"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