The Democratic advocate., 1908-12-25
80. ....The....
C0nspiratOrS
BY VIRGINIA BLAIR.
Copyrighted, 1903, by Associated
Literary Press.

wffes position in the case," the judge
said. "She wants her only daughtel
to marry a man with money, and yol
haven't any. So this is my plan: II
settle a good round sum on you, ant
you can say it came from rich rela
tive Then my wife will be satisfied
You can marry Roxane and live hap
py ever after"
'rOh"-Oifver's face was bright will
hope-"you are very good, sir!'
'But you mustn't tell Roxane where
you got the money" the judge pur
sued. 'tSbe couldn't keep it from he
mother"
"But ought not to deceive my fu
ture wife"
The Judge banged heavy fist OF
his desk. Don't be foolish" he sai6
sternly. "Its the only way
"But'- Then before Oliver could
proceed with his objection cleal
voice asked MAY I come in?'
"Roxane!" exclaimed the two men.
She stood hesitating on the thresh
old, slender little thing, with heT fail
hair puffed out under plumed hat.
Mother is waiting in the motor
she sand breathlessly. 1--WE are on
our way to the charity bazaar, and ]
want some money"
The Judge kissed her. 'sNow it's
0Ifver's turn" he teased.
"Oh, father" she reproached him,
with sob, 'you know Oliver and
have had to break our engagement be-
cause mother won't hear of it!' And
she hid her face on the judges shoul-
der.
The Judge glanced at Oliver. "Tell
her," he commanded. and the boy be
gan a battling tale.
AS he proceeded Roxane interrupted.
"You mean that some one has left you
a fortuBe?'
Oliver nodded.
"Where did he liver"
'T'm not sure" the boy stammered.
II wouldn't inquire too closely into
II, Roxane," the judge advised hur-
siedly. "rhe less said about that rela-
tive of divers the better"
With her face shining, the girl went
swiftly to her lover. "Oh, Oliver, Oil
vsr," she said, "how happy amr'
For a moment he hesitated; then he
gathered her into his arms. tits worth
everything to know that you are mine,
Roxane," he said huskily.
rf,o ~,o@Io ~ ~}1Iy yir&c jr ha no
brought him out of his rhapsody.
"It's your mother" warned the
Judge, and when the rather stout lady
ia mauve entered she found two SOL
emn young people on each side Of the
judges desk. That Roxane's plumed
hat was slightly over one ear and that
q golden hair strayed across divers
coat collar were details which escaped
her.
81 thought Roxane was never COM
ing down." she painted
81 found Oliver here" Roxane ex-
planned, "and, oh, mother, a rich rela-
tive has left him a fortune"
ga fortune-Oliver!" scoffed the stout
lady. "Why, he hasn't a rich relative
In the world"
'"The fact remains, my DEAR" the
Judge asserted blandly, that he has
had a fortune left him by a distant
cousin"
what cousin?' was the demand.
"You needn't tell me, James,
''Tut, tut" the Judge cautioned
"Don't accuse the boy Of lying"
'I'm not accusing anybody" Mrs.
Vandiver stated 81 merely asked you
what cousin. James,"
The judge mopped his forehead. The
sudden arrival of the ladies of his
household had not given him time to
perfect details.
''I'm not sure of the name, Abbie,"
he stammered. perhaps Oliver can
satisfy you"
But Oliver weakened. 81 think Mrs
Vandiver is right" he said unsteadily.
Until I can offer satisfactory proof of
my good fortune it will be well for me
to give up Roxane."
"Oliverr The wall was from his be-
trothed, but he went on, "There may
be some mistake"
"Of course" said Mrs. Vandiver,
with aggravating sureness. "Come on,
Roxane." And she dragged her unwill-
ing captive from the room.
Left alone, the conspirators stared at
each other.
''Now you've done it." said the judge
disgustedly. "Why couldn't you bluff
1t out?'
"Not with Roxane's trusting eyes on
me-" said Roxane's lover.
swell, If you knew Roxane's mother
as well as do" the judge growled,
"you would know that it's the only
hope"
After a depressing silence Olive,
ventured, Perhaps if you approached
her differently you might get better
results"
The judge smiled. How do you
neanr'
Oliver blushed. ooh, well, I've some
times thought, sir, that If you appealed
to your wife's sense Of romance
"Abbie's sense of romancer the
Judge evacuated.
"You must have some memories tha
would make her feel tenderly toward
you-toward u.s.
1T has been so long" the judge mur
INJURED and found himself suddenl
curious as to when he had ceased t.
think of Abbie as the princess in hi
fairy tale. When had he ceased t
write sonnets to her ringlets. odes t
her eyebrows?