Ill
PROLOGUE.
This romance of Freckles and
the Angel of the Limberlost 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 placky waif who
faards the Limberlost timber
leases and dreams of angels.
The Swamp Angel, in whom
Freckles' sweetest dream ma
terializes. 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 Mc
Lean's timber gang.
The Bird Woman, who is col
lecting camera studies of birds
for a book.
Lord and Lady O'More, who
Gome from Ireland in quest of a
tost relative.
The Man of Affairs, brusque
manner, but big of heart.
Wessner, a timber thief who
rants rascality made easy.
Black Jack, a villain to whom
thought of repentance comes too
late, .
. CHAPTER KXIII.
THRU OUKSSn.
"ft-iTl HEN the younger too found
I Vd I tbat Qe bd letl London. ha
1 1 1 1 ran off and followed ber."
I I continued the angel, free
kle wan listening moot attentively
now. "When she got bere all alone nnd
afraid." the angel went on. "and wtw
him coming to her, why, abe was so
glad abe up and married him. Just
like anybody else would have done.
He didn't want ber to travel wltb the
troupe, so when they got to Chicago
they thought that would be a good
place, and they stopped, and he hunted
work. It waa alow bu nines, Iwnuse
be bad never been taught to do a useful
thing, und he didn't even know how to
bnnt work, least of all to do It when
be found It: so pretty Boon things wore
going wrong But If he couldn't Hurt
work, abe could alwaya alng. no she
cang at night and made little things
In the daytime Fie didn't like her to
ting In public, and be wouldn't lei her
wben be could help hlirself; but winter
came, It was very cold, and fire waa ex
pensive. Rents went up, and tbey bad
to move farther out to cheaper and
cheaper places: no I you were coming -
I mean, the boy that is lost wan com
ing and they were almost distracted.
Then the man wrote and told bis father
all about It. ami bis tatber seut the
letter back unopened and wrote blin to
never write again.
"When the baby came, there was
mighty little left to pawn for food and
a doctor, and nothing at all for n nurse.
10 an old neighbor woman went In und
took care of the young mother and the
little baby, Just because she was so
sorry for them. By that time tbey were
away out In tbe suburbs on the top
floor of a little wooden house, among a
lot of fnttorles, and It kept getting,
colder, with Iosh to eat. Thou the man
got desperate, and he went out to Just
find something to ent; and the woman
was desperate, too. She got up, loft
the old woman to take care ot her hiihjr
and weut Into the city to sing for some
money. The womuu got ao cold she
put the baby In bed and went home.
Then a boiler blew up in a factory
beside the little house and set It on lire.
A piece of Iron waa pitched across the
little houso and broke through the roof.
It came down smash, and cut Just one
little band off the poor baby. It
screamed ond screamed, nnd the tire
kept coming closer and closer.
"The old woman ran out with the
rest of the people and aaw what had
happened. She knew there wasn't
going to be time to wait for tbe Bre
men or anything, and she ran Into tbe
building. She could bear tbe poor
little baby screaming, and she couldn't
tand that, so abe worked ber" way up
FRECKLES
By
COPYRIGHT; 1904. DY DOUBLEDAY. PACE
& CO.
to It. There It was. nil hurt and bleed
lng. Then she was scared almost to
death over thinking what its mother
would do to bir for going off and
leaving If. so she ran to a home for
little friendless babies that was near
and banged on the door. Then she hid
across the street until the baby was
taken In, and then she ran back to
see If her own house was burning up.
The fuctory and tbe little house and a
lot of others were all gone. The peo
ple there told her that tbe beautiful
lady came back and ran into the bouse
to find ber baby. She had Just gone
In when ber husband came, and he
went In after ber. and the bouse went
down over both of them."
FrecVles lay rigid, wltb his eyes on
tbe angel's face, and abe talked rapid
ly to the celling.
"Then tbe old woman was just sick
about that poor little baby. She was
afraid to tell them at tbe home, be
cause abe knew she never should have
left it, but she wrote a letter and sent
It to where the beautiful woman, wben
she was 111, had said ber husband's
people lived. She told all about tbe
little baby tbat she could remember;
wben it was born, bow It was named
for the man's elder brother, tbat its
hand bad been cut off In the tire, and
where she bad put it to be doctored
and taken care off. She told them tbat
Its mother and father were both burn
ed, and abe begged and implored them
to come and get it.
"You think It would have melted a
heart ot Ice, but that old man hadn't
any heart to melt, for be got tbat let
ter and read It. tie bid it away
among bis papers and never told a
sonl. A few months ago he died.
Wben bis elder son went to settle up
bis business he found tbat letter al
most the first thing. lie dropped
everything, and came, with bis wife,
to bant tbat baby, because be bad
alwaya loved bis brother dearly, aud
wanted him back. Be had bunted for
him all be dared all these years, and
wben be got bere' you were guns I
mean the baby waa gone and I bad
to tell you. Freckles, tor you see It
might have happened to you like tbat
Just aa easy as to that other lost
boy."
Freckles reached op and turned the
angel's face until be compelled ner
eyes to meet bis.
"Angel." said Freckles at last,
catching, be wrist, "are you trying to
tell me tbat there is somebody nantiug
a boy tbat you're thinking might be
met Are you belavtn you've found
me relations T'
Then the angel's eyes come home.
Tbe time bad come. S-hw pinioned
Freckles' arms to bis sides and bent
above him.
"How strong are you. dear heart?"
she breathed, "now brave nre yon?
Can you bear it? Dare I tell you
tbatr
"Nor gasped Freckles. "Sot ii
you're sure: 1 can't bear It! I'll die If
you do!"
Tbe day bad been one nnremittlng
strain with the angel: .Nerve tension
was drawn to tbe finest thread. It
snapped suddenly.
"Die?" ahe flamed. "Die. If I tell
you that! Toil said this morning that
you would die if you didn't know
your name, and if your people were
honorable. Now I've gone and found
you n nnme 4hat stands for. ages of
honor, a mother that loved you enough
to go into the tire and die for you,
aud the nicest kind of relatives, and
you turn round and say you'll die over
that! Vou Just try dying and you'll
get a good slap!"
The angel stood glaring at him.
One second Freckles lay paralyzed and
dumb wttb astonishment. The nest
the Irish in bis soul rose above every
thing. A roar of laughter burst from
t:lm. Tbe terrified angel caught him
in her arms nnd tried to stifle the
sound. She Implored nnd commnnded.
The tears rolled from Freckles' eyes
nnd be wheezed on. Wben be was
too worn out to utter another sound,
his eyes laughed silently.
When be wns quiet and rested tbe
nngei commenced talking to him softly.
"Dear Freckles," she was saying,
"across your knees there is tbe face
of the mother that went into the fire
for you, and I know the name old
and full of honor to which you were
botu Dear heart which will you
have flrRt!"
"Me mother!"
She lifted the lovely pictured face
aud set It in the uook of bis arm.
Freckles caught ber hand and drew
her down beside blm, and together
they gazed at the picture.
"Me mother! Ob. me mother! Cau
you ever be forgiving me? Oh, me
beautiful little mother!" chanted
Freckles ovec and over In exalted
wonder,
"Walt!" cried tbe angel to tbe mute
question she could no more answer
than he could ask. "Walt, I will write
itr
She hurried to the tablo, caught up
tbe nurse's pencil and on tbe back of
( 1
L
'Hit UOTHRH! OH, MR MoTHKKl"
a prescription tablet wrote. "Terence
Maxwell O'More. Dunderry House.
Couuty Clare, Ireland."
Before she had finished came Frec
kles' voue, "Augei. are you hurrying'"
"Yes." said the angel, "I am. But
there Is a good deal ot It. 1 have to
put In your Mouse and country, ao that
you will feel locuted."
"Me house?" murveled Freckles-.
"Or course.'' said the angel. "Your
uncle says your grnndmothor left your
father ber dower bouse and estate,
because she knew his father would cut
him off. You get that, and all your
share of your grandfather's property
besides. It Is nil set off for you and
waiting. Lord O'More totd me ao. 1
suspect yon are richer than McLean,
Freckles."
She closed his Angora over the slip
and straightened bis hair.
"Now yon are all right. "dear Lim
berlost guard." she snld. "You go o
sleep and don't thluk of a thing but
Just pure Joy, Joy, Joy! I'll keep your
people until you wake up."
Freckles caught her skirt aa she
turned from blm.
"I'll go to sleep In Ave minutes," he
said, "if you will be doing Just one
thing more for me. Send for your
father. Ob, angel, send for him
quick!"
One Instant the angel stood looking
down on him. The next a crimson
wave darkly stained ber lovely face.
Her chin began a spasmodic ipilvering
and tears sprang Into her eyes. Her
bnnds i-aught at her chest aa if she
were stifling. 'Freckle' grasp on ber
tightened until he drew her up to and
then d'Mvu Uvlde blm. lie slipped hi
nrm about tior and drpw her fm-e to
bis pillow.
"Don t angel; for the lore of mercy
don't le doing thar." he Implored. "I
can't : In iiritig it. Tell me. You
"must Ii-!! nip"
Tile liliuel shook hot head.
"Ih.it ami tin. nngrt. iild Frec
kle "ou mi.de uie ten you wuen it
was like tearing the heart raw from
tne liiviiei. And yon wrM for making
everything heaven -Just heaven and
not bin- else for me. If I'm ko much
more now than I wa an hour ago, may-
, he I can lie thinking of some war to
fix things. You will be telling imY'
be coaxed softly, moving his cheek
against her hair
The angels beud moved In negation.
Freckles did a moment ot Intent think
ing. "Maybe I can be guessing," be whis
pered. "Will you be giving me three
chances?"
There wus just the faintest possible
assent.
"You didn't want me to be knowing
me name," guessed Freckles.
The angels head sprung from the
piliow and her tear stained face flamed
wltb outraged indignation.
"Why. I did. too!" 6be burst out nn
grlly. "One gone." said Frecklea calmly.
"You didn't want me to have relatives,
a borne, and money."
"I did!" screamed the angel. "Didn't
I go myself, all alone. Into the city, and
find them when I was afraid as death?
I did too!"
"Two gone." snld Freckles. "You
didn't want the beautlfulesfglrl In the
world to be telling me'-
Down went tbe angel's face, and a
heavy snb shook ber. Freckles' clusp
tlgbteued about ber shoulders, aud his
face. In Its conflicting emotions, was
a study. Despite all It meant to him to
know at last his name and that bo
was of honorable birth-knowlodge
without which life waa an eternal dis
grace and burden the one thing that
was hammering lu Freckles' heart and
beating in his brain past any attempt
ed expression was the fact that,
while bo might really have been Dame
less, tho angel had told him that abe
loved blm. He could And no word
with which to begin to voice the rap
ture of his heart over that Out If
she regretted it If It bad been a thing
done out of her pity for bis condition
or her feeling of responsibility, if it
killed him after all, there was only
ne thing left to do.
"Angel," whispered Freckles with
his lips against her hair, "you haven't
learned your history book very well,
or you've forgotten."
"Forgotten what?" sobbed tbe an
gel. "Forgotten about tho real knight,
ladybird." breathed Freckles softly.
"Don't you know that If anything
happened tbat made bis lady sorry a
! r
real knlgHt Just simply coulJa't oe re
membering It? Angel, darling little
Swamp Angel, you be listening to me
There was one night on the trail, one
solemn, grand, white night that there
wasn't ever any other like before or
since, when the dear boss put his arm
about me and told me that be loved
me, but If you care, angel. If you don't
want It that way. why. I ain't remem
bering that anybody else ever did not
In me whole life."
The angel lifted her head and looked
Into the depths of Freckles' honest
gray eyes, and they met hers uu waver
ingly. but the pain In them was pitiful.
"Do you mean." she demanded, "that
you dou't remember that a brazen,
forward girl told you. when you hadn't
asked her. that she" the angel choked
on It a second, but she gave a gulp and
brought It out bravely-"that she loved
you?"
"Nor thundered Freckles. "No! 1
don't remember anything of the klud."
But all the song birds of his soul
burst Into melody over that one little
clause. "When you hadn't asked ber."
"But you will." said the angel. "You
may live to be an old, old man, and
then you will."
"I will not!" cried Freckles. "How
can yon think It angel?"
"You won't even look as If you
member!"
"I will not!" persisted Freckles.
"I'd rather give It all up now and go
out Into eternity alone, without ever
seel uk a sonl of me same blood or me
borne or hearing another man call me
by the name i was born to than to
remember anything that would be hurt
ing you, angel."
(To Be Continued.)
LOCAL NEWS
From Friday's Dally.
11. L. l'ropst was in the city fur
a short time today, on route from
Council HhitYs to his home at
Mynard.
M. J. I.oo.s of Weeping Water
was in the city this murmur ami
placed his name on the guest, book
at the Perkins hotel.
Mrs. Masters of Louisville, one
of Hie witnesses in the Doud .safe
blowing case last term of court,
was in the city today.
Elmer Bnt'deker and wife and
babe drove in from their home
this morning and boarded the
parly train for Omaha.
Mrs. Louis Rainard of Murray
visited the metropolis this morn
ing, where she spent the day
looking alter matters of business.
Ouy Kirkpatrick of Nebraska
City and Dave West motored to
IMaltsmouUi this afternoon a play
a game of tennis with some of
Plattsmoulh's crack players.
L. G. Todd of Nvhawka drove
homo a fine Mathcson automobile
purchased of the Duff garage yes
Iprday. The car is a six-cylinder,
1 1) 1 2 model, and is one of the
largest turned out of the agency
for some time. Nebraska Citv
Press. i
Henry Engolkemeipr of Murrav
and A. H. Kraker of Mynard were
attending to soinp business mat
ters in this city yesterday. Holli
gentlemen called at this otllcp, Mr.
Engelkomeier renewing his sub
scription to I his paper for an
other year.
W . J. Patridge, from near
Weeping Water, was a Plaits
mouth visitor Monday of this
week. "Hilly" has a great many
friends in the county seat that are
always glad to see him, and also
to know that he is doing tine in his
present, home. He is living on the
l. J. Schneider place, down nea'
Weeping Water.
County Surveyor Fred Patter
son has just completed a blue
print map of the road recently
purchased from Messrs. Nord,
Horn nnd the Burlington Railway
company leading to the Pollock
Iu(T bridge. The Omaha-Platts-
moulh-Kansas City Scenic Houle
will soon be in commission, as
the bridge has been in use several
days.
From Saturday's Dallv.
Cieorge P. Meisinger and family
from near Cedar Creek were visit
ing with county seat friends to
day. John Stones from near Murray
was a county seat visitor today,
driving up from his home this
morning.
J. II. Burton of Murray drove
in from his home this morning
and boarded the early train for
Omaha, where he spent, the day.
Kx-Couiily Commissioner L. I.
Switzer arrived from Omaha and
Weeping Water last evening and
looked after business matters at
the court house.
Mrs. B. W. Livingston and
daughter, Miss Rachel, went to
Omaha on the morning train to
day to spend I lie day and look
after some items of business.
Mrs. William Stewart of St.
Joseph, Missouri, arrived today
and will visit her parents, Judge
Newell nnd wife, for a few days,
and witness the graduation of her
daughter, Mildred.
John llartman called at this
ollice yesterday afternoon and
renewed the subscription of the
paper which lie is sending to his
daughter, Mrs. Alice Keyler, at
York. Pennsylvania.
K. P. Sheldon, Dave West and
tiny Kirkpatrick motored to the
county seat from Nchawka Friday
afternoon, Mr. Sheldon coming on
business and Messrs, West and
Kirkpatrick for pleasure.
Jason Fountain, .from Sidney,
Iowa, came oer this morning for
a brief visit with Plaltsmoulh
friends, lie reports everything
oer in Iowa in good condition at
this season of the year and all
crops are looking good.
Our old friend, C. Bengen, from
near Mynard, was in the city a
few hours today, looking after
some business mailers and shak
ing hands with his many county
seat friends. This is Mr. Ben
gen's first trip to the city for
several months. He is sure one
of the good men of this county
and we would like to see him more
often.
Karl Mayilchl of the Louisville
Courier was in the city a few
hours today, coining down on the
Schuyler, returning this after
noon. He (ells us that his
fattier, L. J., and uncle, O. K.
(fieno) are having a grand time
out in California and that (iene is
regaining his health quite rapid
ly. This will be good news to his
numerous friends in Plattsmouth.
Mr. and Mrs. V. W. Schleiferl
and little sons, Aaron and Fred
rick, jr., of the vicinity of Louis
ville, motored to this city yes
terday to do some shopping and
attend to some business matters.
Mr. Schleiferl and son, Aaron,
were pleasant callers at this
otllce, renewing their subscrip
tion to this paper for another
year.
Exhibit of Pupils' Work.
Mrs. Howland, supervisor of
drawing, announces a free ex
hibit of the work done in drawing
nnd colors by the pupils of thp
public schools during the past
year, in the. room formerly oc
cupied by the postofllep in the
Riley block, on Wednesday,
Thursday and Friday afternoons,
May 22, 23 and 21. Patrons,
teachers, High school pupils, the
hoard of pduoation, and friends
are invited to spend a few min
utes in examining the progress
our children have made. This is
not an art exhibit; it is simply
some representative work done in
the regular routine of daily in
struction and with no idea of ex
hibit ion purposes.
N. C. Abbott, Superintendent.
Tested Flr Hose Tpday.
Chairman of the tire and water
committee, Councilman John Von
dran, Fire Chief Manners, Super
intendent Burnie of the wo lor
company and others tested the
lire hose this afternoon (o ascer
tain whether it would stand the
pressure in case of Are.
White Plymouth Rook Eggs.
White Plymouth nocK eggs for
sale at $3.00 per hundred. Mrs.
Oeo. A. Kaffenberger, R. F. D. No.
2, Plattsmouth.
For Sale.
New piano. Cash or payments.
Must sell. Ooing away. Mrs. E.
Eminel, Plattsmouth, Neb.
5-9-2t-wkly.
CW.GHRISWISSER
THE
Live Stock Dealer
Nchawka, Nebraska
is ready to make you the most liberal
offer on anything you have for sale in
the stock line.
Get His Prices Before Selling
and
FEE
We are now handling a complete
line of coal. Call and let us quote you
prices for your fall and winter coal.
We handle wheat, oats, corn and
chop of all kinds.
Ind. Telephone 297
Nelson Jean & Go.
COAL
JUDGE W. H, MOORE
Figures In Steel Trust
Inquiry In Connection
With Tin Plate Probe.
? : fas!
GENEVA MAN NAMED
DEPARTMENT HEAD
Fremont Selected as Place lei
Holding Next Encampment.
Dcatrlce, Neb., May 17. At the clos
ing aesslon of the Grand Army en
campment Fremont was selected aa
the place for holding the next encamp
ment. Resolutions were passed indorsing
Captain C. El Adams of Superior for
commander In chief of tbe Grant
Army In 1913.
The following Grand Army officers
were elected: Department com man,
er, M. V. King of GeneTa; senior ?lc
commander, George G. Humphrey ot
Grand Island; junior vice commander,
S. A. Isaacs of TecumBch; medical di
rector. Fred Brother of Beatrice; chap
lain, P. C. Johnson of Tecumseh.
Officers of the Ladles of the Grand
Army of the Republic: Department
counsellor, Mra. Carolina H. Putnam
of Lincoln; president, Mra. Nora KJ4
aer of 8crlbnr; senior rice presldeat.
Mrs. Maggie Hopper ot Omaha; junior
vice president. Mrs. Louisa Fisher of
Greenwood; treasurer, JJri, Ora Po
nr of Syracuas; chaplain, Mrs, M
fieYva Putnam 6f tnc&Tn.
Woman' R"llef corps officers: De
partment president MJsj jfleajior Aclv
erman of A las worth: senior vice presi
dent, Miss Mary Klmmerly of Beat
rice; junior vice president, Mrs. Cam
eron of Falls City ; treasurer, MIm
Joule Bennett of Harvard; chaplal.
Mrs. Nettle Johnson of Fullerton.
RECEIVERSrlipTHREATENED
Equltabl Endowment Association
Must Improvs Finances.
Lincoln, May 17. State Auditor
Barton has notified the officers of tho
Equitable Endowment association of
Omaha that they must get the affairs
of the company In shape by June 1
or he will apply for a receiver for the
company. The auditor refunod tho
company a license last year, and tt
has written no new business alaco
that time, but Its officers were gives
time to get affairs In shape either to
go ahead on a sound basis, relnsuro
and close up or settle Its affairs withr
out the expense of a receivership.
According to the auditor satisfac
tory progress along this line has not
been made and he will not delay long
er than June 1. W. H. Wigton Is tho
active official of the company, and s
number of prominent Ncbraskai
been connected with It. It has net
book assets of $98,578.16, but the aud
itor takes exceptions to many of them,
among them some of the notes from
policyholders and some loans of com
pany funds. The company started
May 4, l!)nr, to do a mutual life Insur
ance business.
Ryan-Pivonka Case Set.
Uncoin, May 17. The Eyan-Pivonka
rase has been set by the supreme
court for argument at the sitting of
June 5. The court asks the attorneya
to discuss this time two legal polnta,
first, wliPthpr th law extending the
Irtims of office of South Omnha offi
cials was legally adopted. The district
court hns declared this section of the
chnrter Invalid, but the supreme court
has not pnsspd on It. Second, If the
section extending the terms of office
Is Invalid what effect does the ex
piration of the terms of office of the
defendants have on the ouster pro
ceedings brought against them as po
lice commissioners Briefs In the
rase are to be served May 25.
Humboldt Man Dies of Lockjaw.
Humboldt, Neb., May 17. John
Melater. who was seriously hurt In a
runaway accident on May 3, was taken
suddenly with lockjaw and died. In
the accident Mr. Melster was dragged
by the team about half a mile, when
his head struck with such forco
against the ground as to render aba
unconscious.
