Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1926-09-14

"Of course" he cried. that's 1t!
Why hadn't I the brains to think Of
1t myself! She's seen the companion
ring. No wonder the sight Of this
one, under such peculiar circum
stances, should upset her; no Won
der"
See here, Paul'-Franks calm
terms interrupted him-"arent you
showing an extraordinary amount of
interest in an unknown maiden?
Where's your usual bOmbproof pre-
caution? I'm surprised at you.'
Paul colored hotly.
"Oh, cut it OUT" he retorted. ''If
you'd been through this mess you
mightn't be so damned composed
YOURSELF
But I'd try not to lose my head.
What do you know about this girl
anyway? How do you know the whole
thing isn't some kind of a frame'up,
or movie stunt, or something"
PauFs look withered him.
You old fossil, Wait till you know
her" he said. Meantime, do you
suppose the dining room is open? I'm
famshed, and she must be. too. She
hasn't had a bite since breakfast"
And before Frank could interpose OBJ
jections Paul was at Carolita's side.
Wont you come and have dinner
with my friend and MYSELF" he
begged. You mustn't go so long
without food, it will make you i'll"
Il thank you"-she raised sorrow
ful eyes to his--"but 1 prefer not. l
will take dinner later-alone."
You'll take it now" Paul insisted.
"Alone if you must but at least I'll
see that you do it, And 1 won't leave
this car unless you walk ahead of
me-" There was something new in
his voice, in the expression OF his,
face. a set of the mouth which the
girl could not combat.
Il will go, then, but only If l sit
alone, please"
Paul inclined his head gravely and
his hand slipped into his pocket and
touched the ring.
II have found out something i'm.
portant," he said, but it can wait
until after dinner. Will you come
nOW?'
She arose and led the way into the
diner. making the trip in silence, and
as the car was almost empty they
found it no trouble to secure seats at i
the two small tables, Carolita being
placed alone directly in front of the
two men. Paul seated himself In
position which would allow him to
watch her.
Now. then" he turned to Frank,
when the meal had been ordered, lets
go back to the matter of the WILL
You and Burns, of course, know what
is in the codicl?"
"Yes-in part"
What do you mean by that?"
There is sealed note inclosed
with it."
"Oh! Have you any reason to think
that Walter is going to fight the will
eventually?"
I'VE don't know. That's why we
are all watching him SO closely. He
has been out of town continuously
since your father died, up to some
devilment. Could the woman with
him possibly have been your fathers
wife? Surely YOU could not have
failed to recognize herr"
Il am certain that she was not,
said Paul. she was of quite differ
ent type. You suggested that the tel
egram which supposed to have come
from Mrs. Reynolds might have been
feiephoned TO me by some one else,
cit occurred to me that Walter and
his wife might have cooked up some
scheme Of getting you to Los An
geles, especially If they are preparing
to launch a broadside. I'm wondering
where wa mas SOlIC why oOAAAA
Carr is coming West.
Have you a copy of the will In
vour pocket, Frank" Paul asked.
Yes" Frank handed over docu-
ment and Paul opened 1t. What
makes YOU feel that the will is open
70 misconstruCtion, or so weak that it
may be broken? 1t doesn't seem so
to us
Lets read it over" said Paul.
"Here are the requests, beginning
with 500. o00 to Walter. A decent
man ought to be satisfied with that.
that Dad had already set
tied 500. 900 upon him when they
came TO the parting of the ways; but
knowing Walter, l am afraid were In
for trouble"
whats your kick? Have you
found anything wrong in the way the
requests are worned!
yves. listen! After these requests
shall be paid l give and bequeath TO
my beloved wife. Cynthia Burden
REYNOLDS. one.third of my remaining
estate. TO be used by her as she de-
sires during her lifetime. and vestlng
IN he,. full powers to provide for the
dear one who was for a time placed
under our care What kind of an am
higuous sentence is that. will you tell
me. Frank? Why couldn't dad say
what he meant?
PERHAPS YOU will recall. Frank
,enlieT. that your father forbade a
certain name ever to be mentioned IN
his nresence? He went so far as TO
instruct Burns and myself that we
were never TO speak of the matter
either in public or in private. The
whole affair cut him to the depths OF
his being. 1t broke his heart and be-
came a real ohsession. Anything else
on your chest? Is the clause about
You all right"
~ give and bequeath to my be.
loved son. Paul Reynolds. one-thlrd
Of my remaining estate and appoint
him as trustee Of the same" Paul
read on: And to my hrother-in-law
and partner. John Carr. one-thtrd.
naming him also as trustee of same.
Yes. that's all right"
Then YOUR quarrel is about the |
clause dealing with with the family |
skeleton? II has occurred to you. OF |
course that further instructions Will |
be found in the codcil?'
"Of course. and il has occurred to |
as well, and probably to Mrs. |
Reynolds. Do YOU know if she ever |
secs Walter"
II hardly think SO. Walter appears |
10 have very prosperous business in |
os Angeles as far as | can find out.
lie has a very attractive house and |
/, ie xx-ifo'G psrpa &c eo0sfa ptly IN the