Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1912-04-25

~
HE FOUND a DEEP, FRESH FOOTPRINT.
supper. The first thing he saw as he
crossed the swale was the big bays in
the yard.
There had been no one passing that
day, and Duncan readily agreed to
watch until Freckles rode to town,
He told Duncan of the footprint and
urged him to watch closely. Duncan
said he might rest easy and, filing his
pipe and taking a good revolver, went
down to the Limberlost.
Freckles made himself clean and
neat and raced for town, but it was
night and the stars were shining be.
fore he reached the home of the Bird
Woman. AS he neared the steps he
saw that the place was swarming with
young people, and the angel, with an
excuse to a group that surrounded
her, came scurrying up to him.
"Oh, Freckles!!" she cried. $50 You
could get off? We were so afraid you
could not. I'm as glad as 1 can be-"
II don't understand" said Freckles.
Were you expecting me-"
"Why Of course" exclaimed the
angel. Haven't you come to my
party? Didn't you get my invitation:
I sent you me-"
"By mail?" asked Freckles.
Eyes" said the angel. II had tc
help with the preparations. and
couldn't find time to drive out. But
wrote you a letter and told you that
the Bird Woman was giving a party
for me and we wanted you to come
sure. I told them at the Office to put
t with Mr.. Duncan's mail"
'"Then that's likely where it is at
present." said Freckles. "Duncar
only comes to town once a week anc
at times not that. He's home tonight
for the first in a week. He's watch
ing an hour for me until l was com
ing to the Bird Woman with a bit Of
work l thought she'd be caring tC
hear about. Is she where l can SEE
her?:'
LIZ duSCl . 1tN SlOluCu.
What a disappointment" she cried
Il did so want all my friends to know
you. Can't you stay anyway:
Freckles glanced from his wadins
boots to the patent feathers Of some
of the angels friends near by ant
smiled whimsically. but there was NJ
danger Of his ever misjudging be-
again.
you know I cannot. angel" be said
II am afraid l do" she said ruefully
tits too bad. But there is a thing
want for you more than to come to N.
party. and that is to hang on and VIII
with your work. l think of you ev
cry day, and l just pray that thos'
thieves are not getting ahead of you
Oh, Freckles, do watch closely"
She was so lovely a picture as sh'
stood before him. ardent in his cause
that Freckles could not take his eye
from her to notice what her friends
were thinking. If she did not mind
why should he? Anyway. if they real
~ We're the angels friends probabl.
they were better accustomed to be-
ways than he.
"Must l go for the Bird Woman
she pleaded.
''Indade, you must" answered Free
kles firmly.
The angel returned to say that thu
Bird Woman was telling a story t.
those inside and she could not com
for a short time.
"You won't come in?" she pleaded.
II must not" said Freckles. Il an
not dressed to be among your friends
"Then." said the angel. I'VE mustn't
go through the house. because it would
disturb the story. but l want you tt
come around the outside way to the
conservatory and have some Of my
birthday lunch and get some cake t(
take to Mrs. Duncan and the babies
The night was warn and the ange
most beautiful and kind. A sort OF
triple delirium of spirit. mind and body
seized upon Freckles and developed
boldness all unnatural. He slight!
parted the heavy curtains that separat
ed the conservatory from the compan!
n looked in. He almost stopped
breathing. He had read of things like
that. but he had never seen them.
d you suppose heaven is any finer
than that?" asked Freckles.