The times-news. [volume] (Hendersonville, N.C.) 1927-current, 1933-06-30
CHAPTER XVII

CHAPTER XVII
The lawyers voice droned on.
"To my niece and nephew, Eliza
beth and James Thorps," he read
$500"
Ida leaned forward to smile
and nod at Bessie who sagged
back Imply, looking like a pud-
ding long boiled in bag.
"To ny nephew, Bentwell Stat
ford, Sl00."
1t couldn't be true! Then Ida
thought, Aunt Elias left the
money to me. Or to Elinor."
The lawyer went on reading.
Ten dollars to each of them. Ten
dollars! The same sum for each
of the three Thorpe boys. Bessie
was crying almost uncOntrollably,
Ida saw. Jim had slipped an arm
around her. His face was working
strangely. Bentwell sat stolid.
Elinor's eyes were closed.
Ida, strained and leaning for
ward, heard the lawyer continue,
and |, Ella Gaines Sexton, do
name as sole legatee TO the re-
mainder Of my fortune Barrett
HOlderneSs COlvin who has never
disappointed my faith in him and
who thus merits my trust. And
If his conscience for some reason
that | do not foresee makes him
refuse this gift the amount en-
tire shall then go to the purpose Of
sUppressing in the United States
such art as is made perniciOus by
featuring the undraped female
figure"
The group moved rather blind
.ly, stupidity. Miss Smythe, trium-
plant inclined her head t. Elinor.
Ida pushed roughly toward
Barrett Colvin. She was breathing
hard. "I-I quite understand your
devotion TO my aunt now" she
said. "And why you paid my
daughter such attentions only to
turn from her suddenly-why you
offered her a ciparett in this house
knowing how you could influence
my aunt. You deliberately tried to
give her the impression that there
was something about my daughter
you didn't approve. Well, ! con-
graduate You on your success in
robbing herw
"Iida. plcaSe-w BcntWell pc
titiOncd hOarsely.
Barrett was staring down at her
wonder and sudden understanding
blended in his unhappy eyes.
Lord, how they all must hate him
He turned to look for Elinor. She
was beside him, whittier than usual.
She said gently, Pm sorry my
mother feels as she seems to. |
IsupposG--we're all upset. | know
you didn't scheme and-Aunt Ella
had every right to leave her mon
ey where she pleased"
Then, turning, she was gone.
Ida was approaching Mysteries.
81 shall take this to every court
in the land" she threaten
ed, voice shriIl and rising. EVERY
one here knows ! stayed with
Bentwell only because that old
bag hated divorce so. Bentwell's
u sot. He's made my life"
"SiIencew doomed the lawyer.
"Silencc, please, Mrs. Stafford, "
said Miss Smythe crisply. So
many years she had been ground
down by Mrs Stafford and all that
time she bad known how Mrs.
Stafford cheated Miss Ella, of
whom Miss Smythe was fond
She had looked forward to this
moment with the keenest pleas
ure but now-she could not for
get the way Elinor had smiled
at her and said, w'm glad, Miss
Smythe, that Aunt Ella remem,
bered you so well. You deserv-
cd it more than anyone else"
Barrett went home and paced
the living room. He ran nerv-
Gus hands through his hair, across
his brow. Twenty millions of
dollars or more-his from the
old lady-and the Thropes close
to starving. He could still hear
Bessie sobbing. And unless he
took 1T the money would go to
that absurd cause-a vicious
cause!
How could that child be diff
ferent than she was with that
woman for a mother an a
drunkard father? Lord-if he
could only forget Bessie Thrope's
sobs! And for some way in
which he could make it up to
them ALL