The central record. (Lancaster, Ky.) 18??-current, 1912-02-23
What S In a Name?
A Good Deal Sometimes
By E. l.. THOMPSON
Copyright ty American Press Asso-
citation, 1911.

My maiden name was Alice Beatrice
Cholmondelay. My father, having
lost his estates in England when was
baby. brought his family to the Unit
ed States. When he reached here he
had nothing left but az aristocratic
name.
My fathers fortune so far improved
in America that by the time became
| a young lady we were enabled to move
in the best society. One evening at a
| social gathering | met a young Eng
| lishman who seemed from the first to
| take a desperate fancy to me, and
was equally pleased with him. Indeed
it was case of love at first sight.
l didn't distinctly hear the young
mans name, but l understood it to be
Cummings. He had no sooner left me
than the hostess, who introduced him.
came to me and said:
THAT young man is immensely
wealthy. His grandfather made a for
tune in fish. but his father has never
been in trade. and this one of the third
generation is DESTROYS of marrying into
an old British family. He cares moth
ing about money. 1t is the name he
wants. 1 noticed that he appeared
smitten with you. and if you like him
I'm sure it will be the chance of your
life. He has the money; you have
the lineage"
had given. Mr.. Cummings permits
sion to call upon me. and he came the
very next evening. What was my sur
prise to hear him say. Good evening.
Miss Chumley: you are looking very
well tonightr'
Miss Chumley!' | exclaimed, knit.
ting my brows.
didn't l hear your name aright?"
he asked, surprised
Certainly not. 1t is Cholmondelay."
"Oh! Beg pardon. We always cali
that name Chumley in England. Chol-
mondelay is very long, you know"
When he had gone / went to my ia
ther at once and asked if our name
was called Chumley in England He
admitted that it was. He had never
said anything about this pronunciation
to me since he feared that it might
lessen my reverence for the family
name.
Mr.. Cummings called often, and il
was evident that his intentions were
serious. He seemed anxious to do
away with the impression he had
made in calling ME Miss Chumley.
He had fine sOnorous bass voice and
pronounced Cholmondelay beautifully.
rolling the syllables on his tongue like
rare old wine.
The first time l addressed him by
bis own name, or his name as | he'd
heard it. l noticed that he started.
asked him if | had made a mistake.
whereupon he colored, stammered and
finally told me that | had pronounced
it differently from the usual prOnuD-
citation, then turned the subject S"
quickly that l had no opportunity tn
pursue the subject further.
My admirer was suddenly called
back to England by the serious illness
of his mother and was obliged to leave
bis courtship unfinished or bring it to
IN abrupt termination. l shall not
forget-women never forget such
things-how he announced his depar
ture, how | looked sadly down at the
poured forth his tale Of love. He did
not become so familiar as to call me
Beatrice. 1t was always Miss Chol
mondelay, and every time he spoke it
l seemed to hear one of the sweetest
Of the lower tones Of a cello. After
telling me of his love he went on
with his plan of forming through me
that aristocratic association which his
wealth, supported by nv lineage.
would give him. 81 shall owe every
thing to you," he said. Every door
in England will fly open to the name
Cholmondelay."
The beloved name was fitting eli
max to the offer threw myself into
his arms. and we were betrothed.
He had been undecided about max
ing his proposal then or returning
across an ocean to do so; therefore
he had put it off till the last minute
He was to sail at midnight and after
dozen kisses sprang away from me-
entered taxicab waiting for him at
the door and drove to the steamer.
The first letter l received from him
contained postscript. 81 spell my name
IS you pronounce it."
| thought that very. singular, for J
could think Of but one pronunciation
However. | concluded it must be Co
nv e.
fish people are prone to spell the most
ordinary names In the most. singular
way. l hoped 1t was Comyngs, for Il
sounded very aristocratic.
My lover returned three months
later to take me to England as his
bride. Our wedding cards were print
ed Cummings and Cholmondelay." ]
asked about the spelling of his name.
but he put me off, We were married
and sailed away to begin a new life
at least for me. We were received by
relatives and friends on the steps of
my husbands palatial country seat.
end the first person who addressed me
by my married name said:
Welcome. Mrs. Curmudgeon."
| tainted.
As soon as was alone with my hus-
band | began to reproach him with
having deceived me. He said that
when | made the mistake Of calling
him Cummings, considering the store |
set upon euphonious and aristocratic
name, he simply could not set me right.
However. there is some solace In nv
being able to have my cards printed
Mrs. Cholmondelay Curmudgeon."