The Irish standard., 1912-03-09
CHAPTER Xxx.
LOVE AS A REMEpY.

LOVE AS A Remedy.
IN HE caught Freckles' hand to
|IN her breast and, bending over
him. looked deep into his
~ stricken eyes.
"'Angel, | give you my word of
honor that will keep right on breath
ing That's what you are going to
promise me-" she said. do you say
lit"
Freckles hesitated.
"Freckles," imploringly commanded
the angel. you do say ity'
"Yis." gasped Freckles.
The angel sprang to her feet
''Then that's all right" she said.
with tinge Of her old time brisk
ness. "You Just keep saving away
like steam engine and l will do all
the rest"
The eager men gathered about her.
Its going to be tough pull to
get Freckles out" she said. "but it's
our only chance. You four there get
on those wagon horses and ride to
the sleeping tent Get the stoutest
cot, a couple of comforts and a pill
low. Ride back with them some way
to save time. If you meet any other
men Of the gang send them on here
to help carry the cot. We won't risk
the jolt of driving with him. The
rest of you clear path out to the
road. and, Mr.. Mclean. you take
Nellie and ride to town. Tell my
father how Freckles is hurt and that
he risked it to save me- Tell him
I'm going to take Freckles to Chicago
on the noon train and want him
to hold it If we are little late. Ii
he can't then have special ready Mt
! the station and another on the Pitts
burg at Fort Wayne, so we can go
straight through. You needn't mind
leaving US. The Bird Woman will be
here soon.
When they stood ready to lift
Freckles the angel bent over him in
q passion of tenderness.
Dear old Limberlost guard, we're
going to lift you now" she said. II
suspect you will faint from the pain
Of it. but we will be Just as easy Us
ever we can. and don't you dare
forget your promise!'
A whimsical half smile touched
Freckles' quivering lips.
"Angel, can a man be remembering
a promise when he amt knowingY'
he asked.
"You can" said the angel stoutly,
because a promise means so much
more to you than it does to most men"
A look of strength flashed into
Frcckles' face at her words.
II am ready" he said.
With the first touch his eyes closed.
mighty groan was wrenched from
him. and he lay senseless. The angel
gave Duncan one panic stricken look.
Then she set her lips and gathered her
forces again.
II guess that's a good thing" she
said. Maybe he won't feel how we
are hurting him. Oh. boys, are you
being quick and gentle?"
She stepped to the side of the cot
and bathed Freckles' face Taking bis
hand in hers. she gave the word to
| IL v
ablebodied man they met to join them
so that they could change carriers
often and make good time.
The Bird Woman insisted upon TAX.
ing the angel into the carriage and fol.
lowing the cot. but the angel refused
to leave Freckles and suggested that
the Bird Woman drive ahead. pack
them some clothing. and be at the sta
ton ready to accompany them to Chi
cago. All the way the angel walked
beside the cot. shading Freckles' face
and holding his hand. At every pause
to change carriers she moistened his
face and lips and counted each breath
with heartbreaking anxiety.
She scarcely knew when her father
Joined them, and, taking the branch
from her, slipped an arm about bel
waist and almost carried her along
To the city streets and the swarm OF
curious. staring faces she paid no more
attention than she had to the trees Of
the Limberlost. When the train pull
ed in and the gang placed Freckles
aboard. Duncan made a place for thu
angel beside the cot
With the best physician to be found
and with the Bird Woman and Nc
Lean in attendance. the four hours
run to Chicago began. Not for an in
slant would the angel yield her place
or allow any one else to do anything
for him. The Bird Woman and Nc
Lean regarded her in amazement
The only time she spoke was to ash
Mclean If he was sure the specia
would be ready on the Pittsburg line
He replied that 1t was made up anc
waiting.
At 8 o'clock Freckles lay stretched
on the operating table Of Lake View
hospital. while three Of the greatest
surgeons in Chicago bent over him
At their command. Mclean picked ur
the unwilling angel and carried bel
out to the nurses to be bathed. have
her bruises attended to. and be pu,
| to bed