For Chester Arlington’s mother doted on him. He was her pride and joy, and she had implicit confidence in him. She had permitted June to come to Fardale to satisfy June that Chester was in the right in his trouble with Dick Merriwell, but she had not fancied that June did not mean to let her brother know she was in town until after she had investigated and discovered the truth. “I won’t be hurt!” exclaimed the unfortunate lad. “Why should anything like that happen to me? But it was so strange that I had no strength in my legs when I tried to stand.” “That is what worried the doctor.” “Worried him?” “Yes.” “Why?” “He was afraid your spine had been injured.” Chester turned still paler. “My spine?” he whispered, a look of horror on his face. “Why, if that should be, I might become a helpless cripple.” “Oh, I don’t think it’s anything like that!” cried the girl, regretting that she had spoken so plainly. “I am sure it isn’t.” He lay still and stared up at the ceiling. “A cripple!” came huskily from his lips. “What a terrible thing! And that fellow still strong and well! Nothing ever happens to him. Why is it? It’s his luck—his luck!” June knew he was thinking of Dick Merriwell, and she thought how nearly Dick had been knocked out of the game that day, how she had rushed to him as he lay on the field, and how she had given him the little locket as a “charm” to keep away misfortune in the future. “What made you do it, June?” whined the lad on the bed, and she started as she realized he was thinking of the same thing. “It was a shame—a disgrace!” “I’m sorry I disgraced you, Chester!” she said, somewhat coldly. “I’d rather given anything than to have my sister make such a spectacle of herself. All Fardale will know of it! They will say you are smitten on him—on that fellow!” “Chester, I know how much you dislike him; but don’t you think you are somewhat in the wrong yourself?” He started to his elbow, with a cry. “It’s hard enough to be knocked out this way without having my sister go back on me for a dog like that!” he exclaimed fiercely. “He is no dog, Chester! Have you forgotten that he stopped the runaway and saved me?” “No! no! Wish I could!” “Have you forgotten that this is the second time he has saved me? Surely I owe him something! I owe him respect, at least!” “That’s all! You can keep away from him! June, you must stay in Fardale no longer. I’ll write mother. That is, if you do not decide to leave at once.” “Perhaps I may not be able to leave.” “Not able?” “No.” “Why not?” “You may need me.” “You think I am going to be as bad as that? Then that infernal doctor must have told you something he did not say to me! But I’ll fool him—I’ll fool them all! I’ll get up all right in a day or so! It’s nothing but a sprained back! Why doesn’t Darrell come to me? Has he gone back on me entirely?” “Perhaps the doctor has told everybody to keep away.”