Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1918-07-04
A Benevolent
Burglar
By Ruth Alden Hayes


tiously he crossed the stone-paved yard.
He glanced up at the handsome man
sion looming before him. IL was dark
and deserted looking. The intruder
fumbled for a tool in his pocket, pushed
back a door and was within the house.
Burglar Bill Dorsey. II you please
reformed. 1t 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
nocent as a child as 10 the notion and
purpose In view IN thus breaking into
the house of rich Seth Payne.
Bill CROPPED his way without mis-
step. down a corridor and up flight
of stairs, for he had pursued that
course only a week agone--and had
got away with the swag In his pocket
at the present moment lay that same
plumber diamond jeweled wrist
watch, Il pearl necklace, two valuable
rings. He could see light coming
through "a keyhole.
'Thunderw Bill expressed voiceless-
ly. Then he took another peep. He
could have guffawed, for the man with
In his view, kneeling in front of a safe.
had on the floor beside him n hammer,
a chisel and screw driver. Bill could
not refrain chuckle at the sight of
this kit.
"A rival" he muttered-"but an anna
tour Being sincerely reformed, 1t is
my duty 10 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, young hand
some man of perhaps twenty-five
made a dive for coat pocket. Bill
put up the hand Of vigorous remon-
STRANGE
Don't draw gun. pardner." he sub
mitted, I'm yegg, too"
"But I am not" declared the other
"What are you doing here, them
Intercepted Bill pointedly.
81 am trying to get into that safe"
81 see-but you won't. with those
carpenters tools"
Can you?" pressed the other.
Rather" asserted Bill promptly.
"That's nothing hut cheap old box.
can open it on the combination alone"
DO it and I will pay Won 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. 50
you might say that
"Sorry." said Bill. shaking his head
slowly. hut. as | told you. I've re-
formed. I've promised Kate, the
sweetest girl in the world, To never
turn a trick again and mean to keep
my promise"
Then what are you doing here
now?" amazedly inquired the other.
who was Arthur Ridgely, and a re-
spectacle member Of society. and an
honest man, and free from guile as
child but he did not tell Bill this-yet
well" exclaimed Bill bluntly. ~
came here TO return what | took away
n week ago" and he exhibited the
packet. 1T was my last raid. Kate
said she'd never marry me unless
put il back where found-it. we'll say
ns evidence Of my good faith in re-
forming"
~ see. I see" murmured young
Ridgely slowly, as If struck by the
oddly Of the situation. "You are a
good man and | see the hand Of des-
tiny in my thus meeting you. I came
here like thief In the night. | made
myself tfnenable 20 the penalty for
housebreaking. but Influenced by a
pure and holy motive"
81 hope so.- said Bill obviously
"Can you prove it?"
"Yes. I can. If YOU will open that
safe, in the left-hand pigeonhole of
the upper row you will find green
envelope. II is Of no value. hut 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 into
womanhood. Man. glorify the refor-
nation you boast of, by doing a deed
that will bring you blessings your
whole life through ~
"Why. you talk like a story book"
said Bill "Say, I'm interested. A
regular romance"
"And a tragedy-unless I get that
paper"
/, "All right" nodded Bill definitely,
after moment of thought. "I'll help
you out. Here's the bargain. open
that safe. take out green envelope.
nothing more. You are not to touch
single thing. We leave here and you
convince me that you need that enve-
lope for good purpose before / part
with IT,"
"Agreed-oh, gladly! gladly" spoke
the young man with eagerness.
"Stand aside and keep quiet" and
Bill got on his knees before the safe.
The other watched him with mingled
anxiety and admiration. Bill, expert
that he was. focused his acute senses
of touch and hearing upon the combi-
nation disk. Click 1.-THE tumblers
grated. the steel door moved. Bill
pslled il open. There was bold. bank
notes. bulky securities in view, but
both passed them by as dross. Bill
Where Skill Counts.
The theory and practice Of agricul-