The Irish standard., 1912-03-09


ging your pardon-voice culture" said
Freckles with a grimace.
The angel gave Mclean the head of
the table. She took the foot, with
Freckles on her right. and the lumber
gang. washed. brushed and straight
ened until they felt unfamiliar with
themselves and each other. filed the
Sides
1t was several days before they com,
pleted road to the noble. big tree and
were ready to fell 1t. When the saw
was we'll in Freckles began watching
down the road where it met the trail
leading from Little Chickens tree. He
had gone to the tree ahead Of the gang
and taken down the blue ribbon. Care
fully folded, it now lay over his heart
He was promising himself good deal
Of comfort with that ribbon when he
should go to the city next month to
begin his studies and dream the sum-
mer over again. 1t would help to
make things tangible. When he was
dressed as other men and about his
work he knew where he meant to
home that precious bit of blue. It
should be his good luck token. and he
would wear it always to keep bright
in memory the day on which the angel
had called him her knight.
How he would study. and. oh. how
he would sing! If he could fulfill Nc
Leans expectations. and make the
angel proud of him! If he could only
be real knight!
he could not understand why the
angel had failed to come. She had
wanted to see their tree felled. She
would be too late If she did not ar.
rive soon. The men were sending
ringing blows into the telling side Of
the tree when the boss rode up.
His first word was to inquire for
the angel. When Freckles said she
had not yet come Nc Lean gave orders
to stop work on the tree until she
arrived. As the men stepped back a
stiff morning breeze caught the top
that lowered high above Its fellows
There was an ominous grinding at
the base. shiver Of the mighty
trunk, and directly in line of its fall
the bushes swung apart and the laugh.
ing face Of the angel looked in on
them.
A groan of horror burst from the dry
threats Of the men. and. reading the
agony in their faces. she stopped short,
glanced up and understood.
South" shouted Nc Lean. run
SOUTH!
The poor child was helpless. It was
patent that she did not know which
way south was. There was another
slow shiver Of the tree. The rest of
the gang stood as If rooted. but Freck-
les sprang past the trunk and went
leaping in great bounds. He caught
up the angel and dashed through the
thicket for safety. The swaying trunk
was half over when. just for an in.
slant. nearby tree stayed it's fall
They saw Freckles' foot catch. and
with the angel he plunged headlong.
A cry broke from the men. and Nc.
Lean covered his face. Instantly
Freckles was up. with the angel in
his arms plunging on again. The out
er limbs were on them when they
saw Freckles hurl the angel. face
down. in the muck. as far from him as
he could send her. Springing after
In an attempt to cover her body with
his own. he whirled to see If they were
still in danger. and with outstretched
arms braced himself for the shock.
The branches shut them from sight,
and the awful crash rocked the earth
Mclean and Duncan ran with axes
and saws. The rest Of the gang fol
lowed. and they worked like madmen
1t seemed an age before they caught
a glimpse Of the angels blue dress
and it renewed their vigor. Duncan
fell on his knees beside her and tore
the muck from underneath her with
his hands. In few seconds he drag.
ged her out. choking and stunned.
Freckles lay little farther under
the tree. a big limb pinning him down
Duncan began mining beneath him
but Freckles stopped him.
you can't be moving me-" be said
'You must cut OF the limb and lift It.
I know"
Two men ran for the big saw. A
number of them laid hold Of the limb
and bore up. In a little time it was
of, and Freckles lay free.
The men bent over him to lift him
but he motioned them away.
Don't be touching me until I rest q
Bit" he pleaded.
Then he twisted his head until be
saw the angel. who was digging muck
from her eyes and wiping it OF her
face on the skirt Of her dress.
'"Try to get up" be begged.
Mclean helped the angel to her feet
"Do you think any bones are bro
ken?" gasped Freckles. You see II
you can end any. SIR"
Mclean assured Freckles that she
, was not seriously injured.
Freckles settled back with q smile
Of ineffable tenderness on his face.
THANK the Lord!' he hoarsely
whispered.
The angel broke from Mclean.