The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1912-02-24

&c W00l0 tAke them TO PACK ana e.
started. He knew now that they
would understand and the angel
would try to get the boss there In
time to save his wager. She could
never do It, for the saw was over half
through and Jack and Wessner cut
ting into the opposite side of the tree.
1t looked as If they could get at least
that tree out before Mclean could
come.
When it was down would they re-
bind him and leave him for Wessner
to wreak his insane vengeance on. or
would they take him along to tho
next tree and dispose Of him when
they had stolen all the timber they
could? Jack had said that he should
not be touched until he left. Surely
he would not run all that risk for one
tree when he had many others Of far
greater value marked.
Once Jack came over to Freckles
and asked If he had any water.
Freckles rose and showed him where
he kept his drinking water. Jack
drank in great gulps. and as he pass.
ed the bucket back he said: when a
mans got a chance of catching fine
girl like that he ought not to be mix
ed up In any dirty business. I wish
was out Of this.'
Freckles answered heartily, II wish
I was too"
Jack stared at him a minute and
then broke into roar Of rough laugh
ter.
"Blest IL blame you," he said.
"But you had your chance. We offer
ed you fair thing. and you gave
Wessner his answer. amt envying
you when he gives you his.''
you're six to one." answered Free
kles. ut will be easy enough for you
to be killing the body Of me, but,
curse you all, you can't blacken me
soulv'
I'D give anything you could name
If had your honesty" said Jack.
When the mighty tree fell the Linn
berlost shivered and screamed with
the echo. Freckles groaned in despair.
but the gang took heart. That was
SO much accomplished. Now, II they
could get 1t out quickly they knew
where to dispose of it safely with no
questions asked. Before the day was
over they could remove three others
worth far more than this.
On the line. the angel gave one
backward glance at Black Jack to see
that he had returned to his work.
Then she gathered her skirts above
her knees and leaped forward on the
run. In the first three yards she
passed Freckles' wheel. Instantly she
imagined that was why no had insist
ed OH her coming by the trail She
seized 1t and sprung on. The saddle
was too high. but she was an expert
rider and could catch the pedals as
they came up. She stopped at Dun
cans cabin long enough to get out the
wrench and lower the saddle. telling
Mrs. Duncan the while what was hap
pening and that she must follow the
east trail until she found the Bird
Woman to tell her she had gone for
Mclean and to leave the swamp as
quickly as possible.
The angel saw Mrs. Duncan started
and then few.
Those awful miles Of corduroy!
Would they never end? The bushes
claimed her hat, and she did not stop
for 1t.
At last she lifted her head. Surely
1t could not be more than a mile now.
She had covered two Of corduroy and
at least three Of pike. and it was only
six in all. She was Keeling In the
saddle. but she gripped the bars with
new energy and raced desperately.
The sun blistered down on her bare
head and hands. Just when she was
choking with dust and almost PROS
trate with heat and exhaustion-crash,
she ran into a broken bottle! Snapl