Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1912-06-04
NUMBER %.


On the moss in front Of bis prettiest
seat lay the angels hat
he went and picked It mp, oh. 20
carefully. gazing at It with hungry
eyes. but touching It only to carry Il
over to his case. where be hung Il on
the shining handle bar Of the new
wheel and locked 1t In among bis
treasures Then be went out to the
trail with a new look on his face. he
was not In the least afraid Of any.
thing that morning. he felt be was
the veriest Daniel. and all bis Hons
seemed weak and harmless.
Black Jack was not man to give
up his purpose or to have the hat
swept from bis head BY q bullet and
bear 1t meekly. Moreover. Wessnef
would cling to his revenge
When Freckles gained his room he
tenderiy laid the hat upon bis book
shelf and. to wear OF bis awkward
ness. mounted his wheel and went
spinning about the line again
"Weel. be drawed onr' exclaimed
Mrs. Duncan an hour later.
Freckles stood before her, holding
the angels hat
1--WE been thinking this long time
that ye or Duncan would see that sun.
bonnets werena Draw enough for
woman OF my standing. and ye're a
guild Iaddie to bring me this beautiful
hat"
She turned II about. examining the
weave Of the straw and the foliage
trimmings. passing her rough fingers
over the satin ties delightedly. As she
held II up. admiring II. Freckles' aston
ished eyes saw new side Of Sarah
Duncan. She was jesting. but undei
the Jest the fact loomed strong that
there was something In her soul cry.
ing out after that bit Of feminine I'm.
cry. he resolved that when he
reached the city he would send her as
fine hat as the angels II It took $50
to do It
She nngeringly handed 1t back to
him.
"It's unco guild Of ye to think Of me-"
she said lightly. but maun question
your taste a wee. Dye no think 70
had best return this and get woman
with half her hair gray little palmer
headdress1 Seems like that's far over
gay for me. I'm no. saying that it's
no. exactly what I'd like to bae. but
mauna max myself ridiculous. Ye'd
best give this to somebody young and
pretty. say about sixteen. Where did
ye come by It. Freckles7 II there's
anything been dropping lately ye hae
forgotten to mention It"
"Do you see anything hea venly about
that hatT' querfed Freckles. holding
II up.
The morning breeze waved the rib
bons gracefully. binding one about
Freckles' sleeve and the other across
his chest. where they caught and clung
as II magnetized.
"Yes." said Sarah Duncan, "it's ex-
actly what Id call heavenly hat"
Sure" said Freckles. "for It's be-
longing to an angelT
Then he told her about the hat and
asked her what be should do with It
"Take It to her. Of course" said
Sarah Duncan.
"You think I should be taking II
homer" he said.
"Of course ye must" said Mrs. Dun
can. "Ye gang ava and take the bless
ed little angel her beautiful hat
"Are you sure 1t will be- all rightr
urged Freckles. do you think II Mr.
Mclean came he would carer
"Na." said Mrs. Duncan. Il dinna.
II ye and me agree that thing ought
to be done. and I watch In your place.
why. it's bound to be all right with
Mclean. Ought ye put on your Sab.
bath day clothes"
Freckles shook his head. He knew
what he had to do. but there was no
use In taking time to try to explain 1t
to Mrs. Duncan while he was 30 bur
ried. He exchanged his wading boots
for shoes. gave her his club and went
spinning toward town. He knew very
well where the angel lived. He had
passed her home many times. and he
passed It again without even taking
his eyes from the street. steering
straight for her fathers place Of busi-
ness.
Carrying the hat. Freckles passed a
long line Of clerks and at the door OF
the private office asked to see the pro-
prietor. When he had waited a mo-
ment a tall. spare, keen eyed man
faced him and in brisk. nervous tones
asked, "How can serve you. sirr
Freckles handed him the package
and answered: by delivering to your
daughter this hat. which she was after
leaving at me place the other day when
she went OF In a hurry. And BY say
ing to her and the Bird Woman that
I'm more thankful than I'll be having
words to express for the brave thing
they was doing for me. I'm McLeans
Limberlost guard, sir"