Evening star., 1926-10-10

The Web Tntangles.
"Mr Reynolds was furiously angry
at Walters disloyalty, but he was
apparently successful in frightening
both men off Alas. my respite was
all too short. for when my baby was
about years old. Mr.. Reynolds being
absent with his faithful servant,
Uchita, and l myself dining out, little
CYNTHIA was stolen from our house IN
Santa Barbara, and with her the ruby
ring.
Then began another search. IN
charge of Myron T. Gaines. although
Mr.. REYNOLDS made the mistake of not
taking the man more fully into ms
confidence, allowing him to suppose
with the rest Of the world that she
was his own daughter. Mr.. Games
caught the trail of the kidnapers, DIS
covered that the child had been ab-
Quoted by Ramon or Mario Mllana.
aided and abetted by Walter. ne
also discovered that Ramon and the
old woman who sheltered the child IN
a border town in Mexico had outWll'
ted Walter, substituting a strange
child and carrying little Cynthia TO a
convent in the Argentine.
"Whv did we not Immediately bring
her home? The answer Is not dlfhcult
70 understand. My husbands pflde
had received a crushing blow. ana ms
feelings were also deeply involved. tor
he loved the child as if she had been
his own The perffdy on the part or
his oldest son was more than ms
could bear: the thought OF the at
tending publicity, scandal and gossip
was too much to contemplate. He di-
rected us 10 consider the child as
dead. promising me that way would
still be found to outwlt Walter ana
bring our daughter home.
Wears passed, and no opportunity
came. We kept in close touch win
our child, knew that Ramon, under
the name Of Frank Shapiro, was car
ing for her needs: that the sisters
guarded her carefully. Mr.. Reynolos
repeatedly sent money to the conVent
in the name Of an unknown trleno
for Carolita Menendez. for so Ramon
had called her. The sisters kept the
secret of these gifts but the old
mother superior alone knew the whole
story
I'm closing | can only add that |
am still waiting to recover my niue
Sweetheart, for so my husband ana
] always called our treasure, the oniv
child ever born to me. | may also say
? word in defense Of Ramon Milana,
my childs father. a man more slnneo
against than SHINING. Ramon mas tolu
me that he never really meant to de-
Sert me. He was morally weak and an
inveterate gambler, and l am certain
that but for Walter he would not
have committed such a sin as TO kid
nap his own daughter from her
mother. During the years that Sweet
heart has been in the convent he has
cared faithfully for her. | have no
bitterness in my heart toward TINS
man ceased TO love or trust so long
ago. Mr.. Reynolds has made me su.
premely happy. Life has been full OF
coppensation and more blessings than
I have ever deserved, and l stu nope
to regain my daughter.
That" said Mr., Burns. following
the silence caused by the reading OF
this letter, "is Mrs. Cynthia Reynolds
statement. | will let you near MI
REYNOLDS letter"
He opened the second document and
read:
INV wife's complete statement con-
cerninc her previous marriage. divorce
her subsequent marriage 10 me. me
birth of her child, my adoption OF TINS
child. the kidnapping of this child. To-
cether with the full part played pF
nv oldest son. Walter, and the Mllana
brothers, is absolutely correct ana
written with my consent and co-opera
lion. All papers necessary TO es'ao
lish legal facts will be found in my
locked box. under the care of my
mariner and brother-in-law, John Carr.
~ Is my wish that should the child be
returned through the effort of Ramon
Nrilaua that he be not only reimburSed
for all money spent upon sweetheart |,
but in addition receive the sum OF
s1n 200 | can never forget that this
lovely child who at once so frightened
and saddened my life came 10 me
through him. and | feel that my WlIe
would wish me TO make such pro
vision. This is my final statement
concerning my adopted daughter, cH Il
thia Nilana Reynolds.
AS Burns folded the paper his audi
ence was started by the sound OF Il
sob so deep and vibrant that II seemed
as If il must fairly tear strong frame
asunder. and Ramon Milana rose tren1-
bling 70 his feet his face buried in his
hands. and staggered toward the door.
sudden as his action was, Carollta,
her face bathed in tears. was there
before him. her arms encircled about
him.
MY father" she cried, my father.
You were good to me in Mexico. YOU
YOU. Please let me sec you sometimes
Il shall always understand and for
give.
a second and he crushed her TO him,
a storm Of kisses fell upon her sweet
Young lips Then as abruptly he re
leased her and strode from the room,
his brother in his wake, and Paul.
lose at her side, received her. Weep
ing, and led her tenderly. reverently.
back 10 her mothers arms.
Walter was on his feet now, his face
stormy.
Well" he cried defantly. Il sup
nose YOU think I'm licked
Licked" his young protege, who
had been so successfully mssquerad
,ng as Cynthia Reynolds, jr., broke in.
Licked, I'll tell the world you're
busted balloon, Where do / get
If you bum, tell me that" Her
voice rose in shrtli crescendo.