Evening star., 1926-10-02

definite to offer. You know Carr anu
Barns both well enough to be certain
that they're not going to accept this
girl OF Mr. Reynolds daughter unless
you can definitely prove that she Is
the schild who was stolen from this
house 16 wears ago. You have such
proofs?'
s"HeIl, yes. What do YOU think l
am. moron
May ask if they are recent proofs
or il you've rad them all along?'
"All along"
Then you stole the chiid?"
Look here Walter turned fiercely
upon him. What are you trying to
do? Put me behind the bars? OF
course. didn't steal the child"'
But you knew where she was?'
After a time-yes.
"Then why didn't you bring her
back?"
After my father had kicked me
out. Disinherited me. Made me the
laughing stock of the world. I'm no
shimmering white angel, Hyatt. l
made up my mind that as long as he
lived he'd never see that child again.
''StrikeS me that jury might name
you as accessory to serious crime.
Hyatt commented: however. that's
not the point. I'm frank to admit that
Burns and l had become convinced
that this child was dead. I'm boWled
over by her sudden appearance.
Frank continued. That's why l ask
for proofs. I'm under the impression
that you will need them when the
codicil is opened"
"What's III that codicil?"
Burns took it. | only witnessed
the signature, but | know from what
he said that it dealt with the possible
recovery of Mr.. Reynolds daughter"
Walter continued his tramp up and
down the room whistling, 'Therell Be
a Hot Time in the Old Town Tonight" p"
and Frank waited for his next move.
Well" Walter stopped whistling at
last and spoke with a sneer. "as far
as proof is concerned l guess l can
convince any jury, but the case will
never go to jury, Hyatt! Believe
me, by the time l get through uncov-
ering the family skeleton the whole
crowd will run to covert No publicity
for them, oh. boy"
THAT sou mused Frank, II won.
der"
Look here" Walter resumed, "you
can answer a few questions yourself
now. What was Paul Reynolds doing
on that train with Milana and his girl?
Answer me that"
Doing? Travelling West, of course"'
Like hell he was! Condolences like
that don't happen, my boy. Who
tipped him off that Milana was max
ing a run for his money?
Il guess you know a whole lot more
about Milana than 1 do" Frank re-
marked. Il had never laid my eyes
on the man until that episode on the
train
What episode? You weren't on the
train
Happened to be- Walter turned
incredulous eyes upon him.
I'D have seen YOU"
"Oh, no, you wouldn't: besides l
didn't get on until you had left
How did you happen to get On?
"Ran down the line to meet Paul.
"Oh, you met Milana then?"
Saw him, yes. Can't say that met
him. .
But you knew he was Milana?"
Yes, he gave his name"
"To you?"
ooh, no, to the conductor
You're keeping something back, all
right Walter flung his words at him
cOntemptuously but don't you worry,
I'm sitting on top of the world, right
now, and all the Milanas together
can't frighten me. This girl is Cynthia
Reynolds daughter. and she is going
to get her share Of the estate or I'll
know why
mo doubt you're right" Frank an
Swered calmly: Il was only anxious
on Mrs. Reynolds account She is
still badly knocked out from the shock
of her husbands death and I would
like to spare her any further sorrow.
Shall we join the ladies?" and he re-
turned TO the patio, Walter following.
Cynthia was holding the young girl
in her lap, her hands caresSing the
tanned cheek, and she raised eXpectant
eyes to Frank.
us it all right" she asked breath
lessly as Walter sure?''
My dear Cynthia" Walter purred,
"it hurts me to feel that you doubt
my intentions..''
ooh. Walter dear" Cynthia's eyes
loomed wide, indeed, indeed, I don't.
I'm sure that you are right! l was
only thinking of. the legal side. which
l have learned to dread. / am quite
sure that she must be Cynthia. She
has the same hair, the dark eyes and
skim She is so sweet, SO lovely! Oh,
they couldn't be so cruel as to dispute
let her out of my sight again. You
y
won't"
There. there, Cynthia" Walter ap-
peared deeply moved. "Of course, I
won't take her away
Cynthia wiped her eyes, smiling
through her tears.
Il am so thankful to you-Walter,
and now while you've been Conferrlng
with Frank I've remembered that
when you came in he and 'Asere about
to start for Los Angeles to be ready
for the reading of the codicil. Frank.
dear, if we are taking that l o'clock
train, as We planned. Cynthia and L
must get ready. l am so unstrung
that I had forgotten everything!
dear? Did you bring them with you?"
But Cynthia Walter protested,
wait just moment. have my car
here, we can drive you all in to Los
Angeles-don't rush so.'
I'm not fit for long drive,
Cynthia explained, Il have a nasty
cold and am all to pieces from this
shock If you'll let little Cynthia help
me pack while you get her bag We'll
ask you to drive us all to the train.
Come, little daughter" her arm
went around the girl again, shyly, but
with an unmistakable sweetness. m
not used to you yet she raised a
1ainty handkerchief to her eyes, come
dear. Wen be ready in 20 minutes.
Hurry. please Walter."
"Cynthia," Frank had been thinking
quickly. "can you find those papers Of
Mr.. Reynolds? l ought to have them
with me-"
She met his eyes and was quick to
read that he wanted her plans written