Amador ledger., 1909-06-04
1.-The 900.
COnSpiratOrS
BY VIRGINIA BLAIR.
BY VIRGINIA BLAIR.
Copyrighted, 1908, by Associated
Literary Press.

L
wife's position in the case" the judge
said. "She wants her only daughter
to marry man with money, and you
haven't any. SO this is my plan: I'll
settle n 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
by ever after"
"Oh"-Ollver's face was bright with
hope-"you are very good, slr!''
"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 a 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?"
"Roxane" exclaimed the two men.
She stood hesltating on tie thresh-
old, slender little thing, with her fair
hair puffed out under n plumed hat.
Mother is waiting in the motor"
she said breathlessly. 1--WE are on
our way to the charity bazaar, and 1
want some money"
The judge kissed her. "Now It's
divers turn" he teased.
"Oh, father" she reproached him,
with a sob, ''you know oliver and
have had to break our engagement be-
cause mother won't hear of itp 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 haltlng tale.
AS he proceeded Roxane interrupted.
"You mean that some one has left you
fortuneW
Oliver nodded.
"Where did he live?"
"Pm not sure" the boy stammered.
II wouldn't inquire too closely into
1t, 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. ooh, Oliver Oil
ver," she said, chow happy I amp
For a 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
1o1f I'm nPh = hie, v-I,o
"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.
II thought ROxane was never COM
ing down." she painted.
81 found Oliver here" Roxane ex-
planned, "and, Oh, mother, rich rela-
tive has left him a fortune"
ga fortune-Oliverr' scoffed the stout
lady. "Why, he hasn't rich relative
in the world"
''The fact remains, my DEAR" the.
judge asserted blandly, that he has
had 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 | 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-
trothcd, but he went on, "There may.
be some mistake"
"Of course" said Mrs. Vandiver,
with aggravating sureness. "Come on,
RoXane." And she dragged her unwlll-
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 cut?"
"Not with RoXane's trusting eyes on
me-" said RoXane's lover.
"Ncll, If you knew Roxane's mother
rs well as | do" the judge growled,
"ycu would know that it's the only
hope"
After depressing silence Oliver
Ycntured, "Pcrhaps If you approached