Hopkinsville Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1889-1918, 1918-03-05
A Benevolent
Burglar Is
By Ruth Alden Hayes

Noiselessly the man with bent wire
opened the gate OF a rear court. eau
tiously he crossed the stone-paved yard.
n He glanced up at the handsome man
sion looming before him. II was dark
\ and deserted looking. The Intruder
y fal6bied for q tool In his pocket. pushed
back a door and was within the house.
Burglar Bill Dorsey. n you please
refdt1,ed. IL did not look that way.
but. while the old crafty tricks were
br0WhA- Into force and professional
SKIN exerted TO the utmost. he was In
nocent az q child as to the notion and
purpose In view IN thus breaking into
the house Of rich Seth Payne.
Bill CROPPED his way without a mis-
step. down a corridor and up a flight
of stairs. for he had pursued that
course only a week agone-and had
got away with the swagi In his pocket
at the present moment lay that same
plumber. diamond jeweied wrist
watch. q pearl necklace. two valuable
rings. He could see q light coming
through q keybole.
~Thunderr- Bin expressed voiceiess-
". Then he took another peep. He
<ould have gufawed. for the man with
In his view. kneeling In front Of a safe.
had on the floor beside him n hammer.
chisel and q screw driver. Bill could
not refrain q chuckie Mt the sight Of
this kit.
"A rival" he muttered-"but an ANA
feur. Being sincerely reformed, II Is
my duty to lead this novice out Of the
downward path Hello, pail"
With the hearty saiutation. Bill
oppressed open the door and stepped into
the room. The other. a young. hand
some man Of perhaps twenty-five.
made n dive for a coat pocket. Bill
put up the hand Of vigorous remon-
STRANGE.
Don't draw a gun. pardner." he sub
mitted, 'rm a yegg. too"
But am not" declared the other.
what are you doing here. then"
Intercepted Bin pointedly.
Il am trying to get into that safe"
II see-but you won't. with those
caesSnter's TOOLS"
-fban your pressed the other.
~Rather." asserted Bin promptly.
that's nothing but cheap old box.
can open II on the combination alone"
-Do II and win pay you any price
!. you ask" urged the young man.
do you belong herei" asked Bill
~ -Not at all"
-BrQbe In. like myselfr'
"Yes--there was an open window. 80
you might say that"
~sorry," said Bill. shaking his head
slowly. but. az 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
nowrs anarchy inquired the other.
who was Arthur Rldgely. and re-
spectacle member OF society. and an
honest man. and free from guile as a
child. but he did not tell Bill thls-yet.
~well." exclaimed Bill bluntly, 81
came here to return what took away
week ago." and he exhibited the !
packet. ut was my last raid. Kate
said she'd never marry me unless I,
put II back where found II, well say |
as evidence OF my good faith In re-
forming"
II see. / see." murmured young
kidgely slowly. as II 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 cnme |
here like thief In the night. I made |
myself amenable TO the penalty for |
HOUSEKEEPING. but Influenced by a
pure and holy motive" /
Il hope So" said Bill obviously.
~Can you prove III"
Yes. I can. II you will open that
safe, In the left-hand pigeonhole Of
the upper row you viii find a green
envelope. II Is OF no value, but Inn
menseiy harmful to innocent, suffer-
ing victims. To get that paper means
the freedom. perhaps the l.fe OF a rep
utable citizen. the happiness Of an In
nocent. beautiful girl just budding Into
wdmanhood. Man, glorify the refor-
nation you boast Of, by doing n deed
fhpt win bring you blessings your
whole life through"
"Why, you talk like a story book"
said Bm "Say I'm interested. A
regular romance"
sand a tragedy-unless l get that
paper"
r. "All right" nodded Bill definitely.
after a moment Of thought. "r1l help
you out Here's the bargain. I open
that safe. I take out a green envelope.
nothing more. You are not TO touch a
single thing. We leave here and you
convince M that you need that envc-
Nope for good purpose before / part
<''h H."
Agrecd-oh, gladly gladly I" spoke
81 yoa2g nnn with eagerness.
IS NJ aside and keep quiet" and
lNl got On his knees before the safe.