flourishing, and he and Annabel were engaged to be married in two
weeks. Mr. Adams, the typical, plodding, country banker, approved of
Spencer. Annabel's pride in him almost equalled her affection. He
was as much at home in the family of Mr. Adams and that of Annabel's
married sister as if he were already a member.

One day Jimmy sat down in his room and wrote this letter, which he
mailed to the safe address of one of his old friends in St. Louis:


DEAR OLD PAL:

I want you to be at Sullivan's place, in Little Rock, next
Wednesday night, at nine o'clock. I want you to wind up
some little matters for me. And, also, I want to make you
a present of my kit of tools. I know you'll be glad to get
them--you couldn't duplicate the lot for a thousand dollars.
Say, Billy, I've quit the old business--a year ago. I've got
a nice store. I'm making an honest living, and I'm going
to marry the finest girl on earth two weeks from now. It's
the only life, Billy--the straight one. I wouldn't touch a
dollar of another man's money now for a million. After I get
married I'm going to sell out and go West, where there won't
be so much danger of having old scores brought up against
me. I tell you, Billy, she's an angel. She believes in me;
and I wouldn't do another crooked thing for the whole world.
Be sure to be at Sully's, for I must see you. I'll bring
along the tools with me.

Your old friend,