A FRIEND IN NEED
"Mr. Browning is a man of very peculiar appearance," said Kean.
"You refer to the wart on the upper part of his right cheek?"
"Yes, it gives him a repulsive look."
"And yet he is popular in Milwaukee?"
"Yes, among those who were not swindled by his mining scheme. He has
done more harm than he can ever repair. For instance," added the young
man, bitterly, "this crime which I have committed--I will call it by
its right name--I was impelled to do by my mother's poverty, brought
on by him."
"How does it happen that you are not at the office to day?"
"I felt sick--sick at heart, rather than sick in body, and I sent word
to my employer that I could not be there. I dread entering the office,
for at any time exposure may come."
"If you could only raise the fifty dollars, you could replace the
money before it was inquired for."
Ambrose Kean shook his head.
"I can't possibly raise it," he said, despondently.
"I would let you have it if I possessed as much money, but, as you may
suppose, I am poor."
"I am no less grateful to you, Luke. You have a good heart, I am sure.
You don't despise me?"
"No, why should I?"
"I have been guilty of a crime."
"But you are sorry for it. Is there positively no one with whom you
are acquainted who is rich enough to help you?"
"There is one lady in Chicago--a rich lady--who was a schoolmate of my
mother. She was older and in better circumstances, but they were good
friends."
"Who is this lady?"
"A Mrs. Merton."
"Mrs. Merton!" exclaimed Luke, in excitement. "Of Prairie Avenue?"
"Yes; I believe she lives there."
"Why, I know her--I am in her employ," said Luke.
Ambrose Kean stared at Luke in open amazement.
"Is this true?" he asked.
"Yes."
"Is she a kind lady? Do you think she would help me in this trouble of
mine?"
"She is very kind-hearted, as I know from my own experience. I will go
to her at once, and see what I can do."
Ambrose Kean grasped Luke's hand with fervor.
"You are a friend sent from heaven, I truly believe," he said. "You
have given me hope of retrieving myself."
"I will leave you for a time," said Luke. "There is no time to be
lost."
"I shall be full of anxiety till I see you again."
"Be hopeful. I think I shall bring you good news."
When Luke reached the house on Prairie Avenue he was about to ring the
bell when Harold Tracy opened the door.
"You here again!" he said, in a tone of displeasure. "Weren't you here
this morning?"
"Yes."
"Did Aunt Eliza ask you to come this afternoon?"
"No."
"Then what brings you?"
"Business," answered Luke, curtly, and he quietly entered the hall,
and said to a servant who was passing through, "Will you be kind
enough to ask Mrs. Merton if she will see me?"
"Well, you're cheeky!" ejaculated Harold, who had in tended to keep
him out.
"As long as Mrs. Merton doesn't think so, I shall not trouble myself,"
said Luke, coldly.
"Sooner or later Aunt Eliza will see you in your true colors," said
Harold, provoked.
"I think she does now."
At this moment the servant returned.
"You are to go upstairs," she said. "Mrs. Merton will see you."
The old lady was sitting back in an easy-chair when Luke entered. She
smiled pleasantly.
"This is an unexpected pleasure," she said, "this after-noon call."
"I will tell you at once what brought me, Mrs. Merton."
"It isn't sickness at home, I hope?"
"No, I came for a comparative stranger."
Then Luke told the story of Ambrose Kean, his sudden yielding to
temptation, his repentance and remorse.
"I am interested in your friend," said Mrs. Merton. "You say he
appropriated fifty dollars?"
"Yes, but it was to help his mother."
"True, but it was a dangerous step to take. It won't be considered a
valid excuse."
"He realizes all that. His employer is a just but strict man, and if
the theft is discovered Kean will be arrested, and, of course,
convicted."
"And you think I will help him? Is that why you have come to me with
this story?"
"I don't think I would have done so if he had not mentioned you as an
old friend and schoolmate of his mother."
"What's that?" added Mrs. Merton, quickly. "His mother an old
schoolmate of mine?"
"That is what he says."
"What was her name before marriage?"
"Mary Robinson."
"You don't say so!" Mrs. Merton exclaimed with vivacity. "Why, Mary
was my favorite at school. And this young man is her son?
"I would have helped him without knowing this, but now I won't
hesitate a moment. Mary's boy! You must bring him here. I want to
question him about her."
"I can tell you something about her. She lost her money by investing
in a California mine--I think it was the Excelsior Mine."
"She, too?"
Luke looked surprised. He did not understand the meaning of this
exclamation.
"I have a thousand shares of that worthless stock myself," continued
the old lady. "It cost me two thousand dollars, and now it is worth
nothing."
"The one who introduced the stock was a Mr. Browning, of Milwaukee."
"I know. He was an unscrupulous knave, I have no doubt. I could afford
the loss, but hundreds invested, like poor Mary, who were ruined. Is
the man living, do you know?"
"Yes, he is living in Milwaukee. He is rich, and is prominently spoken
of as a candidate for mayor."
"If he is ever a candidate I will take care that his connection with
this swindling transaction is made known. A man who builds up a
fortune on the losses of the poor is a contemptible wretch, in my
opinion."
"And mine, too," said Luke. "It is very strange that he answers the
description of a man who cheated our family out of ten thousand
dollars."
"Indeed! How was that?"
Luke told the story, and Mrs. Merton listened with great interest.
"So all corresponds except the name?"
"Yes."
"He may have changed his name."
"I have thought of that. I mean to find out some time."
"I won't keep you any longer. Your friend is, no doubt, in great
anxiety. I have the money here in bills. I will give them to you for
him."
Mrs. Merton was in the act of handing a roll of bills to Luke when the
door opened suddenly, and Mrs. Tracy entered.
She frowned in surprise and displeasure when she saw her aunt giving
money to "that boy," as she contemptuously called him.