Ml
FRtCKLES
5Ty. you ruuTdYt " w-k-TTTlng nie If ' lltl ! AX"
i felled tbe Oiist tree in tbe Lira-
PROLOGUE.
TWj romance of Freckles and
the Angel of the Limbertost is
one of the most novel, entertain
ing, wholesome and fascinating
stories that have come from the
pen of an American author in
many years. The characters in
this sylvan tale are-:
Freckles, a plucky waif who
faards the Limberlost timber
leases and dreams of angels.
The Swamp Angel, in whom
Freckles' sweetest dream ma
terialixes. McLean, a member of a lumber
company, who befriends Freckles.
Mrs. Duncan, who gives moth
er love and a home to Freckles.
Duncan, head teamster of Mo
Lean's timber gang.
The Bird Woman, who is col-
teeting camera studies of birds
for a book.
Lord and Lady O'More, who
come from Ireland in quest of a
lost relative.
The Man of Affairs, brusque
manner, but big of heart.
Wessner, a timber thief who
wants rascality made easy.
" Black Jack, a villain to whom
thought of repentance comes too
iate.
CHAPTER XXI. ,
SEIXXHO A BIBTOBIOBT.
B HECKLES' sinewy Oat knotted
Into the coverlet. Ill chin
pointed celllngward and hi
bead rocked on the pillow.
"Walt a bit, angeir be begged. "H
firing me a little time!"
The angel rose with controlled fea
tures. She bathed bla face. straigDten
td bis balr and held water to his Up.
It seemed an age before be reached for
ber. Sbe took his band and leaued
ter cheek upon It
"Tell me, Freckles," she whispered
ofUy.
lf I con.v said Freckles. In biting
agony. "It's Just this. Angels are from
above. Outcasts are from below
You've a sound body and you're beau
tlfulest of all. You have everything
that loving, careful raising nod money
can give you. 1 have so mucb less
than nothing that 1 don't suppose I
bad any right to be born. It's h sure
things nobody wanted me afterward,
o, of course, tbey didn't before tiom
of them should nave been telling yon
long ago."
"If that's all yon have to tell.
Freckles, I've known that quite
awhile." said the angel stoutly. "Mr.
McLean told my father, and he told
me. That only makes me love you
more, to pay for all you've missed."
"Then I'm wondering at you." said
Freckles. In a voice of uwe. "Can't
yon see that If you were willing and
your father would come and offer you
to me. I couldn't be touching the
soles of your feet. In love me, whose
people brawled over me. cut off me
hand, and throwed me nway to freeze
and to die! Me. who has no name
Just as much because I've no rteht
to any, as because I don't know It.
When I wn little, t plunned to And
By
G03 Stated
Pirtar
COPYRIGHT. 1904. BY DOUBLEDAY. PACE
& CO.
to tnis country and start a family
with none of tbelr'relntlres here Chi
cago Is a big ctry. and grown people
could be wiped out In a lot of ways,
and who would there ever be to find
to whom their little children belonged?
It's all so plain to me. Oh, If 1 could
only make you see!"
She burled her face In the pillow and
presently lifted It. transfigured.
Now 1 have It!" she cried. "Oh. dear
heart! 1 can make It so plain! Freck
les, can yon imagine you see the old
Limberlost trail? Well, when we fol
lowed It, you know, there were places
where ugly prickly thistles overgrew
the path, and you went ahead with
your club and bent them back to keep
them from stinging through my cloth
ing. Other places there were great
shining pools where lovely, snow white
lilies grew, and you waded In and
gathered them for me. Oh, dear heart,
don't you see? It's thlsl Everywhere
the wind carried that thistledown, oth
er thistles sprang up and grew prick
les and wherever those Illy seeds sunk
to the mire the pure white of other
lilies bloomed. But. Freckles, there
was never a place anywhere about the
Limberlost, or In the whole world.
where tbe thistledown floated and
sprang up and blossomed Into white
lilies! Thistles grow from thistles and
lilies grow other lilies. Dear Freckles.
think bard! You must see it! ou are
lily, straight through! Vou never, nev
er could have drifted from tbe thistle
patch.
Where did you get tbe courage to
go into tbe Limberlost and face Its ter
rors? You Inherited It from the blood
ot a brave father, dear neurt. Where
did you get tbe pluck to bold tor over
a year a Job that few men would have
taken at all? Vou got It from a plucky
mother, you bravest of boys. You wad
ed single banded into a man almost
twice your size and fought like a
demon, just at tbe suggestion that you
could be deceptive and dishonest.
Could your mother or your father have
been untruthful? Here you are, so
hungry and starved out that you are
dying for love. Where did yon get all
that capacity tor loving? yon didn't
Inherit it - from hardened, henrtless
people who would disfigure you and
purposely leave you to die. thut's one
sure thing. Yet you will send miser
able years torturing yourself with the
Idea that your own . mother mtirtit na ve
cut' off that hand. Stmuie un you,
Freckles: tour mother would have
done this"
The angel deliberately turued buck
the cover, slipped up the sleeve and
laid her Hps on the scars.
"Freckles," she cried, "come to your
senses! Be a thinking, reasoning
man! You Just must see it. i.ike
breeds like in this world, ton must
be some sort ot reproduction ot ymr
parents, and I uni not nfrwd to vom-n
for them, not for a minute.
"And then, too, it more pnxit is
needed here it is: .Mr .Mci.enu soy
that you ore the most perfect gen
tleman be ever Knew, and lie tin
traveled the world over. Then
there's your singing. I don't believe
there ever was a mortal with a sweet
er voice than yours, and while inai
doesn t prove anything there is a
point that does, .lust the urtle train
Ing you Duo tmtu mat cnoiriimsiei
won't account ror the wonderful ac
cent and ease with which you situ
Somewhere in your vum blood in a
marveiousiy trained vocalist: we
every one ot us nelleve that. Kreekies.
"Why does my rather refer to yoi
constantly as being ot tine perceptions
and honor t Uecause you are.
Freckles Why doe the lllrd Woman
leave her precious work and stay
here to help look after you t I never
beard ot ber losing any rime over
any one else. It's because sDe loves
you. And why does Mr. McLean turn
all of his valuable business over to
hired men and wntcb over you per
sonally? And why is he bunting ex
cuses every day to spend money on
you? My father says McLean Is full
Bootes close with a dollar. He la a
hard headed business mnn. Freckles,
and he Is doing It because he finds
me father and mother when I grew 1" '""""J " vl " "
up Now I know me mother deserted ! ean a" 00 na more lQau WB ow
nie. and me father was maybe a thief
and surely a llur. The pity of me
suffering and tbe watching over me
has goue to your bead, dear angel,
and It's me must be thinking for you
If you could be forgetting me lost
bnnd. where I was raised, and that I
bnd no name to give you, and If you
would be taking me as I am. some
day people such as mine must be
might come upon you. 1 used to pray
Ivery night and morning and many
times the day to see me mother. Now
I only pray to die quickly and never
risk the eight ot ber. 'Tain't no ways
possible, angel! lt'a a wlldnesa of
your dear head. Oh. do, for mercy
sake, kiss me once more and be let
ting me go!"
"Not for a minute!" criod tbe angel.
"Not for a minute, if those are all
the reasons yon have. There are
boqsands, of roupg conrjles whocome
bow to do. deer heartl Freckles, are
you listening to me? Oh. won't you
see It? Won't you believe It?"
"Oh. angel." chattered the bewil
dered Freckles, "are you truly mean
ing it? Could It be?"
"Of course It could." flashed the an
gel, "because It Just Is!"
"Hut you can't prove it" walled
Freckles. "It ain't giving me a name
or me honor!"
"Freckles." said the angel sternly,
"you are unreasonable!" Why. I did
prove every word I said! Everything
proves It! You look here! If you knew
for sure that I could give yon your
name and your honor, and prove to you
that your mother did love you, why,
then would you Just go to breathing
like perpetual motion and bang on for
dear life and get well?"
A great light leaped into Freckles'
eyes.
"If I knew that, angel," be said sol-
em
you
berlost smash on me
"Then you go right to work." said
the augel. "and berore night I'll prove
one thing to you: I can show you eas
ily enough how much your mother
loved you. That will be the first step,
and then the rest will all come."
Freckles caught her sleeve.
"Me mother, angel: Me mother!" he
marveled hoarsely. "Did you say you
could be finding out today if me moth
er loved me? Uow? Oh. angel: All
the rest don't matter. It only uie moth
er didn't do it!"
"Then yon rest easy." said the angel,
with large confidence. "Your mother
didn't do It Mothers or sons like you
don't do such things as tout I'll go to
work at once and prove it to you The
first thing to do is to go to that home
where you were and get the little
clothes you wore the night you were
left there. I know thnf they are re
quired to save those things carefully.
We can find out almost all there is to
know about your mother from them.
Did you ever see tbecn, Freckles?"
"Yis." said Freckles.
The angel literally ponnced on blm.
"Freckles, were they white?" she
cried.
"Maybe they were once. They're all
yellow with laying, and brown with
blood stains now." said FTeckles, the
old note of bitterness creeping In. "Vou
can't be telling anything at all by
them, angel."
"Well, but 1 Just can!" said tbe an
gel positively.
"But bow? Angel, tell me bow!"
Why. easily enough. I thought
you'd understand. People that can uf-
ford anything at all. always get white
for little new bables-llnen and lace.
and the very finest things to be had.
There's a young woman living near
us who cut np her wedding clothes to
have fine things for ber baby. Moth
ers that love and want their babies
make fine seams, and tucks, and put
on lace and trimming by hand. They
sit and stitch, and stitch -little, even
stitches, every one Just as careful.
Their eyes shine and their faces glow.
When they have to quit to do some
thing else, they look orry. and fold
up their work so particularly. There
isn't mucb worth knowing about your
mother that those little clothes won't
teH."
A new light dawned in Freckles
eyes.
"Oh. angel! Will you go now? Win
you be hurrying?" he cried.
"Klght away." said tbe angel. "I
won't stop for a thing, and I'll hurry
with nil my might"
She smoothed his pillow, straight
ened the cover, gave him one steady
look in the eyes, and went quietly
from the room.
Outside the door. Mcl.enn and the
surgeon anxlonsly awaited her. Me
lnn caught her shoulders.
"Angel, what have yon done?" he
demanded desperately
The angei smiled definnee.
"What have I dime?" tu repeorerl
"I've tried to MTe Irecklcil"
Me i. eon groaned
fWhiif W ytmr fathee snyT he
cried
"It strikes me.' hum the angei.
"that what Freckles snld would b to
I tie M!lil '
Freckles'" burst out Mcen.
"WhHt con id h say?"
"II,. ici-mi-d to be nbl to tnv evrnl
thlnip. said the angei swnetiv. "I
fancy one that concerns vou trem
at present was. that if my father
would, offer nie to him he would not
have me''
"And no one knows why liettr "hnn
I do," thundered McLean "F.very duv
be must astonish nie with some new
fineness. "
He urliMil the surgeon until he al
most lifted him from the floor.
"Save him"' he commanded. "Rave
him!" be Implored, "lie Is too fine to
be sacrificed."
"His salvation lies here." said the
surgeon, stroking the angel's sunshiny
hair, "and I can read In the face ot
her that sbe known bow she Is going to
work It out She will snve him!"
Tbe angel sped laughingly down the
hall, aud Into tbe street. Just as she
was.
"I have come," she said to the matron
or tbe home, "to ask If you will allow
me to examine, or, better still, to take
wltb me, the little clothes that a hoy
you called Freckles, discharged last
(all wore the night you took hlra In."
Tbe woman eyed her In greater
astonishment than tbe case called for.
"Well. I'd lie glad to let you see
tbem.' sbe said, "but tbe fact Is we
haven't tbem. I do hope we haven't
made some mistake. I was thoroughly
convinced, and so was tbe superinten
dent. We let his people take those
things away yesterday. Who are yon.
and what do you want with them?"
Tbe angel looked at tbe matron
fazed and speechless.
"There couldn't bave been a mis
take," she continued, seeing tbe girl's
distress. "Freckles was here when I
took charge, ten years ago. These
people bad it all proved plain as day
that be belonged to thorn. They bad
blm traced to where he ran away down
In Illinois last fall, and there tbey
completely lost track of him. I'm
sorry you seem so terribly disappointed,
but It was all right Tbe man was bis
uncle, and as like the boy as be could
possibly bo. He was almost killed to
go back without blm. If you know
where Freckles Is, they'd give big
money to find out"
"Who are tbey?" stammered the an
gel. "Where are they going back tor
"They are Irish folks. Miss," said
the matron. "Thev have been In Chi
V
?
T
?
t
t
?
V
A
bargain
If ricos OH
i ti
3 ft nattrBiuinf
iUU&HBHUi
Owing to the fact that we are crowded to the limit
for room and have no space to properly display our gas
oline engines, we are are going to close them out at the
extraordinary low prices listed below:
1
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
t
Y
Y
Y
One ll2 h. p. Chopie Engine $170.00
One 4 h. p. Fairbanks-Morse Engines 150.00
One 2xi h. p. Waterloo Boy Engines 57.00
One 2i h. p. Hired Hand Engine ...... 40.00
Two y2 Waterloo Boy Engines 37.50
One 1 h. p. Aremoter Engine 27.00
Y PLATTSMOUTH - - - - . - NEBRASKA
f
Y
Y
Y
t
Y
X
Y
Y
X
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
X
Y
Y
X
Y
Y
Y
LOCAL NEWS
luuiit',
cago and over The country for the last
three months, bunting blm everywhere,
Tbey have given up and are starting
home today.. The"
"WHO ABB TOO AXD WHAT DO TOC WANT
WITH THBJI?'
"Did tbey leave "an address? Where
could I find tbemr burst In the angel.
Tbey left u card, and I notice in
morning paier-has4 tbe man's picture
and Is full of tbem. They've adver
tise! h great deal In the city papers.
It's n wonder you haven't seen some
thing."
"Trains don't run right. We never
get Chicago puirs,' snapped the an
gel. "Please give me that card quick
ly. Tbey may get away from me. 1
simply have to catch them!"
Tbe matron came back wltb a card.
"Their addresses are on there," she
said. "Both here In Chicago and at
their home. They made them full and
plain, and I was to cnble at once If I
got the least clew of blm at any time
If they've left the city, you can stop
them In New York. You're sure to
catcb tbem before tbey sail If you
hurry."
Tbe matron caught up a paper and
thrust it Into tbe angel's band as sue
rushed tor tbe street.
v
(To He Continued.) '
From Friday's Dally.
Mrs. W. II. Scylicrt of Cullom
arrived this morning and spent
the day with IMattsmoulh rela
tives. Jidin Colbert, t tie Weeping Wa
ter real estate man, was in thu
city esterday looking after mat
ters in the county treasurer's
olllce.
George Sayle8 and wife were
passengers to Omaha on the
morning train today, where Mr.
Sayles was called on business for
a few hours.
Fred Krecklow of Louisville
visited his father-in-law, fleorgo
Shoeiiian and wife, of this city, for
the day, coming down on No. 4
this iniirning.
James Terryberry motored in
from his farm yesterday after
noon for a short time, returning
to Murray, where he had a suit
pending in court.
Mrs. Henry Lohnes of Peoria,
Illinois, who has been visiting the
Philip Stoehr home for a few
days, left for her home last even
ing on No. 2 in response to a mes
sage informing her of the sick
ness of a member of her family.
L. O. Todd and Hans ChrT5?en
sen, prominent farmers of near
Union, were in the city yesterday
to pay their taxes, and took oc
casion tod rop in at the Journal
olllee nnd renew their subscrip
tion for another year.
Mrs. Charles Campbell of South
Ilend and Mrs. VanSickle and her
daughter, Mrs. O'Neil, both of
Ashland, spent the day yesterday
wilh Mr. and Mrs. A. M. Young
and daughter, Mrs. Karl I.eesley,
nnd departed for I heir homes on
No. 33.
These gentlemen were pleasant
callers at this olllce, Mr. Pautsch
renewing his subscription for an-
oiner year.
William and Louie Meisinger
drove in from their homes neap
Cullom this morning and did the
week-end shopping.
John Albert went to Omaha on.
the morning train today, where he
will visit his nephew, John Mei
singer, jr., al the hospital for a
short time.
Fred Henton of Missouri Val
ley, own, who has been visiting
his aunt, Mrs. Adams, for a few
days, returned to his home this
morning.
Mrs. John Musgrave of Hanni
bal, Missouri, and her daughter,
Mrs. M. Shade, of Marquette, Neb.,
who have been paying a visit to
Hugh Irwin and family for a time,
departed for their homes this
morning.
William Fight of the precinct
was in the city last evening at
tending to the week-end shopping.
Mr. Fight has the large part of
his farm sowed to grass, having
sowed much of it last fall, and the
same is coming on nicely this
spring. He will have but five or
six acres for corn this season.
Prof. A. L. Stockdale of the
Union schools, and Attorney C. L.
(leaves of Union were Platts-
mouth visitors this morning, look
ing after some matters of busi
ness pertaining to the schools of
Union. Judge A. J. Heeson has
been secured to deliver the com
mencement address, which will
occur on the night of May 24.
From Saturday's Dally.
Kmc s, .Paulsen and H. E.
Pankoiiin of Louisville were
visitors in this city today, having
come down to the county seat to
al lend In some business matters.
Buys New Automobile.
Superintendent of the shops
William Ilaird is the owner of a
line new up-to-date $2,500 J. I.
Cas ifl-horse power automobile,
which he purchased through M.
Manspeaker of this city. Mr.
Haird believes in patronizing the
home dealers when a good article
is offered for sale. Mr. Ilaird dis
posed of his Ford, which he pur
chased last year, to A. W. Smith.
Ovrlsv,ed
if
!
3
3
'A
f JBeBSBUWeB I
eearssrsMrseyesreysayaa
OVERLAND MODEL 59T 5&y
$900 for this elegant 30-horsc power car.
$1,200 for the same, only larger and 35 horse power.
$1,500 for the 45-horsc power, still larger.
The above models are made in two-passenger, four-passenger and
five-passenger cars just to suit size of family.
iTPhone or write us if interested. Cars in stock here for immediate delivery.
Union Overland Company,
c
Agents Eastern Cass County, Union, Nebraska
8
4
