Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1912-06-18

tell whether he had really seen the
angel or whether his strained senses
had played him the most cruel trick OF
all. Or was It not the kindest? Now
he could die with the vision Of her
lovely face fresh with him.
"Thank you for that o GodF'
whispered Freckles. "Twas more
than kind Of you, and I don't s'poss !
ought to be wanting anything more.
but II you can, oh, wish could know
before this ends II twas me mother
Freckles could not even whisper the
words. for he hesitated a second and
ended-"if twas me mother did itr'
"Freckles! Freckles! Oh. Frecklesr'
the voice Of the angel came call
ing. Freckles swayed forward and
wrenched at the rope until It cut deep.
ly into his body.
Black Jack whipped out a revolver
and snatched the gag from Freckles'
mouth.
Say quick. what's that, or it's up
with you right now and whoever that
is with your
"It's the girl the Bird Woman takes
about with her." whispered FrecEes
through dry, swollen lips.
They amt due here for five days
yet" said Wessner. I'VE got on to
that last week."
"Yes," said Freckles, "but ] found q
tree covered with butterflies and
things along the east line yesterday
that l thought the Bird Woman would
want extra, and went to town for
her last night. She said she'd come
soon. but she didn't say when. take
care of the girl while the Bird Wom-
an works. Unite me quick untn she
is gone. I1l try to send her back,
and then you can 60 on with your dir
| ty work"
He amt lying" volunteered Wess-
ner. II saw that tree covered with
butterflies and him watching around
It when we were spying on him yes
terday."
mo. he leaves lying to your sort"
snapped Black Jack as he undid the
rope and pitched 1t across the room.
Remember that you're covered every
move you make. my buck" he caution
ed.
"Freckles! Frecklesl" came the an.
gels impatient voice. nearer and near
er.
"I must be answering" said Free
kles, and Jack nodded. Right here"
he called. and to the men: you 90 on
with your work. and remember one
thing yourselves. The work Of the
Bird Woman Is known all over the
world. This girls father Is a rich
man, and she Is all he has. II you
offer hurt Of any kind to either Of
them this world has NO place far
enough away nor dark enough for you
to be hiding in"
"Freckles, where are you" demand
ed the angel.
Soul sick with fear for her, Freckles
went toward her and parted the
bushes that she might enter. She
came through without apparently CIV
ing him a glance, and the first words
she said were: "Why have the gang
come SO soon? l didn't know you ex.
pected them for three weeks yet. Or
is this some special tree that Mr.. Nc
Lean needs to fill an order right now"
Freckles hesitated. Would a man
dare lie to save himself? No. But to
save the angel-surely that was differ.
ent. He opened his lips, but the an
gel was capable Of saving herself. She
walked in among them, exactly as II
she had been raised in a lumber camp
and never waited for an answer.
"Why. your specimen case" she
cried. Look. Haven't you noticed
that It's tipped overi Set 1t straight
quickly!"
A couple Of men stepped out and
carefully righted the case.
There; that's better" she said
"Freckles. I'm surprised at your be-
ing so careless. 1t would be shame
to break those lovely butterflies for
one old tree. Is that valuable tree!
Why didn't you tell us last night you
were going to take a tree out this
morning? Oh. say. did you put your
case there to protect that tree from
that stealing old Black Jack and bis
gang? l bet you did. Well. II that
wasn't bright! What kind Of tree
isit?"
"It's a golden oak" said Freckles.
Like those they make dining tables
and sideboards out OFF,
yes
"My, how Interestingly she cried. 81
don't know a thing about timber, but
my father wants me to learn about
lust everything can. am going to
ask him to let me come here and watch
you until ! know enough to boss
gang myself. Do you like to cut trees.
gentlemen?" she, asked Of the men
with angelic sweetness.
Some Of them looked foolish and
some grinned, but one managed to say
that they did. Then the angels eyes
turned full on Black Jack. and she
gave the most beautiful little start OF
astonishment
"Oh, l almost thought that you were
a ghost" she cried. "But I see now
that you are really and truly. Were
you ever in ColoradoT
NO" said Jack.