Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1918-01-18
The Daily
Short Story
WHAT'S IN A NAMEi
BY Julia Nance.

house, stepped up to the young man
sitting at the telephone desk and asked
to be announced to Miss Vinton.
Which vinton, there are two fsmi-
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 vinton was expecting 4
visitor called Harbeson. The message
was sent and a reply received to>telf
the gentleman to come up. This Set
tied the matter and entering the ele-
yator 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 win.
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 Z
profession in the city where Vinton
lived and Vfnton invited him to call
upon his sister. promising to write her
that he was coming.
II am delighted to meet the sister
| of a friend of NINE" 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 seat for the
guest and took one near 1t for her
self.
Il suppose" she said, that we may
as we'll proceed to the object Of your
| call at once. OF course l 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 at 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
lips, put it back in his pocket and
asked:
However, l think that we had bet
! ter start with mutual understanding
of just what my fathers wish is. II
would be very stupid Of US to spend Q
lot of time Under misunderstood
ing"
Every we'll, 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?"
II have not" He might have added
my father has nothing to bequeath
and I don't think he has made will
well, since you prefer it ! will state
ing separated when you were little
boy, and you having been awarded to
, your mother, your father adopted me
and brought me up. l supposed
would meet you at his funeral but was
told you could not be found. When
his will was opened it 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 q
man and wife"
Il believe so," was the scarcely aud.
ible response.
"Have you any idea how much my
I. father left?"
Il have been told that IL produces
an income of three thousand year.
There was brief pause after which
: Harbeson said: Whatever happen.
: between you and me | will say this,
5 every cent of this property and In
r come shall be yours
: The young lady looked up at hin
7 with surprise and admiration. IA
s any rate" she said-"you are yer!
l unusual man."
Not at ALL" replied Harbeson, "bu
feel myself unworthy of such love
e ly girl"
Y The situation had reached this stag
l when there was a ring at the tele
l phone, and the man at the desk below
+ announced Mr.. Humiston. Harbesor
I heard it and the truth flashed upof
e him. The two names were sufficiently
/, alike to cause any mistake. But har
D bosom was game, he sat apparently an
concerned.
Are you sure you are Tom HUNS
n ton?" she asked hardly knowing VIVA
> she said.
Il am sure that l am Ned Harbes0n
Can it be possible that you have mad'
o mistaken
o 'Oh, horrors what q blunder. How
\ stupid of me-" :,
mo harm done l assure you. 1t wa
quite natural, the two names being y
o much alike"
Y Harbeson bowed himself out sns
. met Mr.. Humiston coming up.
: Il can cut that fellow out' he NUT
Z tered, land no great credit to me y
do it. At any rate I'm going to try.
Later he wrote a note OF apology Z
r Miss VintOn, abusing himself for sc'
; ing like a dishonorable man; but u
4 had been sorely tempted by his ~
: miration for her She replied that nli
r offer to give up his share Of his sup
: posed inheritance showed him TO .
c the kind of man whom any girl wcul'
n delight TO have for friend.
: Harbeson made good his resolve y
cut the other fellow out
pelts. The board notified Sinkey e
\ Gently to appear before the superv,s