Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1912-03-07

oWA OVVOs 0u0 Wulheu tuo otsooOS VI
the town with me before her friends
with all the pride Of a queen. she
forgot herself and didn't mind the
Bird Woman, and run big risks to help
me out that f1rst day. sir. This last
time she walked into that gang OF
inurderers, took their leader and
Twisted him to the Will Of her. She
outdone him and raced the life almost
out Of her trying to save me.
"Since can reminder, whatever the
thing was that happened to me In the
beginning has been me curse. I've
been bitter, hard and smarting under
It hopelessly. She came by and found
me voice and put hope Of life and suc-
cess like other men into mo in spite of
IT,"
Freckles held up bis manned arm.
Look at It, sirw he said. "A thou.
sand, times I've cursed It, hanging
there helpless. She took It on the
street, before all the people. just az If
she didn't see that 1t was n thing to
hide and shrink from. Again and
again I've had the feeling with her.
If didn't entirely forget It. that she
didn't see It was gone and must pull
her sleeve and be pointing 1t out to
her. Her touch on 1t was so sacred
like, at times since I've caught meself
looking at the awful thing near like
I was proud Of II, SIR. IL 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 I do and
all me lack OF birth, home. relatives
and money and what's 1t all to herr"
Freckles stepped back from Mclean.
squared his shoulders and with
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 sanctifed. 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
rasked 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. a man. a big. strong
man, and letting her live under that
fearful oath, so worse than any death
'twould be for her. and lifting not a
finger to save her. I cannot boar 1t.
SIR It's killing me by inches! II any
evil comes to her through Black Jack
1t comes from her angel like goodness
to me. Somewhere he's hiding!
Somewhere he Is waiting his chance!
Somewhere he IL reaching out for her!
I tell you cannot, dare not be bear
ing 1t iongerr'
"Freckles, be quiet.' said Mclean,
his eyes humid. believe me, did not
understand. I know the angels father
well. I will 90 to him at once. have
transacted business with him for the
last three years. will make him see!
I am only just beginning to realize
your agony and the real danger there
IS for the angel. will see that she
Is fully protected every hour OF the
day and night until Jack is located and
disposed of. And promise ~"u further
that If fail to move her father or
make him understand the danger
will maintain a 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 1t,
Freckles?" asked Mclean. DO You
known that It is very valuableT
II was for almost praying so. sir"
said Freckles. "As saw 1t coming up
the bank thought this: Once some
where in book there was a picture of
a young girl. and she was just breath
like the beautifulness Of the angel. Her
hands were in a mum as big as her
body, and I thought 1t was so pretty.
I think she was some queen. or the
like. Do you suppose could have this
skin tanned and made into such muff
as that-an enormous big one. sir:"
"Of course you can." said Mclean.
That's a fine idea and it's easy
enough. It would be mighty fine
thing for you to give to the angel as
little reminder Of the Limberlost be-
fore 1t is despoiled. and as souvenir
of her trip for you"
Freckles lifted q face with q glow of
happy color creeping into 1t and eyes
lighting with q former brightness.
Throwing his arms about Mclean. he
cried "Oh. how love you. Oh,
wish could make you know how
love your
Mclean strained him TO his breast.
God bless you, Freckles." no said.
Il 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. ana then rest? l don't know but
sleep will come sooner and deeper to
take the ride and have your mind set
at eaAe befmo' you ns down. Suppose
you co."
Suppose I d." said Freckles, With 4
glimmer Of the old light In his eyes
and newly found strength to shoulder
tho 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