The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1911-02-03
BY MARTHA, MCCULLOUGH
WILLIAMS.
Copyright, 1911, by Associated
Literary Press. J

Literary Press.
Go whenever, wherever you please.
But understand--you can't take my
grandson Remember, I'm his legal
guardian" Mime. Steel said In a hard,
measured voice, not looking at Fem
ella, but over her head.
EeneIia was slight and small. with
eyes ~ dusky as midnight, yet shin
ing like midnight stars. She was
she was 30 1ittie---therefore she had
an impressive air OF distinction. "a
think you forget, dear madame. that
am Biliy,s mother" she said. Even
the law takes cognizance OF the fact
which no doubt seems to you insig-
nificant..
sThe law takes cognizance Of
many things,' madame answered, q
slow flame kindiing In her gray eyes.
As. for example the good OF un-
fortunate children. 1t will not leave
! them In the hands ora willfnl pau
per. You have no money but what
choose to givh you. Is there any
way you can earn II r.
The sneer, the insult. flashed all
through Fenella. She xlowed with
+ inner IRE. yet stiIl the distinction
showed. II shall leave your house
immediately" she said. "AH the an
swer j make you is ri1.s: because you
are Biliy's grandmother. ! am sorry
you choose to insult me. Out of re-
spect TO his fathers memory. / can
not provoke you TO do 1t any more"
''As you will. But / shall keep
BILLY have taken advice" mad
anne began.
Feneiia held up her hand. Let US
Say no MORE she said. But Billy
Eoes with me. You are guardian OF
his property--no court will take a
child or three away from ut
mother
Z '.But, you are not it,. madame be-
gan. her eyes blazing.
FenellA was already away. She
gained the stairhead with the older
womai painting ponderousiy at the
foot behind her. There she turned to
say: BILLY is--safely out OF reach.
! sent him away. hoping to spare you
pain
An hour later. cioaked and bon
neted. her eyes shining through her
widows veil. she sat in the ONCE Of
Judge Jennings. who had charge of
the big Steel estate. The judge sat
regarding her with something be-
tween scowi and smile. Tell me
what's back OF all thisa'' he asked.
who II he. where does he live ?
And what does he want ?''
You are--unkind. There liz no he -
FeneIla protested. .sOh. know there
ought TO be. But It Is just case
OF incompatibiiity. ana tired OF
being luxurfousiy-tended panpef---
made to feel my pauper estate every
minute OF the day
Hem the judge snorted. Is
madame as bad as thats Confouna
women. Excuse me. young woman
you're another sort. Even a hard
man would feel In this case that you
had nm equitable right. not only to
your boy but your husbands fortune.
Its that absurd viii which made his
mother his heir. IL he died before
coming into legal possession OF the
fortune. unless he had married with
her full consent. the Judge safd. get
ting up and walking back and forth
IN the hearth. "You'M let me speak
plainly: legally. you are a pauper--
poor Willy Steel didn't live to get .
shadow Of title 10 the money.
Wasn't to come into X till thirty you
know--and he married you without
nnadame's knowledge. much less con-
sent Your face is your fortune--no
pffense--~it's great one. But just
now, now you're up against it--hard.
There are just two things for. you
submission or--anotheF husband.
Anybody in mind for the place. Tell
me the truth