The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1893-05-31
A SINGULAR CLIENT.

"A lady to see you, sir"
Frank Tremayne 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 a more deeorous po-
stion before the table.
"Show her in, Dick" he said laconic-
ally, and as the ladiwent TO obey him he
seized pen and began scribbling busily
upon the margin Of very legal looking
document
81 hope it's a case" he muttered, "but
it will be just my luck if it isn't"
The door swung open once more, aud
a lady, dressed somberly and wearing q
thick veil over her face, crossed the
threshold.
Frank rose, bowed politely and placed
a chair for her near the fire, then wait
ed.
She sat down, and for few moments
dead silence reigned.
Frank felt rather than knew that two
piercing eyes were regarding him fixed
ly 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 remark, when, as though
diYining his intention, the stranger fore
stalled him.
Mr.. Frank Tremayne, / believe" she
began in singularly 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 ?'
Yes" she murmurei, and with rap.
id gesture flung back her veil, disclosing
delicate, olive-tinted face, a small
scarlet mouth, and a pair Of very dark
lustrous eyes that were a little melan-
choly in their expression.
Frank started, and thrill of excite.
ment stirred his heart. Glad as he was
to at last see a possible client sitting in
his Office, it added to the interest thai
she was young and beautiful, and while
he remained silent, lost in wandering
admiration, she rose to her feet, moved 8
few steps nearer tohim and gazed at hin
long and earnestly.
Mr.. Tremayne," she said at length
and her voice sounded little tremulous,
have come to make a singular pro-
posal-one that will no doubt surprise
you"
She paused a second; then, without
the faintest suspicion of blush or look
ofself consciousness, she added:
Will-will you marry me ?"
Had bombshell exploded at Franks 5
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-
gardng his strange visitor with a Curl
Gus blending of wrath and modification
in his blue eyes.
Madam" he began presently, but
with gesture half appealing. halfimpe-
rious, ske 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 l can assure you l am in
full possession of my senses, and in all
my life was never more in earnest. l 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 ca.
reer. You want money and influence to
insure your success. Marry me, and one
week from the day on which take your
name you will find yourself free man,
with 10000 at your control"
Ten thousend pounds
For one moment Frank felt dizzy, and
the hot blood rushed in torrent to his
head. Then he recovered himself and
put the temptation from him.
ado not speak yet" the sweet, calm
voice continued. "I want you to under
stand thoroughly my intentions. The
marriage that 1 propose will in no way
bind US together, You will be free to 60
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 a few weeks you viii
have forgotten that you ever knew me-"
"But"-
+" / do not want your answer now.
Take two days to think il over, and at
the end of that time l will return to
learn your decision. 1t is not much
ask of you--iust to go through the sim
pie form of marriage, and as We part af-
terward it cannot make any difference to
your life, uhless"-here for the first time
a wave Of color passed over her cheeks
unless your troth is already plighted to
some one you love !"
"Oh, nor' Frank hastily replied, and
blushed almost as deep as his compan-
ion.
She heaved little sigh Of relief, and
held out her hand with a charming
smile.
"You may expect me on Thursday at
this hour she said. "Good-by until
then"
Mechanically he clasped the slender
fingers, and in another poment she had
gone from the Office, leaving him in a
state of bewildered doubt not easy to be
described.
He dfopped heavily in his chair. and