第9章

"Butthatpooryoungerson，hehadbeeninlovewiththevillagevicar\'sdaughterallhislife。That\'snowondereither，forshewasmorebeautifulyet。Shecouldsingastheangels，butshehadn\'tacent。Shelovedhimtodeath，too，ifhewasbonyandfreckledandred-haired——Idon\'tmeanthat！Theydidn\'tsaywhatcolorhishairwas，buthisfather\'smusthavebeenthereddestever，forwhenhefoundoutaboutthem，anditwasn\'tanythingsoterrible，HEJUSTCAVED！

"Theoldmanwenttoseethegirl——theprettyonewithnomoney，ofcourse——andhehurtherfeelingsuntilsheranaway。ShewenttoLondonandbeganstudyingmusic。Soonshegrewtobeafinesinger，soshejoinedacompanyandcametothiscountry。

"WhentheyoungersonfoundthatshehadleftLondon，hefollowedher。

Whenshegothereallalone，andafraid，andsawhimcomingtoher，why，shewassogladsheupandmarriedhim，justlikeanybodyelsewouldhavedone。Hedidn\'twanthertotravelwiththetroupe，sowhentheyreachedChicagotheythoughtthatwouldbeagoodplace，andtheystopped，whilehehuntedwork。Itwasslowbusiness，becauseheneverhadbeentaughttodoausefulthing，andhedidn\'tevenknowhowtohuntwork，leastofalltodoitwhenhefoundit；soprettysoonthingsweregoingwrong。Butifhecouldn\'tfindwork，shecouldalwayssing，soshesangatnight，andmadelittlethingsinthedaytime。Hedidn\'tlikehertosinginpublic，andhewouldn\'tallowherwhenhecouldHELPhimself；

butwintercame，itwasverycold，andfirewasexpensive。

Rentswentup，andtheyhadtomovefartherouttocheaperandcheaperplaces；andyouwerecoming——Imean，theboythatislostwascoming——andtheywerealmostdistracted。Thenthemanwroteandtoldhisfatherallaboutit；andhisfathersenttheletterbackunopenedwithalinetellinghimnevertowriteagain。Whenthebabycame，therewasverylittlelefttopawnforfoodandadoctor，andnothingatallforanurse；soanoldneighborwomanwentinandtookcareoftheyoungmotherandthelittlebaby，becauseshewassosorryforthem。Bythattimetheywereawayinthesuburbsonthetopfloorofalittlewoodenhouse，amongalotofbigfactories，anditkeptgrowingcolder，withlesstoeat。

Thenthemangrewdesperateandhewentjusttofindsomethingtoeatandthewomanwasdesperate，too。Shegotup，lefttheoldwomantotakecareofherbaby，andwentintothecitytosingforsomemoney。Thewomanbecamesocoldsheputthebabyinbedandwenthome。Thenaboilerblewupinabigfactorybesidethelittlehouseandsetitonfire。Apieceofironwaspitchedacrossandbrokethroughtheroof。Itcamedownsmash，andcutjustonelittlehandoffthepoorbaby。Itscreamedandscreamed；andthefirekeptcomingcloserandcloser。

"Theoldwomanranoutwiththeotherpeopleandsawwhathadhappened。

Sheknewtherewasn\'tgoingtobetimetowaitforfiremenoranything，sosheranintothebuilding。Shecouldhearthebabyscreaming，andshecouldn\'tstandthat；sosheworkedherwaytoit。

Thereitwas，allhurtandbleeding。Thenshewasalmostscaredtodeathoverthinkingwhatitsmotherwoulddotoherforgoingawayandleavingit，sosherantoaHomeforlittlefriendlessbabies，thatwasclose，andbangedonthedoor。Thenshehidacrossthestreetuntilthebabywastakenin，andthensheranbacktoseeifherownhousewasburning。Thebigfactoryandthelittlehouseandalotofotherswereallgone。Thepeopletheretoldherthatthebeautifulladycamebackandranintothehousetofindherbaby。Shehadjustgoneinwhenherhusbandcame，andhewentinafterher，andthehousefelloverbothofthem。"

Freckleslayrigidly，withhiseyesontheAngel\'sface，whileshetalkedrapidlytotheceiling。

"Thentheoldwomanwassickaboutthatpoorlittlebaby。ShewasafraidtotellthemattheHome，becausesheknewshenevershouldhaveleftit，butshewrotealetterandsentittowherethebeautifulwoman，whenshewasill，hadsaidherhusband\'speoplelived。

Shetoldallaboutthelittlebabythatshecouldremember:

whenitwasborn，howitwasnamedfortheman\'selderbrother，thatitshandhadbeencutoffinthefire，andwhereshehadputittobedoctoredandtakencareof。Shetoldthemthatitsmotherandfatherwerebothburned，andshebeggedandimploredthemtocomeafterit。

"You\'dthinkthatwouldhavemeltedaheartofice，butthatoldmanhadn\'tanyhearttomelt，forhegotthatletterandreadit。

Hehiditawayamonghispapersandnevertoldasoul。Afewmonthsagohedied。Whenhiseldersonwenttosettlehisbusiness，hefoundtheletteralmostthefirstthing。Hedroppedeverything，andcame，withhiswife，tohuntthatbaby，becausehealwayshadlovedhisbrotherdearly，andwantedhimback。Hehadhuntedforhimallhedaredalltheseyears，butwhenhegothereyouweregone——I

meanthebabywasgone，andIhadtotellyou，Freckles，foryousee，itmighthavehappenedtoyoulikethatjustaseasyastothatotherlostboy。"

FrecklesreachedupandturnedtheAngel\'sfaceuntilhecompelledhereyestomeethis。

"Angel，"heaskedquietly，"whydon\'tyoulookatmewhenyouaretellingaboutthatlostboy？"

"I——Ididn\'tknowIwasn\'t，"falteredtheAngel。

"Itseemstome，"saidFreckles，hisbreathbeginningtocomeinsharpwheezes，"thatyougotusrathermixed，anditain\'tlikeyoutobemixingthingstillonecan\'tbeknowing。Iftheyweretellingyousomuch，didtheysaywhichhandwasforbeingoffthatlostboy？"

TheAngel\'seyesescapedagain。

"It——itwasthesameasyours，"sheventured，barelybreathinginherfear。

StillFreckleslayrigidandwhiterthanthecoverlet。

"Wouldthatboybeasoldasme？"heasked。

"Yes，"saidtheAngelfaintly。

"Angel，"saidFrecklesatlast，catchingherwrist，"areyoutryingtotellmethatthereissomebodyhuntingaboythatyou\'rethinkingmightbeme？Areyoubelavin\'you\'vefoundmerelations？"

ThentheAngel\'seyescamehome。Thetimehadcome。ShepinionedFreckles\'armstohissidesandbentabovehim。

"Howstrongareyou，dearheart？"shebreathed。"Howbraveareyou？

Canyoubearit？DareItellyouthat？"

"No！"gaspedFreckles。"Notifyou\'resure！Ican\'tbearit！

I\'lldieifyoudo！"

ThedayhadbeenoneunremittingstrainwiththeAngel。

Nervetensionwasdrawntothefinestthread。Itsnappedsuddenly。

"Die！"sheflamed。"Die，ifItellyouthat！YousaidthismorningthatyouwoulddieifyouDIDN\'Tknowyourname，andifyourpeoplewerehonorable。NowI\'vegoneandfoundyouanamethatstandsforagesofhonor，amotherwholovedyouenoughtogointothefireanddieforyou，andthenicestkindofrelatives，andyouturnroundandsayyou\'lldieoverthat！YOUJUSTTRYDYINGANDYOU\'LL

GETAGOODSLAP！"

TheAngelstoodglaringathim。OnesecondFreckleslayparalyzedanddumbwithastonishment。ThenexttheIrishinhissoularoseaboveeverything。Alaughburstfromhim。TheterrifiedAngelcaughthiminherarmsandtriedtostiflethesound。Sheimploredandcommanded。Whenhewastooworntoutteranothersound，hiseyeslaughedsilently。

Afteralongtime，whenhewasquietandrested，theAngelcommencedtalkingtohimgently，andthistimeherbigeyes，humidwithtendernessandmellowwithhappiness，seemedasiftheycouldnotleavehisface。

"DearFreckles，"shewassaying，"acrossyourkneesthereisthefaceofthemotherwhowentintothefireforyou，andIknowthename——oldandfullofhonor——towhichyouwereborn。Dearheart，whichwillyouhavefirst？"

Freckleswasverytired；thebigdropsofperspirationrantogetheronhistemples；butthewatchingAngelcaughtthewordshislipsformed，"Memother！"

Sheliftedthelovelypicturedfaceandsetitinthenookofhisarm。

Frecklescaughtherhandanddrewherbesidehim，andtogethertheygazedatthepicturewhilethetearsslidovertheircheeks。

"Memother！Oh，memother！Canyoueverbeforgivingme？Oh，mebeautifullittlemother！"chantedFrecklesoverandoverinexaltedwonder，untilhewassocompletelyexhaustedthathislipsrefusedtoformthequestioninhiswearyeyes。

"Wait！"criedtheAngelwithinbornrefinement，forshecouldnomoreanswerthatquestionthanhecouldask。"Wait，Iwillwriteit！"

Shehurriedtothetable，caughtupthenurse\'spencil，andonthebackofaprescriptiontabletscrawledit:"TerenceMaxwellO\'More，DunderryHouse，CountyClare，Ireland。"

BeforeshehadfinishedcameFreckles\'voice:"Angel，areyouhurrying？"

"Yes，"saidtheAngel；"Iam。Butthereisagooddealofit。Ihavetoputinyourhouseandcountry，sothatyouwillfeellocated。"

"Mehouse？"marveledFreckles。

"Ofcourse，"saidtheAngel。"Yourunclesaysyourgrandmotherleftyourfatherherdowerhouseandestate，becausesheknewhisfatherwouldcuthimoff。Yougetthat，andallyourshareofyourgrandfather\'spropertybesides。Itisallsetoffforyouandwaiting。LordO\'Moretoldmeso。IsuspectyouarericherthanMcLean，Freckles。"

Sheclosedhisfingersovertheslipandstraightenedhishair。

"Nowyouareallright，dearLimberlostguard，"shesaid。"Yougotosleepanddon\'tthinkofathingbutjustpurejoy，joy，joy！

I\'llkeepyourpeopleuntilyouwakeup。Youaretootiredtoseeanyoneelsejustnow！"

Frecklescaughtherskirtassheturnedfromhim。

"I\'llgotosleepinfiveminutes，"hesaid，"ifyouwillbedoingjustonethingmoreforme。Sendforyourfather！Oh，Angel，sendforhimquick！HowwillIeverbewaitinguntilhecomes？"

OneinstanttheAngelstoodlookingathim。Thenextacrimsonwavedarklystainedherlovelyface。Herchinbeganaspasmodicquiveringandthetearssprangintohereyes。Herhandscaughtatherchestasifshewerestifling。Freckles\'grasponhertighteneduntilhedrewherbesidehim。Heslippedhisarmaroundheranddrewherfacetohispillow。

"Don\'t，Angel；fortheloveofmercydon\'tbedoingthat，"

heimplored。"Ican\'tbebearingit。Tellme。Youmusttellme。"

TheAngelshookherhead。

"Thatain\'tfair，Angel，"saidFreckles。"Youmademetellyouwhenitwasliketearingtheheartrawfrommebreast。Andyouwasformakingeverythingheaven——justheavenandnothingelseforme。

IfI\'msomuchmorenowthanIwasanhourago，maybeIcanbethinkingofsomewaytofixthings。Youwillbetellingme？"hecoaxed，movinghischeekagainstherhair。

TheAngel\'sheadmovedinnegation。Frecklesdidamomentofintentthinking。

"MaybeIcanbeguessing，"hewhispered。"Willyoubegivingmethreechances？"

Therewasthefaintestpossibleassent。

"Youdidn\'twantmetobeknowingmename，"guessedFreckles。

TheAngel\'sheadsprangfromthepillowandhertear-stainedfaceflamedwithoutragedindignation。

"Why，Ididtoo！"shecriedangrily。

"Onegone，"saidFrecklescalmly。"Youdidn\'twantmetohaverelatives，ahome，andmoney。"

"Idid！"exclaimedtheAngel。"Didn\'tIgomyself，allalone，intothecity，andfindthemwhenIwasafraidasdeath？Ididtoo！"

"Twogone，"saidFreckles。"Youdidn\'twantthebeautifulestgirlintheworldtobetellingme——"

DownwenttheAngel\'sfaceandaheavysobshookher。Freckles\'

clasptightenedaroundhershoulders，whilehisface，initsconflictingemotions，wasastudy。Hewassostunnedandbewilderedbythemiraclethathadbeenperformedinbringingtolighthisnameandrelativesthathehadnostrengthleftforelaboratementalprocesses。Despiteallitmeanttohimtoknowhisnameatlast，andthathewasofhonorablebirth——knowledgewithoutwhichlifewasaneternaldisgraceandburdentheonethingthatwashammeringinFreckles\'heartandbeatinginhisbrain，pastanyattemptedexpression，wasthefactthat，whilenamelessandpossiblyborninshame，theAngelhadtoldhimthatshelovedhim。

Hecouldfindnowordwithwhichtobegintovoicetheraptureofhisheartoverthat。Butifsheregrettedit——ifithadbeenathingdoneoutofherpityforhiscondition，orherfeelingofresponsibility，ifitkilledhimafterall，therewasonlyonethinglefttodo。NotforMcLean，notfortheBirdWoman，notfortheDuncanswouldFreckleshavedoneit——butfortheAngel——ifitwouldmakeherhappy——hewoulddoanything。

"Angel，"whisperedFreckles，withhislipsagainstherhair，"youhaven\'tlearnedyourhistorybookverywell，orelseyou\'veforgotten。"

"Forgottenwhat？"sobbedtheAngel。

"Forgottenabouttherealknight，Ladybird，"breathedFreckles。

"Don\'tyouknowthat，ifanythinghappenedthatmadehisladysorry，arealknightjustsimplycouldn\'tberememberingit？Angel，darlinglittleSwampAngel，youbelisteningtome。Therewasonenightonthetrail，onesolemn，grand，whitenight，thattherewasn\'teveranyotherlikebeforeorsince，whenthedearBossputhisarmaroundmeandtoldmethathelovedme；butifyoucare，Angel，ifyoudon\'twantitthatway，why，Iain\'trememberingthatanyoneelseeverdid——notinmewholelife。"

TheAngelliftedherheadandlookedintothedepthsofFreckles\'

honestgrayeyes，andtheymethersunwaveringly；butthepaininthemwaspitiful。

"Doyoumean，"shedemanded，"thatyoudon\'trememberthatabrazen，forwardgirltoldyou，whenyouhadn\'taskedher，thatshe"——theAngelchokedonitasecond，butshegaveagulpandbroughtitoutbravely——"thatshelovedyou？"

"No！"criedFreckles。"No！Idon\'trememberanythingofthekind！"

Butallthesongbirdsofhissoulburstintomelodyoverthatonelittleclause:"Whenyouhadn\'taskedher。"

"Butyouwill，"saidtheAngel。"Youmaylivetobeanold，oldman，andthenyouwill。"

"Iwillnot！"criedFreckles。"Howcanyouthinkit，Angel？"

"Youwon\'tevenLOOKasifyouremember？"

"Iwillnot！"persistedFreckles。"I\'llbeswearingtoitifyouwantmeto。Ifyouwasn\'ttootiredtothinkthisthingoutstraight，you\'dbeseeingthatIcouldn\'t——thatIjustsimplycouldn\'t！I\'drathergiveitallupnowandgointoeternityalone，withouteverseeingasoulofmesameblood，ormehome，orhearinganothermancallmebythenameIwasbornto，thantorememberanythingthatwouldbehurtingyou，Angel。Ishouldthinkyou\'dbeunderstandingthatitain\'tnowayspossibleformetodoit。"

TheAngel\'stear-stainedfaceflashedintodazzlingbeauty。

Ahalf-hystericallittlelaughbrokefromherheartandbubbledoverherlips。

"Oh，Freckles，forgiveme！"shecried。"I\'vebeenthroughsomuchthatI\'mscarcelymyself，orIwouldn\'tbeherebotheringyouwhenyoushouldbesleeping。Ofcourseyoucouldn\'t！Iknewitallthetime！

Iwasjustscared！Iwasforgettingthatyouwereyou！You\'retoogoodaknighttorememberathinglikethat。Ofcourseyouare！

Andwhenyoudon\'tremember，why，thenit\'sthesameasifitneverhappened。IwasalmostkilledbecauseI\'dgoneandspoiledeverything，butnowitwillbeallright。Nowyoucangoonanddothingslikeothermen，andIcanhavesomeflowers，andletters，andmysweetheartcoming，andwhenyouareSURE，why，thenYOUcantellMEthings，can\'tyou？Oh，Freckles，I\'msoglad！Oh，I\'msohappy！

It\'sdearofyounottoremember，Freckles；perfectlydear！

It\'snowonderIloveyouso。ThewonderwouldbeifIdidnot。

Oh，IshouldliketoknowhowI\'mevergoingtomakeyouunderstandhowmuchIloveyou！"

Pillowandall，shecaughthimtoherbreastonelongsecond；thenshewasgone。

Freckleslaydazedwithastonishment。Atlasthisamazedeyessearchedtheroomforsomethingapproachingthehumantowhichhecouldappeal，andfallingonhismother\'sportrait，hesetitbeforehim。

"Fortheloveoflife！Melittlemother，"hepanted，"didyouhearthat？Didyouhearit！Tellme，amIliving，oramIdeadandallheavencometruethisminute？Didyouhearit？"

Heshooktheframeinhisimpatienceatreceivingnoanswer。

"Youareonlyapicturedface，"hesaidatlast，"andofcourseyoucan\'ttalk；butthesoulofyoumustbesomewhere，andsurelyinthishouryouarecloseenoughtobehearing。Tellme，didyouhearthat？

Ican\'teverbetellingalivingsoul；butdarlinglittlemother，whogaveyourlifeformine，Icanalwaysbetalkingofittoyou！Everydaywe\'lltalkitoverandtrytounderstandthemiracleofit。Tellme，areallwomenlikethat？WereyoulikemeSwampAngel？Ifyouwere，thenI\'munderstandingwhymefatherfollowedacrosstheoceanandwentintothefire。"

CHAPTERXX

WhereinFrecklesreturnstotheLimberlost，andLordO\'MoreSailsforIrelandWithoutHimFreckles\'voiceceased，hiseyesclosed，andhisheadrolledbackfromexhaustion。LaterinthedayheinsistedonseeingLordandLadyO\'More，buthefaintedbeforetheresemblanceofanothermantohim，andgaveallofhisfriendsaterriblefright。

Thenextmorning，theManofAffairs，withaheartfilledwithmisgivings，undertooktheinterviewonwhichFrecklesinsisted。

Hisfearswerewithoutcause。Freckleswasthesoulofhonorandsimplicity。

"Havetheybeentellingyouwhat\'scometome？"heaskedwithoutevenwaitingforagreeting。

"Yes，"saidtheAngel\'sfather。

"Doyouthinkyouhavetheveryworstofitcleartoyourunderstanding？"

UnderFreckles\'earnesteyestheManofAffairsansweredsoberly:

"IthinkIhave，Mr。O\'More。"

ThatwasthefirsttimeFrecklesheardhisnamefromthelipsofanother。Onesecondhelayovercome；thenext，tearsfilledhiseyes，andhereachedouthishand。ThentheAngel\'sfatherunderstood，andheclaspedthathandandhelditinastrong，firmgrasp。

"Terence，myboy，"hesaid，"letmedothetalking。Icameherewiththeunderstandingthatyouwantedtoaskmeformyonlychild。

Ishouldlike，atthepropertime，toregardhermarriage，ifshehasfoundthemanshedesirestomarry，notaslosingallIhave，butasgainingamanonwhomIcandependtoloveasasonandtotakechargeofmyaffairsforherwhenIretirefrombusiness。

Bendallofyourenergiestowardrapidrecovery，andfromthishourunderstandthatmydaughterandmyhomeareyours。"

"You\'renotforgettingthis？"

Frecklesliftedhisrightarm。

"Terence，I\'msorrierthanIhavewordstoexpressaboutthat，"

saidtheManofAffairs。"It\'sadamnablepity！Butifit\'sformetochoosewhetherIgiveallIhaveleftinthisworldtoamanlackingahand，ortooneofthesegambling，tippling，immoralspendthriftsoftoday，withbothhandsandfeetofftheirsouls，andarottenspotinthecore，Ichooseyou；anditseemsthatmydaughterdoesthesame。Putwhatisleftyouofthatrightarmtothebestusesyoucaninthisworld，andneveragainmentionorfeelthatitisdefectivesolongasyoulive。Goodday，sir！"

"Oneminutemore，"saidFreckles。"YesterdaytheAngelwastellingmethattherewasmoneycomingtomefromtwosources。Shesaidthatmegrandmotherhadleftmefatherallofherfortuneandherhouse，becausesheknewthathisfatherwouldbecuttinghimoff，andalsothatmeunclehadsetasideformewhatwouldbemefather\'sinterestinhisfather\'sestate。

"Whateverthesumisthatmegrandmotherleftmefather，becauseshelovedhimandwantedhimtobehavingit，thatI\'llbetaking。

\'Twashersfromherfather，andshehadtherighttobegivingitasshechose。Anythingfromthemanthatknowinglyleftmefatherandmemothertogocoldandhungry，andintothefireinmisery，whenjustalittlewouldhavemadelifesobeautifultothem，andsavedmethiscrippledbody——moneythathewilledfrommewhenheknewIwasliving，ofhisbloodandoncharityamongstrangers，I

don\'ttouch，notifIfreeze，starve，andburntoo！Ifthereain\'tenoughbesidesthat，andIcan\'tbeearningenoughtofixthingsfortheAngel——"

"Wearenotdiscussingmoney！"burstintheManofAffairs。

"Wedon\'twantanyblood-money！Wehaveallweneedwithoutit。

Ifyoudon\'tfeelrightandeasyoverit，don\'tyoutouchacentofanyofit。"

"It\'srightIshouldhavewhatmegrandmotherintindedformefather，andIwantit，"saidFreckles，"butI\'ddiebeforeI\'dtouchacentofmegrandfather\'smoney！"

"Now，"saidtheAngel，"weareallgoinghome。WehavedoneallwecanforFreckles。Hispeoplearehere。Heshouldknowthem。Theyareveryanxioustobecomeacquaintedwithhim。We\'llresignhimtothem。

Whenheiswell，why，thenhewillbeperfectlyfreetogotoIrelandorcometotheLimberlost，justashechooses。Wewillgoatonce。"

McLeanheldoutforaweek，andthenhecouldendureitnolonger。

HewashearthungryforFreckles。Communingwithhimselfinthelong，soundfulnightsoftheswamp，hehadlearnedtohisastonishmentthatforthepastyearhishearthadbeencirclingtheLimberlostwithFreckles。Hebegantowishthathehadnotlefthim。

Perhapstheboy——hisboybyfirstright，afterall——wasbeingneglected。

IftheBosshadbeenanervousoldwoman，hescarcelycouldhaveimaginedmorethingsthatmightbegoingwrong。

HestartedforChicago，loadedwithabigboxofgoldenrod，asters，fringedgentians，andcrimsonleaves，thattheAngelcarefullyhadgatheredfromFreckles\'room，andalittle，longslenderpackage。

Hetraveledwithbiting，stingingjealousyinhisheart。Hewouldnotadmititeventohimself，buthewasunabletoremainlongerawayfromFrecklesandleavehimtothecareofLordO\'More。

Inafewminutes\'talk，whileMcLeanawaitedadmissiontoFreckles\'

room，hislordshiphadchattedgeniallyofFreckles\'rapidrecovery，ofhisdelightthathewasunspottedbyhisearlysurroundings，andhisdesiretovisittheLimberlostwithFrecklesbeforetheysailed；heexpressedthehopethathecouldprevailupontheAngel\'sfathertoplaceherinhiswife\'scareandhavehereducationfinishedinParis。HesaidtheywereanxioustodoalltheycouldtohelpbindFreckles\'arrangementswiththeAngel，asbothheandLadyO\'Moreregardedherasthemostpromisinggirltheyknew，andonewhocouldbefittedtofillthehighpositioninwhichFreckleswouldplaceher。

EverywordheutteredwaspungentwithbitternesstoMcLean。TheswamphadlostitsflavorwithoutFreckles；andyet，asLordO\'Moretalked，McLeanferventlywishedhimselfintheheartofit。AsheenteredFreckles\'roomhealmostlosthisbreath。Everythingwaschanged。

FreckleslaybesideawindowwherehecouldfollowLakeMichigan\'sblueuntilthehorizondippedintoit。Hecouldseebigsoftclouds，white-cappedwaves，shimmeringsails，andpuffingsteamerstrailingbillowingbannersoflavenderandgrayacrossthesky。

Gullsandcurlewswheeledoverthewateranddippedtheirwingsinthefoam。Theroomwasfilledwitheveryluxurythattasteandmoneycouldintroduce。

AllthetanandsunburnhadbeenwashedfromFreckles\'faceinsweatsofagony。Itwasasmooth，evenwhite，itsbrownriftscarcelyshowing。WhatthenursesandLadyO\'MorehaddonetoFreckles\'hairMcLeancouldnotguess，butitwasthemostbeautifulthatheeverhadseen。Fineasfloss，brightincolor，wavingandcrisp，itfellaroundthewhiteface。

Theyhadgottenhisarmsintoandhischestcoveredwithafinelyembroidered，pale-bluesilkshirt，withsoft，whitetieatthethroat。

Amongthemanychangesthathadtakenplaceduringhisabsence，thefactthatFreckleswasmostattractiveandbarelyescapedbeinghandsomeremainedalmostunnoticedbytheBoss，sogreatwashisastonishmentatseeingbothcuffsturnedbackandtherightarminview。Freckleswasusingthemaimedarmthatpreviouslyhealwayshadhidden。

"OhLord，sir，butI\'mgladtoseeyou！"criedFreckles，almostrollingfromthebedashereachedtowardMcLean。"Tellmequick，istheAngelwellandhappy？CanmeLittleChickenspreadsixfeetofwingandsailtohismother？How\'smenewfather，theBirdWoman，Duncans，andNellie——darlinglittlehigh-steppingNelie？

MeAuntAliceisgoingtochoosethehatjustassoonasI\'mmendedenoughtobegoingwithher。Howareallthegang？Havetheyfoundanymoregoodtrees？I\'vebeenthinkingalot，sir。IbelieveIcanfindothersnearthatlastone。MeAuntAlicethinksmaybeIcan，andUncleTerencesaysit\'slikely。Golly，butthey\'renice，ilegantpeople。ItellyouI\'mproudtobesamebloodwiththem！

Comecloser，quick！Iwasgoingtodothisyesterday，andsomehowIjustfeltthatyou\'dsurelybecomingtodayandIwaited。

I\'mselectingtheAngel\'sringstone。Theringsheorderedformeisfinishedandtheysentittokeepmecompany。See？It\'sanemerald——justmecolor，LordO\'Moresays。"

Frecklesflourishedhishand。

"Ain\'tthatfine？Nevertooksomuchcomfortwithanythinginmelife。Everycoloroftheoldswampisinit。IaskedtheAngeltohavealittleshamrockleafcutonit，soeverytimeIsawitI\'dbethinkingofthe`love，truth，andvalor\'ofthatsongshewasteachingme。Ain\'tthatabeautifulsong？SomeofthesedaysI\'mgoingtomakeitecho。I\'malittleafraidtobedoingitwithmevoiceyet，butmeheart\'stuningawayoniteveryblessedhour。

Willyoubelookingatthesenow？"

FrecklestiltedatrayofunsetstonesfromPeacock\'sthatwouldhaveransomedseveralvaluablekings。HeheldthemtowardMcLean，stirringthemwithhisrightarm。

"ItellyouI\'mgladtoseeyou，sir"hesaid。"ItriedtotellmeunclewhatIwanted，butthisain\'tforhimtobemixedupin，anyway，andIdon\'tthinkImadeitcleartohim。Icouldn\'tseemtosaythewordsIwanted。Icanbetellingyou，sir。"

McLean\'sheartbegantothumpasalover\'s。

"Goon，Freckles，"hesaidassuringly。

"It\'sthis，"saidFreckles。"ItoldhimthatIwouldpayonlythreehundreddollarsfortheAngel\'sstone。I\'mthinkingthatwithwhathehaslaidupforme，andthebignessofthingsthattheAngeldidforme，itseemslikeastingylittlesumtohim。IknowhethinksIshouldbegivingmuchmore，butIfeelasifIjusthadtobebuyingthatstonewithmoneyIearnedmeself；andthatisallI

havesavedofmewages。Idon\'tmindpayingforthemuff，orthedrexingtable，orMrs。Duncan\'sthings，fromthatothermoney，andlatertheAngelcanhaveeverylastcentofmegrandmother\'s，ifshe\'lltakeit；butjustnow——oh，sir，can\'tyouseethatIhavetobebuyingthisstonewithwhatIhaveinthebank？I\'mfeelingthatIcouldn\'tdoanyotherway，anddon\'tyouthinktheAngelwouldratherhavethebeststoneIcanbuywiththemoneyIearnedmeselfthanafineronepaidforwithothermoney？"

"Inotherwords，Freckles，"saidtheBossinahuskyvoice，"youdon\'twanttobuytheAngel\'sringwithmoney。Youwanttogiveforityourfirstawfulfearoftheswamp。Youwanttopayforitwiththelonelinessandhearthungeryouhavesufferedthere，withlastwinter\'sfreezingonthelineandthissummer\'sburninginthesun。

Youwantittostandtoherforeveryhourinwhichyouriskedyourlifetofulfillyourcontracthonorably。Youwantthepriceofthatstonetobethefearsthathavechilledyourheart——thesweatandbloodofyourbody。"

Freckles\'eyeswerefilledwithtearsandhisfacequiveringwithfeeling。

"DearMr。McLean，"hesaid，reachingwithacaressovertheBoss\'sblackhairandhischeek。"DearBoss，that\'swhyI\'vewantedyouso。

Iknewyouwouldknow。Nowyouwillbelookingatthese？Idon\'twantemeralds，becausethat\'swhatshegaveme。"

Hepushedthegreenstonesintoalittleheapofrejectedones。

Thenhesingledoutallthepearls。

"Ain\'ttheyprettythings？"hesaid。"I\'llbegettinghersomeofthoselater。Theyarelikelilyfaces，turtle-headflowers，dewdropsintheshadeormoonlight；buttheyhaven\'tthelifeinthemthatIwantinthestoneIgivetotheAngelrightnow。"

Frecklesheapedthepearlswiththeemeralds。Hestudiedthediamondsalongtime。

"Thesethingsaresofascinatingliketheyalmosttemptone，thoughtheyain\'tquitetheproperthing，"hesaid。"I\'vealwaysdearlylovedtobewatchingyours，sir。Imustgethersomeofthesebigones，too，someday。They\'reliketheLimberlostinJanuary，whenit\'sallice-coated，andthesunisinthewestandshinesthroughandmakesallyoucanseeofthewholeworldlooklikefireandice；butfireandiceain\'tliketheAngel。"

Thediamondsjoinedtheemeraldsandpearls。Therewasleftalittleredheap，andFreckles\'fingerstoucheditwithanewtenderness。Hiseyeswereflashing。

"I\'mthinkinghere\'smeAngel\'sstone，"heexulted。"TheLimberlost，andmewithit，grewinmine；butit\'sgoingtobloom，andherwithit，inthis！There\'stheredofthewildpoppies，thecardinal-flowers，andthelittlebunchofcrushedfoxfirethatwefoundwheresheputittosaveme。There\'sthelightofthecampfire，andthesunsettingoverSleepySnakeCreek。There\'stheredofthebloodwewerewillingtogiveforeachother。It\'slikeherlips，andlikethedropsthatdriedonherbeautifularmthatfirstday，andI\'mthinkingitmustbelikethebrave，tender，clean，redheartofher。"

FrecklesliftedtherubytohislipsandhandedittoMcLean。

"I\'llbesigningmechequeandyouhaveitset，"hesaid。"Iwantyoutodrawmemoneyandpayforitwiththoseverysamedollars，sir。"

AgaintheheartofMcLeantookhope。

"Freckles，mayIaskyousomething？"hesaid。

"Why，sure，"saidFreckles。"There\'snothingyouwouldbeaskingthatitwouldn\'tbegivingmejoytobetellingyou。"

McLean\'seyestraveledtoFreckles\'rightarmwithwhichhewasmovingthejewels。

"Oh，that！"criedFreckleswithalaugh。"You\'rewantingtoknowwhereallthebitternessisgone？Wellsir，\'twascarriedfrommesoul，heart，andbodyonthelipsofanAngel。Seemsthathurtwasnecessaryinthebeginningtomaketodaycometrue。Thewoundhadalwaysbeenraw，buttheAngelwashealingit。Ifshedoesn\'tcare，Idon\'t。Medearnewfatherdoesn\'t，normeauntanduncle，andyouneverdid。WhyshouldIbefrettingallmelifeaboutwhatcan\'tbehelped。Therealtruthis，thatsincewhathappenedtoitlastweek，I\'msoeverlastinglyproudofitIcatchmeselfstickingitoutondisplayabit。"

FreckleslookedtheBossintheeyesandbegantolaugh。

"Wellthankheaven！"saidMcLean。

"Nowit\'smeturn，"saidFreckles。"Idon\'tknowasIoughttobeaskingyou，andyetIcan\'tseeareasongoodenoughtokeepmefromit。It\'sathingI\'vehadonmemindeveryhoursinceI\'vehadtimetostraightenthingsoutalittle。MayIbeaskingyouaquestion？"

McLeanreachedoverandtookFreckles\'hand。Hisvoicewasshakenwithfeelingashereplied:"Freckles，youalmosthurtme。Willyouneverlearnhowmuchyouaretome——howhappyyoumakemeincomingtomewithanything，nomatterwhat？"

"Thenit\'sthis，"saidFreckles，grippingthehandofMcLeanstrongly。

"Ifthisaccident，andallthat\'scometomesince，hadneverhappened，wherewasityouhadplannedtosendmetoschool？

Whatwasityoumeantformetodo？"

"Why，Freckles，"answeredMcLean，"I\'mscarcelypreparedtostatedefinitely。Myideaswereratherhazy。Ithoughtwewouldmakeabeginningandseewhichwaythingswent。IfiguredontakingyoutoGrandRapidsfirst，andputtingyouinthecareofmymother。

Ihadanideaitwouldbebesttosecureaprivatetutortocoachyouforayearortwo，untilyouwerereadytoenterAnnArborortheChicagoUniversityingoodshape。ThenIthoughtwe\'dfinishinthiscountryatYaleorHarvard，andendwithOxford，togetagood，all-roundflavor。"

"Isthatall？"askedFreckles。

"No；that\'sleavingthemusicout，"saidMcLean。"Iintendedtohaveyourvoicetestedbysomemaster，andifyoureallywereendowedforacareerasagreatmusician，andhadinclinationsthatway，Iwishedtohaveyoudropsomeofthecollegeworkandmakemusicyourchiefstudy。Finally，IwantedustotakeatripthroughEuropeandcleararoundthecircletogether"

"Andthenwhat？"queriedFrecklesbreathlessly。

"Why，then，"saidMcLean，"youknowthatmyheartishopelesslyinthewoods。Ineverwillquitthetimberbusinesswhilethereistimbertohandleandbreathinmybody。Ithoughtifyoudidn\'tmakeaprofessionofmusic，andhadanyinclinationmyway，wewouldstretchthepartnershiponemoreandtakeyouintothefirm，placingyourworkwithme。Thoseplansmaysoundjumbledinthetelling，buttheyhavegrownsteadilyonme，Freckles，asyouhavegrowndeartome。"

FrecklesliftedanxiousandeagereyestoMcLean。

"Youtoldmeonceonthetrail，andagainwhenwethoughtthatI

wasdying，thatyoulovedme。Dothesethingsthathavecometomemakeanydifferenceinanywaywithyourfeeingtowardme？"

"None，"saidMcLean。"Howcouldthey，Freckles？Nothingcouldmakemeloveyoumore，andyouneverwilldoanythingthatwillmakemeloveyouless。"

"GlorybetoGod！"criedFreckles。"GlorytotheAlmighty！HurryandbetellingyourmotherI\'mcoming！JustassoonasIcangetonmefeetI\'llbetakingthatringtomeAngel，andthenI\'llgotoGrandRapidsandbemakingmestartjustasyouplanned，onlythatIcanbepayingmeownway。WhenI\'meducatedenough，we\'llall——theAngelandherfather，theBirdWoman，you，andme——allofuswillgotogetherandseemehouseandmerelationsandbetakingthattrip。Whenwegetback，we\'lladdO\'MoretotheLumberCompany，andgolly，sir，butwe\'llmakethingshum！Goodland，sir！

Don\'tdothat！Why，Mr。McLean，dearBoss，dearfather，don\'tbedoingthat！Whatisit？"

"Nothing，nothing！"boomedMcLean\'sdeepbass；"nothingatall！"

Heabruptlyturned，andhurriedtothewindow。

"Thisisamightyfineview，"hesaid。"Lake\'sbeautifulthismorning。NowonderChicagopeoplearesoproudoftheircity\'slocationonitsshore。But，Freckles，whatisLordO\'Moregoingtosaytothis？"

"Idon\'tknow，"saidFreckles。"Iamgoingtobecutdeepifhecares，forhe\'sbeenmorethangoodtome，andLadyAliceisnexttomeAngel。He\'smademefeelmebloodandracemeownpossession。

She\'stalkedtomebythehourofmefatherandmotherandmegrandmother。She\'smadethemallthatrealIcanlayclaimtothemandfeelthattheyaremine。I\'mverysorrytobehurtingthem，ifitwill，butitcan\'tbechanged。NobodyeverputsthewidthoftheoceanbetweenmeandtheAngel。FromheretotheLimberlostisallIcanbebearingpeaceable。Iwanttheeducation，andthenIwanttoworkandlivehereinthecountrywhereIwasborn，andwheretheashesofmefatherandmotherrest。

"I\'llbegladtoseeIreland，andgladespecialtoseethoselittlepeoplewhoaremykin，butIain\'teverstayinglong。AllmeheartistheAngel\'s，andtheLimberlostiscallingeveryminute。

You\'rethinking，sir，thatwhenIlookfromthatwindowIseethebeautifulwater，ain\'tyou？I\'mnot。

"Iseesoft，slowcloudsoozingacrosstheblue，mebigblackchickenshangingupthere，andagreatfeathersoftlyslidingdown。

Iseemightytrees，swingingvines，brightflowers，andalwaysmassesofthewildroses，withthewildrosefaceofmeLadybirdlookingthrough。Iseetheswalerocking，smellthesweetnessofthebloomingthings，andthedamp，muckyodoroftheswamp；andI

hearmebirdssing，mesquirrelsbark，therattlershiss，andthestepofWessnerorBlackJackcoming；andwhetherit\'sthethingsthatIlovedorthethingsthatIfeared，it\'sallapartoftheday。

"Meheart\'sallmeSwampAngel\'s，andmeloveisallhers，andI

haveherandtheswampsoconfusedinmemindInevercanbeseparatingthem。WhenIlookather，Iseebluesky，thesunriftingthroughtheleavesandpinkandredflowers；andwhenI

lookattheLimberlostIseeapinkfacewithblueeyes，goldhair，andredlips，and，it\'sthetruth，sir，they\'remixedtillthey\'reonetome！

"I\'mafraiditwillbehurtingsome，butIhavethefeeingthatI

canbemakingmydearpeopleunderstand，sothattheywillbewillingtoletmecomebackhome。SendLadyO\'MoretoputtheseflowersGodmadeintheplaceoftheseglass-houseilegancies，andpleasebecuttingthestringofthislittlepackagetheAngel\'ssentme。"

AsFrecklesheldupthepackage，thelightsoftheLimberlostflashedfromtheemeraldonhisfinger。Onthecoverwasprinted:

"TotheLimberlostGuard！"Underitwasabig，crisp，iridescentblackfeather。

End