The Emmett index. [volume] (Emmett, Idaho) 1893-1925, 1912-03-07
FRECKLES
Continued from Page G.


coming to take out the timber All the
time the saw was slowly eating, eat.
ing into the big tree.
Wessner went out to the trail and
removed the wire. Then be stood In
front Of Freckles and laughed in dew
ilish hate. Freckles found himself
looking fear In the face and marveled
that he was not afraid Four to one.
The tree halfway eaten through. the
wagons coming up the inside road, he
bound and gagged! The men with
Black Jack and Wessner had belong
ed to McLean's gang when last he had
heard of them, but who those coming
with the wagons might be ne could
not guess.
If they secured that tree Mclean
lost its value. lost his wager and lost
his faith in him. The words of the
angel hammered in his ears. "Oh.
Freckles. do watch closely"
And the saw ate on.
When the tree was down and loaded
what would they do? Pull out and
leave him there to report them? 1t
was not to be hoped for. The place
had always been lawless. 1t could
mean but one thing.
A mist swept before his eyes. and his
head swan. Was it only last night
that he had worshiped the angel in a
delirium of happiness? And now
what? Wessner. released from a turn
at the saw. walked over TO the flower
bed and, tearing up a handful of rare
ferns by the roots. started toward
Freckles. His intention was obvious.
Black Jack stopped him with an oath.
You see here. Dutchy." he bawled,
smebby you think you'll wash his face
with that, but you won't. A contracts
a contract. We agreed to take out
these trees and leave him for you to
dispose of whatever way you please,
provided you shut him up eternally on
this deal. But I'll not see tied man
tormented by fellow that he can lick
up the ground with. loose, and that's
fat 1t raises my gorge to think what
he'll get when we're gone, but you
needn't think you're free to begin be-
fore. Don't you lay a hand on him
while I'm here! What do you say,
boys?"
81 say yes" growled one of Nc
Leans latest deserters. whats
more. we're pack of fools to risk the
iirtv work of silencing him. / don't
mind lifting the trees we came for, but
I'm cursed If l want blood on my
hands"
"Well. you amt going to get it," bel
tracted to help me get out my mark
ed trees. He belongs to Wessner. and
1t amt our deal what happens to him.
It's all planned safe and sure. AS for
killing that buck-come to think Of it,
killing is what he needs. He's away
to good for this world of woe anyhow.
His dropping out won't be the only
secret the old Limberlost has never
told. It's too dead easy to make it
ook like he helped take the timber and
hen cut. Why. he's played right into
our hands. He was here 1.-THE swamp
Ill last night and back again in an
hour or so. When we get our plan |
worked out even old fool Duncan |
won't lift finger to look for his car
ASS"
You just bet" said Wessner. Il
I'VE him all he'll get. But I'll pay"
lie snarled at Freckles.
So it was killing then. They were |
lot only after this one tree, but many,
md with his body 1t was their plan |
o kill his honor. To brand him |
hief, like them, before the angel. the
Bird Woman, the dear boss and the
1uncans! Freckles' body sagged
gainst the ropes in sick despair.
There was no hope of McLean's
omlng. They had chosen a day when
hey knew he had a big contract at
he south camp. The boss could not
ossibly come before tomorrow, and
here would be no tomorrow for him.
duncan was on his way to the south
amp. and the Bird Woman had said
he would come as soon as she could.
.fter the fatigue of the party it was
seless to expect her and the angel
)dav, and God save them from COM
lg.
The sweat broke out on Freckles'
orehead. He tugged at the ropes
-henever he felt that he dared. but
ley were passed about the tree and
is body several times and knotted on
is chest. He resolved that he would
ear in mind what he had once heard
lie Bird Woman say. He would go
ut bonnily. Never would he let them
,e if he grew afraid. After all, what
id it matter what they did to his
ody if by some scheme of the devil
ley could compass his disgrace?
Then hope suddenly rose high in
rockies breast. They could not do
lat. The angel would not believe.
either would Mclean. He would
eep up his courage. Kill him they
,uld; dishonor him they could not.
Yet. summon all the fortitude he
light. that saw eating into the tree
sped his nerves worse and worse.
18th whirling. brain he gazed off into
e Limberlost. searching for some
ing. he knew not what. and in blank
,rror found his eyes fastened on the
lgel. She was quite distance
way. but he could see her white lips
I'd wide. angry eyes.