Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1912-05-28

repate the performance"
Again an awful wrenching seized
Mclean. Freckles stepped back as
Wessner. tottering and reeling ike
thoroughly drunken man. came toward
the path. looking indeed as II wildcats
had taken their fill Of him.
The cudgel spun high in air. and
catching It with an expertness ac'
uuired by long practice on the line. the
boy twirled 1t a second and. stepping
out into the trail, followed Wessner.
Because Freckles was Irish 1t was I'M
possible to do It silently. and presently
his clear tenor rang out. though there
were bad clutches where he was hard
pressed for breath:
ut was the Dutch 1t was the Dutch.
Do you think It was the Irish noiiereo
help? Not much!
II was the Dutch. 1t was the Dutch
Wessner turned and mumbled: "What
you following me for? What are you
going to do with me?"
Freckles called the Limberlost to Wit
ness. Flows that for the ingratitude
of q beast: And me troubling meself
to show him off me territory with the
honors of war;"
Then he changed his tone completely
and added: Belize it's this. Freddy.
You see. the boss might come riding
down this trail any minute. and the
little mares so wheedlesome that II
she'd come on to you in your prisint
state all of sudden she'd stop that
short she'd send Mr.. Mclean out over
the ears Of her. No disparagement In
tinded TO the sinse Of the marep' he
added hastily.
Wessner helched fearful oath, and
Freckles laughed merrily.
"That's sample of the thanks
generous acts always for getting. he
Continued. Here's me neglectin me
work to eschort you out proper. and
you saying such awful words. Fred
dy." he demanded sternly. do you
want me TO soap out your mouth!
You don't seem to be realizing 1t. but
II YOU was to buck into Mr.. Mclean
in your prisint state without me there
to explain matters the chance Is he'd
cut the liver out of you, and shouldn't
think you'd be wanting such fine GIN
tleman rs him to see that It's white.
Wessner grew ghastly under his
CRIME and broke into staggering run.
Freckles twirled the baton and stood
like soldier at attention" until
Wessner left the clearing. but 1t was
the last scene of that performance.
When the boy turned there was a
deathly illness In his face. and his legs
wavered like reeds beneath bis weight.
He staggered back to the case, and
opening 1t, he took out piece of CLOTH
He dipped 1t into the water and. sit
ting on q bench. he wiped the blood
and CRIME from his face, while his
breath sucked between his clnched
teeth. He was shivering with pain
and excitement In spite Of himself.
He unbuttoned the band Of his right
sleeve, and. turning 1t back. exposed
the blue lined. calloused whiteness OF
his MANNED arm. now vividly streaked
with contusions, while in series Of
circular dots the blood oozed slowly
Here Wessner had succeeded in setting
his teeth. When Freckles saw what 1t
was he forgave himself the kick In the
pit of Wessner's stomach.
"Freckles. Freckles," said McLean's
voice
Freckles snatched down his sleeve
and rose to his feet.
excuse me. sir" he said. you'll
surely be belavin' ! thought meself
alone"
Mclean pushed him carefully to the
seat and. bending over him. opened a
pocket case that he carried as regu-
larly as his revolver and watch. for
cuts and bruises were OF daily oc-
currence among the gang.
Taking the hurt arm, he turned back
the sleeve and bathed and bound up
the wounds. He examined Freckles'
head and body and convinced himself
that there was no permanent injury.
Then he sat down beside FrecRies.
All the indescribable beauty OF the
place was strong about him. but ne
,aw only the bruised face Of the SUI
fering boy, who had hedged for the In
formation he wanted like diplomat
argued Ike a judge, fought like
sheik and triumphed like devil.
As the pain lessened and breath
caught up with Freckles' pounding
heart he watched the boss from the
tail Of his eye. How had Mclean got
there. and how long had he been
there? Freckles did not dare ask. AT
last he arose and. going to the case.
took out his revolver and the wire
mending apparatus and locked the
door. Then he turned to Mclean.
"Haye you any orders. Gr?' ne ASK
ed.
"Yes," said Mclean. II have. and
you are to follow them to the letter.
Turn over that apparatus to me and
70 straight home. Soak yourself IN
the hottest bath your skin will bear
and 20 to bed at once. Now. hurry.
.Mr. Mclean" said Freckles, ITS
sorry I am to be telling you. but the
afternoons walking of the line amt
done. You see. was just for getting
to me feet to start. and was on good
time when up came a gintleman. ana
wa got into q little heated argument
TIA either settled or it's just begun
but between US I'm that late maven
started for the afternoon yet. l mus!
be going at once. for there's a tree
must find before the days over"
"You plucky little idiot" growleo
Mclean, 'you can't walk the line!
doubt II you can get to Guncsns
Don't you know when you are Done
up? You 60 to bed. III nnisn your
work"