The Marietta journal. (Marietta, Ga.) 1918-1944, 1920-12-17

the happiness of three people. Did he
assert his innocence and tell all he
knew, he felt sure Of ultimate acquit-
tal-at the expense Of the hance of
the girl he loved. For now came back
to him many little acts ON wiibur's
part-petty excuses to see his books,
an erasure or substitution he could not
recall making.
Suppose he kept silent? His own
life would be ruined and his great
hope of making his fathers name hon
orable, defeated. Yet, now that his
mother was dead, what did 1t matter,
compared to Virginia's shattered hap
piness and loss of faith in men? He
had seen one woman's life wrecked
through the perfidy of the man she
loved. Through the long, sleepless
night Roger struggled--and when
morning came, he had made his de-
cision. Virginia should be happy.
With the morning came an early
summons from the president of the
bank to come to his office. To his sur
prise, Roger found him not alone.
Wilbur, chewing the end of an I'M
lighted cigar, sat on the edge of
chair, obviously less at ease than
either of the two men.
My nephew tells me-" began How
ard without preamble, "that you came
to the bank late one evening. Can
you explain?"
Roger looked at Howard in surprise.
Then, with fleeing smile at Wilbur,
NO. he said quietly.
1t was the presidents turn to be
amazed. my boy" he said, "just why
are you doing this?"
AT that moment the door opened and
Virginia, beautiful In soft furs, stood
on the threshold. 81 came as you
asked me, uncle" she hesitated. 81
don't know just why"
Howard stood up. "Come with me,
Wilbur" he said. 81 have had my eye
on you for some time-on your fire.
quent trips out of town-on your noe
turnal visits to the bank. In fact, /
sent Bennett here one night for some
papers when / felt sure he would
stumble upon you. let suspicion
rest temporarily on an innocent man,
hoping to see you make clean breast
of it. If you had things might have
gone easier with you. AS 1t is" His
look was significant as he frightened his
hold on the arm of his nephew, who
during his words had appeared to
shrink perceptiblyN into his clothes.
The door closed upon them both
Left alone, the man and girl were
for moment at a loss. Then 1t oc-
Cured to Roger that Virginia was TAX
ing very easily this startling news
about her fiance. "I'm sorry about
Wilbur-on your account" he began
hesitantly.
you may be for him, but not on
my account" cried Virginia with
heightened color. Every one seems
to be laboring under a mistake. Last
night Uncle Will called and asked me
if Wilbur and were engaged. When
| denied it he said he was glad Then
he told me of the accusation against
you and well, / wouldn't believe it
and was so-indignant. I guess
that Uncle VIII thought-thinks--I
mean"
Roger rose suddenly. What was
giving Virginia those wonderfully rosy
cheeks, and why was she laundering
so helplessly?
Anyway" the girl was continuing,
"uncle said that yesterday when you
were questioned you were not as en-
phatic in your denials as he thought
you ought to be and he decided you
were being quixotic and shielding
somebody for some reason or other"
Virginia" cried Roger suddenly,
bending down to her, "since there Is
no one else may l hope that some
day"
Virginia lifted love-lit eyes to his.
Sooner than thatl" she said, and as
Roger drew her into his arms, II
guess / know why uncle wanted me
to come" she whispered happily.