Luke took it in his hand, and regarded it curiously. He was not in the habit of receiving letters.

 

"It is postmarked Milwaukee," he said.

 

"Do you know anyone in Milwaukee?" asked his mother.

 

"No; or stay, it must be from Mr. Powell, a brother of Mrs. Tracy."

 

"Probably he sends a message to his sister."

 

By this time Luke had opened the following letter, which he read with great surprise and excitement:

 

DEAR LUKE:--Come to Milwaukee as soon as you can, and join me at the Prairie Hotel. I write in your own interest. There is a large sum due to your father, which I may be able to put you in the way of collecting. You had better see Aunt Eliza, and ask leave of absence for a day or two. If you haven't money enough to come on, let her know, and I am sure she will advance it to you.

 

Your friend,

 

WARNER POWELL.

 

 

 

"What can it mean?" asked Mrs. Walton, to whom Luke read the letter.

 

"It must refer to the ten thousand dollars which father sent to us on his dying bed."

 

"If it were only so!" said the widow, clasping her hands.

 

"At any rate, I shall soon find out, mother. I had better take the letter which was sent us, giving us the first information of the legacy."

 

"Very well, Luke! I don't know anything about business. I must leave the matter entirely in your hands.

 

"I will go at once to Mrs. Merton and ask if it will inconvenience her if I go away for a couple of days."

 

"Do so, Luke! She is a kind friend, and you should do nothing without her permission."

 

Luke took the cars for Prairie Avenue, though it was afternoon, and he had been there once already. He was shown immediately into the old lady's presence.

 

Mrs. Merton saw him enter with surprise.

 

"Has anything happened, Luke?" she asked.

 

"I have received a letter from your nephew, summoning me to Milwaukee."

 

"I hope he is not in any scrape."

 

"No; it is a very friendly letter, written in my interest. May I read it to you?"

 

"I shall be glad to hear it."

 

Mrs. Merton settled herself back in her rocking-chair, and listened to the reading of the letter.

 

"Do you know what this refers to, Luke?" she asked.

 

"Yes; my father on his deathbed in California ............