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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Wingham Times, 1915-12-30, Page 7December sotb, 1915 THE WINGHAM TIMES Freckles. BY Gene Stratton - Porter Copyright 1904, by Doubleday, Page & Co. SYNOPSIS. Freckles, a homelehs boy. is hired by Boss McLean to guard the expensive rim• ber in the Llmberlost from timber thieves. Freckles does his work faithfully, makett friends with the birds and yearns to know more about nature. He lives with Mr. land Mrs. Duncan. ' 1 e resolves` to get books and educate .himself. He becomes interested in a huge pair of vultures and calls his bird friends •his "chickens." Some At the trees he is guarding are worth $l,000 each. Freckles' books arrive. ,Be receives a call from Wessner.• Wessner attempts to bribe Freckles to betray his trust, and Freckles whips him. McLean overhears them and witnesses the fight. Freckles' honesty saves a precious tree. 'He finds the nest of the vultures and is visited by a beautiful young girl. She calls FrecklesMcLean's stTn`Freckles calls her "the angel" and helps the Bird 4 tritWoman in taking photographs. McLean promises to adopt Freckles. Freckles AM the—angel become very friendly. Assisted by the Bird Woman, <they drive Wessner and Black Jack, tin• ber thieves, from the Limberlost. McLean fears more trouble, but Freckles insists upon being the sole guard of the timber. Freckles calls upon the angel's father. , d'6O VIM Woman sire lie' ansiii`agata 'visit Freckles and Freckles falls in love -with the aagei. The angel kisses him. Freaklee is bound and gagged by Black ..Jack's gang, and the timber thieves star* ,felling a very valuable tree. Wessner is to kill Freckles after the • tree is stolen. The angel makes a daring e . effort to save Freckles and the tree. McLean's men, notified by the angel, rush to save Freckles All the timber •thieves except Black Jack are captured. ' 'Next day Freckles saw' them corn 'big. The angel was standing, waving her hat. He sprang on his wheel and -raced, jolting end pounding, down the corduroy to meet • them. The laird Woman stopped the horse. and the an gel gave him the bit of print paper. IPreckles leaned the wheel against a ,.tree and took • the proot with eager ,fingers. Be bad never before seen a study .from any of his chickens. Ile :Stood starring. When be lifted urs face to them it was. transfigured with delight "You see!' he- exclaimed, and fell to :gazing again. "Oh, me little chicken:" he cried. "Ob, me ilegant little chick: ,en! I'd be giving all me money in the bank for you!" Then he thought of the anger's muff .and Mrs. Duncan's bat and added: "Or at least all but what I'm needing bad for something else. \\'crud you znind my stopping at the c•nbin a min 'ate and showing this to alother Dun • can?" be asked. Freckles went hurrying .In ahead .and they drove up in titne to see Mrs Duncan gazing as if aweetrnek and w , hear her bewildered "Wee'. 1 be draw aed on!" • Freckles and the nngel helped the Bird Woman to establish herself for n long stay et the month of Sleepy Snake creels, 'Then she sent them •.away and United what luck wee!d bring to ber "Looks ne if some one bad been cut• ting.a• itarnolo," said the nneel. Die - CONSTIPATION • is Productive Of Mere 111 Health 'iThan Anything Else. If the truth was only known you would find that over one half of the illsof life are caused by allowing the bowels to get into a constipated condition, and the sole cause of constipation is an inactive liver, and unless the liver is kept active you may rest assured that headaches, jaundice, heartburn, piles, floating specks before the eyes, a feeling as if you were going to faint, or catarrh of the stomach will follow the wrong action of this, one .of the most important organs of the body. Keep the liver active and working properly by the use of Milburn's Laxa. Liver Pills. Miss Rose i3abineau, Amherst, Y`1•.S., writes: "Having been troubled for years with constipation, and trying various so-called remedies, which did me no good whatever, I was persuaded to try Milburn's Laxa-Liver fills. I have found them most beneficial, for they are indeed a splendid pill. I can heartily recommend them to all who suffer from constipation." Milburn's Lew -river Fills are 26c a vial, 6 vials for $1.00, at all dealers, or mailed direct on receipt of pace by The X'. Milburn Co., Limited, Toronto, Ont, ning tIid toe or ger snoe enema a Small stump, evidently cut that sea- son. "Freckles, what would anybody cut a tree as small as that fore" "I don't know," said Freckles. "Well, but I want to know*" said the angel. "Nobody came away in here and cut it just for fun. They've taken it away. Let's go back and see if we can see it anywhere around there." She retraced ber steps and began searching eagerly. Freckles did the same. "There it is," he exclaimed at last, "leaning just as naturally against the trunk of that big maple." • "Yes. and leaning there has killed a patch of bark," said the angel. "See how dried up it looks," Freckles stared at her. "Angel," he shouted. "I bet you it's a marked tree!" "Course it isl" cried the angel. "It is one of Jack's marked trees." The clear, ringing echo of strongly swung axes came crashing through the Limberiost "'Tis the gang," shouted Freckles. "They're clearing a place to make the camp. Let's go help!" "Get nut your hatchet." commanded the angel, "I predict this Is the most valuable tree in the swamp. You .found it. I'm going to play that you're my knight. Now, you nail my colors on it." She untied ablue bow in her Bair and doubled it against the tree. The angel had called him her knight! How be loved her! She must not see his :ace or surely her quick eyes would read what he was fighting to hide. He did not dare lay his lips on that ribbon then, but that night he would return to it. When they had gone a little dis- tance they both looked back, and the morning breeze set the bit of blue waving them a farewell. She reached him her hand, and, like two children, they broke into a run as they came nearer the gang. They left the swamp by the west road and fol- lowed the trail until they found the men. To the angel it seemed complete chaos. In the shadiest spot on the west side of the line, close to the swamp and very close to Freckles' room, they were cutting down bushes and clearing out space for a tent for the men's sleeping quarters, another for a dining hall and a board shack for the cook. The team- sters were unloading, the horses were cropping leaves from the bushes, and each man was doing - his part toward the construction of the new Limber - lost quarters. CHAPTER XIX. FRECKLES OFFERS Bis LI7+7C, HE gang had been carefully s ift- ed, and McLean now felt that there tsas not a man in it that was not trustworthy. They had all heard of the angel's plucky ride for Freckles' relief, and several of them had been in the rescue party. When she was ensconced on the wagon load of tenting she sat on a roll of canvas like a queen on her throne, There was not a man of the gang that would not have fought for her. As they raced toward the wagon•— "Let me tell about the tree, please," she begged Freckles, "Why, sure," said Freckles. He would probably have said the same if she had proposed to cut off his head. When McLean rode up be found her sitting on the wagon, flushed and glowing. "Everybody listen!" cried the angel. "I have something to say. Freckles has been guarding here over a year now, and he presents the Llmberlost to you, with every tree in it saved, and for good measure he has just this morning located the rarest ono of all— the one around in feom the east line that Wessner spoke of that first day, nearest the one 'jon took out at first. All together! Everybody! Hurrah for Freckles!" With flushing cheeks and gleaming eyes she led in three cheers and a tiger. Freckles slipped back into the swamp and held himself tight for fear he might burst wide open with pride and with his love for her. The angel subsided on the canvas and explained to McLean about the maple. The boss was mightily pleas- ed. He took g'reeklee and set out to relocate etial fxeljninO .thn *VA D angel was rnteresteq tn' area, making of the camp and preferred t, remain with the men. With ber sharp eyes she was watching every detail of con- struction, but ,when it came to the stretching ot the dining hall canvas DAMP" "EVERYBODY LISTEN 1 " CRIED THE ANGA G. she proceeded to take command. The men were driving the rope pins when the angel rose on the wagon and, leaning forward, spoke to Duncan, who was directing the work. "I believe if you would swing that, around a few feet farther you would find it better, Mr. Duncan;"she said. "That way will let the hot sun in at noon, and the sides will cut off the best breeze." "That's a fact," said Duncan, study- ing the condition. So by shifting the pins a little they obtained comfort, for which they blessed the angel every day. When Freckles joined in the work about the camp he caught glimpses ot her enthroned on a soapbox cleaning beans. She called to him that they were invited to stay for dinner and that they had accepted the Invitation. She was having the time of her life when McLean came back. jubilant from his trip to the tree. How Jubi- lant be only told the angel, for be bad been• obliged to lose faith in some trusted men of late and had learned discretion by what he suffered. Hi planned to begin clearing out a road to the tree that same afternoon and to set two guards every night, for it promised to be a rare treasure. "I am coming to felled." c g see it fel ed, cried the angel. "Tell me, angel," the boss said jest- ingly; "I think I have a right to know. Wbo really did locate that tree?" "Freckles," she answered promptly and emphatically. - The boss smiled significantly at Freckles, who had just come up, for they had planned that they would in- struct the company to reserve enough of the veneer .from that very tree to make the most beautiful dressing table they could design for the anger's share of the discovery. "What will you have for yours?" asked McLean of Freckles. "If it's all the same to you, I'll be taking mine out in music lessons—beg- ging your pardon—voice culture," said Freckles with a grimace. The angel gave McLean the head of the table. She took the foot, with Freckles on her right, and the lumber gang, washed, brushed and straight- ened until they felt unfamiliar with themselves and each other, filled the sides. It was several days before they com- pleted a road to the noble,°big tree and were ready to fell it. When the saw was well in Freckles began watching down the road where it met the trail leading from Little Chicken's tree. He had gone to the tree ahead of the gang and taken down the blue ribbon. Care- fully folded, it now lay over hie heart He was promising himself a good deal of comfort with that ribbon when be should go to the city next month to begin his studies and dream the sum- mer over again. It would help. to make things tangible. When he was dressed as other men and about his work he knew where he meant to home that precious bit of blue. It should be his good luck token, and he would wear it always to keep bright in memory the day on which the angel bad called him her knight How he would study, and, oh, how he would sing! if he could fulfill Mc- Lean's expectations, and make the angel proud of him! if be could only be a real knight! He could not understand why the angel had failed to come. She had wanted to see their tree felled. She would be too late if she did not ar- rive soon. The men were sending ringing blows Into the felling side of the tree when the boss rode up. His first word was to inquire for the angel When Freckles said she had not yet come Mc Lean gave orders to stop work on the tree until she arrived. As the mens stepped back a stiff morning breeze caught the top that towered high above its fellows. There was an ominous grinding at the base, a shiver of the mighty trunk, and directly in line of its fall the bushes swung apart and the laugh- ing face of the angel looked In on them. A groan of horror burst from the dry throats of the men, and, reading the agony in their faces, she stopped short e i ell un. stud Under doss DOAN'S KIDNEY PILLS Relieve The Kidneys and Bladder Like Ordinary Medicitnes De The Bowels. When the kidneys get out of order the back is sure to become affected, and dull pains, sharp pains, kyuick twinges all point to the fact that the kidneys need attention. Plasters and liniments will not cure. the kidneys, for they cannot get to the seat of the trouble, but Doan's Kidney Pills do, and cure the kidneys quickly and permanently, Mrs. Lizzie Melanson, Plympton, writes: "I am sending this testimonial telling you what a wonderful cure Doan's Kidney Pills made for me. For years I had suffered so with my kidneys I could hardly do my housework. I used several kinds of pills, but none of them seemed to be doing me any good. At last 1 was advised to try a box of Doan's Kidney Pills. When I had taken the first box I found relief. I have used five boxes, and to -day I feel like a new woman. I cannot recommend them too highly." Doan's Kidney Pills are 50c. per box, 3 boxes for 81.25, at all dealers or mailed direct on receipt of price by The T. Milburn Co„ Limited, Toronto, Ont. When cxdering direct specify "Doan's." "South!"shouted Mc Lean, "Run south!" Tile poor child was helpless. It was patent that she did not know which way south was. There was another slow shiver of the tree. The rest of the gang stood as if rooted, but Freck- les sprang past the trunk and went leaping in great bounds. He caught 'up the angel and dashed through the tbicket for safety. The swaying trunk was half over when, just for an in- stant, a nearby tree stayed its fall. They saw Freckles' foot catch, and with the angel he plunged headlong. A cry broke from the men, and Mc- Lean covered his face. Instantly Freckles was up, with the angel in Ws arms plunging on again. The out- er limbs were on them when they saw Freckleshurl the angel, face down, in the muck, as far from bim as he could send ber. Springing after, In an attempt to cover ber body with his own, he whirled to see if they were still in danger, and with outstretched arms braced himself for the shtick. The branches shut them from sight, and the awful crash rocked the earth. McLean and Duncan ran with axes and saws. The rest of the gang fol- lowed, and they worked like madmen. It seemed an age before they caught a glimpse of the angel's blue dress, and it renewed their vigor. Duncan fell on bis knees beside her and tore the muck from underneath her with his hands. In a few seconds be drag- ged rag ged her out,choking and stunned. Freckles lay a little: farther under the tree, a big limb pinning him down. Duncan began mining beneath him, Mit Freckles stopped him. "You can't be moving me," be said. "You must cut off the limb and lift it. 1 know," Two men ran for the big saw. A number of them laid hold 'of the limb and bore up. In a little time it was off, and Freckles lay free. The men bent over bim to lift him, but he motioned them away_ "Don't be touching me until r rest a bit," be pleaded. Then he twisted his head until he saw the angel, who was digging mock from her eyes and wiping it off her face on the skirt of her dress. "Try to get up," he begged. McLean helped the angel to lier feet "Do you think any bones are bro- ken?" gasped Freckles. "You see if you can find any, sir." McLean assured Freckles that she was not seriously injured. Freckles settled back with a smile of ineffable tenderness on his face. "Thank the Lord!" he hoarsely whispered. The angel broke from McLean. "Now, Freckles, you!" she cried. "It's your turn. Please get up!" A pitiftfl spasm swept Freckles' face. The angel took bold of his hand. The Wretchedness of Constipation Can quickly be overcome lay CARTER'S LITTLE LIVER PILLS Purely ve stable --act surely and fintly on the ver, Care Biliousness. iiead- eche, Duzi• ecu, and indigestion. They do their duty. Small Pill, Small D.ae, Small rrkw Genuine must bat Signature • !'Freckles, get up!" It was kali command, half entreaty. Easy, angel, easy. Let me rest a bit first," implored Freckles. She knelt beside him. He reached his arm about her and drew her up closely. He looked 'at McLean in an agony of entreaty that brought the boss to his knees on the other side. "Oh, Freckiesl" McLean cried. "Not that! Surely we can do something! We must! Let me see!" He tried to unfasten Freckles' neck- band, but his fingers shook so clumsily that the angel pushed them away and herself laid Freckles' chest bare. With just one hasty glance she gath- WITH THE ANGEL IN HIS ARMS PLUNGING ON AGAIN, ered the clothing together and slip- ped her arm under bis head. Freckles lifted eyes of agony to hers. "You see?" he said. The angel nodded dumbly. Freckles turned to McLean. "Thank you for evetythiug," be panted. "Where are the boys!" "They are alt here," said the boss, "except a couple that bare gone for doctors, Mrs. Duncan, and the Bird Woman." "It's no use trying to do anything," said Freckles. "You won't forget the muff and the Christmas box, The muff especial?" There was a movement above them sb pronounced that it attracted Freck- les' attention, even in that extreme hour. He looked up. and a pleased smile flickered into his drawn face. "Why, if it ain't me little chicken:" he cried hoarsely. "He must be mak- in his veryfirst tripfrom the log. fi ,� Now Duncan can have bis big water- ing trough." • "It was little chicken that `trade me late," faltered the angel. "1 was so anxious to get here early 1 forgot to bring his breakfast from the carriage. He must have been very hungry. for when 1 passed the log be started after me. He was so wabbly, and so slow getting from tree to tree and through the bushes, I just had to wait on him, for I couldn't drive him back." A spasm of fierce paln shook Freckles, and a look of uncertainty crossed his face. "All summer I've been thanking God for tire falling of the feather and all the delights it's brought me," he mut- tered. "but this looks like"— He raised questioning eyes to Mc- Leau. "i can't bele being Irish, but i can help being superstitious," he said. "i mustn't be laying it to the Almighty, nor to inc bird, must I?" "No, dear lad," said McLean, stroking the brilliant bait. "The cboice lay with you. You could have stood a rooted dolt like all the rest of us. it was through your great lore and, your high courage that you made the sacrifice." "Don't you be so naming it, sire. cried Freckles. "It's just the reverse If 1 could be giving me body the bun dred times over to save hersfro m this, I'd be doing It and take joy with every pain." Ile turned with a smile of adoring tenderness Wattle angel. She scarcely seemed to bear or`nntlesstand what was coming, but she bravely tried to answer that smile. "is me forehead covered with dirt?" he asked. She shook ber head. "You did once," he gasped. Instantly she laid her lips on his forehead, then on each cheek. and then in a long kiss on his lips, "Freckles," said McLean brokenly, "you will never know how I love yon You w'on't go without saying good. by to me?" That word stung the angel to quick compt'eheastou. She started as if rousing from sleep "(toodby?" she cried sharply. "Gond by: What do you mean? Who's sny• ing goodby? Where could Freckles go. when he is hurt like this, tint to the hospital? You call up the men. We trust start right away." "It's no use, angel," said Freckles; "I'm tbinking ivey bone in me breast is smashed. You'll have to bo letting the go!" "1 will not," said the angel tiatly, "You are alive. You are breathing. and no matter how badly your bones are broken, what are great surgeons for but to fix you up and make you well again?" "Oh, angel!" moaned Freektes, "I can't! You don't know how bad it is. I'll die the minute you are for trying to lift mel" "Of course you will, if you make up your mind to do It," Said the angel, "Iteally you have to do it, F'reekles, ummommomommalsommil c!• II The!'ropriela• tyor Pates l MedieineAcl, siAreeetable Preparation forAs•• simitating lheFoodandReggular.' ►inglheSlomachsandBowelsof INFANTS SCHILDREN Promofes Digestion Cheerful;; ness and RestContalns neither , Opiunt,Morpltine norl'lineral. NOT NARCOTIC. I' is 'Rarp'eot0&IDr.SfiVEPIclL&? tlI pdi Ibmpftr, seed- ALxSmaet .1l ,Ileso(!s- Atirereed r R pee int- Dlc iwI Sodas Nam,feedQ- ere ee I7''lam; Aperfect Remedy forConstip tion, SourSiomach,Diarrhoea, Worms,Convulsions,Feverish• ness and LOSS OF SLEEP. FacS��iim,pilee��- S�is�nnat�urre-e•of. T1E CENTAURCOMPANY. MONTREAL&NEW YORK .rktbyittonths "old ...,. OSS-35,CEPIT Mit i Exact Copy of Wrapper. CASTORIA For infants and Children. Mothers Know That Genuine Castoria Always Bears the Signature of In Use for Over Thirty Years • S' CASTORIA TMC C¢NTAU,1 COMPANY, NtW YOKK CITY - no matter how it hurts you, for you did this for me, and now I must save you, so yea might as well promise. You will promise, Freckles?" "Angel, darlin' angel," pleaded Freckles, "you ain't understanding, and I can't for the life of me be telling you, but, indade, it's best to be letting me go." He appealed to McLean. "Dear boss, you know! You be tell- ing her that, for me. living is far worse pain than dying. Tell ber you know death is the best thing could ever be happening to me!" CHAPTER XX. LOVE AS A REMEDY. HE caught Freckles' hand to her breast, and, bending over •looked deep Into his stricken eyes. "'Angel, 1 give you my word of honor that I will keep right on breath- ing.' That's what you are going to promise me," she said. "1)o you say it?" Freckles hesitated. "Freckles," imploringly commanded the angel, "you do say it!" "Yis," gasped Freckles. The angel sprang to her feet. "Then that's all right," she said. with a tinge of ber old time brisk- ness. "You just keep sawing away like a steam engine and 1 will do all the rest," The eager men gathered about her. "It's going to be a tough pull to get Freckles out," she said, "but it's our only cbance. You four there get on those wagon horses and ride to the sleeping tentGet the stoutest cot, a couple of comforts and a pil- low. Ride back with them some way to save time. If you meet any other men of the gang send them on here to help carry the cot. We wou't risk the jolt of driving with him. The test of you clear a path out to the road, and, Inc.iMcLean, you take Nellie and ride to town. Tell my father how Freckles is hurt and that he risked d it to save a me. Tell him. I'm going to take Freckles to Chicago on the noon train and 1 want him to hold it if we are a little late. If he can't then have a special ready at the station and another on the Pitts- burg at Fort Wayne, so we can go straight through. You needn't mind leaving us. The Bird Woman will bo here soon. When they stood ready to lift Freckles the angel bent over him in a passion of tenderness. "Dear old Llmberlost guard, we're going to lift you now," she said. "l suspect you will fakit from the pain of it, but we will be just as easy as ever we can. and don't you dare forget your promise!" A whimsical half smile touched Freckles' quivering lips. "Angel, can a man be rememberimz a promise when he ain't knowing7" he asked. "You can," said the angel stoutly, ."because a promise means ser much more to you than It does to most men:" A look of strength flashed into Freckles' face at her words. "I alp ready," be said. With the first touch his eyes closed, a mighty groan Was wrenched from him, and he lay senseless. The angel gave Duncan one panic stricken look. Then she set her Ilps and gathered ber forces again. "1 guess that's a go,.d thing," she said. "Maybe be won't feel how we are hurting him. Oh, boys, are you being quick and gentle?" She stepped to the side of the cot and bathed Freckles' face, Taking his hand In hers, she gave the word to start. ;he told the Hien to ask every s.IPbpoled !1►1n gem/ mgt to Join thr+tn so that they could change carriers often and make good time. . The Bird Woman insisted upon tak- ing the angel into the carriage and fol- lowing the cot, but the angel refused to leave Freckles and suggested that the Bird Woman drive ahead, pack them some clothing, and be at the sta- tion ready to accompany them to Chi- cago. All the way the angel waltzed beside the cot, shading Freckles' face and holding his hand. At every pause to change carriers she moistened his face and lips and counted each bicath with heartbreaking anxiety. She scarcely knew when ber father joined them, and, taking the branch from her, slipped an arm about her waist and almost carried her along. To the city streets and the swarm of curious, staring faces she paid no more attention than she had to the trees ot the Limberiost. When the train pull- ed in and the gang pinged Freckles abt•ard, Duncan made a place for the angel beside the cot. With the best physician to be found. and with the Bird Woman and Mc- Lean in attendance. the four hours' run to Chicago began, Not for an In- stant would the angel yield her place. or allow any one etse to do anything for him. The Bird Woman and Mc- Lean regarded ber in amazement The only time she spoke was to ask McLean !f he was sure the special would be ready on the Pittsburg line. He replied that it was made up and waiting. At 5 o'clock Freckles lay stretched on the operating table of Lake View hospital, while three of the greatest surgeons in Chicago bent over him. At tbeir command, McLean picked ii theunwilling angel and carried tier out to the nurses to be bathed, have her bruises attended to, and be put to bed. In a place where it is difficult to sur- prise people, they were astonished women as they removed the angel's dainty stained and torn clothing, peeled off hose muck baked to her limbs, soaked the dried loam from her silken bair and washed the beautiful, scratched, bruised, dirt covered body. The angel fell fast asleep long before they had finished, and lay deeply un- conscious, while the fight fot' Freckles' life was being waged. Three days later she was up early and hovering near Freckles' door. The surgeon was with him. The angel had been told that the word he brought that morning would he final, so she curled up in a window seat, dropped the ct.rtains behind her, and, In dire anxiety, waited the open- ing of that closed door. Just as it unclosed, McLean came hurrying down the hall and op to the surgeon, but with one glance at his face be stepped back in dismal', and the angel, who had risen, sank to the sent again, too dazed to come forward. The men faced each other. The angel, with parted lips and frightened eyes, bent forward in tense anxiety. "1-1 tbonebt he was doing nicely?" faltered McLean. "Ito bore the operation well," re- plied the surgeon, "and hie wonncie are not necessarily fatal, t told yon that yesterday. but I slid not tell you that something else would probably kill him, and it will. 11e need not die from the accident, taut he will not live the day out because he so evi- dently prefers death to lite. If be were full of hope and ambition to live, my work would be easy. It ail of you; love him as you prove you do, and there Is unlimited means to give bine anything he wants, Why should be desire death?" t'To 13131 CoN1ItctEn,)