view."

Luke waited for her to explain.

"I want to become better acquainted with you."

"Thank you, madam."

"I fully recognize that you have done me a great service. Now, if I
ask you a fair question about yourself, you won't think it an old
woman's curiosity?"

"I hope I should not be so ill-bred, madam."

"Really, you are a very nice boy."

"Now, tell me where you live?"

"On Green Street."

"Where is that?"

"Only a stone's throw from Milwaukee Avenue."

"I don't think I was ever in that part of the city."

"It is not a nice part of the city, but we cannot afford to live in a
better place."

"You say 'we.' Does that mean your father and mother?"

"My father is dead. Our family consists of my mother, my little
brother, and myself."

"And you are--excuse my saying so--poor?"

"We are poor, but thus far we have not wanted for food or shelter."

"I suppose you are employed in some way?"

"Yes; I sell papers."

"Then you are a newsboy?"

"Yes, madam."

"I suppose you cannot save very much?"

"If I make seventy-five cents a day I consider myself quite lucky. It
is more than I average."

"Surely you can't live on that--I mean the three of you?"

"Mother earns something by making shirts; at least, she has done so;
but yesterday she was told that she would not have any more work at
present."

"And your brother--he is too young to work, I suppose?"

"Yes, madam."

While this conversation was going en, the cab was making rapid
progress, and as the last words were spoken the driver reined up in
front of a handsome residence.

"Is this the place, madam?"

The old lady looked out of the hack.

"Yes," she answered. "I had no idea we had got along so far."

Luke helped her out of the cab. She paid the man his fare, and then
signed Luke to help her up the steps.

"I want you to come into the house with me," she said. "I have not got
through talking with you."

A maidservant answered the bell. She looked surprised when she saw the
old lady's young companion.

"Is my niece in?" asked the old lady.

"No, Mrs. Merton--Master Harold is in."

"Never mind! You may come upstairs with me, young man."

Luke followed the old lady up the broad, handsome staircase, stealing
a curious glance at an elegantly-furnished drawing-room, the door of
which opened into the hall.

His companion led the way into the front room on the second floor.

"Remain here until I have taken off my things," she s