Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1920-12-17

the happiness of three people. Did he
assert his innocence and tell all he
knew, he felt sure of ultimate acoult-
tsl-at the expense of the iance Of
the girl he loved. For now came back
70 Inn many little acts on Wilbur's
part-petty excuses to see his books,
an erasure or substitution he could not
recall making.
suppose he kept silent? His own
NE would be ruined and his great
nope OF making his fathers name hon
orable' defeated Yet, now that his
mother was dead, what did it matter,
compared to Virginias shattered hap
pinesS and loss of faith in men? He
had seen one woman's life wrecked
through the perfidy of the man she
ioFed' Through the long, sleepless
hsht 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 fieeting smile at Wilbur,
No" he said quietly.
II was the pres dents turn to be
amazed. My boy," he said, 'just why
are You doing this?"
Al that moment the door opened and
Virginia, beautiful in soft furs. stood
on the threshold. 81 came as you
asked me, uncle" she hesitated. II
don't know Just why"
Howard stood up. "Come with me.
Wilbur" he said ~ have had my eve
on y9u for some time-on your FREE
queht trips out of town-on your noe
turnal visits to the bank. In fact, I
sent Bennett here one night for some
papers when l felt sure he would
stumble upon yoa. ] let suspicion
rest temporarily on an Innocent man.
hoping 10 see you make a clean breast
of it. If you had things might have
gone easier with You AS ii is" His
look was significant as he frightened his
hold on the arm Of his nephew who
during his words had appeared to
shrink perceptibly into his clothes.
The door closed upon them both
Left alone, the man and girl were
for a moment at loss Then it 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 he for him bur not on
my account" cried Virginia with
heightened color. Every one seems
to be labo-ing under o mistake. Last
night Uncle viii called and asked me
| if Wilbur and I 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
| ard was so-h,dignant. ] guess
that Uncle Will thought--thnks- /
mean"
Roger rose suddenly. What was
giving Virginia those wonderfully rosy
cheeks, and why was she founderng
! so helplessly?
Anyway" the girl was continuing,
"uncle said that yesterday when you
were questioned you were not as en-
phattc in your denia!s as he thought
You ought to he and he decided you
were being quixotic and shielding
somebody for some reason or other
Virginia" cried Poger suddenly.
bending down TO her "since there is
no one else may / hope that some
day"
Virginia lifted love-lit eyes TO his.
"Sooner than that :" she said and as
Roger drew her into his arms, II
guess / know why uncle wanted NE
to some" she whispered happily.