The old lady eyed him sharply.
CHAPTER XXVI
THE PRODIGAL'S RECEPTION
"Don't you know me, Aunt Eliza?" asked Warner Powell casting down hiseyes under the sharp glance of the old lady.
"So it is you, is it?" responded Mrs. Merton, in a tone which couldnot be considered cordial.
"Yes, it is I. I hope you are not sorry to see me?"
"Humph! It depends on whether you have improved or not."
Luke Walton listened with natural interest and curiosity. This did notsuit Mrs. Tracy, who did not care to have a stranger made acquaintedwith her brother's peccadilloes.
"Warner," she said, "I think Aunt Eliza will do you the justice tolisten to your explanation. I imagine, young man, Mrs. Merton will notrequire your services any longer to-day."
The last words were addressed to Luke.
"Yes, Luke; you can go," said the old lady, in a very different tone.
Luke bowed and left the house.
"Louisa," said Mrs. Merton, "in five minutes you may bring yourbrother up to my room."
"Thank you, aunt."
When they entered the apartment they found the old lady seated in arocking-chair awaiting them.
"So you have reformed, have you?" she asked, abruptly.
"I hope so, Aunt Eliza."
"I hope so, too. It is full time. Where have you been?"
"To Australia, California, and elsewhere."
"A rolling stone gathers no moss."
"In this case it applies," said Warner. "I have earned more or lessmoney, but I have none now."
"How old are you?"
"Thirty."
"A young man ought not to be penniless at that age. If you hadremained in your place at Mr. Afton's, and behaved yourself, you wouldbe able to tell a different story."
"I know it, aunt."
"Don't be too hard upon him, Aunt Eliza," put in Mrs. Tracy. "He istrying to do well now."
"I am very glad to hear it."
"Would you mind my inviting him to stay here for a time? The house islarge, you know."
Mrs. Merton paused. She didn't like the arrangement, but she was ajust and merciful woman, and it was possible that Warner had reformed,though she was not fully satisfied on that point.
"For a time," she answered, "till he can find employment."
"Thank you, Aunt Eliza," said the young man, relieved, for he had beenuncertain how his aunt would treat him. "I hope to show that yourkindness is appreciated."
"I am rather tired now," responded Mrs. Merton, as an indication thatthe interview was over.
"We'd better go and let aunt rest," said Warner, with alacrity. He didnot feel altogether comfortable in the society of the old lady.
When they were alone Mrs. Tracy turned to her brother with a smile ofsatisfaction.
"You have reason to congratulate yourself on your reception," shesaid.
"I don't know about that. The old woman wasn't very complimentary."
"Be careful how you speak of her. She might hear you, or the servantsmight, and report."
"Well, she is an old woman, isn't she?"
"It is much better to refer to her as the old lady--better still tospeak of her as Aunt Eliza."
"I hope she will make up her mind to do something for me."
"She has; she gives you a home in this house."
"I would a good deal rather have her pay my board outside, where Iwould feel more independent."
"I have been thinking, Warner, you might become her secretary and manof business. In that case she would dispense with this boy, whosepresence bodes danger to us all."
"I wouldn't mind being her man of business, to take charge of hermoney, but as to trotting round town with her like a tame poodle,please excuse me."
"Warner," said his sister, rather sharply, "just remember, if youplease, that beggars can't be choosers."
"Perhaps not, but this plan of yours would be foolish. She wouldn'tlike it, nor would I. Why don't you put Harold up to offering hisservices? He's as large as this boy, isn't he?"
"He is about the same size."
"Then it would be a capital plan. You would get rid of the boy thatway."
"You forget that Harold has not finished his education. He is nowattending a commercial school. I should like to have him go tocollege, but he doesn't seem to care about it."
"So, after all, the boy seems to be a necessity."
"I would prefer a different boy--less artful and designing."
"How much does the old woman--beg pardon, the old lady--pay him?"
"I don't know. Harold asked Luke, but he wouldn't tell. I have nodoubt he manages to secure twice as much as his services are worth.He's got on Aunt Eliza's blind side."
"Just what I would like to do, but I have never been able to discoverthat she had any."
"Did you take notice of the boy?"
"Yes; he's rather a good-looking youngster, it seems to me."
"How can you say so?" demanded Mrs. Tracy, sharply. "There's a verycommon look about him, I think. He isn't nearly as good-looking asHarold."
"Harold used to look like you," said Warner, with a smile. "Naturalyou should think him good-looking. But don't it show a littleself-conceit, Louisa?"
"That's a poor joke," answered his sister, coldly. "What are you goingto do?"
"Going out to see if I can find any of my old acquaintances."
"You had much better look out for a position, as Aunt Eliza hinted."
"Don't be in such a hurry, Louisa. Please bear in mind that I haveonly just arrived in Chicago after an absence of five years."
"Dinner will be ready in half an hour."
"Thank you. I don't think I should like a second interview with AuntEliza quite so soon. I will lunch outside."
"A lunch outside costs money, and you are not very well provided inthat way."
"Don't trouble yourself about that, Louisa. I intend to be veryeconomical.
"My estimable sister is about as mean as anyone I know," said Warnerto himself, as he left the house. "Between her and the old woman, Idon't think I shall find it very agreeable living here. A cheapboarding house would be infinitely preferable."
On State Street Warner Powell fell in with Stephen Webb, an oldacquaintance.
"Is it you, Warner?" asked Webb, in surprise. "It's an age since I sawyou."
"So it is. I haven't been in Chicago for five years."
"I remember. A little trouble, wasn't there?"
"Yes; but I'm all right now, except that I haven't any money to speakof."
"That's my situation exactly."
"However, I've got an old aunt worth a million, more or less, only shedoesn't fully appreciate her nephew."
"And I have an uncle, pretty well to do, who isn't so deeply impressedwith my merits as I wish he were."
"I am staying with my aunt just at present, but hope to haveindependent quarters soon. One trouble is, she takes a fancy to a boynamed Luke Walton."
"Luke Walton!" repeated Stephen in amazement.
"Do you know him?"
"Yes, my uncle has set me to spy on him--why, I haven't been able tofind out. So he is in favor with your aunt?"
"Yes, he calls at the house every day, and is in her employ. Sometimesshe goes out shopping with him."
"That's strange. Let us drop into the Saratoga and compare notes."
They turned into Dearborn Street, and sat down to lunch in theSaratoga.
CHAPTER XXVII
UNCLE AND NEPHEW
"So this boy is an object of interest to your uncle?" resumed WarnerPowell.
"Yes."
"Does he give any reason for his interest?"
"No, except that he is inclined to help him when there is anopportunity."
"Does the boy know him?"
"No."
"Has he met your uncle?"
"Yes; Uncle Thomas frequently visits Chicago--he lives inMilwaukee--and stays at the Sherman when he is here. He has stoppedand bought a pap
er of Luke once or twice."
"I remember my sister told me this boy Luke was a newsboy."
"How did he get in with your aunt?"
"I don't know. I presume it was a chance acquaintance. However thatmay be, the young rascal seems to have got on her blind side, and tobe installed first favorite."
"Your sister doesn't like it?"
"Not much. Between you and me, Louisa--Mrs. Tracy--means to inheritall the old lady's property, and doesn't like to have anyone come in,even for a trifle. She'll have me left out in the cold if she can, butI mean to have something to say to that. In such matters you can'ttrust even your own sister."
"I agree with you, Warner."
The two young men ate a hearty dinner, and then adjourned to abilliard room, where they spent the afternoon over the game. Warnerreached home in time for supper.
"Where have you been, Warner?" asked Mrs. Tracy.
"Looking for work," was the answer.
"What success did you meet with?"
"Not much as yet. I fell in with an old acquaintance, who may assistme in that direction."
"I am glad you have lost no time in seeking employment. It will pleaseaunt."
Warner Powell suppressed a smile. He wondered what Mrs. Merton wouldhave thought could she have seen in what manner he prosecuted hissearch for employment.
"This is Harold," said Mrs. Tracy, proudly, as her son came in."Harold, this is your Uncle Warner."
"So you are Harold," said his uncle. "I remember you in short pants.You have changed considerably in five years."
"Yes, I suppose so," answered Harold, curtly. "Where have you been?"
"In Australia, California, and so on."
"How long are you going to stay in Chicago?"
"That depends on whether I can find employment. If you hear of a placelet me know."
"I don't know of any unless Aunt Eliza will take you into her employin place of that newsboy, Luke Walton."
"She can have me if she will pay me enough salary. How much does Lukeget?"
"I don't know. He won't tell."
"Do you like him?"
"I don't consider him a fit associate for me. He is a commonnewsboy."
"Does Aunt Eliza know that?"
"Yes; it makes no difference to her. She's infatuated with him."
"I wish she were infatuated with me. I shall have to ask Luke hissecret. Aunt Eliza doesn't prefer him to you, does she?"
"I have no doubt she does. She's very queer about some things."
"Harold," said his mother, solicitously, "I don't think you pay AuntEliza enough attention. Old persons, you know, like to receivecourtesies."
"I treat her politely, don't I?" asked Harold, aggressively. "I can'tbe dancing attendance upon her and flattering her all the time."
"From what I have seen of Luke Walton," thought Warner Powell, "Ishould decidedly prefer him to this nephew of mine. He seems conceitedand disagreeable. Of course, it won't do to tell Louisa that, for sheevidently admires her graceless cub, because he is hers."
"Are you intimate with this Luke?" asked Warner, mischievously.
"What do you take me for?" demanded Harold, of fended. "I am not inthe habit of getting intimate with street boys."
Warner Powell laughed.
"I am not so proud as you, Nephew Harold," he said. "Travelers pickup strange companions. In San Francisco I became intimate with aChinaman."
"You don't mean it?" exclaimed Harold, in incredulity and disgust."
"Yes, I do."
"You weren't in the laundry business with him, were you?" went onHarold, with a sneer.
"No," he answered aloud. "The laundry business may be a very goodone--I should like the income it produces even now--but I don't thinkI have the necessary talent for it. My Chinese friend was a commissionmerchant worth at least a hundred thousand dollars. I wasn't aboveborrowing money from him sometimes."
"Of course, that makes a difference," said Mrs. Tracy, desiring tomake peace between her brother and son. "He must have been a superiorman. Harold thought you meant a common Chinaman, such as we have inChicago."
The reunited family sat down to supper together.
After supper Warner made an excuse for going out.
"I have an engagement with a friend who knows of a position he thinksI can secure," he said.
"I hope you won't be late," said Mrs. Tracy.
"No, I presume not, but you had better give me a pass key."
Mrs. Tracy did so reluctantly. She was afraid Harold might want tojoin his uncle; but the nephew was not taken with his new relative,and made no such proposal.
In reality, Warner Powell had made an engagement to go to McVicker'sTheater with his friend Stephen Webb, who had arranged to meet him atthe Sherman House.
While waiting, Warner, who had an excellent memory for faces,recognized Luke, who was selling papers at his usual post. There wassome startling news in the evening papers--a collision on LakeMichigan--and Luke had ordered an unusual supply, which occupied himlater than his ordinary hour. He had taken a hasty supper at Brockway& Milan's, foreseeing that he would not be home till late.
"Aunt Eliza's boy!" thought Warner. "I may as well take thisopportunity to cultivate his acquaintance."
He went up to Luke and asked for a paper.
"You don't remember me?" he said, with a smile.
"No," answered Luke, looking puzzled.
"I saw you on Prairie Avenue this morning. Mrs. Merton is my aunt."
"I remember you now. Are you Mrs. Tracy's brother?"
"Yes, and the uncle of Harold. How do you and Harold get along?"
"Not at all. He takes very little notice of me."
"He is a snob. Being his uncle, I take the liberty to say it."
"There is no love lost between us," Luke said. "I would like to bemore friendly, but he treats me like an enemy."
"He is jealous of your favor with my aunt."
"There is no occasion for it. He is a relative, and I am only in heremploy."
"She thinks a good deal of you, doesn't she?"
"She treats me very kindly."
"Harold suggested to me this evening at supper that I should take yourplace. You needn't feel anxious. I have no idea of doing so, and shewouldn't have me if I had."
"I think a man like you could do better."
"I am willing to. But here comes my friend, who is going to thetheater with me."
Looking up, Luke was surprised to see Stephen Webb.
CHAPTER XXVIII
HAROLD'S TEMPTATION
Mrs. Merton was rather astonished when her grand-nephew Harold walkedinto her room one day and inquired for her health. (She had beenabsent from the dinner table on account of a headache.)
"Thank you, Harold," she said. "I am feeling a little better."
"Have you any errand you would like to have me do for you?"
Mrs. Merton was still more surprised, for offers of services were rarewith Harold.
"Thank you, again," she said, "but Luke was here this morning, and Igave him two or three commissions."
"Perhaps you would like me to read to you, Aunt Eliza."
"Thank you, but I am a little afraid it wouldn't be a good thing formy head. How are you getting on at school, Harold?"
"Pretty well."
"You don't want to go to college?"
"No. I think I would rather be a business man."
"Well, you know your own tastes best."
"Aunt Eliza," said Harold, after a pause, "I want to ask a favor ofyou."
"Speak out, Harold."
"Won't you be kind enough to give me ten dollars?"
"Ten dollars," repeated the old lady, eying Harold closely. "Why doyou want ten dollars?"
"You see, mother keeps me very close. All the fellows have more moneyto spend than I."
"How much does your mother give you as an allowance?"
"Two dollars a week."
"It seems to me that is liberal, considering that you don't have
topay for your board or clothes."
"A boy in my position is expected to spend money."
"Who expects it?"
"Why, everybody."
"By the way, what is your position?" asked the old lady, pointedly.
"Why," said Harold, uneasily, "I am supposed to be rich, as I live ina nice neighborhood on a fashionable street."
"That doesn't make you rich, does it?"
"No," answered Harold, with hesitation.
"You don't feel absolutely obliged to spend more than your allowance,do you?"
"Well, you see, the fellows think I am mean if I don't. There's BenClark has an allowance of five dollars a week, and he is three monthsyounger than I am."
"Then I think his parents or guardians are very unwise. How does hespend his liberal allowance?"
"Oh, he has a good time."
"I am afraid it isn't the sort of good time I would approve."
"Luke has more money than I have, and he is only a newsboy," grumbledHarold.
"How do you know?"
"I notice he always has money."
"I doubt whether he spends half a dollar a week on his own amusement.He has a mother and young brother to support."
"He says so!"
"So you doubt it?"
"It may be true."
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