Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1912-07-02

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again I've had the feeling with her,
II / didn't entirely forget It, that she
didn't see 1t was gone and ! must pull
her sleeve and be pointing 1t out to
her. Her touch on 1t was 80 sacred
like, at times since I've caught meself
looking at the awful thing near like
l was proud Of 1t, sir. II l was born
your son she couldn't be treating me
more as her equal. and she can't help
knowing you amt truly me father
Nobody can know the ugliness or the
ignorance Of me better than DO and
all me lack of birth, home. relatives
and money and what's 1t all to her"
Freckles stepped back from Mclean
squared his shoulders and with q
royal lift Of his head looked straight
into the boss eyes.
"You saw her In the beautiful little
room of her and you can't be forget
ting how she begged and pleaded with
you for me. She touched me body,
and twas sancti6ed. She laid her lips
on me brow. and twas sacrament. No.
body knows the height Of her better
than me. Nobody's studied my depths
closer. There's no bridge for the great
distance between US, sir. and. clearest
Of all. I'm for realizing 1t. But she
risked terrible things when she came to
me among that gang Of thieves. She
wore herself past bearing to save me
from such an easy thing as death!
Now, here's me. q man. big. strong
man, and letting her live under that
fearful oath, so worse than any death
twould be for her. and lifting not q
finger to save her. I cannot bear It.
sir. It's killing me by inches! II any
evil comes to her through Black Jack
II comes from her angel like goodness
to me. Somewhere he's hiding!
Somewhere he Is waiting his chance!
Somew here he is reaching out for her!
I tell you cannot. dare not be bear
Ing It longer"
"Freckles. be quiet!" said Mclean.
his eyes humid. Believe me. did not
understand. l know the angels father
well. I will 20 to him at once. have
transacted business with him for the
last three years. I will make him see!
I am only just beginning to realize
your agony and the real danger there
Is for the angel. I will see that she
Is fully protected every hour Of the
day and night until Jack Is located and
disposed of. And promise you further
that II fail to move her father or
make him understand the danger
will maintain q guard over her until
Jack Is caught"
Mclean slid from Nellie's back. and
went to examine the otter.
"What do you want to do with It.,
Freckles?" asked Mclean. DO yon
known that 1t is very valuableT
IL was for almost praying 80. sir."
said Freckles. AS | saw It coming up
the bank ] thought this: Once some
where In q book there was picture OF
q young girl. and she was just breath
like the beautifulness Of the angel. Her
hands were In a muff as big as her
body, and I thought 1t was so pretty.
think she was some queen. or the
like. Do you suppose could have this
skin tanned and made into such mum
as that-an enormous big one. sirr
"Of course you can." said Mclean.
"Thats a ane idea and It's easy
enough. 1t would be mighty fine
thing for you to give to the angel as
q little reminder of the Limberlost be-
fore 1t Is despoiled. and as souvenir
Of her trip for you."
Freckles lifted a face with glow Of
happy color creeping into 1t and eyes
lighting with former brightness.
Throwing his arms about Mclean. he
cried "Oh, how I love you! Oh, l
wish could make you know how
love you"
Mclean strained him to his breast
"God bless you, Freckles." he said
"I do know! We're going to have
some good old times out Of this world
together, and we can't begin too soon.
Would you rather sleep first. or get q
bite of lunch and have the drive with
me. and then restY don't know but
sleep will come sooner and deeper to
take the ride and have your mind set
at ease before you lie down. Suppose
you 60"
Suppose l do" said Freckles. with q
glimmer Of the old light In hia eyes
and newly found strength to shoulder
the otter. Together they turned into
the swale.
Mclean noticed and spoke Of the big
black chickens.
They've been hanging round out
there for several days past" said
Freckles. "In tell you what ! think
It means I think the old rattler has
killed something too big for him to
swallow. and he's keeping guard and
won't let me chickens have 1t. I'm
Just sure, from the way the birds have
acted out there all summer. that 1t 70
the rattlers den. You watch them
now. See the way they dip and then
rise, frightened like!"
Suddenly Mclean turned on him
with blanching face.
"Frecklesr' he cried.
"You think It's Jackr shuddered
Freckles.
He dropped the otter. caught up bis
club, and plunged into the swale.
Reach hing for his revolver. Mclean
followed. The chickens circled higher
at their coming. and the big snake
lifted his head and rattled angrily. II
sank in sinuous coils ut the report OF
McLean's revolver. and together he
and Frecklss stood beside Black Jack.
His fate was evident and most horrible.
"Come," said the boss at last. I'VE
don't dare touch him. We will get Q
sheet from Mrs. Duncan and tuck over
him, to keep these swarms Of insects
away, and set Hall on guard, while
we 20 for the officers"
Freckles' lips closed resolutely. he
deliberately thrust bis club under
Black Jacks body and, raising him.
rested It on bis knee. He pulled q
Tong silver pin from the front OF the
Head mans shirt and sent It spinning
cut into the swale. Then he gathered
up a few crumpled bright flowers and
aropped them into the pool far away.
aMy soul II sick with the horror OF
this thing" said Mclean a. he and
rreckles drove toward town. II can't