Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1918-07-04

located the pigeon hole indicated and
pulled II open.
rs that it?" he questioned. drawing
out green envelope.
"Yes, II must be-" said Arthur
Ridgely.
Gather up your truck, then, and let
us get out of here while the getting Is
good" observed Bill tersely. He
closed and relocked the safe. sHe
placed the restored fruits Of his former
visit I'm the cabinet where he had origi-
nally found them. Bill led his compan-
ion from the place and left no traces
OF the double nightly visitation behind
them.
'Now. then, for confab." he OBJ
served, as they finally reached the
street.
where shall we go?"
"Oh, some quiet restaurant said
Bill. anywhere except drinking
joint. Those are the traps that led
me TO become what was. Now, then,
let's have the DOPE" he added ten min
utes later. as he and the strange new
friend he had made were seated in
secluded corner of an eating room.
1T am Arthur Ridgely.- spoke Bills
companion promptly, reasonably We'll
Off and engaged to marry a beautiful
young lady. The man whose house we
visited tonight admired her. demanded
her hand in marriage. Her father was
an old business associate. The other
held great power over the father Of
oh. will speak her name. Angela. The
possession of document in that green
envelope enabled ats holder 10 disgrace.
perhaps imprison Angela's father. To
evade the same. broken heartedly She
turned me adrift. sacrificing herself 10
save her father"
"The father had gone wrong. eh?"
submitted Bill blunty.
mot In n criminal sense Tn order
that large but failing business might
be reorganlzed, took upon himself
the risk of an irregularity. He saved
the business and no real wrong was
done. That was years ago. | learned
the truth from his lawyer. who has Wis
tied the wretch who held the dOcu-
ment. saw il. noticed where he put n
i'm the safe. Now his fangs are drawn.
and oh the relief. the happiness for
those love"
Take IT," said Bill impulsively. and
handed the green envelope To Arthur
Ridgely.
~ want your address" said the lat
ter, fairly trembling with emotion.
"NTy city one changes tomorrow. for
| am going TO get married and leave for
pretty little place in the country"
and location.
one month later Bill was whisting
CHEEKY tune in the rear yard of his
new home. and his happy-faced wife
was singing as she bent over the wash
tub under a Towering cherry tree. Abb
ru&tly an automobile turned from the
road, halted and Arthur Ridgely sprang
| out.
Dear friend - cried the exuberant
yorng man, Selling Bits hand i'm
fervor Of joy. ave haven't forgotten
YOU"
"My Wife" spoke Bill proudly, nod
ding 10 the smiling lady AZ the clothes
line
1.-TWO brides Angela" called Ridge
y, and she alighted from the machine.
Good friend. indeedi" she cried 10
Bill. You darling, :" she directed AT
Mrs. Dorsey. as she threw her arms
around her neck and kissed her.
you look very happy here. Mr. Dor
sey." observed Ridgely.
Happy" cried his buxom wife.
He's whistling at his worlls all day
long and have TO sing to keep from
crying for joy"
ITS just paradise" declared Bill
We've got a lease on the little place
for ten dollars a month and promise
Of the use of five acres adjoining"
you needn't pay any more rent"
said Ridgely, and he extended folded
document.
whats that?" questioned Bill.
ITS deed To the house and lot
and the five acres. free and clear--a
belated wedding present. Angela'S and
mine" was Arthur Ridgely's reply.