Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1926-10-02
CHAPTER XXVIT.
Defiance,

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Cvnthia's signal of her purpose almost
unbalanced Frank, but he collected
himself Immediately, rallying to her
| support She was going to pretend
that Walter told the truth! What an
extraordinarily resourceful woman!
There. there, little girl" Walter
soothed her with gentle pats, you've
heen through torrents. l know. You
| thought l stole her; you thought she
was dead, My dear, I had to keep you
! in ignorance, 1t was the only way TO
Drotect you-I II make it all clear.
Look at her now, Cynthia; isn't she
SWEET"
Cynthia Reynolds leaned heavily in
| his embrace.
"Your handkerchief. please. Walter
dear" she murmured. I'm all un-
! strung
Walter placed her carefully in a
| chair, and led the young girl to her
side.
Speak to your mother. honey" he
directed. She doesn't know her story,
| Cynthia / thought you'd like to tell
her yourself"
You tell her. Walter" Cynthia s
arm trembled as 1t encircled the girl
and drew her down onto her lap,
| lin not able"t
We'll, them Walter purred, the
light of victory blazing in his glitter
ing blue eyes, you were stolen from
your mother when you were a baby,
little Cynthia, and hidden away in
Mexico. Your people gave you up for
dead. l found you-just in time
! The girl giggled.
! Looks like I'd hit it rich." she said
! placidly. DO I find any more par
ents? That my father" She pointed
to Frank.
MIR. REYNOLDS died some weeks
ago" Cynthia stroked the dark bobbed
curls as she replied unsteadily. "Oh,
my precious one, where have YOU been
living all this time. My little girl!
/ Tell me all about yourself"
She'll tell you all that presently,
Walter interrupted. What I'm inter
ested in now is the will, Cynthia. This
! little girl ought to come in for big
piece of the old mans dough. What
are we going to do about it?"
THAT is all arranged for Frank
spoke for the first time, rushing to
| Cynthias aid: you remember that
Mrs. REYNOLDS is directed to share her
third with the child, should she be
J found
Yes. but a third shared with her
mother is hardly adequate for the heir
ess Of such fortune. l want more
than that for the child. Hyatt. l guess
we can fix it all right
Walter" cynthia smiled through
her tears, you came back in the nick
of time. In a few days we shall read
the codicil to your fathers will. While
! | have not seen the codicil, I think
! from what Edmund told me that 1t
will provide for little Cynthia-little
Cynthia-I can hardly believe it. Wal
| ter! You have the proofs. OF course;
YOU couldn't have made a mistaken
Her tone was pleading, sweet enough
| to wiring a heart of stone.
Absolute proof! Are you happy,
| Cynthia? You never really believed
she was dead. did you? You knew
the old man was up to something"
he stopped. warned by flash from her
clear eyes. II didn't mean any.
thing" he apologized instantly.
but you must admit that things
| lookedt-well-q
Yes" Cynthia was gentle again,
| they did. l never blamed Edmund,
Walter. He did what was right. but
now things have changed. I have this
with me, Walter? Oh, yes. you must.
She clasped the girl convulsively.
looking up in an agony OF suspense.
Walter hesitated, looking intently
at his wife as if he expected her to
reply for him.
We'll" he said as no help came
from that quarter. II was expecting
to keen her until after the matter of
the will could he adjusted. / suppose
everything will be all right. but know
Carr and Burns. too. they're stub
born pair, and maybe they'll get the
idea that the will has TO stand"
CYNTHIA" Frank felt that the time
had come for him to speak, st seems
to me that Walter must be able to
furnish some definite proof before he
can establish "a legal claim for this
very charming young lady. Suppose
that 1 leave you women together wnile
he and I have a short conference? I
know how eager YOU must be to
mother Your little girl. and doubtless
there are many questions in your mind
which Mrs. Walter Reynolds will be
glad TO answer. Shall we step into the
house. Walter?"
Walter arose reluctantly. his eyes
resting for a moment upon his wife.
Then. as the woman made no effort
to help him. sitting motionlees with
white. gloved hands folded on her lap,
he followed Walter into the library.
declining a seat and pacing the floor
nervously. his hands In his pockets,
''Weu?" his fishy eyes searched
Franks face and found 1t expression.
less.
I'm not trying to make trouble for