The Emmett index. [volume] (Emmett, Idaho) 1893-1925, 1912-03-21

went to examine the otter.
What do you want to do with II
Freckles?" asked Mclean. do yoI
known that It is very valuable?'
II was for almost praying so. sir
said Freckles. LAS saw 1t coming al
the bank | 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. Hel
hands were In a muff as big as her
| body, and thought 1t was so pretty,
think she was some queen. or the
| like. Do you suppose ] could have this
skin tanned and made into such a muff
as that-an enormous big one, sir2''
"Of course you can" said Mclean.
That's a fine idea and it's easy
enough II would be mighty fine
thing for you to give to the ange! as
a little reminder of the Llmberlost be
fore It Is despoiled. and as u souvenir
OF her trip for you"
Freckles lifted face with glow Of
happy color creeping into 1t and eyes
lighting with former brightness.
Throwing his arms about Mclean. he
cried "Oh. how ! love you! oh,
wish could make you know how
love your
Mclean strained him to his breast
"God bless you. Freckles," he said.
~ 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
bite of lunch and have the drive with
me. and then restY | 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"
Suppose | do" said Freckles. with
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
Freckes I'll tell you what | think
It means. ! 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 1t. I'm
just sure. from the way the birds have
acted out there all summer that 1t 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. caught up his
club. and plunged into the swale.
Reaching for his revolver. Mclean
followed. The chickens circled higher
at their coming. and the big snake
lifted his head and ratified angrily. IL
sank In sinyous 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 ut last I'VE
don't dare touch MIN. 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 go for the officers"
Freckles' lips closed resolutely. He
thrust his club under |
Black Jacks body and, raising him.
'ested 1t on his knee. He pulled
ong silver pin from the front Of the
lead mans shirt and sent it spinning
tut into the swale. Then he gathered
lp a few crumpled bright flowers end
lropped them into the pool far away.
my soul is sick with the horror of
his thing" said Mclean as he and
Nreckles drove toward town. 81 can't
understand how Jack dared risk creep