The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1912-06-27


Now she laid n powerful hand on the
soul Of Freckles. TO which the boys
whole being responded. though be had
not the least idea what was troubling
him. Duncan accepted his wife's
theory that II was touch Of spring
fever. but Freckles knew better. He
had never been so well.
" CHAPTER III.
A WEATHER FALLS.
|0HE sounds that had at frst
struck cold fear into Freckles
I'LL soul he now knew had left on
- wing and silent foot at the
approach Of winter. As flock after
flock OF the birds returned and he
recognized the old echoes reawakening
he found to his surprise that he had
been lonely for them and was hailing
their return with great Joy. He was
possessed Of an overpowering desire
to know what they were, to learn
where they had been and whether they
would make friends with him as the
winter birds had done. and II they did
would they be as flckle1 For with the
running sap. creeping worm and wing
ing bug most Of Freckles' chickens
had deserted him. entered the swamp
and Toasted TO such a state Of plethora
on its store that they cared little for
his supply. so that in the days OF mat
ing and nest building the boy was de-
serted.
The yearly resurrection Of the Lin
berlost Is a mighty revival. Freckles
stood back and watched with awe and
envy the gradual reclothing and re-
populating Of the swamp. Keen eyed
and alert through danger and loneli-
ness. he noted every stage of develop
ment from the first piping frog and un-
sheathing bud TO full LEAKAGE and the
return OF the last emigrant-
The knowledge Of his complete lone
illness and utter insignihcance was
hourly thrust upon him. He brooded
and fretted until he was In a fever.
and yet he never guessed the cause.
He was filed with a vast impotence
and a longing that would not much
further be denied.
II was June by the zodiac, June by
the Limberlost. and by every delight
Of newly resurrected season II should
have been June In the hearts Of all
men. Yet Freckles scowled darkly as
he came down the trail. and the run
ming tap. tap which tested the sagging
wire and telegraphed word Of his COM
ing to his furred and feathered friends
of the swamp this morning carried the
story of his discomfort mile ahead OF
him.
Freckles' special pet. dainty yellow
coated. black sleeved cock goldhnch.
had for several days past remained
on the wire. the bravest OF all. and
Freckles. absorbed with the cunning
and beauty OF the tiny fellow. never
guessed that he was being duped, for
the goldHnch was skipping, flirting
and swinging for the express purpose
OF holding his attention that he would
not look UP and see a small cradle OF
thistledown and wool perilously near
his head.
A peculiar movement under a small
walnut tree caught his eye. He stop
ped to investigate. Ii was an I'M
usually large Luna cocoon, and the
moth was Just bursting the upper end
IN It's struggles to reach light and air.
Freckles stood and stared.
There's something In there trying
to get out" he muttered. wonder II
/ could help III Guess I best not be
trying. II l hadn't happened along
there wouldn't have been any one to
help II, and maybe I'd only be hurting
II. It's-it's-oh. skaggany! It's just
being bornr'
Freckles gasped with surprise. The
moth cleared the opening and with
great weddings and contortions climb
ed up the tree. He stared, speeches.
with amazement as the moth crept
around limb and chung to the under
side There was a great pursy body
almost as large as his thumb and OF
the very snowiest white that Freckles
uhu ever bttu. "uo "a pohN -
delicate lavender across its forehead.
and it's feet were OF the same color.
There were antlers like tiny straw
colored ferns on its head and on Its
shoulders little wet looking flaps no
bigger than his thumb nail. Freckies
saw that those queer little wet look
ing things were expanding. dropping,
taking on color. and small oval mark
ings were beginning to show.
The minutes went by. Freckles'
steady gaze never wavered. Without
realizing It he was trembling with
eagerness and anxiety. AS he saw
what was taking place tits going to
have wings" he breathed In hushed
wonder. The morning sun fell on the
moth and dried its velvet down. and
the soft air made II fluffy. The rapid
ly growing wings began TO appear TO