Worcester Democrat and the ledger-enterprise., 1923-08-25
He WAS STEPHEN
BY Il. LOUIS RAYBoLD

81 6y 0s 6OOtO nNJ 0O6O
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| 60. 1919. by Mcclure Newspaper syndicate.)
CTEPHEN'S uncle. James X. Har
~ rington, flung the crumpled sheet
into a chair and stared glulnly at the
traffic streaming down the avenue
Again he reviewed mentally the star.
ing headlines:
UNDERGRADUATE INJURED IN
MIDNIGHT JOYRIDE!
Nephew of .Well-Known James K.
Harrington"
Thus 1t came about that young
Steve, convalescent after few bad
days, faced his uncle in the private
room at the hospital and knew he was
in for a disagreeable half hour.
Stephen" he began, ''I've given
you too much rope, and now I'm going
to rectify that little mistake, If pos
sible, before 1t is too late. You have
met my wife's niece, Miss Barbara
Endicott?"
Stephen regarded him suspiciously.
"Yes," he said shortly.
"Well," said Harrington, ''she is the
girl you are going to marry. That Is,
If she'll have you. If you will per-
suade her to marry you I'll settle an
even hundred thousand on you at
once. Or, If you do your best but she
will have none Of you, will permit
things to go on much as before If
you behave yourself. Otherwise, never
cent Of mine do you get"
Some two years later Roger Dean
swung into the home Office in West
ern city, where his employer greeted
him cordially.
-Hello, Roger" he said. "What's
the gamer
Gamer echoed Roger. "what
game"
The other drew toward him an open
newspaper and indicated a picture.
With a start of surprise Roger ex-
amined 1t intently. "Is this your pic.
turer ran the accompanying adver-
tisement. "Or Is It a striking resem-
blRnce? II 50. and you wish to earn
large sum. call at the Office Of w.
Sweet, room PIP. Hotel Garde. New
York"
A day or two later Dean found him
self face to face with a hatchet-faced
individual who regarded him nervous
ly. "Ahem! You are Stephen Har-
ringtonr he asked at once.
| Roger regarded him blankly. me?
I'm Roger Dean, salesman for the
Canover Lawnmower people," he
snapped out.
"Even So" said the other, quite evi-
IDENTIFY relieved. "You would not be
averse to righting wrong, and at
the same time making little on the
side? Well. listen, and I'll give you
the gist Of the matter. James X. Har-
rington is dead ana has left most
peculiar will. Within six months his
nephew, who disappeared while ago,
to appear before witnesses and agree
or disagree to marry each other. II
both agree the estate goes to them
Jointly. II only one agrees, he or she
gets the entire estate If neither
agrees. the money goes to charity.
The legacy totals" he smacked his
lips, Gin excess Of $1.OOO,OOO."
"And just where do enterY' Ques-
toned the young fellow.
"Well." said the lawyer hopefully.
'young Stephen evidently is dead.
Now you. not being the real heir.
naturally cannot agree to marry her.
But by simply impersonating him can
vokA In a vnno< 1tkklo c,rr, Nok
Roger regarded the lawyer appre-
ciatively. man." he said heartily.
you've got brain. Count on me"
It was q solemn little group that
gathered in the library Of the former
James X. Harrington. Roger could
not refrain from casting frequent
glances at the quietly dressed girl. ac-
companied by her mother, at the op-
posite side Of the room. Her face
was expressionless during the read
ing Of the will. Then. expectantly,
she lifted her eyes as the lawyer rose
to his feet.
ut 10 my duty according to the
terms Of this document to put a ques-
tion TO you, Miss Bradley. Will you
tonr
Barbara's eyes fell once more.
"Yes," she said softly.
Sweet appeared at once relieved
and satisfied. "And you, Mr.-er-
Harrington. will you marry this ladyr'
II willf' said the young fellow firm
ly. Then crossing to Barbara's side
he addressed the stunned lawyer.
You see. Ireally am Stephen. At the
time of my uncle's not unreasonable
displeasure, Barbara and were
practically engaged. At least. she
had consented to marry me II I settled
down. Barbara did not wish our at
fair to be known until I had given
proof Of actual reform. My self-re-
spect would not permit me to submit
to the terms Of my uncle's mandate
until had shown that l could stand
on my own two feet. In this Barbara
abetted me. Followed my disappear