Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1922-01-02
THE DAILY NOVELETTE,
WHAT'S in a Name?
by FREDERICK HART

~ The words sounded much like
something a great deal stronger, If 1t
had not been impossible to connect the
idea of strong language with Margaret
Davis. She was not at all the sort of
person one would suspect of using any
words stronger than the above quoted
expletive. and yet Il did sound suspi-
ciously strong when she said It. Some
thing was evidently wrong with her
world
"Ob. dear
No doubt about It this time. Some.
thing was wrong and Margaret didn't
care who knew II.
II was 4 o'clock on the afternoon Of
January !. 1890. New Years Day,
when the world takes on new lease
OF existence, and every person feels az
though he we're given a fresh start. On
this day Of all days 1t seemed strange
that a pretty girl should express such
apparent dislike for things rs they
were.
But Margaret had her reasons.
IL was her Uncle Emerson's best
friend who was ut the bottom Of the
affair. Uncle Emerson was dried up,
sgueaky voiced sort of person, who sent
Margaret a present twice n year--on her
birthday and on Christmas-and who
otherwise played no part in her scheme
Of things; she had not seen him for
years.
But it appeared that Uncle Emerson
had friend--"a very close and valued
friend" he had stated in his letter TO
her and he had. with maddening avun-
invite Margaret TO make n call on him on
New Years afternoon. Worse---hc had
accepted for her, ana then written TO
say that he had told his friend to expect
her. This letter came on tho same day
that the "friend's' invitation had ar
rived.
She knew the "friend's" address but
not his telephone number. and there was
not enough time TO write and decline.
Uncle Emerson had simply arranged
matters without consulting her, and
there was nothing to do but go through
with II. She looked forward 10 an
snuffy old man who would pratc of the
days gone by-who might even pat her
cheek in a scnile way. "But If he does
that" thought poor Margaret. Il shall
scream and bite" II did not appear
to be n promising afternoon for her,
but neither could the friend look for.
ward 10 much pleasure, she though,
vengcfully as she pulled on her gloves.
/ The name Of Gnrie Emerson's friend
! was George Farquharson. Esq. This
much Uncle Emerson had stated in his
letter, and the name did nothing tc
improve his standing in Margaret,
mind. She set out for her call in q
very unpleasant frame OF spirit.
The house was one Of those brown
stone front affairs that are exactly lik,
every other house in the block. Sh,
rang the bell. half prepared TO leav,
a.. I,,N Ia. az
before she could get at her card cas-,
and a very old. very solemn looking mar
servant stood before her.
Miss Davis? MIR. FarQuharson il
expecting you. Will you step into thu
reception ROOM
/ Margaret did as she was bid. 'Th'
reception room was a depressing cham
/ ber, with a high ceiling and old fash
ioned dark furniture. 1t was moi
cheerful. Margaret made mental notes
Of what she would do il she had {
chance at that room. Sne rose ant
wandered about, looking at this anc
that horror Of the early sixties, and hei
spirits sank even lower. Then-shC
scarcely knew how 1t came about--sh'
felt that some one else was in the room
md turned to see a young man regarding
her with friendly smile.
Margaret was in no friendly mood
and she did not return the smile. Sh,
merely regarded the young man freez'
ingly and said. "Whcre is Mr.. Farqu
harson?'
The young man looked embarrassed
"This is Miss Davis. isn't it? Fer
Mr.. Farquharson is-well. hc---' h
! stopped. evidently at a loss.
perhaps I'd better CO. she said
: If Mr., Farduharson isn't WE'LL
che young man interrupted.
81 quite agree with you" were hi'
amazing words. This room woul(
! look better with those heavy curtainl
out and some cheerful furniture in It.. :
Margaret blushcd to the eyes. Sht
had evidently been thinking aloud ans
this impertinent youth had listened.
'G beg your pardon, she said frce2'
ingly, "but ! called in answer to {
letter from my uncle to see his ole
/ friend. Mr.. FarQuharSon. not TO dis
cuss furniture with-wlth--hi Fccro.
tary." she finished RwkwRrdly. guesRins
at the probable occupation Of the young
man. "If Mr.. FarQuharson is indis'
posed. will you be so good as to tell hin
that I called and that | am sorry thai
could not see him." She turned tc
40. The young man took swift ster
forward.
Miss Davis" he said earnestly
"please don / 60. Mr.. Farquharson vii
be delighted to see you. To toll you the
truth. he did not expect such young
and--such a young lady to call. From
your uncle's description Of you, you
were quite different from what I see YOU
to be-
Margarct's eyes blazed. Then she
suddenly broke into laughter.
"T confess that ! don't look forward
to the meeting any NOR" than Mr.
Farouharson. SHE said. Uncle owl
IDENTIFY told him things about me, things
that aren't so. I'm not hOrrid old
snuffy person like Uncle. and I'm afraid
that Mr.. Farquharson won't like me. -
"IIc likes you very much, indeed. "
said the young man calmly. He
thought that you would be horrid old
snuffy person. and he was prepared for
dreadful afternoon. ! am Mr.. FarQu
harson, and ! came so close TO your
uncle by helping him in some Of his IN =
tiquariNn research work and l have
been meaning to decorate this room
ever since ! came into the Inheritance
of this house: and if Won Will como with