The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1915-01-19
Ghe
Their Clever Bit of
Strategy.
BY VIRGINIA BLAIR.

said ''She wants her only daughter
to marry 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 a rich rela-
tive. Then my wife will be satisfied. /
You can marry Roxane and live hap /
PLY ever after"
'Oh"-Olivers 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 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. Its the only way"
But Then before Oliver could
proceed with his objection a clear voice
asked, May come INF"
"Roxanep' exclaimed the two men.
She stood hesitating on the thresh-
old. a slender little thing, with her fair
hair pulled out under a plumed hat.
Mother is waiting in the motor"
she said breathlessly. ave are on
our way to the charity bazaar, and l
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 10 break our engagement be-
| cause mother won't hear of itI' And
she hid her face on the judges Shout
| der.
The judge glanced at Oliver. Tell
her." he commanded. and the boy be-
| gan n hating 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. "0h, Oliver, Oil
YER" she said, how happy l ann
! 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.
The rustic of silk skirts in the hall
brought him out OF his rhapsody.
IL > Sbul IIOlAtis W III bEA the
judge. and when the rather stout lady
in mauve entered she found two sol
emu young people on each side of the
judges desk.
II thought RoXane was never coming
down." she painted.
81 found Oliver here" Roxane ex-
planned, and, oh. mother. a rich rela-
tive has left him a fortune"
"a fortune-Oliverr' 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 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. y merely asked you
what cousin, James"
I'm rot sure Of the name, Abbie,'
he stammered. Perhaps Oliver car
| satisfy you"
But Oliver weakened. y think Mrs
Vandiyer is right" lie said unsteadny
Until | can offer satisfactory proof o
8 my good fortune it VIII be well for N,
l to give up Roxane. There may be som,
l mistake"
"Of course said Mrs. Vaudivcr
with aggravatipg surencss. Come on
Roxane," Aud she dragged her unwil
ling captive from the room.
Left alone, the conspirators stared a
each other.
''Now you've done it" said the judg
/ disgustedly. why couldn't you blui
it out?"
] Not with Roxanes trusting eyes o
( me-" said Roxane's lover
/ We'll, if you knew Roxane's mothc
F! as well as 1 do the judge growlet
] you would know that it's the oni
= hope"
:, After a depressing silence Olive
ventured, Perhaps if you approache
her differently you might get bett,
! results"
The judge smiled. How do yo
mean?"
Oliver blushed. "Oh. well, I've som
times thought, sir, that if You appeaIe
to your wife's sense of romance"-
"Abbie's sense of romance Il
judge calculated.
You must have some memories tht
; would make her feel tenderly towai
{ | you-toward US
ut has been so long" the Judge mu
INJURED and found himself sudden
curious as 10 when ne had ceased
think Of Abbie as the princess in q
/ fairy tale.
You see, I'm afraid were beyond !
nance" he murmured she wouldr
understand"
1T seems TO me- said the wise yuul
Daniel. that II woman Is never L
ole to resist an appeal 10 her heart .
The judge pondercd - asked her
marry me on Oct II twenty two yea
ago"
There oliver .,f,trn,1 ..a-,s ,