The Challis messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1912-current, 1918-02-20
"A Benevolent
Burglar
By Ruth Alden Hayes


Observation-Disclosures
(copyrisht. 1s17, Western Newspaper Union)
Noiselessly the man with a bent wire
opened the gate Of a rear court, eau
tiOusly he crossed the stone-paved yard
He glanced up at the handsome man
sion looming before him. It was dark
and deserted looking. The intruder
fumbled for a tool in his pocket, pushed
back q door and was within the house.
Burglar Bill Dorsey, II you please
reformed. It did not look that way,
but, while the old crafty tricks were
brought into force and professional
skill exerted to the utmost, he was in
nccent as child as to the melon and
purpose in view IN thus breaking into
the house of rich Seth Payne.
Bill groped his way without a mis-
step, down a corridor and up n flight
of stairs, for he had pursued that
course only q week agone-and had
got away with the swag In his pocket
ut the present moment lay that same
plumber. diamond jeweled wrist
watch, a pearl necklace, two valuable
rings. He could. see light coming
through keyhole.
''Thunderw BIZ expressed voiceless-
~. Then he took another peep. He
could have guffawed, for the man with
In his view, kneeling in front Of safe,
had on the floor beside him hammer,
a chlsel and a screw driver. Bill could
not refrain chuckle at the sight Of
this kit.
"A rival" he muttered-"but an ANA
teur. Being sincerely reformed, 1t is
my duty to lead this novice out of the
downward path. Hello, pal!"
With the hearty salutation, Bill
pressed open the door and stepped into
the room. The other, a young, hand
some man Of perhaps twenty-five,
made dive for coat pocket. Bill
put up the hand Of vigorous remon-
STRANGE
Don't draw gun, pardner," he SUBJ
mitted, 'I'm yegg, too"
But am not" declared the other.
what are you doing here, them"
Intercepted Bill pointedly.
Il am trying to get into that safe"
Il see-but you won't, with those
carpenters TOOLS"
"Can your" pressed the other.
Rather" asserted Bill promptly.
that's nothing but cheap old box.
can open 1t on the combination Alone"
do 1t and will pay you any price
you ask" urged the young man.
do you belong here?" asked Bill.
"Not at ALL"
"Broke in, like myself?"
"Yes-there was an open window, so
you might say that"
Sorry" said Bill, shaking his head
slowly. "but, as told you, I've re-
formed. I've promised Kate, the
sweetest girl In the world. to never
turn trick again and I mean to keep
my promise"
'Then what are you doing here
now?" amaxedly inquired the other.
who was Arthur Ridgely. and a re-
spectacle member Of society, and an
honest man, and free from guile as a
child, but he did not tell Bill this-yet.
'weli," exclaimed Bill bluntly. IT
came here to return what took away
a week ago." and he exhibited the
packet. ut was my last raid. Kate
said she'd never marry me unless
put 1t back where found 1t, we'll say
as evidence Of my good faith in re.
forming"
II see, I see," murmured young
Ridgely slowly. as II struck by the
oddly of the situation. "You are a
good man and I see the hand of des-
tiny in my thus meeting you. I came
here like thief In the night, I made
myself amenable to the penalty fol
housebreaking. but Influenced by q
pure and holy motive"
II hope SOL said Bill obviously
"Can You prove It'll"
Eyes, can. II you will open that
safe, In the left-hand pigeonhole o.
the upper row you will find greer
envelope. It is Of no value, but i'm
mensely harmful to innocent, suffer
ing victims. To get that paper means
the freedom, perhaps the life Of rep
utable citizen, the happiness of an in
nocent. beautiful girl just budding int,
wOmanhood. Man. glorify the refor
nation you boast Of. by doing deet
that will bring you blessings you
whole life through
"Why, you talk like a story book,
said Bill. "Say. I'm interested.
regular romance"
"And q tragedy-unless get tina
paper"
AAll right" nodded Bill definitely
after a moment of thought. "Pll he'll
you out. Here's the bargain. opel
that safe. take out a green envelope
nothing more. You are not to touch
single thing. We leave here and 70
convince me that you need that enve
lope for good purpose before I par
with it."
"Agreed-oh, gladly! gladly!" spok
the young man with eagerness.
"Stand aside and keep quiet" an