The Caucasian. (Shreveport, La.) 1900-192?, 1909-01-17
on the floor nothing was shown but

his depression by the conclusion that
he would have small difficulty in coax
ing the amount from easy going Franz
and so restore affairs to their original
| condition.
With this purpose in view he set out
to call on Frank. quite forgetting the
warning in the will and the bamboo
stick
Frank. too, appeared to have permit
ted his tcStamentary duties to slip his
memory. for he babe the old man well
come and hailed him to the parlor with
every demonstration Of respect Tho
object of Toms visit filled him with
delighted speculation. Was it some
thing about Kitty: Had Tom repcnted
Of his harsh opposition?
His heart leaped wildly. but grew
calm enough again when Tom referred
with mournful air to the matter of the
purchase of the field as the reason of
his call
The mention of Kitty was enough
for Frank. Up he jumped and. going
to the press in the corner, extracted
from a little box the check just as
Tom handed it to him.
Toms eyes glittered as he crushed it
into his pocket.
you're n thoroughbred. Frank"
said he. and If can do anything for
We. my boy. command me-
GIVE IN" Kitty. then" said Frank
promptly seizing the opportunity
Coed hunor instantly fled the old
mans face. 1t became hard, finty.
But. conscious that he owed Frank
something fer the ready return of the
check. he rcSortcd to diplomatic eva
sion to smooth over the incident
Before answer that let me ask
you Il question" he said.
"Wen:"
Rooncy's Money that he got by the
American unclc:"
Indeed did searched every
where in the house. but not a thrace
of 1t could | find"
"Rut it must be somewhere. Frank
Ould John couldn't have taken it away
with him.
"Well. now. just listen to this. If
you find that money m give you Kit
IT,"
Franks eyes rolled wildly in the ex
citement Of The prospect this remark
opened out 70 him In one of these
revolutions they encountered the BAN
boo stick. A chill struck him. for he
was at once reminded of the duty i'm
posed by the will. which left him no
alternative but to belt" out Of the
house the man whom it was his best
interest to rropitiate But. though his
soul girGed ut the task. the bamboo
drew him as If the very spirit Of old
John Rooney possessed 1t.
"Sorry | am. Tom Gaynor. but yc
must get out of this" he said. leaping
to his feet and running to the corner
Remember what the will said. man
You're to lie belted out Of this place
every time g. come into it. Be OF
now if you PLACE. Quick man. Sure
it's not my fault but it can't he help
ed anyway"
Frank purposely fumbled with the
stick to allow Tom to collect faculties
gricvously scattered by the abrupt out
burst
Are We gomez" cried Frank. wav-
ing the bamboo menacinsly as he
swung around. just in time to see old
Toms coattails disappear through the
door
Down along the path sped Tom.
with Frank not a yard behind. i'm
proving his position gradually by way
Of demonstrating that there was no
deception in his effort. TO give fur
Their evidence of his determination to
carry out his testamentary obligations.
he made fierce blow ut Tom just as
he flew through the gate. The blow
missed Tom. as indeed it was intended
to do. but struck the gate with ter
rifle force
Now in safe territory. Tom drew up
gasping for breath. while Frank gazcd
ruefully Mt the bamboo broken across
the middle
''Begor. I've done for ould Rooney's
bamboo" said he But what's this
here?" gazing closely at the slit. ITS
hollow within. and there's something
in it. What can it bei" he added pull
ing out a long tube Of papers
''There's more Of them here up the
hollow" he said throwing the papers
on the ground and proceeding to fur
Their investigation. "'rhis is something
ould Rooney hid here I'll houId We
What can it name. ! wondher:'
"Mane" cried Tom. who had picked
up the roll and opened it, what can
It mane!" with hoarse shout st
names that these are bank notes for
ESQ apiece: aye. and here are more for
f1OO"
The pair stood and gaspcd their as
constituent
1.-THE American legacy" whispered
Frank when he had caught his breath
THAT'S just what it is" returned
Tom. vaulting from trembling excite
ment to genial enthusiasm. Crank.
my boy. I congratulate We. Ye're the
richest man in the county this minyet"
"And-and"- murmuro6 Franz