"My business is not private," returned the old lady. "Come in, Louisa."

 

Mrs. Tracy did come in, but she regarded Luke with a hostile and suspicious glance.

 

"That is all, Luke," said his patroness. "You may go. You can report to me to-morrow."

 

"All right, ma'am."

 

When Luke had left the room, Mrs. Tracy said: "You appear to repose a great deal of confidence in that boy."

 

"Yes; I think he deserves it."

 

Mrs. Tracy coughed.

 

"You seem to trust him with a great deal of money."

 

"Yes."

 

"Of course, I don't want to interfere, but I think you will need to be on your guard. He is evidently bent on getting all he can out of you."

 

"That is your judgment, is it, Louisa?"

 

"Yes. Aunt Eliza, since you ask me."

 

"He has done me a service this morning. He has brought to my notice a son of one of my old school mates who is in a strait, and I have just sent him fifty dollars."

 

"By that boy?"

 

"Yes. Why not?"

 

"Are you sure the person to whom you sent the money will ever get it?"

 

"Please speak out what you mean. Don't hint. I hate hints."

 

"In plain terms, then, I think the boy will keep the money himself, or, at any rate, a part of it."

 

"I don't fear it."

 

"Have you any more to say?"

 

"Nothing, except to warn you against that designing boy."

 

"You are very kind, Louisa, but I am not quite a simpleton. I have seen something of the world, and I don't think I am easily taken in."

 

Mrs. Tracy left the room, not very well satisfied. She really thought Luke had designs upon the old lady's money, and was averse even to his receiving a legacy, since it would take so much from Harold and herself.

 

"Harold, when I entered your aunt's room, what do you think I saw?"

 

This she said to Harold, who was waiting below.

 

"I don't know."

 

"Aunt Eliza was giving money to that boy."

 

"Do you know how much?"

 

"Fifty dollars."

 

"Whew! Was it for himself?"

 

"He came to her with a trumped-up story of an old schoolmate of aunt's who was in need of money."

 

"Do you think he will keep it himself?"

 

"I am afraid so."

 

"What a cheeky young rascal he is, to be sure! I have no doubt you are right."

 

"Yes; there is too much reason to think he is an unscrupulous adventurer, young as he is."

 

"Why don't you tell aunt so?"

 

"I have."

 

"And what does she say?"

 

"It doesn't make the least impression upon her."

 

"What do you think the boy will do?"

 

"Get her to make a will in his favor, or at least to leave him a large legacy."

 

Harold turned pale.

 

"That would be robbing us," he said.

 

"Of course it would. He wouldn't mind that, you know."

 

"He was very impertinent to me this morning."

 

"I presume so. He depends upon his favor with aunt."

 

"Isn't there anything we can do, mother?"

 

"I must consider."

 

Meanwhile Luke returned at once to the room of Ambrose Kean. He found the young man awaiting him with great anxiety.

 

"What success?" he asked, quickly.

 

"I have got the fifty dollars," answered Luke.

 

"Thank God! I am sa............