Luke Walton   By: Horatio Alger (1832-1899)

[Frontispiece: "Luke rescues Mrs. Merton."]

LUKE WALTON

BY

HORATIO ALGER, JR.

Author of

"ANDY GORDON," "THE TELEGRAPH BOY," "SAM'S CHANCE," "BOB BURTON," "FRANK MASON'S SECRET"

[Insignia]

MADE IN U. S. A.

M. A. DONOHUE & COMPANY

CHICAGO :: NEW YORK

CONTENTS

I A CHICAGO NEWSBOY II A LETTER FROM THE DEAD III LUKE FORMS A RESOLUTION IV AN ATTACK IN THE DARK V HOW LUKE ESCAPED VI MR. AFTON'S OFFICE VII A STRANGE ENCOUNTER VIII A MARKED MAN IX STEPHEN WEBB X STEPHEN WEBB OBTAINS SOME INFORMATION XI A HOUSE ON PRAIRIE AVENUE XII A PLOT THAT FAILED XIII TOM BROOKS IN TROUBLE XIV LUKE HAS A COOL RECEPTION IN PRAIRIE AVENUE XV A WELCOME GIFT XVI THOMAS BROWNING AT HOME XVII A STRANGE VISITOR XVIII HOW JACK KING FARED XIX A SENSATIONAL INCIDENT XX AMBROSE KEAN'S IMPRUDENCE XXI A FRIEND IN NEED XXII HOW AMBROSE KEAN WAS SAVED XXIII STEPHEN WEBB IS PUZZLED XXIV MRS. MERTON PASSES A PLEASANT EVENING XXV MRS. TRACY'S BROTHER XXVI THE PRODIGAL'S RECEPTION XXVII UNCLE AND NEPHEW XXVIII HAROLD'S TEMPTATION XXIX HAROLD'S THEFT XXX LUKE WALTON IS SUSPECTED OF THEFT XXXI WHO STOLE THE MONEY? XXXII HAROLD AND FELICIE MAKE AN ARRANGEMENT XXXIII HAROLD'S PLOT FAILS XXXIV HAROLD MAKES A PURCHASE XXXV A SKILLFUL INVENTION XXXVI WARNER POWELL STARTS ON A JOURNEY XXXVII THOMAS BROWNING'S SECRET XXXVIII FELICIE PROVES TROUBLESOME XXXIX LUKE WALTON'S LETTER XL FACE TO FACE WITH THE ENEMY XLI MR. BROWNING COMES TO TERMS XLII CONCLUSION

LUKE WALTON

CHAPTER I

A CHICAGO NEWSBOY

" News and Mail , one cent each!"

Half a dozen Chicago newsboys, varying in age from ten to sixteen years, with piles of papers in their hands, joined in the chorus.

They were standing in front and at the sides of the Sherman House, on the corner of Clark and Randolph Streets, one of the noted buildings in the Lake City. On the opposite side of Randolph Street stands a gloomy stone structure, the Court House and City Hall. In the shadow of these buildings, at the corner, Luke Walton, one of the largest newsboys, had posted himself. There was something about his bearing and appearance which distinguished him in a noticeable way from his companions.

To begin with, he looked out of place. He was well grown, with a frank, handsome face, and was better dressed than the average newsboy. That was one reason, perhaps, why he preferred to be by himself, rather than to engage in the scramble for customers which was the habit of the boys around him.

It was half past five. The numerous cars that passed were full of business men, clerks, and boys, returning to their homes after a busy day.

Luke had but two papers left, but these two for some unaccountable reason remained on his hands an unusual length of time. But at length a comfortable looking gentleman of middle age, coming from the direction of La Salle Street, paused and said, "You may give me a News , my boy."

"Here you are, sir," he said, briskly.

The gentleman took the paper, and thrusting his hand into his pocket, began to feel for a penny, but apparently without success.

"I declare," he said, smiling, "I believe I am penniless. I have nothing but a five dollar bill."

"Never mind, sir! Take the paper and pay me to morrow."

"But I may not see you."

"I am generally here about this time."

"And if I shouldn't see you, you will lose the penny."

"I will risk it, sir," said Luke, smiling.

"You appear to have confidence in me."

"Yes, sir."

"Then it is only fair that I should have confidence in you."

Luke looked puzzled, for he didn't quite understand what was in the gentleman's mind.