Hopkinsville Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1889-1918, 1909-01-23
The.
COnSpiratOrS
BY VIRGINIA BLAIR.
BY VIRGINIA BLAIR
Copyrighted. 1903. by Associated
Literary Press.


wlfe'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: III
settle a good round sum on you, and
you can say it came from a rich rela-
tive. Then my wife will be satisfied.
You can marry Roxane and live hap
ny ever after"
"Oh"-Oliver's face was bright with
hope-"you are very good, sir"
but you mustn't tell Roxane where
you got the money" the Judge pur-
sued. "She couldn't keep 1t 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 tits the only way"
But Then before Oliver could
proceed with his objection clear
voice asked, MAY come in2"
"Roxanew exclaimed the two men.
She stood hesiteting on the thresh-
old, slender little thing, with her fair
hair pulled out under a plumed hat.
Mother is waiting in the motor"
she said breathlessly. 1--WE are on
eur way to the charity bazaar, and
want some money"
The judge kissed her. NOW It's
divers turn" he leased
ooh, father" she reproached him,
with a sob. you know Oliver and
have had to break our engagement be-
cause mother won't hear Of itr' And
she hid her face on the judges Shout
der.
The judge glanced at Oliver. "Tel
her" he commanded, and the boy be-
gan a hating tale.
As he proceeded Roxane interrupted.
you mean that some one has left you
a fortuneY'
Oliver nodded.
where did he live?"
I'm not sure" the boy stammered.
II wouldn't inquire too closely into
1t, Roxane," the Judge advised hur-
redly. 1.-The less said about that rela-
tive Of divers the better"
With her face shining, the girl went
swiftly to her lover "Oh, Oliver, Oil.
YER" she said, chow happy I am"
For a moment he hesitated then he
gathered her into his arms. cts 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.
cts 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
q golden hair strayed across divers
coat collar were details which escaped
her.
II thought Roxane was never COM
ing down" she painted.
II found Oliver here" Roxane ex-
planned, "and, oh. mother, a rich rela-
tive has left him a fortune"
"a fortune-Oliverg 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 cousln% 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 tile name, Abbie,"
he stammered. perhaps Oliver can
satisfy you"
Eut 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-
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
"Why couldn't you bluff
It out?"
'Not with Roxane's trusting eyes on
me-" said Roxane's lover.
"Well. If you knew Roxane's mother
as well as l do" the Judge growled
"you would know that It's the only
hope"
After depressing silence oliver
ventured perhaps If you approached
her differently you might get better
results"
The Judge smiled. "How do you
meanw
Oliver blushed. "Oh. WELL I've some
times thought, sir, that If you appealed
to your wife's sense of romance
-