Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1912-05-23
FRECK IS
BY
Gene SGr@&G@m=
Porter
COPYRIGHT. 1904. BY DOUBLEDAY. PAGE
& co.
COPYRIGHT. 1904. BY DOUBLEDAY. PACI
r. 20

"Why, if it amt me little chicken"
he cried hoarsely. HE must be max
ing his very first trip from the log.
Now Duncan can have his big water
ing trough"
1T was little chicken that made me
late" faltered the angel. 81 was so
anxious to get here early 1 forgot to
bring his breakfast from the carriage.
He must have been very hungry. for
when 1 passed the log he started after
me. He was so wabbly. and so slow
getting from tree to tree and through
the bushes, l just had to wait on him,
for l couldn't drive him back"
A spasm of fierce pain shook
Freckles, and a look Of uncertainty
crossed his face.
"All summer I've been thanking God
for the falling Of the feather and all
the delights it's brought me-" he NUT
tered. but this looks like
He raised questioning eyes to Nc
Lean.
II can't help being Irish. but l can
help being superstitious.' he said. 81
mustn't be laying it to the Almighty,
nor to me bird, must r."
"No, dear lad" said Mclean, stroking
the brilliant hair. 1.-The choice lay with
you. You could have stood a rooted
dolt like all the rest Of Us. 1t was
through your great love and your high
courage that you made the sacrifice"
Don't you be 81 naming it. sirw
cried Freckles. tits just the reverse.
If l could be giving me body the hun
dred times over to save hers from this,
I'd be doing it and take joy with every
pain"
He turned with a smile Of adoring
tenderness to the angel. She scarcely
seemed to hear or understand what
was coming. but she bravely tried to
answer that smile.
SIS me forehead covered with drip
he asked.
She shook her head.
you did once" he gasped.
Instantly she laid her lips on his
forehead. then on each cheek. and then
in a long kiss on his lips.
"Freckles." said Mclean brokenly,
"you will never know how I love you.
You won't go without saying good
! by to meY
That word stung the angel to quick
comprehension. She started as if
rousing from sleep.
"Goodby?' she cried sharply. Good.
by! What do you mean? Who's say
ing goodby? Where could Freckles 20,
when he is hurt like this. but to the
hospital? You call up the men. We
must start right away"
Its no use. angel" said Freckles;
"I'm thinking ivry bone in me breast
is smashed. You'll have to be letting
me go'
Il will not" said the angel fatty
"You are alive. You are breathing,
and no matter how badly your bones
are broken. what are great surgeons
for but to fix you up and make you
well again?"
"Oh. angel" moaned Freckles, ~
can't. You don't know how bad it is
I'll die the minute you are for trying
to lift mel"
"Of course you will. if you make ur
your mind to do it." said the angel
"Really you have to do it, Freckles
40 matter how it hurts you, for you
did this for me, and now l must save
you, so you might as well promise
You will promise. Freckles?"
Angel, darlin' angel" pleaded
Freckles, you amt understanding
and 1 can't for the life of me be telling
you. but. indade. it's best to be letting
me 60"
He appealed to Mclean.
Dear boss, you know! You be tell
ing her that, for me. living is fal
worse pain than dying. Tell her yor
know death is the best thing coulC
ever be happening to mel!