The Oakley herald. [volume] (Oakley, Idaho) 1908-1961, 1918-03-15
A Benevolent
Burglar
=
By Ruth Alden Hayes

Noiselessly the man with a bent wire
opened the gate of rear court, eau
tiously he crossed the stone-paved yard
He glanced up at the handsome man.
sion looming before him. 1t was dark
and deserted looking. The intruder
fumbled for tool in his pocket, pushed
back 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
Aocent as a child as to the mellon and
purpose In view In thus breaking into
the house of rich Seth Payne.
Bill CROPPED his way without a mis-
step. down corridor and up a fight
of stairs, for he had pursued that
course only week agone-and had
got away with the swag In his pocket
at the present moment lay that same
plumber, diamond jeweled wrist
watch, pearl necklace, two valuable
rings. He could see light coming
through keyhole.
Thunder" Bill expressed voiceless-
ly. 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 a hammer
a chisel and screw driver. Bill could
not refrain a chuckle at the sight Of
this kit.
"a rival" he muttered-''but an anna
teur. Being sincerely reformed, it Is
my duty to lead this novice out Of the
downward path. Hello, pail"
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 dive for a coat pocket. Bill
put up the hand Of vigorous remon-
STRANGE.
Don't draw gun, pardner." he sub
mitted, "Pm yegg, too"
but / am not" declared the other.
"What are you doing here, then?"
Intercepted Bill pointedly.
II 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. !
nan open 1t on the combination alone"
"Do it and I will pay you any price
you ask" urged the young man.
do you belong here?" asked Bill.
mot at ALL"
Broke in like mySelf?'
"Yes-there was an open window, so
you might say that"
"Sorry," said Bill, shaking his head
vlowly, "but, as l told you, I've re-
formed. I've promised Kate, the
sweetest girl in the world, to never
turn trick again and mean to keep
my promise"
"Then what are you doing here
now?" amazedly inquired the other,
who was Arthur Ridgely, and re-
spectacle member of society, and an
honest man, and free from guile as a
child, but he did not tell Bill this-yet
well" exclaimed Bill bluntly, 81
came here to return what took away
week ago." and he exhibited the
RdNhSt. II was my idSl ldlu. matt
said she'd never marry me unless !
put it back where I found it, we'll say
as evidence of my good faith in re-
forming"
81 see, I see" murmured young
Ridgely slowly, as if struck by the
oddly of the situation. "You are O
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 for
housebreaking, but influenced by q
pure and holy motive"
II hope So" said Bill obviously
"Can you prove itT'
Eyes, / can. If you will open that
safe, in the left-hand pigeonhole OF
the upper row you will find a greer
envelope. 1t is of no value, but inn
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 deco
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
nfter moment of thought. 'Ill heir
you out. Here's the bargain. l oper
that safe. | take out green envelope
nothing more. You are not to touch 6
single thing. We leave here and yor
Convince me that you need that enve
lope for good purpose before 1 par
with it,"
"Agreed-oh, gladly gladlyl" spoke
the young man with eagerness.
'Stand aside and keep quiet" ant
Bill got on his knees before the safe
The other watched him with mingled
anxiety and admiration. Bill, exper
Chat he was. focused his acute sense.
Of foueh and booripu upop tho onr,r.