Evening star., 1926-10-09
CHAPTER XXXN.
Cynthia'S Letter.


How do we know that these are
the proof" Walter broke through the
hush which held the room. 'and what
has that 10 do With the situation?
Granted that this girl Is Cynthias S
daughter, how is the world going to
take the news that she isn't the old
mans daughter at all? I'm going to
tell that mighty damned quick unless
you make it worth while for me to
shut up. Try to stop me-
"Mr. Carr" Cynthia spoke again,
'when you opened the codicil two let
xerS fell out, sealed letters, which were
written at the time the codicil was
prepared. Witnessed and signed. Those
letters contain the whole story of my
daughters birth. One was written by
Mr.. Reynolds, the other by myself.
Mr.. Reynolds foreSaW some such at
tempt as the one Walter is now MAX
ing. Would it not be best to have the
letters read at this time?'
You want them read, Cynthia?
Before this whole room?"
There is no one in the room who is
not my friend-except Walter, and he
IS the one most in need of hearing the
truth. You may begin and read every
word, Mr.. Burns, first telling this au-
dience how you received the letters"
Mr.. and Mrs. Reynolds came into
our office with these letters some three
years ago." Mr.. Burns explained. AT
fhat time nhvcicians had warned Mr.
paypoIdS tbot tic beor+ ,vao in bod
shame and apv ilInass hnuavar s1ioht
in itself, might he fatal. The truth of
this verdict WAS borne out hy his sud
den death, due to a heart collapse fol
lowing pneumonia. Mr.. Reynolds told
rs that he wished to add codicil to
his will. and that he and his wife had
,,,;+b ~, rn,{i,.i, ~ ,a+tor', ,,,ar.a
,,roaolaJ t,,d t....,,i, t;,,,++ o,d ,,t'.sa,r
vyitnassad tho .;,rn,f,,res o1eo o,,r
cIiaf clerl, aud y ,,ntary e,nnlo,cd b,,
nc Nr Rayrolds tLar rrenarea ,ba
,rodiril which wont tbro,,gb ali nacae.
sar, for,nnlas h,It Nre Havno1ds ala
not SEQ II since than y has henn IN
o,,,. ,,ara A. ,o,, y.a1v fo,. tho ra,d.
tn4y of Mrs REYNOLDS letter. he
iieye Thai is thn one ynu want IN hear
first
'.pIeaea ra,a >,rs pevno17s ,n,r.
INJURED
THE letter was written at Santa
barbara aud bears a date of three
sears standing. NV signed state
fnent concerning tho birth and narent.
e~a ana loss OF INV only child. Cvn.
irfa. Dear family OF Edmund Rev.
Yc,Hs. Since owe you all so rnuch
slace 50 lnucn love and care and
friendship has surrounded me since
being taken into your fold it is only
fair 70 YOU all that this statement
should hc made and witnessed, clear
ing up any doubts which at a later
time arise Let ne go back to my
lirlhood. showing huN nv orphaned
<oung life developed was born in
New York City. John and Cynthia
Burden. my parents. dying within a
year or my birth. ] mad one sister
now Mrs. Butler Rogers Of Santa Bar
bara, and an uncle. my fathers broth
cr Edward, brought US up. He was
good man. but he had q large tam
1ly, MS Vile being semiinValtd. so
that soon after entering our teens
my sister ana We're placed In a
boarding schooi near Iaris, remaining
tnere lor TWO years. 1his school was
attended ny girls from several coun-
tries. among them spanish girl
named Mliana, VINO became my close
frlend
tie paused ana all eyes were CEN
Sereo unon tho Milana brothers In
their corner OF the room. Carolita's
lighting with 4 flash OF understand
ing.
MY frleEd often went into Paris
20 Visit her friends there. and some
times [ was allowed 20 so with her.
brother OF hers, Ramon Milana. and
i'li IN love with him.
Ramon begged me 10 marry him
Eecretiy IN Paris. but being less than
IS and tirlid. ! was afraid to take so
great = step. My uncl"'S sudden death,
fo"eNHf, necesSitatei our return 10
.\eW Hoik ana kAmon crossed upon
fAe steamer with rs. By the time we
landed / had promised TO marry him
as soon as possible.
We found our aunt in the great.
'St distress. My uncle. instead OF be
ing the rich man We all supposed, had
died greatly III debt, his estate so In.
Volved that there was almost nothing
left. My sister and must turn I'm
:nediately 10 earning our living, and
Ramon, who had a host OF friends
smong artists. secured us both posi-,
'tons as artists models. We con
t!rued y live with our aunt for a
time, bur she could not keep her house
and gradually We drifted from her.
Mrs. Rogers and l taking a cheap
room near the studio we freQuented
BY this time 1 had PASSED my e!gh.
eenth birthday and, being mature and
n1SSa6 "A oil ~