Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1904-03-30
Hiss F'airfaX'S Husband
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correcting proofs when the door
of his room was opened rather sudden
~, and gentleman of some six-and-
twenty winters inferred.
II say, Taddman-"
"Well?"
The sub-editor just grunted this out,
and didn't turn his head.
I'm in an awful fix. II don't
know what to dor
whats up" murmured Mr.. Tadd-
man, still keeping his eyes fixed on
his proofs.
1--WE got to interview Miss Fairfax,
the great singer. The governor left
word that l was to see her tonight
at eleven after the concert, and that
the interview was to go into to-mor-
rows paper"
Better look sharp, them" growled
the sub-editor; "it's 1O:45 Aow, and I
shall want all your copy by 1890 at
the latest"
"But-but-I can't do itv' exclaimed
the newcomer, desperately.
"Why notY' replied the sub editor,
you've interviewed heaps of people
before-in a fashion,"
Mr.. Taddnan didn't think much of
Charles Danvers, the one and only re-
porter the Dendene Gazette could boast
OF. Danvers was far too amateurish
In his work, and hadn't the "cut' of
q newspaper man about him. Besides,
the governor had only engaged him
because he was willing to Work for
a low salary.
WELL it's just like this, Taddman,"
explained Danvers, coming up and
standing al his superior officers ell
bow, Miss Bairfax is my wifer'
Taddman dropped his pen, and turn
ed round in one and the same moment
"Your wifev'
Eyes, my wife-I swear it. / don't
care TO talk about it," the young man
went on, hurriedly. "But I'll tell you
MI now I've told you some. We were
married when we were only boy and
girl. was nineteen, she a year
younger. Three months after our mar
rage we had a frightful quarrel
chiefly because 1 had deceived her
about money Inatters-and we parted
by mutual consent. She was at one
OF the musical academies, and had
just left Rugby. My father disowned
me for getting married without his
consent, and SO, instead of going to
Oxford, l had to earn living how
and where could. After trying vari-
GUS things I drifted into journalism,
and that's why I'm here, working all
1 know for twenty-five shillings a
week. And she-I have followed her
career, although she has quite lost
sight Of me-she Is famous, rich, court
ed by the great, written about and
talked about, while I, her husband,
am only a miserable hack Of re-
porter. And now have to go and
interview herv'
He sank into chair and
buried his face in his hands. For
some moment Taddman gazed at him
in blank amazement. This man the
great Fairfax's lawful husband! And
told off to interview her! Taddman
was tongue-ded.
He looked at his watch. It was
ave minutes to eleven.
"Look here, young 'un, you must
CO." he at length said, touching Dan
vers on the shoulder and speaking
more gently; "it'll mean the sack If
you don't. You know what the gov
L. nj Y.oth hor nj
to get another crib, you know. I'd do
It for you myself, but I can't stir from
here until the paper goes to bed. So
put a good face on it, man, and go.
Bless you'll she won't recognize you.
Her husband was smooth-faced boy,
and you've got long mustache-and
and Che had never noticed them be-
fore) quite a sprinklmg Of gray hairs.
Besides, you look a good deal older
than you really are. Here, rouse up
and get along! We must have the
interview"
Danvers got up.
''Thanks, old chap" he said, "I'll
be off, l didn't think Of the alteration
in my looks. OF course she won't
know me-"
And without more ado he put on
his coat and hat and hurried away to
the town hail. whsre Miss Fairfax had
consented to be interviewed, the rem
devious being her dressing-room be-
hind the stage.
Miss Fairfax was rolling up her
music when her maid, Jones, was good
enough to inform her that "a reporter
was anxious to see her.
From the Dendene Gazete?' she
inquired.
Yes, miss think 1t was some
name like that"