Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1912-04-04
PAGE SEVEN

son! asked the angel. Isn't the little
accent he has and the way he twists
a sentence too dear? And isn't it too
old fashioned and funny to hear him
call his father mister?"
cit sounds too good to be true" said
the Bird Woman, answering the last
question first. II am so tired with
these present day young men that
patronizingly call their fathers dad
governor old man and old chap
that the boys attitude of respect and
as silk. There must be something rare
about that young man."
But she did not find it necessary to
tell the angel that for several years
she had known the man who so proud
~ proclaimed himself Freckles' father
to be a bachelor and a Scotchman.
The Bird Woman had a fine way Of
attending strictly to her own business.
Freckles turned back to the trail, but
stopped at every wild brier and looked
at the pink satin of the petals. She
was not of his world. and better than
any other he knew it: but she might be
his angel. and he was dreaming Of
naught but blind. silent worship. He
finished the happiest day of his life,
and that night he went back to the
swamp as if drawn by a magnet. That
Wessner would try for his revenge he
knew. That he would be abetted by
Black Jack was almost certain. but
fear had fled the happy heart Of Freck-
les. He had kept his trust. He had
won the respect Of the boss. Nobody
could ever wipe from his heart the
flood of holy alteration that had welled
up with the coming Of his angel.
At the edge of the clearing he came
out into the bright moonlight, and
there sat Mclean on his mare. Freck-
les hurried up to him.
SIS there trouble?" he asked anxious
ly.
THAT'S what I wanted to ask you."
said the boss. 81 stopped at the cabin
to see you a minute before I turned in,
and they said you had come down
here. You must not do it, Freckles."
Freckles stood combing his fingers
through Nellie's name, and the dainty
creature was twisting her head around
to his caresses. He pushed back his
hat and looked up into McLean's face.
cts come to the sleep With one eye
open,' sir. I'm not looking for any
thing to be happening for a week or
two, but it's bound to come, and oon
If I'm to keep me trust as I've prom
ised you and meself, I've to live here
mostly until the gang comes. You
must be knowing that, sir"
I'm afraid it's true, Freckles.' said
Mclean. and I've decided to double
the guard until we get here. 1t will
only be Il few weeks now, and I'm so
anxious for you that you must not be
left alone further. If anything should
happen to YOU, Freckles, it would spoil
one of the very dearest plans of my
life"
Freckles heard with dismay the
proposition to place a second guard.
ooh. no. no. Mr.. Mclean" he cried.
"Not for the world! I wouldn't be hav-
ing a stranger around. soaring me
OiAoo III AitI1PAAS W LIZ StuuN dlO
disturbing all me ways for any money.
I am all the guard you need! I will be
faithful, I will turn over the lease
with no tree missing-on me life. I
will! Oh, don't be sending another
man to set them saying l turned cow
ard and asked for help. It will just
kill the honor Of me heart if you do
81 FTtN .o~1-- fL;,~ r 1,o 80 =, o-o4I@~
gun"
Mclean handed a shining big revol-
yer down to Freckles. who slipped it
beside the one already in his belt.
"Freckles." he said at last. 1--WE never
know the timbe" of a mans soul until
something cuts into him deeply and
brings the grain out stron". ~on've
the making of q mighty fin, p:, nf
furniture, my boy, and you shall have
your W way these few weeks yet.
Then if you will go I am going to take
you to the city and educate YOU, and
you are to be my son, my lad-my own
SON."
Freckles twisted his fingers in Mel
lies name to steady himself.
"But why should you be doing that,
sir" he faltered.
Mclean slid his arm down about the
boys shoulders and gathered him close
to him.
Because I love you, Freckles,'' he
said simply.
Mclean frightened his clasp a second
longer, then he rode away down the
trail.
Freckles lifted his hat and faced the
sky. The harvest moon looked down,
sheeting the swamp in silver glory.
The Limberlost sang her night song.
The swale softly rustled in the wind.
Winged things of night brushed his
face, and still Freckles gazed upward,
trying to fathom these things which
had come to him. To one above the
sky he must make acknowledgment
for these miracles. His lips moved
and he began softly:
"Thank you for each separate good
thing that has come to me-" he said.
"and, above all, for the falling Of the
feather, for if it didn't really fall from
an angel its falling brought an angel,