Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1912-05-23

on the moor train and l want him
to hold it If we are a little late. If
he can't then have a special ready at
the station and another on the Pitts
burg at Fort Wayne. so we can go
straight through. You needn't mind
leaving us. The Bird Woman will be
here soon.
When they stood ready to lift
Freckles the angel bent over him in
a passion of tenderness.
Dear old Limberlost guard, we're
going to lift you now" she said. 81
suspect you will faint from the pain
Of it. but we will be just as easy as
ever we can. and don't you dare
forget your promise!"
A whimsical half smile touched
Freckles' q%uivering lips.
CANCEL, can a man be remembering
he asked.
you can" said the angel stoutly,
because a promise means so much
more to you than it does to most men"
A look of strength flashed into
Freckles' face at her words.
II am ready" he said.
With the first touch his eyes closed.
a mighty groan was wrenched from
him. and he lay senseless. The angel
gave Duncan n panic stricken look.
Then she set her lips and gathered her
forces again.
II guess that's a good thing" she
said. Maybe he won't feel how we
are hurting him. Oh. boys. are you
being quick and gentle?"
She stepped to the side Of the cot
and bathed Freckles' face. Taking his
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 tax
ing the angel into the carriage and fol-
lowing the cot. but the angel refused
to leave Freckles and suggested that
the Bird Woman drive ahead. pack
them some clothing. and be at 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 h~eartbreaking anxiety.
She scarcely knew when her father
Joined them, and, taking the branch
| from hnr C0irnnI M 0rrr q hnJ1% hnV
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 Limberlost. When the train pull
ed in and the gang placed Freckles
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 it was made up and
waiting.
At 5 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
her bruises attended to. and be put
to bed.
In a place where it is difficult to sur
prise people. they were astonished
women as they removed the angels
dainty stained and torn clothing,
peeled off hose muck baked to her
limbs. soaked the dried loan from her
silken hair and washed the beautiful,
scratched. bruised, dirt covered body.
the angel fell fast asleep long before
they had finished, and lay deeply I'm
conscious, while the fight for Freckles'
life vas 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 curled up in a window
seat, dropped the curtains behind her,
and, in dire anxiety. waited the open
ing Of that closed door.
Just as it Enclosed, Mclean came
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.
I'll thought he was doing nicely?'
faltered Mclean.
"He bore the operation WE'LL" re.
piled the surgeon, land his wounds
are not necessarily fatal. I told you
that yesterday, but I did not tell you
that something else would probably
kill him. and it will. He need not die
from the accident, but he will not