Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1912-06-06
FRECkLES
BY
Gene SGr@GS@m=
Porter
COPYRIGHT. 1904. BY DOUBLEDAY. PAGE
& co.
Porter

everything, n came, with MS Wife,
to hunt that baby, because he had
always loved his brother dearly, and
wanted him back. He had hunted for
him all he dared all these years, and
when he got here you were gone
mean the baby was gone-and 1 mad
to tell you. Freckles. for you see it
might have happened to you like that
just as easy as to that other lost
boy"
Freckles reached up and turned the
Angels face until he compelled her
eyes to meet his.
"AngeI," said Ereckles at last,
catching her wrist. ARE you trying to
tell me that there is somebody hunting
a boy that you're thinking might be
me? Are you belavin' you've found
me relations"
Then the Angels eyes came home.
The time had come. She pinioned
Freckles' arms to his sides and bent
above him.
"How strong are you, dear hearth
she breathed. "How brave are you?
Can you bear it? Dare l tell you
thatW
mo" gasped Freckles. mot if
you're sure! l can't bear it! I'll die If
you dor
The day had been M unremitting
strain with the angel: Nerve tension
was drawn to the finest thread. 1t
snapped suddenly.
"Die?" she famed. die, If I tell
you that! You said this morning that
you would die if you didn't know
your name. and if your people were
honorable. Now I've gone and found
you n name that stands for ages Of
honor. a mother that loved you enough
to go into the fire n die for you,
you turn round and say you'll die over
that. You just try dying and you'll
get a good slap"
The angel stood glaring at him.
One second Freckles lay paralyzed and
dumb with establishment. The next
the Irish in bis soul rose above every
thing. A roar of laughter burst from
him. The terrified angel caught him
in her arms and tried to stife the
sound. She implored and commanded.
The tears rolled from Ereckles' eyes
and he wheezed on. When he was
too worn out to utter another sound.
bis eyes laughed silently.
When he was quiet and rested the
angel commenced talking to him softly.
Dear Freckles." she was saying,
across your knees there is the face
of the mother that went into the fire
for you, and T know the name-old
and full of honor-to which you were
born. Dear heart. which will you
have first"
me mother!" ,
She lifted the lovely pictured face
and set it in the nook Of lis arm.
Freckles caught her hand and drew
her down beside him. and together
they sazed al the picture.
ME mother. Oh. me mother! Can
you ever be forgiving me? Oh. me
bea utiful little mother!!" chanted
Freckles over and over in exalted
wonder.
Watt cried the angel to the mute
question she could no more answer
than he could ask. wait. l will write
it,"
She hurried to the table. caught up
the nurses pencil and on the back of
a prescription tablet wrote. Iereuve
Maxwell O'More. Dunderry House.
County Clare. Ireland"
Before she had finished came Free
kles' voice, Angel, are you hurryingY
"Yes." said the angel. II am. But
there is a good deal Of it. / have to
put in your house and country, SO that
you will feel located"
me house?" maryeled Freckless
"Of course" said the angel. Your
uncle says your grandmother left your
father her dover house and estate.
because she knew his father would cut
him off. You get that, and all your
share OF your grandfather's property
besides. 1t Is all set off for you and
waiting. Lord O'More told me 80. /
suspect you are richer than Mclean.
Freckles."
She closed his fingers over the slip
and Strengthened his hair.
"Now you are all right, dear Linn
berlost guard" she said. "You go to
sleep and don't think of a thing but
Just pure Joy, Joy, Joy! I'll keep your
people until you wake up"
Treckles caught her skirt as she
turned from him.
"IIl go to sleep in five minutes" he
said. IF you will be doing Just one
thing more for me. Send for your
father. oh. angel. send for him
quick"
One instant the angel stood looking
down on him. The next a crimson
wave darkly stained her lovely face.
Her chin began a spasmodic %quivering
and tears sprang into her eyes. Her
hands caught at her chest as if she
were sitting. Freckles' grasp on her
frightened until he drew her up to and
then down beside him. he slipped his