Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1912-03-28

'On, IreckleS, forgive me.
~ she cried. I've been through
so much that I'm scarcely myself or
wouldn't he here bothering you when
you should be sleeping. Or course you
couldn't. You're too good knight to
remember a thing like that. Or course
you are. And when you don't remem-
Der, why, then it's the same as if it
never happened. Oh. Freckles. I'm SO
glad. I'm so happy! It's dear of you
to not remember. Freckles; perfectly
dear. It's no wonder | love you so.
The wonder would be il did not. |
should like to know how I'm ever go
ing to make you understand how much
l love you."
Pillow and all. she caught him to
her breast. and then she was gone.
Freckles lay dazed with astonish
mcnt. AT last his batting eyes rolled
about the room. searching for some
thing approaching the human TO
which he could appeal, and, falling on
his mothers portrait he set it up be
fore him.
For the love OF life. Me little
mother" he painted. did you hear
that? Did you hear it? Tell me. am
living or am dead and all heaven
come true this minute: Did you hear
It: You are only a pictured face, and
Of you must be somewhere. and sure
ly in this hour you are near enough
to be hearing. Tell me. did you hear
that? l cant ever be telling living
soul; but, darling little mother, that
gave your life for mine, l can always
be talking of it TO you! Every day
Well talk it over and try to Under
stand the miracle Of it. Tell me. arc
all women like that? Were you like
me Swamp Angel! If you were then
I'm Understanding why me father fol
lowed across the ocean and went into
the fire after you
Freckles' voice trailed off, his eyes
dropped shut, and his head rolled back
from sheer exhaustion. Later in the
day he insisted on seeing Lord and
Lady O'More. but he tainted before
the look of his own face on that of
another nun.
The next morning the man of at.
fairs, with Il heart filled with misgiv-
ings, undertook the interview OH
which Freckles insisted. His fears
were without cause. Freckles was
the soul Of honor and simplicity.
Have they been telling You what's
rome to me?" he asked without even
waiting for greeting.
YES" said the angels father.
"Do you think you have the very
worst OF it clear to your understa nd
lng?"
Under Freckles' earnest eyes the
man of affairs answered soberly, II
think have. Mr.. O'More."
That was the first time Freckles
heard his name from the lips of an
other man. One second he lay over.
rome. the next great tears filed his
eyes. and he reached out his hand
Then ia angels father understood
and he clasped that hand and held II
In strong, firm grasp.
Terence, my boy" he said, "let me
do the talking. ! came in here with
the understanding that you wanted 10
ask me for my only child. I should
like, Mt the proper time. to regard her
marriage, II she has found the man
she desires to marry, not as losing all
have. but as gaining man | can
depend On to love az a son and to take
charge Of my affairs for her when
'etire from business. Bend all Of your
energies toward rapid recovery. and
srCm this hour understand that my
daughter and my home are yours"
You're not forgetting thls?"
Freckles lifted his right arm.
Terrence. I'm sorrier than ! have
words to express about that" said the
man of affairs. But II it's up to mt
to choose whether | give all have
left in this world to man with a
hand off his body or to one OF these
gambling, tipping, immoral spend
thrifts OF today. with both hands ant
feet Off their souls and rotten spo
In the core, choose you, and 1t seem,
that my daughter does the same. Pu
what Is left you of that right arm Il
the best uses you can in this world
and never again mention or feel tina
II is defective as long as you live
Good day. SIR