Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1912-03-21
said Lord O'More's wife.

said Lord OMore's wife.
"Ohr cried the angel. ION, N.Y.
She lifted her clear eyes to LORD
O'More's and shook her head
"She never, never could do that.
she said. But It's mighty big thing
to your credit that she thinks she
could. guess III tell you why
came"
She laid down the paper and touched
the portrait.
when you were just boy. did
neoplc call YOU f'rcckles z" she asked.
"Dozens of good fellows all over Ire
land and the continent are doing it to-
day." answered Lord O'More.
The angels face lighted with her
most beautiful smile.
IL was sure of It," she said winning
". "rhat's what we call him. and he
is so like you. | doubt If any one of
those three boys of yours are more so.
But It's been twenty years. Seems to
me you've been long time coming."
Lord O'More caught the angels
wrists and his wife slipped her arms
about her.
STEADY. my girl" said the mans
voice hoarsely. Don't make me think
you've brought word Of the boy at this
last hour unless you know surely"
IFS all right" said the angel. I'VE
have him. and there's no chance of a
mistake. II l hadn't gone to that home
for his little clothes and heard of you
ho
you on the street, or anywhere, I
should have stopped you and asked you
who you were just because you are so
like him. It's all right. can tell
you where Freckles is; but whether
you deserve to know-that's another
natter
Lord O'More did not hear her. He
dropped back in his chair and, covering
his face, burst into those terrible sobs
that shake and rend strong man.
Lady O'More lowered over him, weep
ing
"Umph. Looks pretty fair for Free
klcs." muttered the angel. Lots OF
things can be explained. Now perhaps
they can explain this"
They did explain so fully that in a
few minutes the angel was on her feet
hurrying Lord and Lady OMore to
reach the hospital.
You said Freckles' old nurse knew
his mothers picture instantly" said
the angel. Il want that picture and
the bundle Of little clothes"
Lady O'More gave them into her
hands.
painted on ivory with a frame of
beaten gold. and the face that looked
out of 1t was Of extreme beauty and
surprising sweetness. Surrounded by
masses of dark hair was a delicately
cut face, with big eyes. In the upper
part of it there was no trace Of
Freckles, but the lips curving in
smile were his very own. The angel
gazed ms if she could never leave of.
Then with a quivering breath she laid
the portrait aside and reached both
arms for Lord O'More's neck.
THAT will save Freckles' life and
insure his happiness" she said posi-
lively. ''Thank you. oh, thank you for
comlng"
She kissed and Rugged him and then
the wife who had come with him. She
opened the bundle of yellow and
brown linen and gave just glance
ut the texture and work Then she
gathered the little clothes and the pic
f,r i'm. nj LODI
the cab.
Ushering Lord and Lady O'More into
the reception room, she said to Nc
Lean, "Please 90 call up my father
and ask him to come on the first
train"
She swung the door after him.
These are Freckles people," she
said to the Bird Woman. You can
find out about each other. I'm going
to him."
And she was gone.
The nurse left the room quietly as
the angel entered, still carrying the
bundle and the picture When they
were alone the angel turned to
Freckles and saw that the crisis was,
indeed. at hand
Angel" he painted. "Oh, angel!
Did you get them? Are they white?
Arc the little stitches there? Oh, an.
gel! Did me mother love meY'
The words seemed to leap from his
burning lips. The angel dropped the
bundle on the bed and laid the pic
ture. face down, across his knees She
gently pushed his head to the pillow
and caught his arms In firm grasp.
Eyes, dear heart" she said with
fullest assurance. mo little clothes
were ever winter l never in all my
life saw such dainty. fine little
stitches. and, MS for loving you, no
boys mother ever loved him morew
great trembling seized Freckles
Sure? Are you sure?" he urged,
with clicking teeth.
Il know" said the angel firmly.
And. Freckles, while you rest and
be glad l want to tell you q little
story. When you feel stronger We
VIII look Mt the clothes together.
Ihey are here. They are all right.
but When ] was Mt the home getting
them l heard Of some people that
were hunting lost boy. I went to see
them, and what they told me was all
SO exactly like what might have han
pened to YOU that must tell YOU.
Then you'll see that things could be
very different from what you have
always tortured yourself with think.
ing"
Freckles lay quiet under her touch