At the time of our marriage we entered into a solemn compact that her little daughter by a former marriage and mine should be reared as sisters.

I was to give half my earnings and to do for Eileen exactly as I did for you.

She was to give half her love and her best attention to your interests.
I sincerely hope that what I have done will not result in any discomfort or inconvenience to you.
With dearest love, as ever your father, ALEXANDER STRONG.
Linda laid the sheet on the table and dropped her hands on top of it.
Then she looked at John Gilman.
"John," she said, "I believe you had better face the fact that the big car and the big people that carried Eileen away today were her mother's wealthy relatives from San Francisco.

She must have been in touch with them.

I think very likely she sent for them after I saw her in the bank yesterday afternoon, trying with all her might to make the paying teller turn over to her the funds of the private account." John Gilman sat very still for a long time, then he raised tired, disappointed eyes to Linda's face.
"Linda," he said, "do you mean you think Eileen was not straight about money matters ?" "John," said Linda quietly, "I think it is time for the truth about Eileen between you and me.