The Young Bank Messenger Part 55

ERNEST RAY, OREVILLE, CALIFORNIA:

I have for some time been seeking to find you. Finally, in response to an advertis.e.m.e.nt inserted in a St. Louis daily paper, I learn that you are at present living in Oreville, California. This information was given me by one Thomas Burns, who is employed at the Planters Hotel.

The name is, I hope, familiar to you. It is very desirable that I should have an interview with you. If you are the son of Dudley Ray, formerly residing at or near Elmira, what I have to say will be greatly to your advantage.

Will you write me at once, letting me know whether this is the case?

Also, state your present circ.u.mstances, and whether you need pecuniary help. It is unfortunate that we are so far apart. I am connected with a New York legal firm, and can not very well go to California, but I might a.s.sist you to come to New York if, as I suppose, your means are limited. Will you write to me at once whether this is the case? I shall anxiously await your reply.

BENJAMIN BOLTON, Attorney-at-law, 182 Na.s.sau Street, New York City.

Ernest read this letter with eager interest, and showed it to Luke Robbins.

"What do you think of it, Luke?" he asked.

"What do I think of it? It looks very much as if you were ent.i.tled to some money."

"What shall I do?"

"Write this Mr. Bolton that you will go at once to New York, and call upon him."

"But how about the store? I should not like to leave Mr. Ames in the lurch."

"I will take your place here, and in order to qualify myself for it, I will come in to morrow and begin to serve an apprentices.h.i.+p."

Ernest wrote to Bolton that he would start for New York in a week. He added that he had the money necessary for the journey. He said also that he was the son of Dudley Ray, and that he remembered visiting Elmira with his father.

When Bolton received this letter he exclaimed, triumphantly, "Now, Stephen Ray, I have you on the hip. You looked down upon me when I called upon you. In your pride and your unjust possession of wealth you thought me beneath your notice. Unless I am greatly mistaken, I shall be the instrument under Providence of taking from you your ill-gotten gains, and carrying out the wishes expressed in the last will of your deceased uncle."

CHAPTER x.x.xIV.

A STRANGE MEETING.

Ernest left Oreville with four hundred dollars in his pocket. The balance of his money he left in the hands of his friend Horace Ames, upon whom he was authorized to draw if he should have need.

"I don't intend to carry all my money with me," he said to Luke Robbins. "I might lose it."

"Even if you did, Ernest, you could draw on me. If you need it, do so without any hesitation."

"You are a good friend, Luke," said Ernest warmly. "What should I do without you?"

"I am beginning to wonder what I shall do without you, Ernest.

Suppose, now, this lawyer puts a fortune in your hands?"

"If he does, Luke, I am sure to need your help in some way. I will see that we are not separated."

"Thank you, Ernest. I know you mean what you say. You may find a better friend, but you won't find one that is more ready to serve you than Luke Robbins."

"I am sure of that, Luke," said Ernest with a bright smile, as he pressed the rough hand of his faithful friend.

Ernest did not loiter on his way, though he was tempted to stop in Chicago, but he reflected that he would have plenty of chances to visit that bustling city after his business had been attended to.

As he approached Buffalo on the train his attention was attracted to two persons sitting in front of him. They were a father and son, as he gathered from the conversation.

The son was about his own age and size, apparently, but rather more slender in figure. He had a peevish expression, and Ernest doubted whether he would like him.

"Father," Ernest heard him say, "won't you give me a little money? I am dead broke."

The father frowned.

"I gave you five dollars when we set out on this journey," he said.

"Well, five dollars won't last forever," was the pert rejoinder.

"It ought to last more than four days, Clarence."

Ernest started. He knew that his cousin's name was Clarence. Could this be Stephen Ray and his son?

Even if it were so, he felt that it would not be advisable to make himself known. This business which was carrying him to New York might bring him into conflict with Stephen Ray. If so, he would not care to let his presence be known.

On arriving at Buffalo Ernest left the train. He had never visited Niagara, and being now so near, he felt that he could not forego the opportunity.

He registered at the Tefft House, and decided to remain twenty-four hours. This would give him time to see the Falls.

Ernest had a room a.s.signed him, and went up to it at once in order to have the luxury of a good wash.

Five minutes afterwards, Stephen Ray and his son Clarence entered the hotel.

Mr. Ray, in a pompous manner, went up to the desk and said to the clerk, "Can you give me a good room?"

"Yes, sir."

"I want a front room, if you have it."

"I can't give you a front room, but I can give you a good side room."

Stephen Ray grumbled a little, but finally decided to take the room offered him. He saw that his haughty manner did not impress the clerk, who was accustomed to men of his cla.s.s.

Clarence looked over his father's shoulder as he registered.

"Why, pa," he exclaimed in surprise, "there's another guest of our name."

"Where?" asked his father.

"There, three names above your signature."

Stephen Ray looked at the register, and started violently as he read the entry: