The Caucasian. (Shreveport, La.) 1900-192?, 1910-04-26
"flul be nias he lamef''

said, Il hope not, Of course. II tn,
injury had been treated at once
should say positively no"
She suddenly put up her hands Il
her eyes.
I'VE must have Nurse" she said
Il dare not leave Frank to the care
OF the servants and
She waved her hand toward the dooi
through which the Burrells had van
ished 1t was perhaps fortunate fol
Rufus Burrelrs self esteem that he
could not see that gesture.
The invalid relaxed weakly upon
her pillows, and tears started from
her eyes.
Il wish that woman had not men.
toned the name" she cried
"Oh, mamma, nonsense!" said the
doctor gently. That's the silliest su.
perstition. II you were we'll you
wouldn't think of 1t for an instant
THANK heaven that Frank does not
know the story" said she. HE must
not"
The doctor rose from his chair, and
Rufus Burreli, fearing discovery. stole
softly away. Presently he went up to
the turret chamber where Frank lay
propped up on pillows, his leg help.
lessly incased.
The boy was perfectly motionless.
staring ut nothing.
| why, what's the matter, Frank?
he asked you look positively fierce"
The boy slowly turned his glance
upon Burrell. There was no other
creature on the earth whom he so
heartily despised knowing him for
coward of all kinds and n conscience.
less feeder upon charity.
Il was thinking that this peg of
mine Is In a bad way" said Frank.
81 do not relish the idea of being II
cripple It Is mighty hard luck, Cousin
Rufus
ut might be a good deal worse" re.
sponded Rufus.
The boy spent some minutes In SOM
Der meditation and then spoke so sud.
denly that his companion jumped.
What did Cousin Martha mean by
saying that my name was unlucky7"
did Mrs. Burrell say that7 Well.
WELT When was itf'
THE day | was brought in here she
was In the hall. | heard her say 1t to
somebody of the servants. sup
pose"
Rufus strove to restrain himself, but,
he lacked any real faculty of that kind.
Every temptation, however small. was
to him what cheese Is to mouse, and
he was drawn toward II with tremu.
lous eagerness
1--WE heard OF cousin of mine
whose name was the same' continued
the boy. 'but don't know anything
about him except that he used to play
the violin"
'He went west" said Rufus. Hes
dead now; died before you were
born"
What did he die OFF,
Hard luck said Rufus, with
nervous grin.
The hoy regarded him keenlv FOR
some seconds.
did he kill himself?" be demanded
Rufus was much distressed. He
wet his lips as IL they were feverlsh
and remained silent.
"Was ne the only one?' said Frank
"You might MS well tell me. I'll find
out anyway
There was your grent-uncle." an.
swered Rufus after exhausting bis
meager resolution. His name was
Frank. But-but good many people
thought 1t was an accident"
Thought what was an accident?
Not the mans name. surely"
mo, no; hardly that" And Rufus
emitted Il strange caekle OF laughter
HE was foollng with revolver.
That Is, nobody ever really knew what
be was doing. He was alone at the
time, and when they found him"
He was dead" said the boy. "and
that was the end of his troubles. Was
he d cripple2''
Rufus stared and choked upon his
words.
How in thunder did You guess
thatY' he finally managed to say.
A thrill passed through the boy. and
then slowly u cold horror settled upon
his vitals.
well" be said at last. Il guess
that's ali that | need to know. II my
mother is afraid that ! can't stand II
II must be pretty bad. No wonder / |
haven't been able to nail DR.. Stevens
to the point. Does he think he'll have
to cut my leg OFF by and by."
At this Rufus uttered yolubIe and |
scarcely coherent protest. 1t was all
4 mistake. be declared The doctor
thought there was no danger at all.
He had said that the leg would be as
good as new
The man had no sincerity In him.
Though he was trying TO tell the truth
Dr. something near 1t. every word
seemed part of monstrous lie. Frank
o0ked at him with a sense Of loathing
Ind nausea and then turned his glance
lway.
Cousin Rufus. said he at last In a
one OF singular quietude aud steadl-