Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1912-02-22
nay. and God save them from com.


soc II he grew afraid. After all. what
did 1t matter what they did to his
body n by some scheme of the devil
they could compass his disgrace?
Then hope suddenly rose high In
Freckles' breast. They could not do
that. The angel would not believe.
Neither would Mclean. He would
keep up his courage. XIII him they
could; dishonor him they could not.
Yet, summon NIL the fortltude he
might, that saw eatine into the tree
rasped his nerves worse and worse.
With whr!ing brain he gazed on into
the Limberlost, searching for some
thing he knew not what. and in blank
horror found his eyes fastened on the
angel. She was quite distance
away. but be could see her white lips
and wide, angry eyes.
Last week he had taken her and the
Bird Woman ncross the swamp over
the path he followed in going in from
his room to the chicken tree. He had
told them last night that the butterfly
tree WIS on the line close to this path.
day he failed to reckon with the en-
thusiasm of the Bird Woman. They
must be there for the study. and tho
angel had risked crossing the swamp
in search of him Or was there some
thing in his room they needed? The
blood surged in his ears like the roar
Of the Limberiost in the wrath of q
storm.
He looked again. and II had been a
dream. She was not there. Had she
been: For his ,ife Freckles could not
tell whether he had really seen tho
angel or whether his strained senses
had played him the most cruel trick Of
al. Or was 1t not the kindestf Now
he could die with the vision OF her
lovely face fresh with him.
THANK you for that, O God!'
whispered Freckles. "'Twas more
than kind Of you, and don't s'pose
Z sht to be wanting anything more,
but If you can. on. wish could know
| before this ends II twas me mother
Freckle; could not even whisper the
words for he hesitated second and
! ended-"if twas me mother did it,
"Freckles! Freckles Oh. Freckles!'
| the voice Of the angel came call
ing. Freckles swayed forward and
wrenched at the rope until it cut deep.
ly into his body.
Black Jack whipped out revolver
and snatched the gag from Freckles'
mouth.
"Say Quick. what's that. or It's up
It'll you tight low Ind whoever that
Is with vou,"
81 he girl the Bird Woman takes
about with her." whispered kreckles
through dry, swollen lips.
"They amt due here for five days
yet" SAID Wessner. I'VE got on to
that last week.
Yes" said Freckles, but ! found a
tree covered with butterflies and
things along the east line yesterday
that I thought the Bird Woman would
vant extra. and went to town for
! her last nigh She said she'd come
soon. but she didn't say when. take
care of the girl while the Bird Won
I'M works. Unite me quick until she
is gone III try to send her back,
and then you can go on with your dir
ty work"
HE amt lying" volunteered Wess'
ner. Il saw that tree covered with
| but .ert,ies and him watching around
! it when we were spying ON him yes
terday."
"No. he leaves lying to your sort,
snapped Black Jack az he undid the
rope and pitched it across the room
Remember that you're covered every
move you make. my buck" he caution
ed.
"Freckles. Frecklesw came the an
gels impatient voice. nearer and near
er.
~ must be answering" said Free
klcs. and Jack nodded. Right here!'
he called. and to the men: You go or
with your work. and remember one
thing yourselves. The work Of the
Bird Woman ia known all over the
world. This girls father Is a rich
man, and she IS all he has. II you
offer hurt CT any kind to either of
them this world has no place far
enough away uor dark enough for you
TO be hiding In"
"Freckles, where are your demand
ed the anss;.
Soul sick with fear for Ter. Neckles
went toward her ar parted the
bushes that she might enter. She
came through without apparently CIV
Ing him Il glance. and the first words
the said were: Why have the gsnE
como so soon? didn't know You ex-
pected them for three weeks yet. Or
is this some special tree that Mr.. Nc
Lean needs to fill an cster right nowT'
Freckles hesitsted Would man
dare lie to save himself? No. But to
save the angel--surely that was differ
ent. He opened his lips. but the an
gel WAS capable Of saving herself. She
walked in among them. exactly as II
she had been raised in Il lumber camp
and never waited for an answer.
why. your specimen casew she
cried. Look! Haven't you noticed
that it's tipped over! Set 1t straigh,
Quicklyw
A couple Of men stepped out and
carefully righted the case.
There; that's better" she said
"Frsckles. I'm surprised at your be
ing 40 careless. 1t would be q shame
o.