Williams news., 1916-11-09

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 enough to say so," spoke Sidney. He
 placed his hand on the shoulder of the man and fixed his glance. My friend, /"
 he said, If hard lines strike VOL. and
 you don't waver from the straight
 road, let me know and I'll give you a helping hand"
 Bless you!" choked out his pen- sioner, the tears springing to his eyes -''and the young lady!"
 He paused, about to cross the threshold, and regarded Sidney thoughtfully and hesitatingly. Then he looked all around the room as if to as- sure himself that they were alone. He came nearer to the mayor.
 I've something to say that my old pals might call double crossing" he spoke in low tone, but you've made me feel like man and I want to give you warning. In the jail I met some old pals. They put me wise to a job you're interested in.''
 "Why, how is that?" inquired the puzzled Sidney.
 ''You generally carry a big sum in city funds in that safe wonder, don't you?"
 "On occasions" admitted Sidney. 'What of it?''
 Someone's after it. See here. there's part of a city gang hired to tap that strong box some dark night"
 Hired? you mean-'
 "The man who sentenced me, your justice of the peace here, is behind the scheme"
 "Mr. Partin? Oh, incredible, man! Don't tell me that nonsense!"
 "1ts true," persisted the man, "and you'll be wise if you heed my warn- ing.''
 Sidney Ward sat ruminating over the startling disclosure long after his pensioner had departed. He could not but disbelieve any connection of Par tin with scheme of robbery. He had heard that Fartin was in narrow ready money straits, but he decided that, out of hatred toward Partin for sentencing him, Boyce had attempted to cast sus- 1icion upon him. Besides that, Partin lad gone to the city for a week a few lays previous and this did not look as ,hough he was linked up with any To- ,al misdoings.
 Still, it was best to be on guard, for 3oyce had been very earnest in what le had said. Sidney unlocked the safe. from an inner compartment he re- moved large box envelope containing he entire local tax collection in large denomination bills to be shipped to the | ounty seat the last day of the month. | Then, about to close the safe, a queer | mile crossed the face of Sidney He | vent over to his desk and fished out a )pening it, he revealed what looked ike thousands and thousands of dol ars in government bank bills. This e placed in the safe, relocked it, went 0 the bank, found some of the clerks here and placed the money envelope l their charge on a trust receipt.
 Two nights later the mayors office as burglarized, the safe blown open. wo days later three men were arrest d in neighboring city for passing money. One of them was enc Partin, and he never returned.
 Somehow the wisdom and prudence the mayor leaked out and he re- eived an ovation. He told Myra con- dentially of how her part in bringing oyce to his notice had defeated the oters. "You deserve to be mayor" he de- ared. You may be mayoress, if you i'll say the word, Afyra. Do deserve e happiness I crave?"
 You could have asked me that lestion long since," said Myra. And you would have said" "Yes, of course," answered Myra, Id the official lips greeted her loyal les with the first love kiss.