The Washington times., 1929-02-15

H6 tpSL luS CS II I"u
lain for ages; d dense, thick
mass. watersoaked in spots with
dangerous quiCksands; infested
with beasts. both human ana
animal; rendezvous for thie\ es
and criminals of all sorts: mos
uuitoes, spiders. snakes and All
manner of s'imy, crawling things
named for man who was lost
in it's depths and never found.
But growing in its midst were
valua BILE trees; Mclean had leased
the swamp and built wire
fence around it.
1t was FreckIes, task to walk
or ride a bicycle around this
trail several times every day
to see that the wires Were not
down and that no timber thieves
attempted To take out trees
The unfamiliar noises and flit
tins shadows had terrified the
17.year-old boy. all his life shut
in an Orphans Home.
sBut it was wOrk-his first
job after beng refused m.,ll
and he gloried in it: he would
have died rather than fail. He
conquered his fear. and Mclean
watching him with keen. under
standing eyes. delighted in his
spunk and learned tO love HIM
as he would have loved d son
of his own For A time II had
meant cOmpani0nship for "oth
of them. and Mclean made many
plans for the boys future.
Then the Swamp Angel ap-
peared on the scene and gave
him new courage and ambition.
He saved her life at the risk
of his own when he threw her
from the path al failing tee
and for weeks lay lowering. be-
tween life and death with
crushed chest. Mclean was
dumb with misery.
When the boy was better, the
O'MOres arrived and claimed him.
Mclean, in his usual sreat-heart-
ed way. iet the boy go without
murmur. thinking it would be
great uppu! tunitN for him. No
one knew just what it had cost
him, nor now empty his life had
been for the four years of
Freckles absence.
AS the Angels Dad walked
home. he was still pondering. He
found the Angel and his wife
awaiting him; he kissed them
both, and handed Freckles' letter
back to the Angel. She took it
a bit YEARLY.
What did Mr.. Mclean say,
Dad?"
"A great many things. but the
only important one was that he
felt Freckles present predica-
ment was his fault. He said he
got him into it, and 1t was up to
him to get him out of it -
The Angel and her mother eX.
changed @lances.
What is he going to do?"
Il don't know. He rs not a
man who reveals his plans. |
feel very sorry for him. He. is all
wrapped up in the boy and now
he is dreadfully worried. | guess
l did not give him any more con
ISOLATION than the law allows-1'm
pretty sore at the young gentle
man, although I'm fond Of him.
Mclean left my office looking,
like a man walking in his sleep
Lets ask him to dinner, Moth
er. it will be better for him than
spending the evening alone"
The Bird Woman went to the
telephone, and called M"Lean's
hotef; in a few minutes she was
back.
Now what do you think has
happened? The clerk Al the hotel
said Mr.. Mclean was not there:
that he had left in hurry on
the o'clock train.
Where did he so?"
THE clerk said he left no for
warding address. just said he was
going 10 Chicago"
'Hm-mm nm. Chicago seems to
he the favorite haunt Of my fanr
lily and friends wonder
what the attraction is? First yO,,
two; now Mclean. think III -
next" and he smiled at he eX-
pressions of his wife and dau2h-
ter.
Il wonder why he went there?"
unused the Bird Woman.
We'll. whatever he does. | don't
believe it will interfere T;th what
we did-still you never can tell
it's a funny proposition"
lSIl II SNt dI-C lilcAl "ilo' w
do in this life never affects Us
alone? Always, always some Of
our family or friends must suffer
or rejoice with us; we never
laugh or cry alone. Just because
F'reckles has a fit of temporary
mental alteration. Mr.. Mclean is
frantic, you and Dad are wor-
ried. am all upset. and poor
Dick" she paused
"What about Dick?" asked Dad,
quickly.
well. may as well own up
Rrst as last that | played him
dirty trick. Just when | felt de-
serted and abused. Dick proposed
to me. He seemed so lovahle and
30 reliahls. and-I--accepted him"
"why Angel. how could vou?"
Il don't know, I'm sure--my
pride zuess-1 have no ex-
-r-~- - offer. u vos tUst U'hsn