Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1918-10-12

by giving back that which | stole"
Yes, you can," cried Peggy, who
was almost in tears herself. so sorry
did she feel for the repentant young
man. IF you are really sorry and
will take it right back III show you
where the money is"
Again the robber was startled at
hearing her voice. and again he
thought it was the Blue Jay speak
ing.
I'll have it back there within an
hour" promised the young man,
speaking directly to Blue Jay.
Blue Jay pulled himself up and
gave Peggy >sy wink. He even
pretended to be speaking when Peg
gy answered.
Follow me- she said. Blue Jay
hoped on ahead to the hollow log,
and the young man eagerly fol-
| lowed.
Look in the log" cried Peggy.
The young man quickly obeyed and
soon had the bags of money piled
on the ground outside.
"Oh, you awful stuff" he said.
you seem so precious and yet you
are so abominable when you are
taken dishonesty"
That's what I call it-stuff"
chuckled Blue Jay at Peggy.
The robber was so keen to get the
money back to the bank that it took
him only few minutes to run his
automobile out of the cave, load it
up and start on his way to town.
Peggy jumped into the back seat,
though, of course, he couldn't see
her because of the camouhage per-
fume. Blue Jay got in the front seat
and the other Jays perched them
selves wherever they<could.
1t seemed fun to Peggy to ride in
an automobile splashing along a
river. 1t was like travelling in a
queer kind of a boat Presently they
came to a place where a narrow
road crossed the stream and here
the automobile turned off to dry
land Now it began to speed long at
rapid rate and soon reached the
main road.
Peggy was wondering whether the
young man was sincere. If he was
he would go north straight to town.
If he wasn't he would turn south.
For a moment he seemed a bit con-
fused
(Which way is north?" he asked.
ITO your right" answered Peggy.
The young man didn't hesitate
moment. He turned promptly to the
right and Peggy knew that her fears
were groundless.
The road led through Birdland.
As they sped along General Swal-
low swooped down from the sky.
Peggy saw him coming and ducked
down out of sight.
What are you Jays doing in Bird
land? You are banished," shrilled
General Swallow.
Were coming back home, riding
in style. Is that all the welcome
you've got for us?" chuckled Blue
Jay; ,,, -.
"I'll welcome you by tearing all
the feathers off your back" declared
General Swallow.
That wouldn't be nice" cried
Peggy, suddenly showing herself.
Blue Jay and his gang have won
the tight 10 return from exile by
doing splendid war work.
"Why, hello, Princess" shrilled
General Swallow, delighted at see
ing her. That's good news you
bring, for in spite of his faults I've
always liked Blue Jay. Welcome
home, you rascals"
"Homel Homer' screeched the
Jays, and away they flew to their
old nests. Blue Jay paused to say
goodby to Peggy.
Come to see us at nutting time"
he said. We'll have lot of nutty
nuts for nutty folks" With an
other wink he was gone.
The automobile sped straight to
the home of the president of the
bank. Peggy, still unseen, went
with the boy up to the door, WHICH
was opened by the president HIM
self
"Mr. Holman, I've brought back
the $4,000 l stole from the bank and
if you'll forgive me. I'll enlist today
and try to atone for the wrong /
nearly did to my country"
We'll. l don't know. A thief
ought to go to prison. the presi-
dent started to say, when Peggy
spoke up.
This boy was a thief when he
took the money, and as long as he
kept it. Now he has brought the
money back; can't you wash off
that stain of thief and give him a
chance to build up an honest name
again? Were you never tempted
YOURSELF"
President Holman looked as sur
prised as the young man had been.
"It's my conscience speaking" he
muttered. Then he continued more
kindly: "I'll give you chance, my
boy. No one will ever know you
took this money. III pay your fare
to a recruiting station and be
friend and father to you. "Alps we'll
that ends we'll"
And so Peggy thought as she sud-
denly found herself back in her own
room, with her mother calling her to
breakfast.