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

mind lifting the trees We came for. but
I'm cursed IL l want blood on my
hands,"
"weli. you amt going to get IT." bel
lowed JACK. You fellows only con.
tracted to help ME set 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 at the swamp
all 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 bis car.
cass."
you Just bet" said wessner. II
owe him all he'll get. But I'll pay!'
he snarled at Freckles.
So it was killing then. They were
not only after this one tree. but many.
and with his body it was their plan
to kill his honor. To brand him a
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 was 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 his way to the south
camp. and the Bird Woman had said
she would come as Soon as she could.
After the fatigue 81 the party It 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 the 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 60
out bonnily. Never would he let them
see if he grew afraid: After all, what
did 1t matter what they did to his
body II by some scheme of the devil
they could compass 6is disgrace?
Then hope Suddenly rose high in
Freckles' breast: They could not do
that. The angel would not believe
Neither would Mclean He would
keep up his courage. Kill him they
could: dishonor him they could not.
Yet. summon all the fortitude he
might, that saw eating into the tree
rasped his nerves worse and worse.
with whirling brain be gazed of into
the Limberlost, searching for some
thing. he knew not what. and in blank
horror found his eyes fastened on the
angel. She was quite distance
away. but he 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 IF 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 it had been a
dream. She was not there. Had she
been? For his life Freckles could not
tell whether he had really seen the
angel or whether his strained senses
had played him the most cruel trick Of
oil. Or was 1t not the kindest? Now
he could die with the vision Of her
lovely face fresh with him.
''Thank you for that, o God!'
whispered Freckles. "'Twas more
than kind Of you. and I don't s'pose l
ought to- be wanting anything more,
but If you can, oh, wish could know
before this ends If twas me mother
Freckles could not even whisper the
words. for he hesitated d second and
ended-"if twas me mother did itv'
"Treckles! Freckles! oh. Freckles!''
the voice of the angel came call
ling. Freck1es swayed forward and
wrenched at the rope until it cut deep.
~ into his body.
Black Jack whipped out revolver
and snatched the gag from Freckles'
mouth.
"say quick. what's that, or It's up
with you right now and whoever that
IL with your
"It's the girl the Bird Woman takes
about with her." whispered Freckles
through dry, swollen lips.
''They amt due here for ave days
yet" said Wessner. I'VE got on to
that last week."
EYES," said Freckles, "but found a