Oxford Democrat., 1912-06-11

eyes flashed. There's no sense In
that" she said. "How do you think
you would have felt when you knew
was warm and thirsty and you went
and brought me drink and wouldn't
take 1t because - because goodness
knows whyT'
She deliberately slipped her hand
under his arm-the right arm that
ended In an empty sleeve.
"You are coming" she said firmly.
Freckles' head swan.
please don't. angel" he said softly.
"You don't understand. II your ia.
ther came on to me on the street In
my station and dress with you on me
arm he'd have every right to be cam
ing me before the people. and not a
finger would l lift to stay him."
The angels eyes snapped. III you
think my father cares about my do
ing anything that is right and kind
and that makes me happy to do. why.
then you completely failed in reading
my father. and III ask him and just
show you"
She dropped Freckles' arm and turn.
ed toward the entrance to the build
ing. "Why. look there!" she exclaim.
ed.
Her father stood at a window,
watching the scene with eyes that
comprehended quite as thoroughly as
II he had heard every word. The an
gel made despairing gesture toward
Freckles The man Of affairs answer
ed her with a look of Infinite tender
ness. he nodded his head. and the
veriest dolt could have read the words
his lips formed. Take him along"
A sudden trembling seized Freckles.
The angel turned on him with tri.
umphing eyes. She was highly strung
and not accustomed to being thwart.
ed. Did you see thatY' she demand
ed. Now are you satisfied Will you
Gomez Freckles went
On every hand she was kept busy
giving and receiving the cheer!est
greetings. She walked into the parlors
exactly as II she owned them. A long
row Of people stared with varying de-
grees of insolence and curiosity as
Freckles had felt they would. He
glanced at the angel. Now would she
see?
ION my soulr' he muttered under his
breath. They don't aven touch her"
She turned the full battery Of her
eyes on the attendant.
81 want to mix a drink for my
friend" she said. He has long. hot
ride before him. and don't want him
started Of with one vi ,uose Old paiate
teasing sweetnesses that you mix JUST
on purpose to drive man back In ten
minutes. want a clear, cool. spar
king drink that has tang OF acid In
it."
The angel compounded the drink and
carried the brimming glass 10 Freckles.
he said In the mellOwest Of all the
mellow tones of his voice. I'll be
drinking It to the Swamp Angel
And as he had said to her that hrst
day the angel now cautioned him. "be
drinking slowly"
As the screen door swung behind
them one Of the men at the counter
asked of the attendant. Now. what
did that mean?"
Exactly what you saw" replied ne
rather curtly. Were accustomed 10
II In here. Hardly day passes this
hot weather but she's picking up some
poor. god forsaken mortal and or1ng.
ing him In. Then she comes behind
the counter herself and fixes up
drink to suit the occasion"
mighty queer specimen she had tnis
time" volunteered another. wonder
who he is?
"I think" said a third. THAT he's
McIean's LimberlOst guard. and sus'
pect she's gone to the swamp with the
Bird Woman for pictures and knows
him that way"
Out on the street the angel walked
beside Freckles to the 6rst crossing
and there she stopped.
"Did YOU insist on fixing that drink
because you knew how intoxicating
'twould be-" asked Freckles.
There was subtlety In the comph'
ment. and the angel laughed gleefui'y
Next time maybe you won't take NJ
much coaxing." she said.
~ wouldn't this II had known your
father and been understanding you
better. Do you really think the Bro
Woman will be coming again"
The angel jeered. "Wild horses
couldn't drag her away" she cried
.-She will have hard work to walt tnt
week out. shouldn't be in the ieas'
SURPRISED to see her start any hour"
Freckles couldn't bear the suspense
II had to come.
"And you:" he questioned. but n'
dared not lift his eyes.
"Wild horses me. too" she iaugneo
couldn't keep me away either! Now
goodby."
Freckles was half way to the Lin
berlost when he dism0unted. He coult
ride no farther. because he could no
see the road. he sat down under
tree and. leaning against 1t. burst Int
a storm of sobs that shook. twisted
and rent him. II they would remint
him of his. position. speak condescend
ingly or notice his hand he coult
bear II. but this-it would surely xii
him. His hot. pulsing Irish bloo'
could not bear it. What did the!
mean? Why did they do 1T "er
they Ike that to every one2 Was
pity?
It could not be. for he knew that tn
Bird Woman and the angels fathe
must know that be was not really Nc
Leans son. and 1t did not matter q
them in the least. In spite Of acci
dent and poverty. they evidently ex
pected him to do something WORT
while in the world. That must be hi
remedy. He must 60 to work on hi
education. He must get away. 81
must find and do the great thing o
which the angel talked. For the hrs
time his thoughts turned anxiously to
ward the city and the beginning OF hi
studies. Mclean and the duncan
spoke Of him as 1.-The boy" but he wa
a man. he musfface life bravely AM
act a mans part The angel was
mere child. he must not allow be
to torture him past bearing with ne
frank comradeship that meant TO biz