The Lamar register., 1921-01-19

clap--it did that, And with what lit
tie information he could give In ad-
dItlon to that WHICH was evidently al
ready known. Well, what could they
expect? And he had warned Ills
uncle.
At thai very moment. parolled af
the Instance of the president on his
own recognfzance. Roger Bennett sat
in his room facing the great crisis OF
his life. Upon his action depended
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 nance OF
the girl he loved. For now came back
To him many little acts on Wilbur's
part--petty excuses to see his books.
an erasure or substitution he could rot
recall making.
Suppose he kept silent? His own
life would be ruined and his great
hope OF making his fathers name hon
orabie, defeated. Yet. now that his
mother was dead. what did II matter,
compared 10 yirginia's shattered hap
plness and loss of faith in menf He
had seen one woman's life wrecked
through the perfdy OF the man she
loved. Through the long. sleepless
night Roger struggled-and when
morning came. he had made his de-
clslon. Virginia should be happy.
With the morning came an early
summons from the president Of the
hank to come To his Office. To his sur
prise. Roger found him not alone.
Wilbur. chewing the end Of an un-
lighted cigar, sat Oh 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
10 the bank late one evening. Can
you explain?"
Roger looked at Howard In surprise.
Then, with a fieeting smile at Wilbur.
NO" he said quietly.
II 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. II came as you
asked me. uncle" she hesitated. u
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
turnai visits TO the bank. In fact. ]
sent Bennett here one night for some
papers when felt sure he would
stumble upon you. l let suspicion
rest temporarily on an innocent man.
hoping TO see you make a clean breast
of II. II 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 perceptibly Into his clothes,
The door closed upon them both.
Left alone. the man and girl were
for moment AT loss. Then II oc-
Cured TO Roger that Virginia was tax
Ing very easily THIS startling news
about her fiance. "I'm sorry about
wiibur-on your account" he began
hesithntly.
"You may be for him, but not on
my account" cried Virginia with
heightened color. Every one seems
TO be laborIng under u mistake. Lasi
night Uncle VIII called and asked me
II Wilbur and were engaged. When
| denied 1t he said he was glad. Then
he told me of the accusation against
you and I-well. I wouldn't believe II
and was so-indlgnant. guess
that Uncle WIN thought-thinks-i
mean-"
Roger rose suddenly. What was
giving Virginia those wonderfully ros,
cheeks. and why was she founderine
so helplesslyf
Anyway" the girl was continuing
uncle said that yesterday when ycu
were questioned you were not as en-
phntic 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. "slnce there Is
no one else may ! hope that some
day"
Virginia lifted love-lit eyes to his.
Sooner than thati" she said. and as
Roger drew her Into his arms. 81
guess | know why uncle wanted me
10 come" she whispered happily.
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