The Alaska citizen., 1910-11-21
A PERFECTLY
 HARMLESS MAN

. 'tes S.'lt Sti|IF away 4tSeHt.N A' went up to The turret chamber where Frank lay propped up on pillows, his leg heIrlessly encased
 The hgy Was perfectly motionless. staring al nothing "Vhv. what's the matter Frank? ne asked You look positively fierce"
 The Joy slowly turned his glance upon RIrrcll There was no other creature on the earth whom he so heartily despised. knowing him for a coward of all kinds and con science'css feeder upon charity"
 T wts thinking that this peg of mine is in a bad way" said Frank T do not relish the idea of being a crip?le r. is mighty hard luck Cousin Rufus" 1 It might be a good deal worse" responded Rufus The roy rpent some minutes In solnh1r meditation and then spoke so suddenly that his companion i jurfned
 What did Cousin Martha mean by aayrg trat my name was un- luchy ?"
 Did Mrs. Burrell say that? We'll. we'll When was ito"
 The lay was brought in nere she was in the hall I heard her 1 say it to somebody one of the servant. I suppose i Rufus stroye to restrain himself, 1 but ho lacked any real faculty of ] that Hind. Every temptation, how ever small was to him what cheese . Is to a mouse, and he was drawn to- warl i, with a tremulous eagerness.
 I've heard of a cousin e mine whose name was the same" con. tinued rhe boy but I don't know anything anoit him except that he usel to play the violin"
 He went west said Rufus He is dead nov; died before you were born"
 "Nhaf did he die ot? "Hard luck" said Rufus. with a nervous grlr.
 The boy regarded him keenly for some seconds.
 Did he kill himselfo" he demand ed
 Rufus was much distressed. He Vet his hps as if they were fever- l i7h and remained silent
 Was hc the only one?" said Frank You might as well tell me I'll find out anyway" There was your greatuncle," answered Reus after exhausting his mepger resolution. His name was Frank. But-tut good many peo- pie thought II was an accident"
 Thought what was an accident? No; the mans name surely"
 No, no; hardly that" And Rufus emitted a strange "ackle of laugh | ter. He was fooIihs with re yolvar That is, nobody ever really knew what he was doing He was alcne at the time. and when they found him"
 He was dead" said the boy, and that Was the end of his trcubles. Was he a cripple?" l Rufus stared and choked npon his words.
 How in thunder did you euess tha1?" he finally managed tc say
 A thrill passed through the boy, 1 and then slowly cold terror settled l rpon his vitals.
 Well" he said at last. ' guess | that's all that need know. If my mother is afraid that I cant stand l it it must be pretty bad. No wonder haven; been able to nail Dr. Stev. ems to the rclnt. Docs he think he l will have 10 cut my leg off by and ] by7"
 1 At this Rufus uttered a voluble 1 and scarcely coherent lrotest IL was all mistake. he declared The l doctor thought there was no dan ger at all. He had said that the l leg would be as good as new. | The man had no sincerity in him. | Though he was trying 10 tell the truth or eoE'ething near t. ever? word seemed part of a nonsrrous l lie. Frank looked at him with sense of loathing and nausea and 1 then turned his glance away.
 Cousin Rufus" said he at last i in tone of singular quietude and steadine> $, will you go and open l that top draw ir the little stand in the corner and get me box that you'll find there?" Rufus complied with the request and held up box of black wood
 ''Is ttis the one?" said he Whats in it? It's locked"
 The key is in the pocket of those trousers. Thank you," taking the box and the key from his cous- ir's hand. And now you will obliee me by closing that door? Is the other one shut-at the head of the stairs ?"
 Why. yes" stammered Burrell,