The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-12-03

ter of one of the first families of vir- gfnia, tells her chum, Naomi Sander son, of her intense feelings against the rigid sixteenth century conven- tions of their little town and the tyranny of her. grandfather. who adopted her when her sezents died. Virginia confides to Naomi that she intends to run awny from home to es- cape the. tyrannical rule. of. her grandfather. Aunt Virginia tells her piece how the grandfather's whims and ideas ruined her life.. She urged Virginia to go away before her life, too, was. blasted.. VirgInia's. aunt tells the story of her parents. Her mother, n beautiful Virginia. girl, went to PhilvdeIphia to a seminary. Tbere she met noted nctor md mar ried him. Her father disowned her. A year later, at Virginia's birth, she died. Virginin's aunt explained that her name was really Winston, but at her mothers death her father, being in i'll health, gave her to her grand father, who made her name Fairfax, The father then left on sea voy- age for his health and disappeared completely. Before going he sent . packet to be given to his daughter when she had grown up. Virginia de- manded this of her grandfather, who denied it to her and locked her fin her room.
 Tn white fury, I set to work to pack everything that belonged to me into great trunk which stood in my closet. My grandfather, in his rage, had forgotten that there was a secret staircase from my room to the at- tic. and I remembered large English bag that was up there. Instinctively I knew now that this had been my fathers, and dragging it down filled it with my best clothes and toilet articles.
 I had hardly finished when Aunt Virginia came into my room by way of the attic.
 She gave a wan little smile when she observed that we both had out witted my grandfather, but she turned pale when she saw my prep arations for leaving home.
 What are you doing, my dear child?"
 "I am leaving this house tonight. Tell me frankly. Aunt virginia-do you not think I am right? If you had it to do all over again, would you not go as my mother did and as I am going?"
 Aunt Virginia turned paler, but she strai ghtened up bravely, true to the blood In her veins, and said Yes, my dear, I would. for-oh, Virginia, you cannot know the longing and un- rest that comes to woman when she reaches my age and finds that l. I-,y d away to pour out opportunity and love on some other
 Virginia, my life spells failure and as much as l blame my father for it I blame myself more. l did not have the courage to rebel; I did not have the stamina to fight"
 Aunt Virginia hesitated a moment, then, putting her hand into her bosom she drew out a large roll of bills.
 Here. Virginia, is the money that have been saving all my life. The day that you were born I dedicated it to you for your hope chest, but I am going to give 1t to you today. It isn't much, my jfSar child. but it will serve to keep kou until you can get
 Eagerly I stretched out my hand for it. T only had money enough of my own, Aunt Virginia, to take me to Chicago. I planned to work at something there until I had money enough to go farther. Now I can go straight through"
 Straight through to where?'
 Why. to Hollywood" answered.
 Hollywood? Hollywood? Where is Hollywood?"
 know? It Is suburb of Los Angeles in California. It is where all the pictures are made"
 Are you still determined on that wild scheme?"
 Why, of course I am"
 Your grandfather will never for give you"
 What does that matter? He would not forgive me under any circum- stances. l have taken leaf out of his book. As he did to my mother, I now do to him. He is dead to me. And now I have a favor to ask of you. Aunt Virginia. Will you ask grandfa ther to let you motor over to the next town-you can make some excuse-and will you buy me ticke. to Hollywood, California;? That vii, stop any gossip in this little place"
 At first Aunt Virginia seemed too frightened to comply and then she marched up to the attic and in a few moments I saw her starting from the front door in the motor. Evt- dently grandfather suspected noth- Ing.
 In a couple of hours she returned with ticket and lower berth to my destination. As. she handed It to me she said tremblngly: Virginia, if anything happens to you l shall never forgive myself"
 Why, what can happen to me, Aunt Virginia? I have nearly nine hundred doI1ara which you hava