Oxford Democrat., 1912-06-11
CHAPTER XI.


M self questioned the man Oh
Nv affairs; I'1'.'.,... .,.,. .r.v svs.
met those OF the angels father square
ly. anu he said. III you were In my
place would you take it to her your
selfT'
mo. would not" said that gentle
man quickly.
Then why ask why did notY
came Freckles' lamblike query.
BLESS me-" said the angels father.
he stared at the package. then at the
lifted chin of the 10y aud then al the
package again and muttered. Excuse
me-"
Freckles bowed.
at would be favoring me greatly II
you would deliver the hat and the
message. Good morning, sir" and he
turned away.
"One minute" said the angels IA
ther. Suppose I give you permission
to return this hat In person and make
your own acknowledgements"
Freckles stood one moment thinking
intently. and then he lifted those eyes
of unswerving truth and asked
why should you. sir? You are kind
indade to mention 1t. and it's thanking
you am for your good intintions. but
NV wanting to go Or your being will
ing to have me amt proving that
your daughter would be wanting me
or care TO bother with me-"
The angels father looked keenly
into rhe face OF this extraordinary
Young man. and he found 1t to his
liking.
"1here's one other thing l meant to
say" said Freckles. Every day see
something aud at times lot OF things
tina; | think the Bird Woman would
he wanting pictures of badly II she
knew. iou might De speaking OF 1t
Ia her. aud II she'd want me 10 can
send her word when lind things She
wou,unt likely get elsewhere.
III that's the case" said the angePs
farhpr. and you feel under obliga
tions for her assistance the other day
you can discharge them in that way
She is spending all her time IN the
fields and woods searching for sub
jects. By all means let her know II
you find subjects you think she could
use, and We will do anything we can
for you If you will give her what help
you Gun and see that she Is as safe as
possible"
ITS hungry for human beings !
get" said Freckles, land It's like
heaven to me to have them come.
When 1t comes to protecting them Ia
risk me life. to be sure, but even that
mightn't do any good In some cases.
There's a good many dangers to lie
reckoned with In the swamp. sir.
There was no way In which Freckles
could know II. but by following bis
best instincts and being what he con
ceived a gentleman should be he sur
prised the man of affairs into thinking
Of him and seeing his face over bis
books many times that morning. he
stepped to the curb to mount bis wheel
and heard a voice that thrilled through
and through him. calling: "Freckles!
Oh. Freckles!"
The angel separated herself from a
group of girls and came hurrying up
to him. She was in snowy white-a
quaint little frock with marvel OF
soft lace about her throat and wrists.
Through the sheer sleeves Of 1t her
beautiful. rounded arms showed dis
tinctly. and It was cut just to the base
Of her perfect neck. On her head was
a pure white creation Of fancy braid
with folds On folds Of tulle. soft and
silken as cobwebs. lining tie brim. and
q great mass Of white roses clustered
against the gold Of her hair crept
a about the crown and fell In mot 10
her shoulders at the back. There were
CLEANS OF gold with settings Of blue on
ler fingers. and altogether she was
the daintiest. sweetest sight be had
ever seen.
"Oh, Frecklesr' she cried. IL was
wondering about you the other dav.
Is there any trouble? Are you JUST
starting back to the Limberlost:
Il came to bring your hat, said
Freckles. You forgot 1t In the rush
tue other day. have just left 1t with
Your father and message trying 10
EXPRESS the gratitude of me for how
YOU and the Bird Woman were for
helping me out"
The angel nodded gravely. and
Freckles saw In dash that he nad
done the proper thing in going to her
faiher. Then she was saying that She
could scarcely wait for the time to
come for the next picture of the Little
Chickens series. IL want to hear the
rest of that song. and hadn't even
begun seeing your room yet" she COM
plained. ~ wonder II couldn't bring
my banjo and some Of the songs Ike
best I'll play and you'll sing.
Freckles felt that II be lifted MS eyes
the alteration In them would frignten
her.
II was afraid your experience tne
other day would scare you so that
you'd never be coming again.. De
found himself saying.
The angel laughed gayly. .
did I look scared?" she questioned
NO" said Freckles; you did not
"Oh, 1 Just enjoyed that" she cried
.Those hateful. stealing old things!
had big notion to pink one OF them
but thought maybe some way II
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 bel
when she's after a picture. Did the!
come back?"
-"No," said Freckles. The gang 60
there q little after noon and took ou
the tree, but l must tell you and yo'
must tell the Bird Woman that there's
no doubt but they will be coming back
and they vii. have to make 1t befor'
long now. for It's soon the gang VII
he there to work on the swamp"
.Oh, what a shamer cried the an
gel. They'll clear out roads. cut dow
the beautiful trees and tear up ev
.-vtbine They'll drive away IN
birds and spoil the cathedral Whel
thew have done their worst all thes
mills about here win follow In and tak
o,,t tho Cheap timber. Then the land