Luke," said the old lady. "I
shall have to go to the Continental Bank. Do you know where it is?"

"I believe it is on La Salle Street, corner of Adams."

"Quite right. I shall introduce you to the paying teller as in my
employ, as I may have occasion to send you there alone at times to
deposit or draw money."

"I wish Harold was more like you," she said. "His mother's suggestion
that I should take him with me as an escort would be just as
disagreeable to him as to me."

"Is he attending school?" asked Luke.

"Yes. He is preparing for college, but he is not fond of study, and I
doubt whether he ever enters. I think he must be about your age."

"I am nearly sixteen."

"Then he is probably a little older."

They entered the bank, and Mrs. Merton, going to the window of the
paying teller, presented a check for a hundred dollars.

"How will you have it, Mrs. Merton?" asked the teller.

"In fives and tens. By the way, Mr. Northrop, please take notice of
this boy with me. I shall occasionally send him by himself to attend
to my business. His name is Luke Walton."

"His face looks familiar. I think we have met before."

"I have sold you papers more than once, Mr. Northrop," said Luke. "I
stand on Clark Street, near the Sherman."

"Yes, I remember, now. We bank officials are apt to take notice of
faces."

"Here, Luke, carry this money for me," said Mrs. Merton, putting a
lady's pocketbook into the hand of her young escort. "You are less
likely to be robbed than I."

Luke was rather pleased at the full confidence his new employer seemed
to repose in him.

"I am now going up on State Street," said Mrs. Merton, as they emerged
into the street. "You know the store of Marshall Field?"

"Oh, yes; everybody in Chicago knows that," said Luke.

In a few minutes they stood before the large store, and Mrs. Merton
entered, followed by Luke.

Mrs. Merton went to that part of the establishment where woolens are
sold, and purchased a dress pattern. To Luke's surprise, the salesman
was the same one who had come to his assistance in the car the day
previous when he was charged with stealing. The recognition was
mutual.

"I believe we have met before," said the young man, with a smile.

"Yes, fortunately for me," answered Luke, gratefully.

"The two parties who were determined to find you guilty looked foolish
when they ascertained the real character of your accuser."

"What is this, Luke? You didn't tell me of it,"