The Emmett index., 1912-02-08
currence among the gang.

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the sleeve and bathed and bound up
the wounds. He examined freckles
head and body and convinced himself
that there was no permanent injury.
Then be sat down beside Freckles.
Ln the indescribable beauty OF the
Mace was strong about him, but he
saw only the bruised face OF the SUI
fering boy. who had hedged for the IN
formation he wanted like diplomat,
argued like a judge. fought ike a
sbeik and triumphed like a devil.
AS the pain lessened and breath
caught up with Freckles poundlng
heart be watched the boss from the.
tail OF MS eye. How had Mclean got
there, and how long had he been
there? Freckles did not dare ASK AT
last he arose and. going to the case
took out his revolver and the WIRE
mending apparatus and locked the
door. Then he turned to Mclean.
Have you any orders, sir?' he ask
ed
Yes" said Mclean, 81 have ana
YOU are to follow them to the letter.
Turn over that apparatus to me ana
go straight home. Soak yourself I'M
the hottest bath your skin will bear
and 90 to bed at once. Now. hurry
Mr.. Mclean" said Freckles, IT'S
sorry am to be telling you. but the
afternoons walking of the line ain C.
done. You see. was just for getting
to me feet to start, and | was on good
time when up came a gintleman, and
we got into q little heated argument
It's either settled or it's just begun
but between US I'm that late L haven't!
started for the afternoon yet. must
be going at once. for there's tree
must find before the days over"
You plucky little IDIOT growled
Mclean. you can't walk the line! |
doubt if you can get TO Duncans. .
Don't you know when you are done
up? You go TO bed III finish your
work"
'Niver." protested Freckles> Il was.
just little done up for the prisint .
minute ago. I'm all right now, RID!
ing boots are away too low The:
days hot and the walk a good seven
miles. sir. Niver"
AS he reached for the outfit he pitch
ed forward and his eyes closed. Nc
Lean stretched him on the moss and
applied restoratives. When Freckles
returned to consciousness Mclean ran
to the cabin to tell Mrs. Duncan to get
hot bath ready and to bring Nellie.
That worthy woman promptly filed
the wash boiler and set roaring fire
under it. She pushed the horse trough
off its base and rolled it up to the
kitchen.
By the time Mclean came again.
leading Nellie and holding Freckles on
her back. Mrs. Duncan was ready for
business. She and the boss laid Freck-
les in a trough and poured on hot wa
ter until he sQuirmed. They soaked
rubbed and secured him. Then they
let the hot water off and closed his
pores with cold. Lastly they stretchedi
him on the floor and chafed. rubbed
and kneaded him until he cried out
for mercy. AS they rolled him into
bed his eyes dropped shut, but little
later they fared open.
"Mr. Mclean" he cried. "the tree!
Oh. do be looking after the tree!"
Mclean bent over him. Which tree.
Freckles?
al don't know exact, sir, but it's on
the east line. and the wire is fastened
to it. He Dragged that you nailed it
yourself. sir. You'll know it by the
bark having been laid open to the.
grain somewhere low down. and it was
$500 he offered me-to be-selling you
Freckles' head rolled over and his
eyes dropped shut McLean's mind
travelled back to the night almost a
year before when he had engaged
Freckles. a stranger
Mclean bent. covering the hurt arm
with one hand and laying the other
with a caress on the boys forehead.
Freckles stirred at his touch and twit-I
tered as softly as the swallows under
The caves.
''If you're coming this way-tomor-i
-ow-be pleased to step overland We'll
'epate the-chorus softly"
"Bless the gritty devil" growled Nc
Lean.
Then he went out and told Mrs. Dun
,an to keep close watch on Freckles
md send Duncan to him at the swamp
he minute he came home Following
he trail down to the line and back to
he scene Of the fight. the boss entered
Continued on next page.