The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1918-05-08
What S in a
Name?
By JULIA NANCE

tiouoS, oteppcu up u TIE young IMAM |
sitting at the telephone desk and asked |
to be announced to Miss Vinton.
(which Finton, there are two FAM |
lies OF that name here. one on the |
third and one on the fifth floor"
Harbeson said he did not know, but
that he was expected and suggested
that the telephone man ask one of the
two If Miss yinton was expecting a
visitor. called HarbesOn. The message
was sent and reply received to tell
the gentleman to come up. This set
tied the matter and entering the ele
vator he was taken to the fifth floor,
where he found young lady dressed
in mourning waiting for him in the
drawing room.
Edward Harbeson and James Vim
ton were classmates and chums at col
lege. When they were graduated Vim
ton sailed, without visiting his home,
for Europe. Harbeson was to study
profession in the city where Vinton
lived and VintOn invited him to call
upon his sister, promising to write her
that he was coming.
II am delighted to meet the sister
of friend Of mine," was Harbeson's
opening remark.
The young lady seemed embarrassed
and it is questionable If these conven-
tional words made any impression on
her. She pointed to a seat for the
guest and took one near it for her
self.
Il suppose" she said, "that we may
as well proceed to the object cf your
call at once. OF course / have no
recollection of you though have been
told that we were playmates when we
were children. 1t seems to me that
the only sensible thing for US to do is
to get acquainted, without any men
ton of your fathers wish. Time will
show whether it will seem best that
we carry it out"
Harbeson was thrown fat aback by
this formal address. Instead of say
Ing Miss Vinton, have not the slight
est idea what you are talking about"
he said very true" took out his hand
kerchief, drew it nervously across his
| llps, put 1t back in his pocket, and
asked:
However, | think that we had bet
ter start with mutual understanding
OF Just what my fathers wish is. 1t
would be very stupid of US TO spend a
lot of time under n misunderstood
| ing
Very well, state the case"
This was not what Harbeson had
counted on, but he was equal to the
occasion.
"A very hurried and meager state
ment of the case has been given me,
/ and
Have you not seen your fathers
will?"
Il have not" He might have added
my father has nothing to bequeath
ana don't think he has made WILL
We'll, since you prefer it will state
the case. Your father and mother be-
ing separated when you We're a little
boy, and you having been awarded to
your mother. your father adopted me
ana brought me up. / supposed
would meet you at his funeral but was
told you could not be found. When
his will was opened 1t was discovered
that he left his property to you and
me Jointly and desired
The lady looked down at the floor
! and failed to proceed.
You mean he desired that we
should enjoy his property together as
man and wife"
II believe so" was the scarce aud
ible response.
Have you any idea how much my
: father left?"
} Il have been told that. 1t produces
an income Of three thousand year.
There was O brief pause after which
Harbeson said: "Whatever happen.
: between you and me l will say this
every cent Of this property and incom,
shall be yours"
: The young lady looked up at hin
with surprise and admiration. "a
: any rate" she said-"you are a yer,
unusual man."
: Not at ALL" replied Harbeson, "bu
| feel myself unworthy of such love
ly girl"
s Lie SiluutlOu uau TeucIlou tIliS stag
i when there was a ring at the tele
a phone, and the man at the desk below
: announced Mr.. Huniston. Harbesol
/ heard it and the truth flashed upol
/ him. The two names We're sufficiently
Q alike to cause any mistake. But HaI
Q beson was game, he sat apparently un
concerned.
''Are you sure you are Tom Humis
ton?" she asked hardly knowing wha
she said.
II am sure that am Ned Harbesor
n Can it be possible that you have mad
q mistaken
e "Oh, horrors what a blunder. Ho,
t stupid Of me-"
It "No harm done j assure you. 1t wa
quite natural, the two names being S
!" much alike" 80
u HarheSon bowed himself out an
met Mr.. Humiston coming up
Il can cut that fellow OUT he mu
tered, land no great credit to me
a. a. l.