Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1912-03-07
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by
Come S(nr@GG@m-
Porter
COPYRIGHT. 1904, BY DOUBLEDAY.
CHAPTER XVII.
COPYRIGHT. 1904. BY DOUBLEDAY.
PACE b co.

[MI berlost and. stopping in the
shade, sat waiting for
i Freckles.
Along the north line came Freckles.
fairly staggering. When he turned east
md reached Sleepy Snake creek, slid
Ing through the swale like the long
hlack snake for which 1t was named,
he sat down on the bridge ana closed
his burning eyes, but they would not
stay shut. AS II pulled by wires, the
heavy lids few open and the outraged
nerves and muscles Of his body
danced. twitched and tingled.
He bent forward and idly watched
the limpid little stream flowing be-
meath his feet. Stretching back into
:he swale, 1t came creeping between
an impenetrable wall Of magnificent
wild flowers. vines and ferns. Milk
weed, goldenrod, ironwort, fringed
gentians, cardinal flowers and turtle
head stood on the very edge Of the
creek. and every flower Of them grew
a double in the water. Wild clematis
crowned with snow the heads of trees
scattered here ana there along the
bank.
Freckles sat 50 still that presently
the brim of his hat was covered with
snake feeders. rasping their crisp
wings and singing as they rested.
Some Of them settled on the club and
one on his shoulder. He was so quiet
and feathers, fur and gauze were so
accustomed to him that all about the
swale they went on with their daily
life and forgot he was there.
The heron family waded about tho
mouth Of the creek. Freckles IDLY
wondered whether the nerve racking
rasps they occasionally emitted indi-
Gated domestic felicity or a raging
quarrel. A sheitpoke. with far1ng
crest. went stalking across bare
space near the creeks mouth. A
stately brown bittern waded out into
the clear flowing water, lifting his feet
high at every step and setting them
down gingerly, as II he dreaded wet
ting them, and, with slightly parted
beak, stood eagerly watching about
him for worms. Behind him were
some mighty trees Of the swamp
above, and below the bank glowed
solid wall of goldenrod.
No wonder the ancients had chosen
yellow as the color to represent VIC
tory, for the fierce. conquering hue Of
the sun was in It, They had done we'll.
too. in choosing purple as the color Of
royalty. 1t was dignified. compelling
color, and in Its warm tone there was
a hint of blood.
1t was the Limberlost's hour to pro-
claim her sovereignty and triumph.
Everywhere she faunted her yellow
banner and trailed the purple Of her
mantle. that was paler In the thistle
heads. took on strength in the first
opening aste1s, and glowed and burned
in the ironwort.
Compellingly beautiful was the Linz
berlost, but cruel withal; far back in
there bleached the uncof1ned bones Of
her victims, and she had missed era
ding him, OH so narrowly!
Below the turtle log. dripping silver
gray head. with shining eyes, was eau
tiously lifted, and Freckles hand slid
around to his revolver. Higher and
higher came the head; "A long, heavy,
FUR coated body rose, now half, now
three-fourths out of the water.
Freckles looked at his shaking hand
and doubted, but he gathered his
forces, the shot rang out, and the otter
lay still. He hurried down and tried
10 lift 1t. He could scarcely muster
strength to carry it to the bridge. The
consciousness that he really could not
60 farther with 1t made Freckles 70
alize the fact that he was we'll up to
the limit of human endurance. He
could bear 1t little. II any, longer.
Every hour the face Of the angel wav-
cred before him, and behind 1t the
awful distorted image Of Black Jack.
as he swore to the punishment he
would nncte out to her
Freckles stopped when he came to
the first guard. and telling him of his
luck, asked him to go for the otter and
carry It UP to the cabin. as he was
anxious to meet Mclean. Freckles
passed tho second guard without seeing
him. and hurried up to the boss. He
rtood silent under the eyes Of Mclean.
The boss was dumfounded. Mrs.
Duncan had led him to expect that he
would find Freckles in bad way, but
This was almost deathly. The fact
was apparent that the boy scarcely
knew what no was doing. His eyes
had a glazed. farsightsd look In them,
that wrung the heart Of the man that
loved him. Without thought OF pre-,
liminaries Mclean leaned in the sad.
die and drew Freckles up to him,
my poor ladv' he said. my poor,
lear lad: tell me. and we Will try to
right itr
Freckles had twisted his fingers in
Nellie's name. At the kind words his
face dropped on McLean's thigh and
he shook with nervous chill. Mclean
gadered him closer and waited.
"Freckles," said Mclean at last
will You tell me, or must I set to
work in the dark aud try to find the
trouble7"
"Oh. I want to tell you! l must tell
you, SIR" shuddered Freckles II can.
Aot be bearing 1t the day ont alone.
was coming to you when rcmim-
bered you would he here"
He lifted his face and Razed on
across the swale. with his Jaws set
hard q minute. as II gathering his
forces. Then he spoke.
TITS the angel. SIR" he said.
Instinctively McLean's grip on him