Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1912-05-09

me among that gang Of thieves. she
wore herself past bearing to save me
from such an easy thing as death!
Now. here's me, a man, IA big. strong
man. and letting her live under that
fearful oath. so worse than any death
'twould be for her. and lifting not a
finger to save her. l canno bear 1t,
sir. It's killing me by inches! If any
evil to her through Black Jack
it ONE from her angel like goodness
to me. Somewhere he's hiding!
Somewhere he is waiting his chance!
Somewhere he is reaching out for her!
I tell you | cannot. I dare not be bear
ing it longer"
"Freckles. be quiet" said Mclean.
his eyes humid. believe me. l did not
understand. / know the angels father
well. will go to him at once. 1 have
transacted business with him for the
last three years. | will make him see!
l am only just beginning to realize
your agony and the real danger there
is for the angel. 1 will see that she
is fully protected every hour Of the
day and night until Jack is located and
disposed of. And I promise you further
that if 1 fail to move her father or
make him understand the danger 1
will maintain a guard over her until
Jack is caught"
Mclean slid from Nellie's back, and
went to examine the otter.
"What do you want to do with it,
Freckles" asked Mclean. do you
known that it is very valuable?"
II was for almost praying so, SIR"
said Freckles. LAS I saw it coming up
the bank l thought this: Once some
where in a book there was a picture Of
a young girl, and she was just a breath
like the beautifulness of the angel. Her
hands We're in a muff as big as her
body, and l thought it was so pretty.
I think she was some queen, or the
like. Do you suppose 1 could have this
skin tanned and made into such a muff
as that-an enormous big me sir?"
"Of course you can" said Mclean.
"That's a fine idea and it's asy
enough. 1t would be a mighty fine
thing for you to give to the angel as
a little reminder Of the Limberlost be-
fore it is despoiled, and as a souvenir
of her trip for you"
Freckles lifted a face with a glow Of
happy color creeping into it and eyes
lighting with a former brightness.
Throwing his arms about Mclean, he
cried ooh. how I love you! Oh, I
wish l could make you know how I
love your
Mclean strained him to his breast.
"God bless you. Freckles." he said.
II do know! We're going to have
some good old times out of this world
together, and we can't begin too soon.
Would you rather sleep first. or get a
bite of lunch and have the drive with
me. and then rest? l don't know but
sleep will come sooner and deeper to
take the ride and have your mind set
at ease before you lie down. Suppose
you go"
"Suprose l do" said Freckles. with a
glimmer Of the old light in his eyes
and newly found strength to shoulder
the otter. Together they turned into
the swale.
Mclean noticed and spoke of the big
black chickens.
"They've been hanging round out
there for several days past" said
Freckles. 'IIl tell you what 1 think
it means. l think the old RATHER has
killed something too big for him to
swallow, and he's keeping guard and
won't let me chickens have it. I'm
just sure. from the way the birds have
acted out there all summer, that it is
the rattler's den. You watch them
now. See the way they dip and then
rise. frightened like!!'
Suddenly Mclean turned on him
with blanching face.
"Freckles." he cried.
"You think it's Jack!" shuddered
Freckles.
He dropped the otter. cau~ht rn his
club. and plunged into tie s""ie.
Reaching for his revolver. Mclean
followed. The chickens circled higher
at their coming. and the big snake
Fitted his head and ratified angrily. It
sank in sinuous coils at the report of
McLean's revolver. and together he
and Freckles stood beside Black Jack.
His fate was evident and most horrible.
Come" said the boss at last. I'VE
don't dare touch him. We will get a
sheet from Mrs. Duncan and tuck over
him, to keep these swarms Of insects
away. and set Hall on guard. while
we so for the officers"