The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1915-01-19
Ghe
Conspirators
Their Clever Bit of
Strategy.
BY VIRGINIA BLAIR.

bulu. ouc willis ueI Ouly uuuSuteI
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
PLY ever after"
"Oh"-Oliver's face was bright With
hOpe-'yOu are very good, STRIP
But you mustn't tell Roxane where
you got the money" the judge pur.
sued. "She couldn't keep 1t from her
mother"
"But l ought not to deceive my fu-
ture WIFE"
The judge banged a heavy fist on
his desk. Don't be foolish" he said
sternly. Its the only way"
"But"- Then before oliver could
proceed with his objection clear voice
asked, MAY come inT
"ROxanew exclaimed the two men.
She stood hesitating ON the tbresh-
old, 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. Nov 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 it!' And
she hid her face on the judges shoul-
der.
The Judge glanced at Oliver. "Teli
her." he commanded, and the boy be-
gan a halting tale.
As he proceeded Roxane interrupted.
'You mean that some one has left you
fortune?"
Oliver nodded.
With her face shining, the girl went
swiftly to her lover. "Oh, Oliver, OIL.
ver," she said, "how happy amp
For moment he hesitated; then he
gathered her into his arms ITS 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.
II thought Roxane was never coming
down." she painted.
II found Oliver here" Roxane ex-
plalned, land, oh, mother, a rich rela.
tive has left him u fortune"
"a fortune-Olivervs 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"
"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. IL merely asked you
what cousin, James,"
"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.
"Untl can offer satisfactory proof Of
my good fortune It will be well for me
to give up Roxane. There may be some
mistake"
"Of course" said Mrs. Vandiver,
with aggravating sureness. Come on,
ROxane." And she dragged her unwil.
ling 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
It out?"
Not with Roxanes trusting eyes on
me-" said Roxanc's lover
"Well. II you knew Roxane's mother
az well as / do" the judge grOwled
"you would know that it's the only
hope"
After depressing silence Oliver
ventured. Perhaps il you approached
her differently you might get bettel
results"
The Judge smiled. How do yot
meanr
Oliver blnshed. "Oh, well, I've some
times thought. sir, that II you appealed
to your wife's sense Of romance
"Abbies sense Of r0mancew the
Judge ejaculated.
"You must have some memories tha
would make her feel tenderly towart
you-toward u.s.
"It has been so long," the judge mur
INJURED and found himself suddenl!
curious as to when he had ceased L
think OF Abbie as the princess In hi
fairy tale.
"You see, I'm afraid we're beyond ro
NANCE" he murmured. "She wouldn'
understand"
1T seems to me-" said the wise younl
Daniel. that woman Is never to
old TO resist an appeal to her heart"
The judge pondered. II asked her 4
marry me on Oct i5 twenty-five year
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