The Press., 1909-08-18

"Of course can understand my wifes position in the case" the judge said ''She wants her only daughter to marry a man with money, and you haven't any So this is my plan: I'll settle good round sum on you, and you can say it came from rich rela. tive. Then my wife will be satisfied You can marry Roxane and live hap oy ever after"
 "Oh"-Oliver's face was bright with hope-"you are very good, sirv'
 But you mustn't tell Roxane where you got the money" the judge pur sued. "She couldn't keep it from her mother"
 But 1 ought not to deceive my fu- ture wife"
 The judge banged heavy fist on his desk. Don't be foolish,' he said sternly "It's the only way"
 But Then before Oliver could proceed with his objection a clear voice asked. May I come in?' IN
 She stood hesitating on the thresh- old, slender little thing, with her fair hair puffed out under plumed hat.
 ''Mother is waiting in the motor, she said breathlessly. "We are q our way to the charity bazaar, and l want some money" The judge kissed her. "Now it's Divers turn,' he leased. "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. "Te1l her." he commanded, and the boy be- gan halting tale. AS he proceeded Roxane interrupted. "You mean that some one has left you fortune?''
 Oliver nodded.
 Where did he liye?"
 "I'm not sure," the boy stammered.
 "I 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 swiftly to her lover. "Oh, Oliver Oli- ver," she said, 'how happy I amp
 For moment he hesitated; then he gathered her into his arms. "It's worth everything to know that you are mine. Roxane," he said huskily
 The rustic of silk skirts in the hall brought him out of his rhapsody.
 "It's 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 Divers coat collar were details which escaped her.
 q thought Roxane was never com ing down." she panted. 'T found Oliver here," Roxane eXS plained, ''and, oh, mother, rich rela- tive has left him fortune"
 "A fortune-Oliver!" scoffed the stout lady "Why, he hasn't rich rela ahiYe in the wsrld." AMlas~- ?
 "The fact remains, my deal" rr11. 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"
 'T'm not accusing anybody" Mrs. Vandiver stated. T merely asked you 1 what cousin. James," The judge mopped his forehead. The sudden arrival of the ladies of his household ad 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. ''I think Mrs. Vandiver is right" he said unsteadily. Until can offer satisfactory proof of my good fortune it will be well for me to give up RoXane." "Oliverv' The wall was from his be- l '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 blun it out?"
 "Not with Roxane's trusting eyes on me-" said Roxane's lover.
 "Well, if you knew Roxane's mother as we'll as ! do," the judge growled, you would know that it's the only l hope"
 After a depressing silence Oliver ventured, Perhaps if you approached her differently you might get better results"
 The judge smiled. "How do you mcan?'
 Oliver blushed. "Oh, we'll, I've some times thought, sir, that if you appealed to your wife's sense of romance''--
 "Abbie's sense of romance!' the judge calculated. s.
 "You must have some memories that would make ncr feeI uenGerly toward ] you-toward us'- Tt has been so long" the judge mur- mured and found himself suddenly curious as to when he had ceased to think of Abbie as the princess in his fairy tale. When had he ceased to write sonnets to her ringlets, odes to her eyebrows?
 "You see. Pm afraid we're beyond romance" he murmNred. ''She wouldn't understand
 Tt seems to me-" said the wise young Daniel. that woman is never too old to resist an appeal to her heart"
 The judge pondered. "I asked her to marry me on Oct. 15 twenty-two years ago"
 'There," Oliver exclaimed, "and to. day is the 14th, and tomorrow is an anniversary. Oh, you've got to take advantage of that, judge"
 T took her to ride in my buggy" the judge rambled on shcepishly. "There |