was on this
very question of your mother's money that I split with him. He insulted
me, put obstacles in the way of my transacting his legal business, and I
had no option but to withdraw. There was a clause in your mother's will
which stipulated that your income should be paid to you quarterly, or at
other intervals of time, according to your father's discretion. He chose
to read that to mean that he could pay you money at discretion in small
or large sums, as he thought fit. You were a mere child at the time, and
your father was your natural guardian. I always suspected him of having
some designs upon that money, for he bitterly resented the idea of a girl
having an income at all. He was peculiar in money matters--I will not say
grasping."

"He was a thief--is a thief!" cried Mrs. Swinton, breathing heavily, her
eyes flashing with excitement. "Go on."

"I withdrew altogether from your father's affairs. I was busy, and had
other matters to attend to. I naturally thought that your husband's
lawyers would take over the management of your affairs, and any
discrepancies due to the er--eccentricities of your father would be set
right. But it appears that you have never questioned your father's
discretion."

"I have questioned it again and again, and was always told that I was a
pauper, that my mother's money belonged to him. Oh, if I had only known!
What misery it would have prevented! It would have saved my son from
ruin--"

"Your son!"

"Yes, I have a boy and a girl, both thinking of marriage, both crippled
by the want of money. I must have seven thousand dollars this very day."

"I think it can be managed, Mrs. Swinton. I will see my partner about it,
and probably let you have a check."

Mr. Jevons went fully into her affairs for nearly an hour. Then, he
handed her a newspaper, and left the room. She flung down the journal,
and started to her feet.

Twenty thousand a year! More than half-a-million dollars withheld from
her for twenty-five years by a grasping, unnatural father. It was like a
wonderful dream. The revelation opened up a prospect of unlimited joy.

In a few minutes, Mr. Jevons returned with a signed check for the amount
required. He placed it in his client's hand, with a solemn bow. Mrs.
Swinton, too much moved to utter thanks, folded the check, and slipped
it into the purse in her muff.

"Mr. Jevons, what am I to do about the--other money?"

"I've just been thinking of that. I mentioned it to m