Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1912-06-18

BLACK JACK STOPPED HIM WITH AN OATH.
mind lifting the trees We came for, but
I'm cursed If I want blood on my
hands,"
"Well you amt going to get It," bal
lowed Jack. "You fellows only con-
tracted to help me get out my mark
ed trees. He belongs to Wessner, and
It 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. Hes 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 1t
look like he helped take the timber and
then cut. Why. he's played right into
our hands. He was here ut the swamp
ull 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
cass"
You just bet" said Wessner. II
owe him all he'll get. But I'll pay"
he snarled at Freckles.
So 1t was killing then. They were
not only after this one tree, but many,
md with his body 1t was their plan
to kill his honor. To brand him
thief, like them. before the angel. the
Bird Woman, the dear boss and the
Duncans! Freckles' body sagged
against the ropes IN sick despair.
There WINS no hope Of McLean's
coming. They had chosen day when
they knew he had big contract at
the south camp. The boss could not
possibly come before tomorrow. and
there would be no tomorrow for him.
Duncan was on Ills way to the south
camp. and the Bird Woman had said
she would come as soon as she could.
After the fatigue Of the party 1t was
useless to expect her and the angel
today. and God save them from COM
Ing!
The sweat broke out on Freckles'
forehead. He tugged at the ropes
whenever he felt that he dared. but
they were passed about tie tree and
his body several times and knotted on
his chest. He resolved that he would
bear in mind what he had once heard
the Bird Woman say. He would go
out bonnily. Never would he let them
see IL he grew afraid. After all, what
did It matter what they did to his
body II by some scheme of the devil
they could compass his disgrace?
Then hope suddenly rose high In
Freckles' breast. They could not do
that. The angel would not believe.
Neither would Mclean. He would
keen up his courage. XIII him they
could; dishonor him they could not.
Yet, summon all the f0rtitude he
might, that saw eating into the tree
rasped his nerves worse and worae.
With whirling brain he gazed OF into
the I.imberlost. searching for some
thing. he knew not what. and in blank
horror found his eyes fastened on the
angel. She was quite a distance
away. but lie could see her white lips
and wide. angry eyes.
Last week he had taken her and the
Bird Woman across the swamp over
the path he followed In going In from
his room to the chicken tree He had
told them last night that the butterfly
tree was on the line close to this path.
| In figuring ON their not coming that
day he failed to reckon with the en-
thusiasm Of the Bird Woman. They
must be there for the study. and the
angel had risked crossing the swamp
In search Of him. Or was there some
thing in his room they needed? The
blood surged in his ears like the roar
of the Limberlost in the wrath OF a
storm.
He looked again, and 1t had been a
dream. She was not there. Had she
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