The Delta independent., 1907-06-28

southwest Louisiana and southeast
Texas, usually in places remote frcm
settlement, lives a peculiar people To-
eally known as the Red Bones. The
name is hated one and must be used
with caution. 1t is applied to = class
in whose veins Is the stain OF negro
blood and who are. In consequence.
social outcasts.
A good many years ago young boy
left a Red Bone colony in the Cal
casieu parish, Louisiana, and drifted
to New Orleans. where he lived for
time the life OF the streets. In what
dark shops and alleys the first years
Of this struggle were passed there Is
NO record. He emerged. after . con-
siderable interval. from the cellar OF
an Italian oyster shop to take the posi-
tion OF night watchman in an ONCE
building. Here opportunities and the
inclination for an education first met.
and he entered a private school. He
was quick with his lessons. cookbook
ing and ready to adopt the ways Of his
betters. among whom he passed as
Creole. His connections remained un-
discovered. and his people had long
STAGE forgotten him.
At the school Ambrose, as he called
himself. did very well. and on several
occasions received congratulations
from his instructors. On graduation
he decided to try medicine. and en-
tered Tulane university.
When Ambrose had taken his de-
gree he was not long waiting for prac-
tice. He had striking appearance
a 1.-the. quick figure. small hands. an
eager. wistful countenance. and black
eyes.
It happened one night that Ambrose
was a guest at the house OF a former
member OF his faculty where a whist
party was assembled. The rubber was
but half over when a cab dashed up
TO the door and negro servant
rushed in. saying that his mistress
must have a physician Immediately.
Ambrose said that he would go. He
was driven TO a remote part Of the
oity TO an old.fashioned French man
sion with pillars and balconies. and
q garden with broken fountain.
There was a light in the window. and
as Ambrose came up the steps the
door was opened and an old woman in
white cap seized him by the hand
and pulled him inside.
My daughter is very Ill. Save her
for me-"
He was led upstairs and down a
long hall to the sick room.
The room was somewhat meagerly
furnished. but exquisitely clean and
with those touches which belong to
people Of refinement. 1t was all in
white. and two candles burned on the
table beside n crucifix and flowers. A
high bed stood in one corner. and on
the bed. beneath a gauze canopy. a
young girl was tossing restlessly.
You will save her for me-" Yes,
yes" Ambrose went up and took her
wrist He started. Such hair such
n throat. Slowly the eyes opened
glorious eyes. Ambrose looked, grew
weak. lost count OF the pulse.
Suddenly Ambrose became aware
that her eyes were open.
What is your name?"
"Dr. Ambrose"
Am going to die?"
DO not excite yourself You will
not die"
Please do not let me die, doctor.
Please. will tell you why. Come
here and will tell you. Kneel there
beside me. Your head a little nearer.
There. Because-because- But you
will not tell? Remember you mustn't.
Because l have not-felt-love.'
She sank back on the pillows, con-
fused. a little exhausted. and put up n
finger. smiling. "A promise. remem-
ber."
Next morning the girl seemed bet
ter, and Ambrose went to town. prom
Using to return that evening. When he
came back. the patient had taken q
turn for the worse. The poor old wom-
an was frantic. She clung to him and
besought him not to leave them. Am
brose consented to take a room in the
house and turn over his other patients
to an assistant. He had become alb
sorbed In the case. and he put into It
all the skill and devotion he possessed.
Every night he sat up with the
nurse, himself almost as pale and
worn as she. His great dark eyes re-
fiected the delight. the passionate Gag
erness. the despair induced by every
change In her condition. One night.
very late, he was sitting with a book
near the lamp. trying to read. when
he became aware OF eyes fixed upon
him. He turned. She was beckoning
to him. He tiptoed past the sleeping
nurse and bent over her. Doctor.
l have been watching you long time.
And now must tell you something. lam
going to die. No, no: do not pro-
test"
! She placed her fingers across his
Hips, let them rest there q moment,
then suddenly drew him down to her.