The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1912-02-17

about the crown and fell in riot to
her shoulders at the back. There were
CLEANS of gold with settings of blue on
her fingers, and altogether she was
the daintiest, sweetest sight he had
ever seen.
"Oh, Frecklesv' she cried. II was
wondering about you the other day
Is there any trouble? Are you just
starting back to the LimberlostT"
II came to bring your hat" said
Freckles. "You forgot it in the rush
the other day. l have just left it with
your father and message trying t.
express the gratitude of me for how
you and the Bird Woman were fol
helping me out"
The angel nodded gravely, and
Freckles saw in a fash that he had
done the proper thing in going to hel
father. Then she was saying that she
could scarcely wait for the time t
come for the next picture Of the Little
Chickens series. II want to hear the
rest Of that song. and l hadn't even
begun seeing your room yet" she com
planned. II wonder If l couldn't bring
my banjo and some Of the songs I like
best. I'll play and you'll sing"
Freckles felt that If he lifted his eyes
the alteration in them would brighten
her.
II was afraid your experience thu
other day would scare you SO that
you'd never be coming again." he
found himself saying.
The angel laughed gayly.
'Did look scared?" she questioned.
''No," said Freckles; you did not"
"Oh, just enjoyed that" she cried.
Those hateful, stealing old things!
had a big notion to pink one Of them,
but I thought maybe some way it
would be best for you that shouldn't.
They needed 1t. That didn't scare me.
and, as for the Bird Woman, she's &C.
customed to finding snakes. tramps
cross dogs, sheep, cattle and goodness
knows what. You can't frighten her
when she's after picture. Did they
come back?"
''No," said Freckles. 1.-THE gang got
there little after noon and took out
the tree, but must tell you and you
must tell the Bird Woman that there's
no doubt but they will be coming back,
and they will have to make it before
long now, for it's soon the gang will
be there to work on the swamp"
"Oh, what shame!' cried the an
gel. They'll clear out roads, cut down
the beautiful trees and tear up ev-
erything. They'll drive away the
birds and spoil the cathedral. When
they have done their worst all these
mills about here will follow in and take
out the cheap timber. Then the land
owners will dig a few bitches. build
some fires, and in two summers more
the Limberlost will be in corn and po-
tatoes."
"You like it, too," said Freckles.
EYES," said the angel; II love it..
Your room is a little piece right out Of
the heart Of fairyland. and the cathe-
dral is Gods work, not yours. You
only found it and opened the door
after he had it completed. Come get
q cool drink before you start back. 1t
won't take but minute, and you can
ride fast enough to make up forit."
Freckles looked into the beautiful
face Of the angel in sheer wonder
ment. Did she truly mean it? Would
she walk down that street with him,
crippled, homely, in mean clothing?
II rally must be off," said Freckles
earnestly. "but I'm thanking you more
than you'll ever know for your kind
ness. I'll just be drinking bowls of
icy things all me way home in the
thoughts Of it."
Down came the angels foot. Her
eyes flashed. There's no sense in
that" she said. How do you think
you would have felt when you knew
I was warm and thirsty and you went
and brought me q drink and l wouldn't
take it because - because goodness
knows why"
She deliberately slipped her hand
under his arm-the right arm that
ended in an empty sleeve.
"You are coming" she said firmly.
Freckles' head swan.
"Please don't, angel" he said softly.
''You don't understand. If your IA
ther came on to me on the street in
my station and dress with you on me
arm he'd have every right to be can
ing me before the people. and not a
finger would lift to stay him."
The angels eyes snapped. IF you
think my father cares about my do.
ing anything that is right and kind
and that makes me happy to do. why,
then you completely failed in reading
my father, and I'll ask him and just
show you.'
She dropped Freckles' arm and turn.
ed toward the entrance to the build
ing. "Why, look there!' she exclaim-
ed.
Her father stood at a window.
watching the scene with eyes that
comprehended quite as thoroughly as
II he had heard every word. The an
gel made despairing gesture toward