I'm new, so forgive a stupid inquiry. I'm an older adult wanting to play mandola but want it in treble clef. What instrument would be best to choose to accommodate this? thnks

I'm not sure I understand the question. The viola normally reads the alto clef for the lower and middle notes of its range and treble clef. The mandola is tuned like a viola and also normally reads alto clef for lower and middle notes and treble clef for higher. If you want to play an instrument that is similar to the mandola but uses only the treble clef, I would suggest the mandolin. On the other hand, you could very easily just play mandolin music on the mandola with pitches sounding a perfect fifth lower than written. That would only work, however, with solo music. If you want to play with others, someone would have to transpose.