The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1912-09-12

q mighty groan was wrenched FROM,
him, and he lay senseless. The angel
gave Duncan one panic stricken look.
Then she set her lips and gathered her
forces again.
81 guess that's q good thing" she
said. Maybe he won't feel how We
are hurting him. oh. boys. are you
being quick and gentle7-
She stepped to the side Of the cot
and bathed Freckles' face. Taking bis
hand In hers. she gave the word to
start. She told the men TO ask every
ablebodied man they met to join them
so that they could change carriers
often and make good time.
The Bird Woman insisted upon taxi.
ing the angel into the carriage and fol-
lowing the cot, but the angel refused
to leave Freckles md suggested that
the Bird Woman drive ahead. pack
them some clothing, and be nc the sta.
ton ready to accompany them to Chi
cago All the way the angel walked
beside the cot. shading Freckles' face
and holding his hand At every pause
to change carriers she moIstened his
face and lips and counted each breath
with heartbreaking anxiety.
She scarcely knew when her father
Joined them, and, taking the branch
from her. slipped an arm about her
waist and almost carried her along.
To the city streets and the swarm OF
curious. staring faces she paid no more
attention than she had to the trees Of
the Lmberlost. When the train pull
ed In and the gang placed Freckles
aboard, Duncan made a place for the
angel beside the cot
With the best physician TO be found.
and with the Bird Woman and Nc
Lean in attendance. the four hours
run to Chicago began. Not for an In
slant would the angel yield her place.
or allow any one else TO do anything
for him. The Bird Woman and Nc
Lean regarded her In amazement
The only time she spoke was to ask
Mclean If he was sure the special
would be ready on the Pittsburg line
He replied that II was made up and
waiting.
At o'clock Freckles lay stretched
on the operating table OF Lake View
hospital. while three Of the greatest
surgeons In Chicago bent over him
At their command. Mclean picked up
the unwilling angel and carried her
out to the nurses to be bathed. have
hnT nj ID 20 -.
to bed.
In place where Il f. difficult to sur
prise people. they were astonished
women as they removed the angels
dainty stained and torn clothing.
peeled OF hose muck baked TO her
limbs. soaked the dried loan from her
filken hair and washed the beautiful
trratched. bruised. dirt covered body.
The angel fell fast asleep long before
they had finished. and lay deeply un-
conscious. while the fight for Freckles'
life was being waged.
Three days later she was up early
and lowering near Freckles' door.
The surgeon was with him. The
angel had been told that the word
he brought that morning would be
FINAL. so she curlcd up In a window
seat, dropped the curtains behind her.
and. In dire anxiety. waited the open
ing OF that closed door.
Just as II Enclosed. Mclean camo
hurrying down the hall and up to the
surgeon. but with one glance at his
face he stepped back In dismay. and
the angel. who had risen. sank to the
seat again, too dazed to come forward.
The men faced each other. The
angel. with parted lips and frightened
eyes, bent forward In tense anxiety.
IL thought he was doing nicelyT"
Mclean.
"He bore the operation well.- 70
piled the surgeon. "and his wounds
are not necessarily fatal told you
that yesterday. but did not tell you
that something else would probably
from the accident. but he will not
live the day out because he so evil
IDENTIFY prefers death TO life. II he
were full OF hope and ambition TO live,
my work would be easy. II all OF you
love him as you prove you do, and
there is unlimited means TO give him
anything he wants, why should he
ieslre deathT
''Is he dylngr demanded Mclean.
"He is" said the surgeon. "He will
,ot live this day out unless some
strong reaction sets In at once. He Is
70 low that, preferring death 10 life,
nature cannot overcome his inertia. |
II he is TO live. he must be made to
iesire life"
Then he must die" said Mclean.
Does that mean that you know |
what he desires and cannot. or will |
lot, supply III"
ut means" said Mclean desperately, !
that l know what he wants, but Il is |
ls far removed from my power to give
{ to him as II would be TO give him n
tar. The thing for which he will die /
he can never have"
Then you must prepare for the end
Fery shortly" said the surgeon, turn
ng abruptly away.
Mclean caught his arm roughly.
Look herel" he cried In desperation.
You say that as II l could do some