draw on _him_, at sight, for any amount. He says he will stand by
you to the death.

'Love to mother.
FRANK.'

'P. S.--Fire away, old fellow! Hallet is ugly, but I'll go my pile
on you, spite of the devil.
CRAGIN.'

'SAVED! saved by my wife and child!' I leaned my head on my desk. When I
rose, there were tears upon it.

It wanted some minutes of ten, but I was nervously impatient to blot out
those terrible acceptances. I should then be safe; I should then breathe
freely. As I passed out of my private office, I opened the other letter.
It was from Preston. Pausing a moment, I read it:

'MY VERY DEAR FRIEND: I enclose you sight check of Branch Bank of
Cape Fear on Bank of Republic, for $10,820. Apply what is needed to
pay my account; the rest hold subject to my drafts.

'I have sold my town house, furniture, horses, etc., and the
proceeds will pay my home debts. I shall therefore not need to draw
the balance for, say, sixty days. God bless you!'

'Well, the age of miracles is _not_ passed! How _did_ he raise the
money?'

Stepping back into the private office, I called my partner:

'Draw checks for all the acceptances due to-day; get them certified, and
take up the bills at once. Don't let the grass grow under your feet. I
shall be away the rest of the day, and I want to see them before I go.
Here is a draft from Preston; it will make our account good.'

He looked at it, and, laughing, said:

'Yes, and leave about fifty dollars in bank.'

'Well, never mind; we are out of the woods.'

When he had gone, I sat down, and wrote the following letter:

'MY DEAR FRANK: I return Cragin's check, with many thanks. I have
not sold your stock. My legitimate resources have carried me
through.

'I need not say, my boy, that I feel what you would have done for
me. Words are not needed between _us_.

'Tell Cragin that I consider him a trump--the very ace of hearts.

'Your mother and I will see you in a few days.'

In half an hour, with the two letters in my pocket, I was on my way
home. Handing them to Kate, I took her in my arms; and, as I brushed the
still bright, golden hair from her broad forehead, I felt I was the
richest man living.

* * * * *

Within the same week I went