The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-12-11
THE EVENING STORY
The Conspirators.
[By Virglnla Blair. ]

1
you can sey it came from a rich rela-
tive; then my wife will be satisfied;
| you can marry Roxane and live happy
| ever AFTER
! Obi" divers face was bright with
| nope, you are very good, SIR
| But you mustn't tell Roxane where
you get the money" the judge pursued:
she couldn't keep it from her moth
But ought not to deceive my future
wife,
The judge banged a heavy fist on his
desk, Don't be foolish he said stern
~; its the only way
But" Then before Oliver could
proceed with his objection a clear voice
asked. May l come IMP
.-Roxane!' exclaimed the two pen.
She stood hesitating on the threshold,
slender little thing with her fair hair
puffed out under plumed hat.
Mother is waiting in the motor" she
said, breathlessly. I'VE are on our way
to the charity bazaar and L want some
money"
The judge kissed her. "Now it's Oil
ver's turn" he teased.
with a sob. you know Oliver i and /
have had to break our engagement be-
cause mother won't hear of it," And
she hid her face on the judges Shout |
der.
The Judge glanced at Oliver. Tell
her" he commanded and the boy be-
gan hating tale.
As he proceeded, Roxane interrupted. !
You mean that some one has left you
a fortune?'
Oliver nodded.
Where did he live?"
I'm not sure" the boy stammered. |
Il wouldn't inquire too closely into |
it, Roxane." the Judge advised hur-
riedly. THE less said about that rela-
tive of divers the better"
With her face shining the girl went
Oliver" she said, ''how happy L ami
For a moment he hesitated, then he |
gathered her into his arms. Its worth |
everything to know that you are mine,
Roxane,'' he said. huskily; its worth |
everything to know that you are mine
The rustic of silk skirts in the hall |
brought him out of his rhapsody;
Its your mother, warned the |
judge, and when the rather stout lady |
in 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 golden hair strayed across
.Oliver's coat collar were details which |
escaped her.
81 thought Roxane was never COM
ing down. she painted.
81 found Oliver here" Roxane ex-
planned, land, oh, mother, rich rela-
tive has left him fortune"
"A fortune, Oliver ?'' scoffed the stout |
lady. "Why, he hasn't rich relative /
in the world"
1.-The fact remains, my dear the
Judge asserted, blandly, that he has
had fortune left him by distant
cousin" 49,
what cousin?p was the demand.
''You needn't tell me. James"
''Tut-tut." the Judge cautioned,
"don't accuse the boy of lying"
Tim not accusing anybody" Mrs.
vandiver stated. Il 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
s!Pm 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 1 can offer satisfactory proof
of my good fortune, it will be well for
me to give up Roxane."
"Oliver!" the wall was from his be-
trothed, %but he went on, There may
be some mistake
with aggravating sureness; come on,
and she dragged her I'M
willing captive from the room.
Left alone. the conspirators stared {
: Now you've done it, said the
Judge. ldisgustedly; why couldn't you
"Not with Roxane's trusting eyes
IN me- said Roxane's lover.
''WelI, if you knew Roxane's mother
Is we'll as 1 do. the judge growled,
you would know that it's the only
After a depressing silence. Oliver
-entured: perhaps if you approached t
Ter differently, you might get better
The judge smiled. GLOW do you
Oliver blushed. "oh, well, I've
ometines thought. sir. that if you
.ppealed to your wife's sense Of ro-
"Abbie's. sense of romance" the t
Judge calculated: s
you must have some som teI mem9r ties
yard you-toward us s.
ssIt has been so long" the Judge
aurmured. and found himself sudden N
o think of Abbie as the princess in
lis fairy tale. When had he ceased 6,
0 write sonnets to her ringlets. odes b
O her eyebrows?
''You see, Tn afraid we're beyond a.
omance," he murmured. she q
wouldn't understand"
at seems to me-" said the wise
Dung Daniel, that a woman is never n
90 old to- resist an appeal to her e'
cart"
The Judge pondered. 81 asked her h
0 marry me on october Is, twenty h
wo years ago. II
oday is the 14th. and tomorrow is
n anniversary. oh. you've got to
AXE advantage of that, Judge"
ssI took her to ride in my buggy"
ne Judge rambled on. sheepishly. a.,
There was a big, round moon III
He stopped suddenly But or
curse we've grown sensible since d'
aen," he said, wistfully.
''Well. you just ask her to go to- ia
oliver recommended, and
len the Judge gave in. sh
The next evening he presented him
Elf at the dinner table, armed with m
long paper box.
"Tcor YOU nv dear" he said to his =.