"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