs are very retiring. I am
II hope you are not, sirY sand m
charming vis-s-vis, leaning impulsivel
forward as she spoke. Her elbow foun
support on the arm of the chair, her chi
rested on her shapely white hand, an
her large dark eyes looked straight I'M
mine. twas an embarrassing situation
and confess hardly knew what
make of it. With an effort met ii
gaze of this strange young woman al
said inquiringly, you dislike nervo'
peopleT"
II should hate myself if that were &
case" replied Mrs, Trehune, "for 1 a
all nerves. Oh, dear, dear; if on
dared to do it.
With sudden whisk she was out
the chair and pacing back and forth
3 the carpet like a Gagged lioness. The
: was very evidently something wroI
y with Mrs. Trehune. Why, good hea
a ems, she was sobbing!
d my dear madam" I exclaimed, it
: can be of any possible service
y "Oh, dare not ask it Of strange
she protested, throwing up both han
n dramatically. And yet" she add'
/, none but a stranger would do"
y The sight of the tears had scatter
my self possession to the winds Nv
- ready now to fight duel or two if nee
sary in defense of this mysterious you
person.
. ASK anything you like" said d
is perately. I'm do it."
d will your" whispered Mrs. Trehu
ID coming hurriedly toward me. eff J
" will do what ask, can never do enor
e, for you in return. Mine is a case t
l. requires immediate and skillful acti
m You will have to use all your fnesse,
is have not time to explain matters fu
You must be patient, then indignant ;
g. finally exasperated. Doyou understan
es Certainly" l answered promp
i. Crazy as March hare was my inv
" reflection.
y, ia r'And you win do this for strang
of inquired Mrs, Trehune.
e. Command me-" replied.
70, Then listen" she said, drawing
e cSS chair near mine with an apprehen
n glance at the door. II am not Mrs.
ey hume. shall be this afternoon if
or goes WELL but at present | am Clara
he bot. have run away from my HON
ty, Chicago to marry Mr.. Trehune. II
ie- of Kansas City and was to have met
ne here. have received Telegram f
be him to say that his train is several h
ks late Never mind why it was neces
for me to run away. 1t is a family 1
ter. Ny people have never seen Mr..
hume. Imet him at the house Of fir
- in Europe last year They wanted
ia to marry another man, fled yestel
nd. after telling George to meet me l
,sI Nv father has followed me, He is il
IS" hotel now; (another glance at the {
his card preceded yours. | sent '
that l was dressing, and he is wal
W: down stairs. When read the nam
cry your card-a newspaper mani
! Is ceived this plan: Will you be my
''o band for half an hourI"
started up like a scared jack ra
Good gracious, madam" exclai
; to 81 don't know enough about you
on the thing successfully
les; "Oh. try" pleaded the brown
III : fugitive, please try"
an do it" l said desperately, an
next instant there was crash.
iiiig- door few back, and in burst an old
Il Il tleman with a very red face, from v
. U a couple Of small eyes snapped an
~ as he dashed his hat and cane dow
-, the center table. Using the latter