The herald., 1893-05-04
A SINGULAR CLIENT

@eeNtJ W oCO SOd, oil
Frank Trelnayne hastily drew his feet
from the mantelpiece, where they had
been reposing, and flinging the end of
his cigar into the fire turned his chair
round and assumed more decorous
position before the table
"Show her in, Dick, he said laconic-
ally, and as the lad went to obey him he
seized pen and began scribbling busily
upon the margin of very legal looking
document.
II hope it's case" he muttered
"But it will be just my luck if it isn't"
The door swung open once more and a
lady, dressed somberly and wearing a
thick veil over her face, crossed the
threshold.
Frank rose, bowed politely and placed
q chair for her near the fire, then
waited.
She sat down, and for few moments
a dea3 silence reigned
Frank felt rather than knew that two
piercing eyes were regarding him fixedly
from behind that screening veil, and
cool and unconcerned as he usually was
the calm scrutiny set his pulses beating
faster and caused him to fidget uneasily.
At last, with a preliminary cough, he
was about to open the conversation by
some trivial remark when, as though
diyining his intention, the stranger fore
stalled him.
Mr.. Frank Tremayne, believe" she
began in sihgularly sweet voice.
He bowed his head affirmatively then
after an instant's hesitation said:
''You wish to consult me upon some
business matter suppose, madam"
EYES," she murmured, and with a
rapid gesture flung back her veil, dis
closing a delicate, olive tinted face, a
small, scarlet mouth and pair of very
dark, lustrous eyes that were little
melancholy In their expression.
Frank started, and thrill of excite
ment stirred his heart. Glad as he was
to at last see possible client sitting in
his office, it added to the interest that
she was young and beautiful, and while
he remained silent, lost in wondering ad-
miration, she rose to her feet, moved a
few steps nearer to him and gazed at
him Tong and earnestly.
"Mr. Tremayne," she said at length,
and her voice sounded little tremulous,
II have como to make singular pro-
posal-one that will no doubt surprise
you" She paused second; then, with
out the faintest suspicion of blush or
look of self consciousness, she added:
"Will-will you marry me?"
Had bombshell exploded at Franks
feet he could not have looked more
amazed. He pushed back his chair, and
not knowing whether to feel indignant
or amazed at what he considered an ex-
traordinary joke he stood speechless, re-
garding his strange visitor with a Curl
ous blending of wrath and modification
in his blue eyes.
MADAM" he began presently, but
with gesture half appealing, half i'm
perious. she stopped him.
"Hear me first, please" she remarked,
and Frank was astonished at the cool
ness of her tones. ''No doubt you think
me crazy, but can assure you | am in
full possession of my senses, and in all
my life was never more in earnest. ask
you to marry me, and it will be to your
advantage to accept the proposal. You
are poor and at the beginning of your
career You want money and influence
to insure success, Marry me, and one
week from the day on which take your
name you will find yourself free man,
with e10,0 at your control"
Ten thousand poundsi
For one moment Frank felt dizzy, and
the hot blood rushed in q torrent to his
head. Then he recovered himself and
put the temptation from him.
''Do not speak yet" the sweet, calm
voice continued. II want you to under
stand thoroughly my intentions The
marriage that propose will in no way
bind us together. You will be free to go
your way, and l mine. There is only
one service which shall demand of YOU
only once after the ceremony shall
we meet again, and then l shall pass
from your life, and in few weeks you
will have forgotten that you ever knew
me-"
"But"-.-<
II do not want your answer now.
Take two days to think it over, and at
the end of that time will return to
learn your decision. It is not much /
ask Of you-just to go through the SIM
pie form Of marriage, and as we part
sfterward 1t cannot make any difference
to your life, unless"-here for the first
time wave Of color passed over her
cheeks" unless your troth is already
plighted to some one you lovei"
"Oh, nor Frank hastily replied and
blushed almost as deep as his companion.
She heaved little sigh of relief and
held out her hand with charming smile.
"You may expect me on Thursday at
his hour" she said. "Goodby until
hen"
Mechanically he clasped the slender
fingers, and in another moment she had
zone from the Office, leaving him in a
tate of bewildered doubt not easy to be
described.
He dropped heavily in his chair, and
Eor long while remained plunged in
thought.
The girls startling proposal haunted
tim in spite Of all his efforts to disniss
Z from his mind.