第8章

Withthefirsttouchhiseyesclosed，amightygroanwaswrenchedfromhim，andhelaysenseless。TheAngelgaveDuncanonepanic-

strickenlook。Thenshesetherlipsandgatheredherforcesagain。

"Iguessthat\'sagoodthing，"shesaid。"Maybehewon\'tfeelhowwearehurtinghim。Ohboys，areyoubeingquickandgentle？"

ShesteppedtothesideofthecotandbathedFreckles\'face。

Takinghishandinhers，shegavethewordtostart。Shetoldthementoaskeveryable-bodiedmantheymettojointhemsothattheycouldchangecarriersoftenandmakegoodtime。

TheBirdWomaninsistedupontakingtheAngelintothecarriageandfollowingthecot，butsherefusedtoleaveFreckles，andsuggestedthattheBirdWomandriveahead，packthemsomeclothing，andbeatthestationreadytoaccompanythemtoChicago。AllthewaytheAngelwalkedbesidethecot，shadingFreckles\'facewithabranch，andholdinghishand。Ateverypausetochangecarriersshemoistenedhisfaceandlipsandwatchedeachbreathwithheart-breakinganxiety。

Shescarcelyknewwhenherfatherjoinedthem，andtakingthebranchfromher，slippedanarmaroundherwaistandalmostcarriedher。

Tothecitystreetsandtheswarmofcurious，staringfacesshepaidnomoreattentionthanshehadtothetreesoftheLimberlost。

WhenthetraincameandthegangplacedFrecklesaboard，bigDuncanmadeaplacefortheAngelbesidethecot。

Withthebestphysiciantobefound，andwiththeBirdWomanandMcLeaninattendance，thefour-hours\'runtoChicagobegan。TheAngelconstantlywatchedoverFreckles；bathedhisface，strokedhishand，andgentlyfannedhim。Notforaninstantwouldsheyieldherplace，orallowanyoneelsetodoanythingforhim。TheBirdWomanandMcLeanregardedherinamazement。Thereseemedtobenoendtoherresourcesandcourage。TheonlytimeshespokewastoaskMcLeanifheweresurethespecialwouldbereadyonthePittsburghroad。Herepliedthatitwasmadeupandwaiting。

Atfiveo\'clockFreckleslaystretchedontheoperating-tableofLakeViewHospital，whilethreeofthegreatestsurgeonsinChicagobentoverhim。Attheircommand，McLeanpickeduptheunwillingAngelandcarriedhertothenursestobebathed，haveherbruisesattended，andtobeputtobed。

Inaplacewhereitisdifficulttosurprisepeople，theywereastonishedwomenastheyremovedtheAngel\'sdaintystainedandtornclothing，drewoffhosemuck-bakedtoherlimbs，soakedthedriedloamfromhersilkenhair，andwashedthebeautifulscratched，bruised，dirt-coveredbody。TheAngelfellfastasleeplongbeforetheyhadfinished，andlaydeeplyunconscious，whilethefightforFreckles\'lifewasbeingwaged。

ThreedayslatershewasthesameAngelasofold，exceptthatFreckleswasconstantlyinherthoughts。Theanxietyandresponsibilitythatshefeltforhisconditionhadbredinheratouchofwomanlinessandauthoritythatwasnew。ThatmorningshearoseearlyandhoverednearFreckles\'door。Shehadbeenallowedtoremainwithhimconstantly，forthenursesandsurgeonshadlearned，withhisreturningconsciousness，thatforheralonewouldtheactive，highlystrung，pain-rackedsuffererbequietandobeyorders。Whenshewasdroppingfromlossofsleep，thethreatthatshewouldfallillhadtobeusedtosendhertobed。ThenbytellingFrecklesthattheAngelwasasleepandtheywouldwakenherthemomenthemoved，theywereabletocontrolhimforashorttime。

ThesurgeonwaswithFreckles。TheAngelhadbeentoldthatthewordhebroughtthatmorningwouldbefinal，soshecurledinawindowseat，droppedthecurtainsbehindher，andindireanxiety，waitedtheopeningofthedoor。

Justasitunclosed，McLeancamehurryingdownthehallandtothesurgeon，butwithoneglanceathisfacehesteppedbackindismay；

whiletheAngel，whohadarisen，sanktotheseatagain，toodazedtocomeforward。Themenfacedeachother。TheAngel，withpartedlipsandfrightenedeyes，bentforwardintenseanxiety。

"I——Ithoughthewasdoingnicely？"falteredMcLean。

"Heboretheoperationwell，"repliedthesurgeon，"andhiswoundsarenotnecessarilyfatal。Itoldyouthatyesterday，butIdidnottellyouthatsomethingelseprobablywouldkillhim；anditwill。

Heneednotdiefromtheaccident，buthewillnotlivethedayout。"

"Butwhy？Whatisit？"askedMcLeanhurriedly。"Wealldearlylovetheboy。Wehavemillionsamongustodoanythingthatmoneycanaccomplish。Whymusthedie，ifthosebrokenbonesarenotthecause？"

"ThatiswhatIamgoingtogiveyoutheopportunitytotellme，"

repliedthesurgeon。"Heneednotdiefromtheaccident，yetheisdyingasfastashissplendidphysicalconditionwillpermit，anditisbecausehesoevidentlyprefersdeathtolife。Ifhewerefullofhopeandambitiontolive，myworkwouldbeeasy。Ifallofyoulovehimasyouproveyoudo，andthereisunlimitedmeanstogivehimanythinghewants，whyshouldhedesiredeath？"

"Ishedying？"demandedMcLean。

"Heis，"saidthesurgeon。"Hewillnotlivethisdayout，unlesssomestrongreactionsetsinatonce。Heissolow，thatpreferringdeathtolife，naturecannotovercomehisinertia。Ifheistolive，hemustbemadetodesirelife。Nowheundoubtedlywishesfordeath，andthatitcomequickly。"

"Thenhemustdie，"saidMcLean。

Hisbroadshouldersshookconvulsively。Hisstronghandsopenedandclosedmechanically。

"Doesthatmeanthatyouknowwhathedesiresandcannot，orwillnot，supplyit？"

McLeangroanedinmisery。

"Itmeans，"hesaiddesperately，"thatIknowwhathewants，butitisasfarremovedfrommypowertohelphimasitwouldbetogivehimastar。Thethingforwhichhewilldie，hecanneverhave。"

"Thenyoumustpreparefortheendveryshortly"saidthesurgeon，turningabruptlyaway。

McLeancaughthisarmroughly。

"Youlookhere！"hecriedindesperation。"YousaythatasifI

coulddosomethingifIwould。Itellyoutheboyisdeartomepastexpression。Iwoulddoanything——spendanysum。Youhavenoticedandrepeatedlycommentedontheyounggirlwithme。Itisthatchildthathewants！Heworshipshertoadoration，andknowinghecanneverbeanythingtoher，heprefersdeathtolife。InGod\'sname，whatcanIdoaboutit？"

"Barringthatmissinghand，Ineverexaminedafinerman，"saidthesurgeon，"andsheseemedperfectlydevotedtohim；whycannothehaveher？"

"Why？"echoedMcLean。"Why？Well，formanyreasons！Itoldyouhewasmyson。Youprobablyknewthathewasnot。AlittleoverayearagoIneverhadseenhim。Hejoinedoneofmylumbergangsfromtheroad。Heisastray，leftatoneofyourhomesforthefriendlesshereinChicago。Whenhegrewupthesuperintendentboundhimtoabrutalman。Heranawayandlandedinoneofmylumbercamps。Hehasnonameorknowledgeoflegalbirth。TheAngel——wehavetalkedofher。Youseewhatsheis，physicallyandmentally。ShehasancestorsreachingbacktoPlymouthRock，andacrosstheseaforgenerationsbeforethat。Sheisanidolized，pettedonlychild，andthereisgreatwealth。Lifeholdseverythingforher，nothingforhim。

Heseesitmoreplainlythananyoneelsecould。Thereisnothingfortheboybutdeath，ifitistheAngelthatisrequiredtosavehim。"

TheAngelstoodbetweenthem。

"Well，Ijustguessnot！"shecried。"IfFreckleswantsme，allhehastodoistosayso，andhecanhaveme！"

Theamazedmensteppedback，staringather。

"Thathewillneversay，"saidMcLeanatlast，"andyoudon\'tunderstand，Angel。Idon\'tknowhowyoucamehere。Iwouldn\'thavehadyouhearthatfortheworld，butsinceyouhave，deargirl，youmustbetoldthatitisn\'tyourfriendshiporyourkindnessFreckleswants；itisyourlove。"

TheAngellookedstraightintothegreatsurgeon\'seyeswithherclear，steadyorbsofblue，andthenintoMcLean\'swithunwaveringfrankness。

"Well，Idolovehim，"shesaidsimply。

McLean\'sarmsdroppedhelplessly。

"Youdon\'tunderstand，"hereiteratedpatiently。"Itisn\'ttheloveofafriend，oracomrade，orasister，thatFreckleswantsfromyou；itistheloveofasweetheart。Andiftosavethelifehehasofferedforyou，youarethinkingofbeinggenerousandimpulsiveenoughtosacrificeyourfuture——intheabsenceofyourfather，itwillbecomemyplainduty，astheprotectorinwhosehandshehasplacedyou，topreventsuchrashness。Theverywordsyouspeak，andthemannerinwhichyousaythem，provethatyouareamerechild，andhavenotdreamedwhatloveis。"

ThentheAngelgrewsplendid。Arosyflushsweptthepalloroffearfromherface。Herbigeyeswidenedanddilatedwithintenselights。

Sheseemedtoleaptotheheightandthedignityofsuperbwomanhoodbeforetheirwonderinggaze。

"Ineverhavehadtodreamoflove，"shesaidproudly。"Ineverhaveknownanythingelse，inallmylife，buttoloveeveryoneandtohaveeveryoneloveme。AndthereneverhasbeenanyonesodearasFreckles。Ifyouwillremember，wehavebeenthroughagooddealtogether。IdoloveFreckles，justasIsayIdo。Idon\'tknowanythingabouttheloveofsweethearts，butIlovehimwithalltheloveinmyheart，andIthinkthatwillsatisfyhim。"

"Surelyitshould！"mutteredthemanofknivesandlancets。

McLeanreachedtotakeholdoftheAngel，butshesawthemovementandswiftlysteppedback。

"Asformyfather，"shecontinued，"heatoncetoldmewhathelearnedfromyouaboutFreckles。I\'veknownallyouknowforseveralweeks。Thatknowledgedidn\'tchangeyourloveforhimaparticle。IthinktheBirdWomanlovedhimmore。Whyshouldyoutwohaveallthefineperceptionsthereare？Can\'tIseehowbrave，trustworthy，andsplendidheis？Can\'tIseehowhissoulvibrateswithhismusic，hisloveofbeautifulthingsandthepangsoflonelinessandhearthunger？Mustyoutwolovehimwithallthelovethereis，andIgivehimnone？Myfatherisneverunreasonable。

Hewon\'texpectmenottoloveFreckles，ornottotellhimso，ifthetellingwillsavehim。"

ShedartedpastMcLeanintoFreckles\'room，closedthedoor，andturnedthekey。

CHAPTERXVIII

WhereinFrecklesrefusesLoveWithoutKnowledgeofHonorableBirth，andtheAngelGoesinQuestofitFreckleslayonaflatpillow，hisbodyimmovableinaplastercast，hismaimedarm，asalways，hidden。HisgreedygazefastenedatonceontheAngel\'sface。Shecrossedtohimwithlightstepandbentoverhimwithinfinitetenderness。Herheartachedatthechangeinhisappearance。Heseemedsoweak，hearthungry，soutterlyhopeless，soalone。Shecouldseethatthenighthadbeenonelongterror。

ForthefirsttimeshetriedputtingherselfinFreckles\'place。

Whatwoulditmeantohavenoparents，nohome，noname？Noname！

Thatwastheworstofall。Thatwastobelost——indeed——utterlyandhopelesslylost。TheAngelliftedherhandstoherdazedheadandreeled，asshetriedtofacethatproposition。Shedroppedonherkneesbesidethebed，slippedherarmunderthepillow，andleaningoverFreckles，setherlipsonhisforehead。Hesmiledfaintly，buthiswistfulfaceappearedworseforit。IthurttheAngeltotheheart。

"DearFreckles，"shesaid，"thereisastoryinyoureyesthismorning，tellme？"

Frecklesdrewalong，waveringbreath。

"Angel，"hebegged，"begenerous！Bethinkingofmealittle。

I\'msohomesickandwornout，dearAngel，begivingmebackmepromise。

Letmego？"

"WhyFreckles！"falteredtheAngel。"Youdon\'tknowwhatyouareasking。`Letyougo！\'Icannot！Iloveyoubetterthananyone，Freckles。IthinkyouaretheveryfinestpersonIeverknew。

Ihaveourlivesallplanned。Iwantyoutobeeducatedandlearnallthereistoknowaboutsinging，justassoonasyouarewellenough。

BythetimeyouhavecompletedyoureducationIwillhavefinishedcollege，andthenIwant，"shechokedasecond，"Iwantyoutobemyrealknight，Freckles，andcometomeandtellmethatyou——likeme——alittle。Ihavebeencountingonyouformysweetheartfromtheveryfirst，Freckles。Ican\'tgiveyouup，unlessyoudon\'tlikeme。Butyoudolikeme——justalittle——don\'tyou，Freckles？"

Freckleslaywhiterthanthecoverlet，hisstaringeyesontheceilingandhisbreathwheezingbetweendrylips。TheAngelawaitedhisanswerasecond，andwhennonecame，shedroppedhercrimsoningfacebesidehimonthepillowandwhisperedinhisear:

"Freckles，I——I\'mtryingtomakelovetoyou。Oh，can\'tyouhelpmeonlyalittlebit？It\'sawfulhardallalone！Idon\'tknowhow，whenIreallymeanit，butFreckles，Iloveyou。Imusthaveyou，andnowIguess——IguessmaybeI\'dbetterkissyounext。"

Sheliftedhershamedfaceandbravelylaidherfeverish，quiveringlipsonhis。Herbreath，likeclover-bloom，wasinhisnostrils，andherhairtouchedhisface。Thenshelookedintohiseyeswithreproach。

"Freckles，"shepanted，"Freckles！Ididn\'tthinkitwasinyoutobemean！"

"Mean，Angel！Meantoyou？"gaspedFreckles。

"Yes，"saidtheAngel。"Downrightmean。WhenIkissyou，ifyouhadanymercyatallyou\'dkissback，justalittlebit。"

Freckles\'sinewyfistknottedintothecoverlet。Hischinpointedceilingwardwhilehisheadrockedonthepillow。

"Oh，Jesus！"burstfromhiminagony。"Youain\'ttheonlyonethatwascrucified！"

TheAngelcaughtFreckles\'handandcarriedittoherbreast。

"Freckles！"shewailedinterror，"Freckles！Itisamistake？Isitthatyoudon\'twantme？"

Freckles\'headrolledoninwordlesssuffering。

"Waitabit，Angel？"hepantedatlast。"Begivingmealittletime！"

TheAngelarosewithcontrolledfeatures。Shebathedhisface，straightenedhishair，andheldwatertohislips。Itseemedalongtimebeforehereachedtowardher。Instantlyshekneltagain，carriedhishandtoherbreast，andleanedhercheekuponit。

"Tellme，Freckles，"shewhisperedsoftly。

"IfIcan，"saidFrecklesinagony。"It\'sjustthis。Angelsarefromabove。Outcastsarefrombelow。You\'veasoundbodyandyou\'rebeautifulestofall。Youhaveeverythingthatloving，carefulraisingandmoneycangiveyou。IhavesomuchlessthannothingthatIdon\'tsupposeIhadanyrighttobeborn。It\'sasurething——nobodywantedmeafterward，soofcourse，theydidn\'tbefore。Someofthemshouldhavebeentellingyoulongago。"

"Ifthat\'sallyouhavetosay，Freckles，I\'veknownthatquiteawhile，"saidtheAngelstoutly。"Mr。McLeantoldmyfather，andhetoldme。Thatonlymakesmeloveyoumore，topayforallyou\'vemissed。"

"ThenI\'mwonderingatyou，"saidFrecklesinavoiceofawe。

"Can\'tyouseethatifyouwerewillingandyourfatherwouldcomeandofferyoutome，Icouldn\'tbetouchingthesolesofyourfeet，inlove——me，whosepeoplebrawledoverme，cutoffmehand，andthrowedmeawaytofreezeandtodie！Me，whohasnonamejustasmuchbecauseI\'venoRIGHTtoany，asbecauseIdon\'tknowit。

WhenIwaslittle，IplannedtofindmefatherandmotherwhenI

grewup。NowIknowmemotherdesertedme，andmefatherwasmaybeathiefandsurelyaliar。Thepityformesufferingandthewatchingovermehavegonetoyourhead，dearAngel，andit\'smemustbethinkingforyou。Ifyoucouldbeforgettingmelosthand，whereI

wasraised，andthatIhadnonametogiveyou，andifyouwouldbetakingmeasIam，somedaypeoplesuchasminemustbe，mightcomeuponyou。Iusedtoprayiverynightandmorningandmanytimesthedaytoseememother。NowIonlypraytodiequicklyandneverriskthesightofher。\'Tain\'tnowayspossible，Angel！It\'sawildnessofyourdearhead。Oh，doformercysake，kissmeoncemoreandbelettingmego！"

"Notforaminute！"criedtheAngel。"Notforaminute，ifthoseareallthereasonsyouhave。It\'syouwhoarewildinyourhead，butIcanunderstandjusthowithappened。BeingshutinthatHomemostofyourlife，andseeingchildreneverydaywhoseparentsdidneglectanddesertthem，makesyousureyoursdidthesame；andyettherearesomanyotherthingsthatcouldhavehappenedsomuchmoreeasilythanthat。Therearethousandsofyoungcoupleswhocometothiscountryandstartafamilywithnoneoftheirrelativeshere。Chicagoisabig，wickedcity，andgrownpeoplecoulddisappearinmanyways，andwhowouldthereeverbetofindtowhomtheirlittlechildrenbelonged？Theminutemyfathertoldmehowyoufelt，Ibegantostudythisthingover，andI\'vemadeupmymindyouaredeadwrong。ImeanttoaskmyfatherortheBirdWomantotalktoyoubeforeyouwentawaytoschool，butasmattersarerightnowIguessI\'lljustdoitmyself。It\'sallsoplaintome。Oh，ifIcouldonlymakeyousee！"

Sheburiedherfaceinthepillowandpresentlyliftedit，transfigured。

"NowIhaveit！"shecried。"Oh，dearheart！Icanmakeitsoplain！Freckles，canyouimagineyouseetheoldLimberlosttrail？

Wellwhenwefollowedit，youknowtherewereplaceswhereugly，pricklythistlesovergrewthepath，andyouwentaheadwithyourclubandbentthembacktokeepthemfromstingingthroughmyclothing。

Otherplacestherewerebigshiningpoolswherelovely，snow-whiteliliesgrew，andyouwadedinandgatheredthemforme。Ohdearheart，don\'tyousee？It\'sthis！Everywherethewindcarriedthatthistledown，otherthistlessprangupandgrewprickles；

andwhereverthoselilyseedssanktothemire，thepurewhiteofotherliliesbloomed。But，Freckles，therewasneveraplaceanywhereintheLimberlost，orinthewholeworld，wherethethistledownfloatedandsprangupandblossomedintowhitelilies！

Thistlesgrowfromthistles，andliliesfromotherlilies。

DearFreckles，thinkhard！Youmustseeit！Youarealily，straightthrough。Younever，nevercouldhavedriftedfromthethistle-patch。

"WheredidyoufindthecouragetogointotheLimberlostandfaceitsterrors？Youinheriteditfromthebloodofabravefather，dearheart。Wheredidyougettheplucktoholdforoverayearajobthatfewmenwouldhavetakenatall？Yougotitfromapluckymother，youbravestofboys。Youattackedsingle-handedamanalmosttwiceyoursize，andfoughtasademon，merelyatthesuggestionthatyoubedeceptiveanddishonest。Couldyourmotheroryourfatherhavebeenuntruthful？Hereyouare，sohungryandstarvedthatyouaredyingforlove。Wheredidyougetallthatcapacityforloving？Youdidn\'tinherititfromhardened，heartlesspeople，whowoulddisfigureyouandpurposelyleaveyoutodie，that\'sonesurething。Youoncetoldmeofsavingyourbigbullfrogfromarattlesnake。Youknewyouriskedahorribledeathwhenyoudidit。Yetyouwillspendmiserableyearstorturingyourselfwiththeideathatyourownmothermighthavecutoffthathand。Shameonyou，Freckles！Yourmotherwouldhavedonethis——"

TheAngeldeliberatelyturnedbackthecover，slippedupthesleeve，andlaidherlipsonthescars。

"Freckles！Wakeup！"shecried，almostshakinghim。"Cometoyoursenses！Beathinking，reasoningman！Youhavebroodedtoomuch，andbeenallyourlifetoomuchalone。It\'sallasplainasplaincanbetome。Youmustseeit！Likebreedslikeinthisworld！

Youmustbesomesortofareproductionofyourparents，andIamnotafraidtovouchforthem，notforaminute！

"Andthen，too，ifmoreproofisneeded，hereitis:Mr。McLeansaysthatyouneveroncehavefailedintactandcourtesy。Hesaysthatyouarethemostperfectgentlemanheeverknew，andhehastraveledtheworldover。Howdoesithappen，Freckles？NooneatthatHometaughtyou。Hundredsofmencouldn\'tbetaught，eveninaschoolofetiquette；soitmustbeinstinctivewithyou。Ifitis，why，thatmeansthatitisborninyou，andadirectinheritancefromaraceofmenthathavebeengentlemenforages，andcouldn\'tbeanythingelse。

"Thenthere\'syoursinging。Idon\'tbelievethereeverwasamortalwithasweetervoicethanyours，andwhilethatdoesn\'tproveanything，thereisapointthatdoes。Thelittletrainingyouhadfromthatchoirmasterwon\'taccountforthewonderfulaccentandeasewithwhichyousing。Somewhereinyourclosebloodisamarvelouslytrainedvocalist；weeveryoneofusbelievethat，Freckles。

"Whydoesmyfatherrefertoyouconstantlyasbeingoffineperceptionsandhonor？Becauseyouare，Freckles。WhydoestheBirdWomanleaveherpreciousworkandcomeheretohelplookafteryou？

Ineverheardofherlosinganytimeoveranyoneelse。It\'sbecauseshelovesyou。AndwhydoesMr。McLeanturnallofhisvaluablebusinessovertohiredmenandwatchyoupersonally？Andwhyishehuntingexcuseseverydaytospendmoneyonyou？MyfathersaysMcLeanisfullScotch-closewithadollar。Heisahard-headedbusinessman，Freckles，andheisdoingitbecausehefindsyouworthyofit。Worthyofallweallcandoandmorethanweknowhowtodo，dearheart！Freckles，areyoulisteningtome？Oh！won\'tyouseeit？Won\'tyoubelieveit？"

"Oh，Angel！"chatteredthebewilderedFreckles，"areyoutrulymaningit？Coulditbe？"

"Ofcourseitcould，"flashedtheAngel，"becauseitjustis！"

"Butyoucan\'tproveit，"wailedFreckles。"Itain\'tgivingmeaname，ormehonor！"

"Freckles，"saidtheAngelsternly，"youareunreasonable！Why，I

didproveeverywordIsaid！Everythingprovesit！Youlookhere！

IfyouknewforsurethatIcouldgiveyouanameandyourhonor，andprovetoyouthatyourmotherdidloveyou，why，then，wouldyoujustgotobreathinglikeperpetualmotionandhangonfordearlifeandgetwell？"

AbrightlightshoneinFreckles\'eyes。

"IfIknewthat，Angel，"hesaidsolemnly，"youcouldn\'tbekillingmeifyoufelledthebiggesttreeintheLimberlostsmashonme！"

"Thenyougorighttowork，"saidtheAngel，"andbeforenightI\'llproveonethingtoyou:Icanshowyoueasilyenoughhowmuchyourmotherlovedyou。Thatwillbethefirststep，andthentheremainderwillallcome。IfmyfatherandMr。McLeanaresoanxioustospendsomemoney，I\'llgivethemachance。Idon\'tseewhywehaven\'tcomprehendedhowyoufeltandsohavebeenatworkweeksago。

We\'vebeenawfullyselfish。We\'veallbeensocomfortable，weneverstoppedtothinkwhatotherpeopleweresufferingbeforeoureyes。

Noneofushasunderstood。I\'llhirethefinestdetectiveinChicago，andwe\'llgotoworktogether。Thisisnothingcomparedwiththingspeopledofindout。We\'llgoatit，beakandclaw，andwe\'llshowyouathingortwo。"

Frecklescaughthersleeve。

"Memother，Angel！Memother！"hemarveledhoarsely。"Didyousayyoucouldbefindingouttodayifmemotherlovedme？How？Oh，Angel！

Nothingmatters，IFONLYMEMOTHERDIDN\'TDOIT！"

"Thenyouresteasy，"saidtheAngel，withlargeconfidence。

"Yourmotherdidn\'tdoit！Mothersofsonssuchasyoudon\'tdothingslikethat。I\'llgotoworkatonceandproveittoyou。ThefirstthingtodoistogotothatHomewhereyouwereandgettheclothesyouworethenightyouwereleftthere。Iknowthattheyarerequiredtosavethosethingscarefully。Wecanfindoutalmostallthereistoknowaboutyourmotherfromthem。Didyoueverseethem？"

"Yis，"hereplied。

"Freckles！Weretheywhite？"shecried。

"Maybetheywereonce。They\'reallyellowwithlaying，andbrownwithblood-stainsnow"saidFreckles，theoldnoteofbitternesscreepingin。"Youcan\'tbetellinganythingatallbythem，Angel！"

"Well，butIjustcan！"saidtheAngelpositively。"Icanseefromthequalitywhatkindofgoodsyourmothercouldaffordtobuy。

Icanseefromthecutwhethershehadgoodtaste。Icanseefromthecareshetookinmakingthemhowmuchshelovedandwantedyou。"

"Buthow？Angel，tellmehow！"imploredFreckleswithtremblingeagerness。

"Why，easilyenough，"saidtheAngel。"Ithoughtyou\'dunderstand。

Peoplethatcanaffordanythingatall，alwaysbuywhiteforlittlenewbabies——linenandlace，andtheveryfinestthingstobehad。

There\'sayoungwomanlivingnearuswhocutupherweddingclothestohavefinethingsforherbaby。Motherswholoveandwanttheirbabiesdon\'tbuylittlerough，ready-madethings，andtheydon\'trunupwhattheymakeonanoldsewingmachine。Theymakefineseams，andtucks，andputonlaceandtrimmingbyhand。Theysitandstitch，andstitch——little，evenstitches，everyonejustascareful。

Theireyesshineandtheirfacesglow。Whentheyhavetoquittodosomethingelse，theylooksorry，andfolduptheirworksoparticularly。Thereisn\'tmuchworthknowingaboutyourmotherthatthoselittleclotheswon\'ttell。Icanseeherputtingthelittlestitchesintothemandsmilingwithshiningeyesoveryourcoming。Freckles，I\'llwageryouadollarthoselittleclothesofyoursarejustalivewiththedearest，tinyhandmadestitches。"

AnewlightdawnedinFreckles\'eyes。Atingeofwarmcolorsweptintohisface。Renewedstrengthwasnoticeableinhisgripofherhands。

"OhAngel！Willyougonow？Willyoubehurrying？"hecried。

"Rightaway，"saidtheAngel。"Iwon\'tstopforathing，andI\'llhurrywithallmymight。"

Shesmoothedhispillow，straightenedthecover，gavehimonesteadylookintheeyes，andwentquietlyfromtheroom。

Outsidethedoor，McLeanandthesurgeonanxiouslyawaitedher。

McLeancaughthershoulders。

"Angel，whathaveyoudone？"hedemanded。

TheAngelsmileddefianceintohiseyes。

"`WhathaveIdone？\'"sherepeated。"I\'vetriedtosaveFreckles。"

"Whatwillyourfathersay？"groanedMcLean。

"Itstrikesme，"saidtheAngel，"thatwhatFrecklessaidwouldbetothepoint。"

"Freckles！"exclaimedMcLean。"Whatcouldhesay？"

"Heseemedtobeabletosayseveralthings，"answeredtheAngelsweetly。"Ifancytheonethatconcernsyoumostatpresentwas，thatifmyfathershouldoffermetohimhewouldnothaveme。"

"AndnooneknowswhybetterthanIdo，"criedMcLean。"Everydayhemustastonishmewithsomenewfineness。"

Heturnedtothesurgeon。"Savehim！"hecommanded。"Savehim！"

heimplored。"Heistoofinetobesacrificed。"

"Hissalvationlieshere，"saidthesurgeon，strokingtheAngel\'ssunshinyhair，"andIcanreadinthefaceofherthatsheknowshowsheisgoingtoworkitout。Don\'ttroublefortheboy。

Shewillsavehim！"

TheAngellaughinglyspeddownthehall，andintothestreet，justasshewas。

"Ihavecome，"shesaidtothematronoftheHome，"toaskifyouwillallowmetoexamine，or，betteryet，totakewithme，thelittleclothesthataboyyoucalledFreckles，dischargedlastfall，worethenighthewaslefthere。"

Thewomanlookedatheringreaterastonishmentthantheoccasiondemanded。

"Well，I\'dbegladtoletyouseethem，"shesaidatlast，"butthefactiswehaven\'tthem。Idohopewehaven\'tmadesomemistake。

Iwasthoroughlyconvinced，andsowasthesuperintendent。Welethispeopletakethosethingsawayyesterday。Whoareyou，andwhatdoyouwantwiththem？"

TheAngelstooddazedandspeechless，staringatthematron。

"Therecouldn\'thavebeenamistake，"continuedthematron，seeingtheAngel\'sdistress。"FreckleswasherewhenItookcharge，tenyearsago。Thesepeoplehaditallprovedthathebelongedtothem。

TheyhadhimtracedtowhereheranawayinIllinoislastfall，andtheretheycompletelylosttrackofhim。I\'msorryyouseemsodisappointed，butitisallright。Themanishisuncle，andasliketheboyashepossiblycouldbe。Heisalmostkilledtogobackwithouthim。IfyouknowwhereFrecklesis，they\'dgivebigmoneytofindout。"

TheAngellaidahandalongeachcheektosteadyherchatteringteeth。

"Whoarethey？"shestammered。"Wherearetheygoing？"

"TheyareIrishfolks，miss，"saidthematron。"TheyhavebeeninChicagoandoverthecountryforthepastthreemonths，huntinghimeverywhere。Theyhavegivenup，andarestartinghometoday。They——"

"Didtheyleaveanaddress？WherecouldIfindthem？"interruptedtheAngel。

"Theyleftacard，andInoticethemorningpaperhastheman\'spictureandisfullofthem。They\'veadvertisedagreatdealinthecitypapers。It\'sawonderyouhaven\'tseensomething。"

"Trainsdon\'trunright。WenevergetChicagopapers，"saidtheAngel。"Pleasegivemethatcardquickly。Theymayescapeme。

Isimplymustcatchthem！"

Thematronhurriedtothesecretaryandcamebackwithacard。

"Theiraddressesarethere，"shesaid。"BothinChicagoandattheirhome。Theymadethemfullandplain，andIwastocableatonceifIgottheleastclueofhimatanytime。Ifthey\'veleftthecity，youcanstoptheminNewYork。You\'resuretocatchthembeforetheysail——ifyouhurry。"

ThematroncaughtupapaperandthrustitintotheAngel\'shandassherantothestreet。

TheAngelglancedatthecard。TheChicagoaddresswasSuiteEleven，Auditorium。Shelaidherhandonherdriver\'ssleeveandlookedintohiseyes。

"Thereisafast-drivinglimit？"sheasked。

"Yes，miss。"

"Willyoucrowditallyoucanwithoutdangerofarrest？Iwillpaywell。Imustcatchsomepeople！"

Thenshesmiledathim。Thehospital，anOrphans\'Home，andtheAuditoriumseemedaqueercombinationtothatdriver，buttheAngelwasalwaysandeverywheretheAngel，andhermethodswerestrictlyherown。

"Iwilltakeyouthereasquicklyasanymancouldwithateam，"hesaidpromptly。

TheAngelclungtothecardandpaper，andasbestshecouldinthelurching，swayingcab，readtheaddressesover。

"O\'More，SuiteEleven，Auditorium。"

"`O\'More，\'"sherepeated。"SeemstofitFrecklestoadot。Wonderifthatcouldbehisname？`SuiteEleven\'meansthatyouareprettywellfixed。SuitesintheAuditoriumcomehigh。"

Thensheturnedthecardandreadonitsreverse，LordMaxwellO\'More，M。P。，KillvanyPlace，CountyClare，Ireland。

TheAngelsatontheedgeoftheseat，bracingherfeetagainsttheoneopposite，asthecabpitchedandswungaroundcornersandpastvehicles。Shemechanicallyfingeredthepasteboardandstaredstraightahead。Thenshedrewadeepbreathandreadthecardagain。

"ALord-man！"shegroaneddespairingly。"ALord-man！Betmyhoecake\'sscorched！HereI\'vegoneandpledgedmywordtoFrecklesI\'dfindhimsomedecentrelatives，thathecouldbeproudof，andnowthereisn\'tachanceoutofadozenthathe\'llhavetobeashamedofthemafterall。It\'stoomean！"

Thetearsofvexationrolleddownthetired，nerve-rackedAngel\'scheeks。

"Thisisn\'tgoingtodo，"shesaid，resolutelywipinghereyeswiththepalmofherhandandgulpingdownthenervousspasminherthroat。

"ImustreadthispaperbeforeImeetLordO\'More。"

Sheblinkedbackthetearsandspreadingthepaperonherknee，read:

"Afterthreemonths\'fruitlesssearch，LordO\'Moregivesupthequestofhislostnephew，andleavesChicagotodayforhishomeinIreland。"

Shereadon，andrealizedeveryword。Thelikenesssettledanydoubt。

ItwasFrecklesoveragain，onlyolderandwelldressed。

"Well，ImustcatchyouifIcan，"mutteredtheAngel。"ButwhenI

do，ifyouareagentlemaninnameonly，youshan\'thaveFreckles；

that\'sflat。You\'renothisfatherandheistwenty。Anyway，ifthelawwillgivehimtoyouforoneyear，youcan\'tspoilhim，becausenobodycould，and，"sheadded，brightening，"he\'llprobablydoyoualotofgood。FrecklesandIbothmuststudyyearsyet，andyoushouldbesomethingthatwillsavehim。Iguessitwillcomeoutallright。Atleast，Idon\'tbelieveyoucantakehimawayifIsayno。"

"Thankyou；andwait，nomatterhowlong，"shesaidtoherdriver。

Catchingupthepaper，shehurriedtothedeskandlaiddownLordO\'More\'scard。

"Hasmyunclestartedyet？"sheaskedsweetly。

Thesurprisedclerksteppedbackonabellboy，andcovertlykickedhimforbeingintheway。

"Hislordshipisinhisroom，"hesaid，withalowbow。

"Allright，"saidtheAngel，pickingupthecard。"Ithoughthemighthavestarted。I\'llseehim。"

TheclerkshovedthebellboytowardtheAngel。

"ShowherladyshiptotheelevatorandLordO\'More\'ssuite，"hesaid，bowingdouble。

"Aw，thanks，"saidtheAngelwithaslightnod，assheturnedaway。

"I\'mnotsure，"shemutteredtoherselfastheelevatorspedupward，"whetherit\'stheIrishortheEnglishwhosay:

`Aw，thanks，\'butit\'sprobableheisn\'teither；andanyway，Ijusthadtodosomethingtocounteractthat`Allright。\'

Howstupidofme！"

Atthebellboy\'stap，thedoorswungopenandtheliveriedservantthrustacardtraybeforetheAngel。Theopeningofthedoorcreatedacurrentthatswayedacurtainaside，andinanadjoiningroom，lounginginabigchair，withapaperinhishand，satamanwhowas，beyondquestion，ofFreckles\'bloodandrace。

WithperfectcontroltheAngeldroppedLordO\'More\'scardinthetray，steppedpasthisservant，andstoodbeforehislordship。

"Goodmorning，"shesaidwithtensepoliteness。

LordO\'Moresaidnothing。Hecarelesslyglancedheroverwithamusedcuriosity，untilhercolorbegantodeepenandherbloodtorunhotly。

"Well，mydear，"hesaidatlast，"howcanIserveyou？"

InstantlytheAngelbecameindignant。Shehadbeensoshieldedinthemidstofalmostentirefreedom，owingtothecircumstancesofherlife，thatthewordsandthelookappearedtoherasalmostinsulting。Sheliftedherheadwithaproudgesture。

"Iamnotyour`dear，\'"shesaidwithslowdistinctness。"Thereisn\'tathingintheworldyoucandoforme。IcameheretoseeifIcoulddosomething——averygreatsomething——foryou；butifI

don\'tlikeyou，Iwon\'tdoit！"

ThenLordO\'Moredidstare。Suddenlyhebrokeintoaringinglaugh。

Withoutachangeofattitudeorexpression，theAngelstoodlookingsteadilyathim。

Therewasasilkenrustle，thenabeautifulwomanwithcheeksofsatinypink，darkhair，andeyesofpureIrishblue，movedtoLordO\'More\'sside，andcatchinghisarm，shookhimimpatiently。

"Terence！Haveyoulostyoursenses？"shecried。"Didn\'tyouunderstandwhatthechildsaid？Lookatherface！Seewhatshehas！"

LordO\'Moreopenedhiseyeswidelyandsatup。HedidlookattheAngel\'sfaceintently，andsuddenlyfounditsogoodthatitwasdifficulttofollowthenextinjunction。Hearoseinstantly。

"Ibegyourpardon，"hesaid。"Thefactis，IamleavingChicagosorelydisappointed。Itmakesmebitterandreckless。Ithoughtyouonemoreofthosequeer，uselesspeoplewhohavethrustthemselvesonmeconstantly，andIwascareless。Forgiveme，andtellmewhyyoucame。"

"IwillifIlikeyou，"saidtheAngelstoutly，"andifIdon\'t，Iwon\'t！"

"ButIbeganallwrong，andnowIdon\'tknowhowtomakeyoulikeme，"saidhislordship，withsincerepenitenceinhistone。

TheAngelfoundherselfyieldingtohisvoice。Hespokeinasoft，mellow，smoothlyflowingIrishtone，andalthoughhisspeechwasperfectlycorrect，itwassorounded，andaccented，andthesentencessoturned，thatitwasFrecklesoveragain。Still，itwasamatteroftheverygreatestimportance，andshemustbesure；soshelookedintothebeautifulwoman\'sface。

"Areyouhiswife？"sheasked。

"Yes，"saidthewoman，"Iamhiswife。"

"Well，"saidtheAngeljudicially，"theBirdWomansaysnooneinthewholeworldknowsallaman\'sbignessesandallhislittlenessesashiswifedoes。Whatyouthinkofhimshoulddoforme。Doyoulikehim？"

Thequestionwassoearnestlyaskedthatitmetwithequalearnestness。

ThedarkheadmovedcaressinglyagainstLordO\'More\'ssleeve。

"Betterthananyoneinthewholeworld，"saidLadyO\'Morepromptly。

TheAngelmusedasecond，andthenherlegaltingecametotheforeagain。

"Yes，buthaveyouanyoneyoucouldlikebetter，ifhewasn\'tallright？"shepersisted。

"Ihavethreeofhissons，twolittledaughters，afather，mother，andseveralbrothersandsisters，"camethequickreply。

"Andyoulikehimbest？"persistedtheAngelwithfinality。

"IlovehimsomuchthatIwouldgiveupeveryoneofthemwithdryeyesifbysodoingIcouldsavehim，"criedLordO\'More\'swife。

"Oh！"criedtheAngel。"Oh，my！"

SheliftedhercleareyestoLordO\'More\'sandshookherhead。

"Shenever，nevercoulddothat！"shesaid。"Butit\'samightybigthingtoyourcreditthatsheTHINKSshecould。IguessI\'lltellyouwhyIcame。"

Shelaiddownthepaper，andtouchedtheportrait。

"Whenyouwereonlyaboy，didpeoplecallyouFreckles？"sheasked。

"DozensofgoodfellowsalloverIrelandandtheContinentaredoingittoday，"answeredLordO\'More。

TheAngel\'sfaceworehermostbeautifulsmile。

"Iwassureofit，"shesaidwinningly。"That\'swhatwecallhim，andheissolikeyou，Idoubtifanyoneofthosethreeboysofyoursaremoreso。Butit\'sbeentwentyyears。Seemstomeyou\'vebeenalongtimecoming！"

LordO\'MorecaughttheAngel\'swristsandhiswifeslippedherarmsaroundher。

"Steady，mygirl！"saidtheman\'svoicehoarsely。"Don\'tmakemethinkyou\'vebroughtwordoftheboyatthislasthour，unlessyouknowsurely。"

"It\'sallright，"saidtheAngel。"Wehavehim，andthere\'snochanceofamistake。IfIhadn\'tgonetothatHomeforhislittleclothes，andheardofyouandbeenhuntingyou，andhadmetyouonthestreet，oranywhere，Iwouldhavestoppedyouandaskedyouwhoyouwere，justbecauseyouaresolikehim。It\'sallright。IcantellyouwhereFrecklesis；butwhetheryoudeservetoknow——that\'sanothermatter！"

LordO\'Moredidnothearher。Hedroppedinhischair，andcoveringhisface，burstintothoseterriblesobsthatshakeandrendastrongman。LadyO\'Morehoveredoverhim，weeping。

"Umph！LooksprettyfairforFreckles，"mutteredtheAngel。

"Lotsofthingscanbeexplained；nowperhapstheycanexplainthis。"

TheydidexplainsosatisfactorilythatinafewminutestheAngelwasonherfeet，hurryingLordandLadyO\'Moretoreachthehospital。

"YousaidFreckles\'oldnurseknewhismother\'spictureinstantly，"

saidtheAngel。"Iwantthatpictureandthebundleoflittleclothes。"

LadyO\'Moregavethemintoherhands。

Thelikenesswasalargeminiature，paintedonivory，withaframeofbeatengold。Surroundedbymassesofdarkhairwasadelicatelycutface。IntheupperpartofittherewasnotraceofFreckles，butthelipscurvinginasmilewerehisveryown。TheAngelgazedatitsteadily。ThenwithaquiveringbreathshelaidtheportraitasideandreachedbothhandstoLordO\'More。

"ThatwillsaveFreckles\'lifeandinsurehishappiness，"shesaidpositively。"Thankyou，ohthankyouforcoming！"

Sheopenedthebundleofyellowandbrownlinenandgaveonlyaglanceatthetextureandwork。Thenshegatheredthelittleclothesandthepicturetoherheartandledthewaytothecab。

UsheringLordandLadyO\'Moreintothereceptionroom，shesaidtoMcLean，"Pleasegocallupmyfatherandaskhimtocomeonthefirsttrain。"

Sheclosedthedoorafterhim。

"TheseareFreckles\'people，"shesaidtotheBirdWoman。"Youcanfindoutabouteachother；I\'mgoingtohim。"

CHAPTERXIX

WhereinFrecklesFindsHisBirthrightandtheAngelLosesHerHeartThenurselefttheroomquietly，astheAngelentered，carryingthebundleandpicture。Whentheywerealone，sheturnedtoFrecklesandsawthatthecrisiswasindeedathand。

Thatshehadgoodwordtogivehimwashissalvation，fordespitetheheavyplasterjacketthatheldhisbodyimmovable，hisheadwasliftedfromthepillow。Botharmsreachedforher。Hislipsandcheeksflamed，whilehiseyesflashedwithexcitement。

"Angel，"hepanted。"OhAngel！Didyoufindthem？Aretheywhite？

Arethelittlestitchesthere？OHANGEL！DIDMEMOTHERLOVEME？"

Thewordsseemedtoleapfromhisburninglips。TheAngeldroppedthebundleonthebedandlaidthepicturefacedownacrosshisknees。

Shegentlypushedhisheadtothepillowandcaughthisarmsinafirmgrasp。

"Yes，dearheart，"shesaidwithfullestassurance。"Nolittleclotheswereeverwhiter。Ineverinallmylifesawsuchdainty，fine，littlestitches；andasforlovingyou，noboy\'smothereverlovedhimmore！"

AnervoustremblingseizedFreckles。

"Sure？Areyousure？"heurgedwithclickingteeth。

"Iknow，"saidtheAngelfirmly。"AndFreckles，whileyourestandbeglad，Iwanttotellyouastory。Whenyoufeelstrongerwewilllookattheclothestogether。Theyarehere。Theyareallright。

ButwhileIwasattheHomegettingthem，Iheardofsomepeoplethatwerehuntingalostboy。Iwenttoseethem，andwhattheytoldmewasallsoexactlylikewhatmighthavehappenedtoyouthatImusttellyou。Thenyou\'llunderstandthatthingscouldbeverydifferentfromwhatyoualwayshavetorturedyourselfwiththinking。

Areyoustrongenoughtolisten？MayItellyou？"

"Maybe\'twasn\'tmemother！Maybesomeoneelsemadethoselittlestitches！"

"Now，goosie，don\'tyoubeginthat，"saidtheAngel，"becauseI

knowthatitwas！"

"Know！"criedFreckles，hisheadspringingfromthepillow。"Know！

Howcanyouknow？"

TheAngelgentlysoothedhimback。

"Why，becausenobodyelsewouldeversitanddoitthewayitisdone。That\'showIknow，"shesaidemphatically。"NowyoulistenwhileItellyouaboutthislostboyandhispeople，whohavehuntedformonthsandcan\'tfindhim。"

Freckleslayquietlyunderhertouch，buthedidnothearawordthatshewassayinguntilhisrovingeyesrestedonherface；heimmediatelynoticedaremarkablething。Forthefirsttimeshewastalkingtohimandavoidinghiseyes。ThatwasnotliketheAngelatall。Itwasthedelightofhearingherspeakthatshelookedonesquarelyinthefaceandwithperfectfrankness。Therewerenosideglancesanddown-droopingeyeswhentheAngeltalked；shewasbusinessstraightthrough。InstantlyFreckles\'wanderingthoughtsfastenedonherwords。

"——andhewasasour，grumpy，oldman，"shewassaying。"Healwayshadbeenspoiled，becausehewasanonlyson，sohehadatitle，andabigestate。Hewouldhavejusthisway，nomatterabouthissweetlittlewife，orhisboys，oranyone。Sowhenhiseldersonfellinlovewithabeautifulgirlhavingatitle，theverygirlofalltheworldhisfatherwantedhimto，andaddedabigadjoiningestatetohis，why，thatpleasedhimmightily。

"Thenhewentandorderedhisyoungersontomarryapokykindofagirl，thatnooneliked，toaddanotherbigestateontheotherside，andthatwasdifferent。Thatwasalltheworlddifferent，becausetheeldersonhadbeeninloveallhislifewiththegirlhemarried，and，oh，Freckles，it\'snowonder，forIsawher！

She\'sabeautyandshehasthesweetestway。