The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1912-07-18

worked by a string. ryendIng over
Freckles reached an arm about wess
ner's waist and helped him to his feet
Careful. now" he cautioned: "b
careful, Freddy. There's danger Of yc'
hurting me-"
Fishing n handkerchief from a baci
pocket, Freckles tenderly wiped wess
ner's eyes and nose.
Come. Freddy. me child" he nd
monished wessner: ITS time iittl,
boys were getting home. I've me wori
to do and can't be entertaining yor
any more today. Come back tomor
row II you amt through yet and wei
repate the performance"
Again an awful wrenchlng seized
Mclean. Freckles stepped back a.
wessner. tottering and reeling like a
thoroughly drunken man. came toward
the path, looking indeed as II wildcats
had taken their oil of him.
The cudgel spun high in air, and
catching II with an experiences &C
uuired by long practice on the line. the
boy twirled It a second and. stepping
out into the trail, followed wessner
Because Freckles was Irish II was i'm.
possible to do II silently. and presently
his clear tenor rang out, though there
were bad catches where he was hard
pressed for breath:
ut was the Dutchi II was the Dutch.
Do you think II was the Irish hoiiered
help7 Not muchl
IL was the Dutch. IL was the Dutch
wessner turned and mumbled: "what
you following me for2 What are you
going to do with mer'
Freckles called the Limberlost TO wit
ness. SLOWS that for the ingratitude
OF a beast? And me troubling meself
TO show him of 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 prislnt
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 marey' he
added hastily.
wessner belched fearful oath, and
Freckles laughed merrily.
"That's q sample Of the thanks a
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 II, 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 CHASTITY under his
CRIME and broke into staggering run.
Freckles twirled the baton and stood
like soldier at attention" until
Wessner left the clearing. but II was
the last scene Of that performance.
When the boy turned there was n
deathly illness In his face. and his legs
like reeds beneath his weight
He staggered back to the case. and
opening II. he took out piece Of cloth.
He dipped It into the water and. sit
ting on bench. he wiped the blood
and CRIME from his face. while his
breath sucked between his clinched
teeth. He was shivering with pain
and excitement In spite of himself.
He unbuttoned the band Of his right
sleeve. and. turning II back, exposed
The blue lined. calloused Wilderness Of
his MANNED Srm. now vivhily streaked
With -contusiols. while in series of
circular dots the blood oozed slowly.
Here wessner had succeeded in setting
his teeth. When Freckles saw what II |
was he forgave himself the kick In the
pit of Wessners stomach.
"Freckles, Freckles." said McLean's |
voice.
Freckles snatched down his sleeve
and rose TO his feet
Excuse me. SIR" be said. you'll |
surely be belavin' / thought meself
llone."
Mclean pushed him carefully to the
'eat and. bending over him. opened a
rocket case that he carried as regu-
arly as his revolver and watch. for
'uts and bruises were OF daily &C. |
among the gang.
Taking the hurt arm. he turned back
he sleeve and bathed and bound up
he wounds. He examined Freckles'
lead and body and convinced himself
hat there was no permanent injury.
Then he sat down beside Freckles.
III the Understandable beauty Of the
lace was strong about him, but he
aw only the bruised face Of the SUI
ering boy, who had bedged for the In
ormatton he wanted like q diplomat.
rgued like Judge, fought like a
helix and triumphed like devil.
As the pain lessened and breath
aught up with Freckles' pounding
cart he watched the boss from the
all Of his eye. How had Mclean got
here. and how long had he been
herei Freckles did not dare ask. At
ast he arose and. going to the case.
ook out his revolver and the wire
,ending apparatus and locked the
DOR. Then he turned to Mclean.
"Have you any orders. sirY' he ask
q.