Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1919-05-16
SonlehowGood
copyright, 1919. By Western Newspaper Unisn.)
BY RlioDA wALWORTH

In jail, out of Jail, for a month lux
uriating on the results Of house
breaking raid, and for the rest of the
year hiding, half furnished, from the Of
ficers Of the law; in Jail. out of jail
that about comprised ten-years' rec
ord for Dan Bentley. 1t hardly paid,
he decided during his last spell Of Inn
prlsonment, and when he once more
breathed the free air he was deter
mined to reform.
That resolution was severely tested.
He had no money, his attire suggested
the tramp, and at the end of week
he knocked about from pillar to post.
Behold the discouraged item of hui
mainly standing at the rear fence of
a residence, mis- eyes fixed upon suit
Of clothes, hung over line to air.
81 don't want them to sell. and use
up me money in drink" philosophical
Dan; my motive is good, Dressed in
those togs, looking half-respectable,
stand double the chance of getting
work. I've a right to them as the
means Of starting me on the right
road, and it's true charity for their
owner to let me take Them"
Dan entered the yard shrewdly
scanned his environment, removed the
suit of clothes from the line, and
nimbly put back for the alley. Across
It was an old, abandoned barn. Into
1t Dan darted, and proceeded to cam
outage his habitual personality. He
had not discovered that he was OBJ
served by man who looked from the
window Of the house. The latter came
out at It's rear door. crossed to the
barn, waited outside until Dan APP
peared, rehabllitated, and faced him
with q smile.
"Well. my friend. perfect fit, eh?"
he spoke. Dan, abashed, stood silent
and cOnfounded.
Il suppose it's the jug" he NUT
tered.
''Why?" gently and persuasively m
2err0gated the other, mild OF manner,
pleasantly inviting confidence, and
Dan blurted out his history and mo-
tives.
mo money. infer7" propounded
his almoner sympathizingly. Here"
and he extended a bank bin. NOW
you're on your feet; don't fall"
"Sayl" said Dan, then choked up.
The other extended friendly hand
Il believe In you," he said. Some
how be good. Don't dIsappoint me. II
you don't make 1t, come and get an.
other loan. Front door this time-rm
Vincent Cleverlng."
tits a dreaml" gulped Dan as he
slowly left the spot. "a real man at
last; the first I've met. Vincent Clever
fng'-I'll remember that name, and I'll
beat the drink and thievery or die In
the attempt"
Two evenings later Dan faced q
problem that considerably distracted
him. In a pocket of the suit he had
appropriated he found card 1t bore
a name familiar to him, "Nora Paley,"
and an address.
"It can't be possible that man like
Mr.. Clevering knows her" he solllo-
quized. IF he does, 1t isn't for his
good, that is certain. I'm going to look
into this"
And this was what Dan found out
Vincent Clevering was young man of
wealth and position. given to kindly
deeds, and engaged to beautiful girl.
a social favorite, also interested In
philanthropy. His indulgence towards
Dan was characteristic Of him.
And Nora Paley7 Dan had known
her in the past as one of the most dam
gerous of woman schemers and swim
dlers In criminal classes. He investigat-
ed, to find the woman posing as poor
Seamstress In q wretched tenement
house.
keep up your role" Dan overheard
her accomplish direct her. wen
spring the trap just about his wedding
day. Rather than have a sensation In
the newspapers he'll give up a few
thousands. You have preserved the
notes he wrote your"
"Yes. but they merely inform me
where can apply for work. or tell me
that he has paid my room rent"
Shocked. incredulous, alarmed, Vim
cent Clevering one day sat lost in
thought after stranger had visited
him. This was the accomplish of Nora.
Without any evasion as to his black
mailing motive. this miscreant threat
ened TO enmesh him In scandal that
would give him unenvlable publicity.
unless he submitted to extortion. The
amazed Clevering was sitting, stunned
by these disclosures when Dan Bent
ley was shown into his presence,
1--WE something to tell you," an
nounced the loyal fellow, "and I've
something to give you" And he told
OF his knowledge OF the plot against
Clevering. and handed him an envelope.
"There is my affidavit" he explained.
proving the real character of Nora
Paley. There is also a signed letter
directed TO her, threatening to expose
her to the police for a theft of which
/ was also guilty. When her go-be-