The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1920-10-11

robberies. and was heard TO remark:
That's Dandy Jim Valentines
autograph. Ho'a resumed buslncsA
Look at that combination knob
jerkod out AZ easy mn pulling up .
only clamps that can DO H. And
look how clean those tumblcrs were
punched out Jimmy never has TO
drill but one holn Yes. gucss ]
want Mr.. Valentino Hell do his
bit next time without any short time
or clcmency foolishners."
Bon Price knew Jimnny's habits.
He had Learned them while working
up tho Springfield case. Long jumps.
quick getaways no confederntss.
and . taste for good socieiy--these
ways had helped Mr.. Valentine TO
become noted as q successful dodger
OF rctribution. II was given out that
Hen Price had taken up the trail Of
tho elusive crncksman. and other
people with burEiAr.proo safes felt
inorv at ease.
One afternoon Jimmy Valentine
and his suitcase climbed out Of the
rnaiihack In Elmorc. a little town
tive miies off tho railroad down In
the black Jack country Of Arkansas
Jimmy. looking ilkc an athletic
ycunE senior just home from college.
went down the board sidewalk to-
ward tho hotel
A young lady crossed the street.
passed him at the corner and en-.
tered a door over which was tho
sign The Eimore Bank" Jimmy
Valentine looked into her eyes. for
got what he WINS. and became an
other man She lowered her eyes
and coiored slightly. Young men Of
Jlmmy's style and looks were scarce
in Elmorc.
jimmy ooliared . boy that was
ioafing on the steps OF tho bank a.
IL he were one OF tho stockholders.
and begnn to AJAX him questions
about tho town. feeding him dimes
at intervals by and by the young
lady came out. looking royalty un,
conscious OF tho young man with
the suitcase. and went her way.
Isn't that young Lady Miss Polly
simpson, asked Jimmy. with spc-
cious guile.
NAV" said the Toy. -sn.'s An.
mabel Adams Her pa owns this
bank. what'd you come to Eimorc
fort II that n gold watch-ehainy
I'm going to get bulldog Got any
moro dimes--
Jimmy went 20 ths pianterr Ho-
tel. registered A. Ralph d. Spencer.
and engaged a room Ito leaned on
tho dcsk and declared his platform
to the clerk. He said he had come
to Einaorc to look for location 10
go into business How was the shoe
business. now. In the town. He had
thought OF the shoe business Was
there an openingr
Tho clerk was impressed BY the
clothes and manner OF Jimmy. He.
himself. was something OF q pattern
OF fashion to the thiniy gflded youth
OF Elmore. but he now perceived his
shortcomings. while trying TO
figure out Jlmmy's manner OF tying
his fourth hand he cordially gave
information.
Yes. there ought 10 b q good open
nm exclusive shoe-storc IN the place
Tho dry goods and general stores
handled them business In all lines
was fairly good. Hoped Mr.. Spencer
would decide 20 locate In Eimore.
He would find IL a pleasant town TO
live In. and the people very sociabie.
Mr.. Spencer thought no would
stop over In the town few days
and look over the situation. No. the
clerk needn't call the boy. He would
carry up his suitcase. himself. IL
was rather heavy.
Mr.. Ralph spencer. the phoenix
that arose from Jimmy Valentines
ashes--axhes left by the flame of n
sudden and Alternative attack Of love
Remained In Elmorc. and pros
pcrcd- He opened q shoe-store and
secured a good run OF trpde.
Socially he was also n success. and
made many friends And he &C
cornplished tho wish OF his heart.
He met Miss Arnabci Adams. and be-
came more and more captivatcd by
her charms.
At the end OF year the situation
of Mr.. Ralph Spencer was this: He
had won tho respect OF tho com.
munity. his shoc-storc was flourish
ing. and he and Annabcl were en-.
gagged to be married In two weeks.
Mr.. Adams. the typical. plodding.
country banker. approved OF Spen.
Ger. Annabel's pride In him almost
equalcd her affection. lilo was as
much at homo In tho family Of Mr..
Adams and that OF Annabers mar
ried sister as II he were already a
member.
One day Jimmy sat down m his
room and wrote this letter. which he
mailed 20 the safe address OF one of
his old friends In St Louis:
Dear Old Pal:
I want you 10 be nj SullivaR's
place. In Little Rock, next Wedncs-
day night. at nine o'clock. want
you 10 wind UP some iittle matters
for me. And. also. want TO make
you n present OF my kit OF tools. !
know you'll be glad 10 get them
you couldn't duplicate the lot for n
thousand dollars. Say. Billy. I've
quit the old business--a year ago.
I've got n nice store. I'm making
an honest living. and I'm going 10
marry the finest girl on earth two
weeks from now. It's the only life,
Billy--the straight one. wouldn't
touch a dollar OF another mans
money now for n million After l
get married I'm going TO sell out
and 20 West. where there Vpn't be
so much danger OF having old scores
brought up against me- tell you.
Billy. she's an angel. She believes
In me; and I wouldn't do another
crooked thing for the whole world.
He sure to he at suliy's. for I must
zee you. I'll bripS along the tools
with me.
Your old friend.