The Kansas City sun. (Kansas City, Mo.) 1908-1924, 1918-01-26

located the pigeon hole indicated and
pulled 1t open.
lis that it?' he questioned, drawing
out a green envelope.
"Yes, it 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. He
placed the restored fruits of his former
visit in 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 a confab,~ he OBJ
served, as they finally reached the
street.
"Where shall we go?"
"Oh, some quiet restaurant" said
Bill, anywhere except a drinking
joint. Those are the traps that led
me to become what 1 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 a
secluded corne of an eating room.
"T am Arthur Ridgely,- spoke Bills
companion promptly, reasonably well
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 a great power I've the father Of
oh, I will speak her name, Angela. The
possession of a document in that green
envelope enabled its holder to disgrace,
perhaps imprison Angela's father. To
evade the same, broken heartedly she
turned me adrift, sacrificing herself to
save her father"
"The father had gone wrong, eh?'
submitted Bill bluntly.
"Not in a criminal sense. In order
that a large but failing business might
be recognized, he took upon himself
the risk Of an irr~egularity. He saved
the business and no real wrong was
done. That was years ago. I learned
the truth from his lawyer, who has Wis
tied the wretch who held the docu-
ment, saw 1t, noticed where he put it
in the safe. Now his fangs are drawn,
and oh! the relief, the happiness for
those 1 love-"
Take it," said Bill impulsively, and
handed the green envelope to Arthur
Ridgely.
81 want your address," said the lat
ter, fairly trembling with emotion.
my city one changes tomorrow, for
l am going to get married and leave for
a pretty little place in the country"
and Bill gave the details as to name
and location.
One month later Bill was whistling
a 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. Alb
ruptly an automobile turned from the
road, halted and Arthur Ridgely r
out.
Dear friend" cried the exuberant
young man, Selling Bill's hand in a
fervor of joy. "We haven't forgotten
you"
ny WIG SpOhc Dill pTOuuly, uOu-
ding to the smiling lady at the clothes
line.
1.-TWO brides! Angela" called Ridge
ly, and she alighted from the machine.
Good friend, indeed! !" she cried to
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.
Hes whistling at his work all day
long and l have to sing to keep from
crying for joy"
IT'S just paradise" declared Bill.
We've got a lease on the little place
for ten dollars a month and a promise
of the use of five acres adjoining"
"You needn't pay any more rent"
said Ridgely, and he extended a folded
document.
whats that?" questioned Bill.
TITS a 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.