The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1912-02-24

present." said Freckles. Duncan
only comes to town once a week and
at times not that. He's home tonight
for the first III q week: Hes watch
ing an hour for me until / was COM
ing to the Bird Woman with bit of
work l thought she'd be caring to
hear about. Is she where I can see
herr"
The angei's face ciouded.
"What a disappointment.' she cried.
II did % want all my friends to know
you. Can't you stay anywayy'
Freckles glanced from his wading
boots to the patent feathers Of some
Of the angels friends near by and
smiled whimsically, but there was no
danger of his ever misjudging her
again.
"You know I cannot, ANGEL be said.
II am afraid do" she said ruefully.
ats too bad. But there is a thing
want for you more than to come to my
party, and that is to hang on and win
with your work. think Of you ev.
cry day, and l just pray that those
thieves are not getting ahead of you.
Oh. Freckles, do watch closely!"
She was so lovely picture as she
stood before him. ardent iii Ills cause,
that Freckles could not take his eyes
from her to notice what her friends
were thinking. II she did not mind.
why should he? Anyway. If they real
" were the angels friends probably
they were better accustomed to her
ways than he. So
"Must 1 60 for the Bird Woman? p
she pleaded.
"1ndade, you must" answered Free
kles firmly.
The angel returned to Say that the
Bird Woman was telling a story to
those inside and she could not come
for q short time.
'You won't come in?' she pleaded.
81 must mott said Freckles. II am
not dressed to be among your friends"
1'Then." said the angel. I'VE mustn't
60 through the house. because it would
disturb the story, but want you to
come around the outside way to the
conservatory and have some Of my
birthday lunch and get some cake to
take to Mrs. Duncan and the babies"
The night was warm and the angel
most beautiful and kind. A sort Of
triple delirium Of spirit. mind and body
seized upon Freckles and developed a
holiness all unnatural. He slightly
parted the heavy curtains that separat-
ed the conservatory from the company
and looked in. He almost stopped
breathing. He had read of things like
that. but he had never seen them.
"Do you suppose heaven is any finer
than that?" asked Freckles.
The angel burst into a laugh.
"Do you want to be laughing harder
than that?" queried Freckles.
"A laugh is always good" said the
angel. "a little more avoirdupois
won't hurt me. Go ahead"
"Well, then" said Freckles. ''it's only
that feel all over as If I belonged in
there. l could wear fine clothes and
move over those floors and hold ME
own against the best Of them"
"But where does my laugh come In p
demanded the angel as IL she had been
defrauded.
"And you ask me where the laugh
comes in. looking me in the face after
that" marveled Freckles.
II wouldn't be SO foolish as to laugh
at such manifest truth as that" said
the angel. ANY one that knows you
even half as we'll as do knows that
you are never guilty Of discourtesy
and you move with twice the grace OF
any man here. Why shouldn't you feel
as II you belonged where people are
graceful and courteous?'
ION me soul.' said Freckles, "you
are Kind to be thinking it. You are
doubly kind to be saying it,
The curtains parted, and a woman
came toward them. Her silks and
laces trailed along the polished floors.
The lights cleaned on her neck and
arms and flashed from rare Jewels.
She was smiling brightly and until
she spoke Freckles had not fully re.
allied that it was his loved Bird Won.
an.
Noticing his bewilderment. she cried,
"Why, Freckles, don't you know ME
in my war clothes?'
II do In the uniform in which you
fight the Limberlost." said Freckles.
The Bird Woman broke into laugh.
Then he told her why he had come.
CHAPTER XIV.