Withthefirsttouchhiseyesclosed，amightygroanwaswrenchedfromhim，andhelaysenseless。TheAngelgaveDuncanonepanic-
strickenlook。Thenshesetherlipsandgatheredherforcesagain。
\"Iguessthat\'sagoodthing，\"shesaid。\"Maybehewon\'tfeelhowwearehurtinghim。Ohboys，areyoubeingquickandgentle？\"
ShesteppedtothesideofthecotandbathedFreckles\'face。
Takinghishandinhers，shegavethewordtostart。Shetoldthementoaskeveryable-bodiedmantheymettojointhemsothattheycouldchangecarriersoftenandmakegoodtime。
TheBirdWomaninsistedupontakingtheAngelintothecarriageandfollowingthecot，butsherefusedtoleaveFreckles，andsuggestedthattheBirdWomandriveahead，packthemsomeclothing，andbeatthestationreadytoaccompanythemtoChicago。AllthewaytheAngelwalkedbesidethecot，shadingFreckles\'facewithabranch，andholdinghishand。Ateverypausetochangecarriersshemoistenedhisfaceandlipsandwatchedeachbreathwithheart-breakinganxiety。
Shescarcelyknewwhenherfatherjoinedthem，andtakingthebranchfromher，slippedanarmaroundherwaistandalmostcarriedher。
Tothecitystreetsandtheswarmofcurious，staringfacesshepaidnomoreattentionthanshehadtothetreesoftheLimberlost。
WhenthetraincameandthegangplacedFrecklesaboard，bigDuncanmadeaplacefortheAngelbesidethecot。
Withthebestphysiciantobefound，andwiththeBirdWomanandMcLeaninattendance，thefour-hours\'runtoChicagobegan。TheAngelconstantlywatchedoverFreckles；bathedhisface，strokedhishand，andgentlyfannedhim。Notforaninstantwouldsheyieldherplace，orallowanyoneelsetodoanythingforhim。TheBirdWomanandMcLeanregardedherinamazement。Thereseemedtobenoendtoherresourcesandcourage。TheonlytimeshespokewastoaskMcLeanifheweresurethespecialwouldbereadyonthePittsburghroad。Herepliedthatitwasmadeupandwaiting。
Atfiveo\'clockFreckleslaystretchedontheoperating-tableofLakeViewHospital，whilethreeofthegreatestsurgeonsinChicagobentoverhim。Attheircommand，McLeanpickeduptheunwillingAngelandcarriedhertothenursestobebathed，haveherbruisesattended，andtobeputtobed。
Inaplacewhereitisdifficulttosurprisepeople，theywereastonishedwomenastheyremovedtheAngel\'sdaintystainedandtornclothing，drewoffhosemuck-bakedtoherlimbs，soakedthedriedloamfromhersilkenhair，andwashedthebeautifulscratched，bruised，dirt-coveredbody。TheAngelfellfastasleeplongbeforetheyhadfinished，andlaydeeplyunconscious，whilethefightforFreckles\'lifewasbeingwaged。
ThreedayslatershewasthesameAngelasofold，exceptthatFreckleswasconstantlyinherthoughts。Theanxietyandresponsibilitythatshefeltforhisconditionhadbredinheratouchofwomanlinessandauthoritythatwasnew。ThatmorningshearoseearlyandhoverednearFreckles\'door。Shehadbeenallowedtoremainwithhimconstantly，forthenursesandsurgeonshadlearned，withhisreturningconsciousness，thatforheralonewouldtheactive，highlystrung，pain-rackedsuffererbequietandobeyorders。Whenshewasdroppingfromlossofsleep，thethreatthatshewouldfallillhadtobeusedtosendhertobed。ThenbytellingFrecklesthattheAngelwasasleepandtheywouldwakenherthemomenthemoved，theywereabletocontrolhimforashorttime。
ThesurgeonwaswithFreckles。TheAngelhadbeentoldthatthewordhebroughtthatmorningwouldbefinal，soshecurledinawindowseat，droppedthecurtainsbehindher，andindireanxiety，waitedtheopeningofthedoor。
Justasitunclosed，McLeancamehurryingdownthehallandtothesurgeon，butwithoneglanceathisfacehesteppedbackindismay；
whiletheAngel，whohadarisen，sanktotheseatagain，toodazedtocomeforward。Themenfacedeachother。TheAngel，withpartedlipsandfrightenedeyes，bentforwardintenseanxiety。
\"I——Ithoughthewasdoingnicely？\"falteredMcLean。
\"Heboretheoperationwell，\"repliedthesurgeon，\"andhiswoundsarenotnecessarilyfatal。Itoldyouthatyesterday，butIdidnottellyouthatsomethingelseprobablywouldkillhim；anditwill。
Heneednotdiefromtheaccident，buthewillnotlivethedayout。\"
\"Butwhy？Whatisit？\"askedMcLeanhurriedly。\"Wealldearlylovetheboy。Wehavemillionsamongustodoanythingthatmoneycanaccomplish。Whymusthedie，ifthosebrokenbonesarenotthecause？\"
\"ThatiswhatIamgoingtogiveyoutheopportunitytotellme，\"
repliedthesurgeon。\"Heneednotdiefromtheaccident，yetheisdyingasfastashissplendidphysicalconditionwillpermit，anditisbecausehesoevidentlyprefersdeathtolife。Ifhewerefullofhopeandambitiontolive，myworkwouldbeeasy。Ifallofyoulovehimasyouproveyoudo，andthereisunlimitedmeanstogivehimanythinghewants，whyshouldhedesiredeath？\"
\"Ishedying？\"demandedMcLean。
\"Heis，\"saidthesurgeon。\"Hewillnotlivethisdayout，unlesssomestrongreactionsetsinatonce。Heissolow，thatpreferringdeathtolife，naturecannotovercomehisinertia。Ifheistolive，hemustbemadetodesirelife。Nowheundoubtedlywishesfordeath，andthatitcomequickly。\"
\"Thenhemustdie，\"saidMcLean。
Hisbroadshouldersshookconvulsively。Hisstronghandsopenedandclosedmechanically。
\"Doesthatmeanthatyouknowwhathedesiresandcannot，orwillnot，supplyit？\"
McLeangroanedinmisery。
\"Itmeans，\"hesaiddesperately，\"thatIknowwhathewants，butitisasfarremovedfrommypowertohelphimasitwouldbetogivehimastar。Thethingforwhichhewilldie，hecanneverhave。\"
\"Thenyoumustpreparefortheendveryshortly\"saidthesurgeon，turningabruptlyaway。
McLeancaughthisarmroughly。
\"Youlookhere！\"hecriedindesperation。\"YousaythatasifI
coulddosomethingifIwould。Itellyoutheboyisdeartomepastexpression。Iwoulddoanything——spendanysum。Youhavenoticedandrepeatedlycommentedontheyounggirlwithme。Itisthatchildthathewants！Heworshipshertoadoration，andknowinghecanneverbeanythingtoher，heprefersdeathtolife。InGod\'sname，whatcanIdoaboutit？\"
\"Barringthatmissinghand，Ineverexaminedafinerman，\"saidthesurgeon，\"andsheseemedperfectlydevotedtohim；whycannothehaveher？\"
\"Why？\"echoedMcLean。\"Why？Well，formanyreasons！Itoldyouhewasmyson。Youprobablyknewthathewasnot。AlittleoverayearagoIneverhadseenhim。Hejoinedoneofmylumbergangsfromtheroad。Heisastray，leftatoneofyourhomesforthefriendlesshereinChicago。Whenhegrewupthesuperintendentboundhimtoabrutalman。Heranawayandlandedinoneofmylumbercamps。Hehasnonameorknowledgeoflegalbirth。TheAngel——wehavetalkedofher。Youseewhatsheis，physicallyandmentally。ShehasancestorsreachingbacktoPlymouthRock，andacrosstheseaforgenerationsbeforethat。Sheisanidolized，pettedonlychild，andthereisgreatwealth。Lifeholdseverythingforher，nothingforhim。
Heseesitmoreplainlythananyoneelsecould。Thereisnothingfortheboybutdeath，ifitistheAngelthatisrequiredtosavehim。\"
TheAngelstoodbetweenthem。
\"Well，Ijustguessnot！\"shecried。\"IfFreckleswantsme，allhehastodoistosayso，andhecanhaveme！\"
Theamazedmensteppedback，staringather。
\"Thathewillneversay，\"saidMcLeanatlast，\"andyoudon\'tunderstand，Angel。Idon\'tknowhowyoucamehere。Iwouldn\'thavehadyouhearthatfortheworld，butsinceyouhave，deargirl，youmustbetoldthatitisn\'tyourfriendshiporyourkindnessFreckleswants；itisyourlove。\"
TheAngellookedstraightintothegreatsurgeon\'seyeswithherclear，steadyorbsofblue，andthenintoMcLean\'swithunwaveringfrankness。
\"Well，Idolovehim，\"shesaidsimply。
McLean\'sarmsdroppedhelplessly。
\"Youdon\'tunderstand，\"hereiteratedpatiently。\"Itisn\'ttheloveofafriend，oracomrade，orasister，thatFreckleswantsfromyou；itistheloveofasweetheart。Andiftosavethelifehehasofferedforyou，youarethinkingofbeinggenerousandimpulsiveenoughtosacrificeyourfuture——intheabsenceofyourfather，itwillbecomemyplainduty，astheprotectorinwhosehandshehasplacedyou，topreventsuchrashness。Theverywordsyouspeak，andthemannerinwhichyousaythem，provethatyouareamerechild，andhavenotdreamedwhatloveis。\"
ThentheAngelgrewsplendid。Arosyflushsweptthepalloroffearfromherface。Herbigeyeswidenedanddilatedwithintenselights。
Sheseemedtoleaptotheheightandthedignityofsuperbwomanhoodbeforetheirwonderinggaze。
\"Ineverhavehadtodreamoflove，\"shesaidproudly。\"Ineverhaveknownanythingelse，inallmylife，buttoloveeveryoneandtohaveeveryoneloveme。AndthereneverhasbeenanyonesodearasFreckles。Ifyouwillremember，wehavebeenthroughagooddealtogether。IdoloveFreckles，justasIsayIdo。Idon\'tknowanythingabouttheloveofsweethearts，butIlovehimwithalltheloveinmyheart，andIthinkthatwillsatisfyhim。\"
\"Surelyitshould！\"mutteredthemanofknivesandlancets。
McLeanreachedtotakeholdoftheAngel，butshesawthemovementandswiftlysteppedback。
\"Asformyfather，\"shecontinued，\"heatoncetoldmewhathelearnedfromyouaboutFreckles。I\'veknownallyouknowforseveralweeks。Thatknowledgedidn\'tchangeyourloveforhimaparticle。IthinktheBirdWomanlovedhimmore。Whyshouldyoutwohaveallthefineperceptionsthereare？Can\'tIseehowbrave，trustworthy，andsplendidheis？Can\'tIseehowhissoulvibrateswithhismusic，hisloveofbeautifulthingsandthepangsoflonelinessandhearthunger？Mustyoutwolovehimwithallthelovethereis，andIgivehimnone？Myfatherisneverunreasonable。
Hewon\'texpectmenottoloveFreckles，ornottotellhimso，ifthetellingwillsavehim。\"
ShedartedpastMcLeanintoFreckles\'room，closedthedoor，andturnedthekey。
CHAPTERXVIII
WhereinFrecklesrefusesLoveWithoutKnowledgeofHonorableBirth，andtheAngelGoesinQuestofitFreckleslayonaflatpillow，hisbodyimmovableinaplastercast，hismaimedarm，asalways，hidden。HisgreedygazefastenedatonceontheAngel\'sface。Shecrossedtohimwithlightstepandbentoverhimwithinfinitetenderness。Herheartachedatthechangeinhisappearance。Heseemedsoweak，hearthungry，soutterlyhopeless，soalone。Shecouldseethatthenighthadbeenonelongterror。
ForthefirsttimeshetriedputtingherselfinFreckles\'place。
Whatwoulditmeantohavenoparents，nohome，noname？Noname！
Thatwastheworstofall。Thatwastobelost——indeed——utterlyandhopelesslylost。TheAngelliftedherhandstoherdazedheadandreeled，asshetriedtofacethatproposition。Shedroppedonherkneesbesidethebed，slippedherarmunderthepillow，andleaningoverFreckles，setherlipsonhisforehead。Hesmiledfaintly，buthiswistfulfaceappearedworseforit。IthurttheAngeltotheheart。
\"DearFreckles，\"shesaid，\"thereisastoryinyoureyesthismorning，tellme？\"
Frecklesdrewalong，waveringbreath。
\"Angel，\"hebegged，\"begenerous！Bethinkingofmealittle。
I\'msohomesickandwornout，dearAngel，begivingmebackmepromise。
Letmego？\"
\"WhyFreckles！\"falteredtheAngel。\"Youdon\'tknowwhatyouareasking。`Letyougo！\'Icannot！Iloveyoubetterthananyone，Freckles。IthinkyouaretheveryfinestpersonIeverknew。
Ihaveourlivesallplanned。Iwantyoutobeeducatedandlearnallthereistoknowaboutsinging，justassoonasyouarewellenough。
BythetimeyouhavecompletedyoureducationIwillhavefinishedcollege，andthenIwant，\"shechokedasecond，\"Iwantyoutobemyrealknight，Freckles，andcometomeandtellmethatyou——likeme——alittle。Ihavebeencountingonyouformysweetheartfromtheveryfirst，Freckles。Ican\'tgiveyouup，unlessyoudon\'tlikeme。Butyoudolikeme——justalittle——don\'tyou，Freckles？\"
Freckleslaywhiterthanthecoverlet，hisstaringeyesontheceilingandhisbreathwheezingbetweendrylips。TheAngelawaitedhisanswerasecond，andwhennonecame，shedroppedhercrimsoningfacebesidehimonthepillowandwhisperedinhisear:
\"Freckles，I——I\'mtryingtomakelovetoyou。Oh，can\'tyouhelpmeonlyalittlebit？It\'sawfulhardallalone！Idon\'tknowhow，whenIreallymeanit，butFreckles，Iloveyou。Imusthaveyou，andnowIguess——IguessmaybeI\'dbetterkissyounext。\"
Sheliftedhershamedfaceandbravelylaidherfeverish，quiveringlipsonhis。Herbreath，likeclover-bloom，wasinhisnostrils，andherhairtouchedhisface。Thenshelookedintohiseyeswithreproach。
\"Freckles，\"shepanted，\"Freckles！Ididn\'tthinkitwasinyoutobemean！\"
\"Mean，Angel！Meantoyou？\"gaspedFreckles。
\"Yes，\"saidtheAngel。\"Downrightmean。WhenIkissyou，ifyouhadanymercyatallyou\'dkissback，justalittlebit。\"
Freckles\'sinewyfistknottedintothecoverlet。Hischinpointedceilingwardwhilehisheadrockedonthepillow。
\"Oh，Jesus！\"burstfromhiminagony。\"Youain\'ttheonlyonethatwascrucified！\"
TheAngelcaughtFreckles\'handandcarriedittoherbreast。
\"Freckles！\"shewailedinterror，\"Freckles！Itisamistake？Isitthatyoudon\'twantme？\"
Freckles\'headrolledoninwordlesssuffering。
\"Waitabit，Angel？\"hepantedatlast。\"Begivingmealittletime！\"
TheAngelarosewithcontrolledfeatures。Shebathedhisface，straightenedhishair，andheldwatertohislips。Itseemedalongtimebeforehereachedtowardher。Instantlyshekneltagain，carriedhishandtoherbreast，andleanedhercheekuponit。
\"Tellme，Freckles，\"shewhisperedsoftly。
\"IfIcan，\"saidFrecklesinagony。\"It\'sjustthis。Angelsarefromabove。Outcastsarefrombelow。You\'veasoundbodyandyou\'rebeautifulestofall。Youhaveeverythingthatloving，carefulraisingandmoneycangiveyou。IhavesomuchlessthannothingthatIdon\'tsupposeIhadanyrighttobeborn。It\'sasurething——nobodywantedmeafterward，soofcourse，theydidn\'tbefore。Someofthemshouldhavebeentellingyoulongago。\"
\"Ifthat\'sallyouhavetosay，Freckles，I\'veknownthatquiteawhile，\"saidtheAngelstoutly。\"Mr。McLeantoldmyfather，andhetoldme。Thatonlymakesmeloveyoumore，topayforallyou\'vemissed。\"
\"ThenI\'mwonderingatyou，\"saidFrecklesinavoiceofawe。
\"Can\'tyouseethatifyouwerewillingandyourfatherwouldcomeandofferyoutome，Icouldn\'tbetouchingthesolesofyourfeet，inlove——me，whosepeoplebrawledoverme，cutoffmehand，andthrowedmeawaytofreezeandtodie！Me，whohasnonamejustasmuchbecauseI\'venoRIGHTtoany，asbecauseIdon\'tknowit。
WhenIwaslittle，IplannedtofindmefatherandmotherwhenI
grewup。NowIknowmemotherdesertedme，andmefatherwasmaybeathiefandsurelyaliar。Thepityformesufferingandthewatchingovermehavegonetoyourhead，dearAngel，andit\'smemustbethinkingforyou。Ifyoucouldbeforgettingmelosthand，whereI
wasraised，andthatIhadnonametogiveyou，andifyouwouldbetakingmeasIam，somedaypeoplesuchasminemustbe，mightcomeuponyou。Iusedtoprayiverynightandmorningandmanytimesthedaytoseememother。NowIonlypraytodiequicklyandneverriskthesightofher。\'Tain\'tnowayspossible，Angel！It\'sawildnessofyourdearhead。Oh，doformercysake，kissmeoncemoreandbelettingmego！\"
\"Notforaminute！\"criedtheAngel。\"Notforaminute，ifthoseareallthereasonsyouhave。It\'syouwhoarewildinyourhead，butIcanunderstandjusthowithappened。BeingshutinthatHomemostofyourlife，andseeingchildreneverydaywhoseparentsdidneglectanddesertthem，makesyousureyoursdidthesame；andyettherearesomanyotherthingsthatcouldhavehappenedsomuchmoreeasilythanthat。Therearethousandsofyoungcoupleswhocometothiscountryandstartafamilywithnoneoftheirrelativeshere。Chicagoisabig，wickedcity，andgrownpeoplecoulddisappearinmanyways，andwhowouldthereeverbetofindtowhomtheirlittlechildrenbelonged？Theminutemyfathertoldmehowyoufelt，Ibegantostudythisthingover，andI\'vemadeupmymindyouaredeadwrong。ImeanttoaskmyfatherortheBirdWomantotalktoyoubeforeyouwentawaytoschool，butasmattersarerightnowIguessI\'lljustdoitmyself。It\'sallsoplaintome。Oh，ifIcouldonlymakeyousee！\"
Sheburiedherfaceinthepillowandpresentlyliftedit，transfigured。
\"NowIhaveit！\"shecried。\"Oh，dearheart！Icanmakeitsoplain！Freckles，canyouimagineyouseetheoldLimberlosttrail？
Wellwhenwefollowedit，youknowtherewereplaceswhereugly，pricklythistlesovergrewthepath，andyouwentaheadwithyourclubandbentthembacktokeepthemfromstingingthroughmyclothing。
Otherplacestherewerebigshiningpoolswherelovely，snow-whiteliliesgrew，andyouwadedinandgatheredthemforme。Ohdearheart，don\'tyousee？It\'sthis！Everywherethewindcarriedthatthistledown，otherthistlessprangupandgrewprickles；
andwhereverthoselilyseedssanktothemire，thepurewhiteofotherliliesbloomed。But，Freckles，therewasneveraplaceanywhereintheLimberlost，orinthewholeworld，wherethethistledownfloatedandsprangupandblossomedintowhitelilies！
Thistlesgrowfromthistles，andliliesfromotherlilies。
DearFreckles，thinkhard！Youmustseeit！Youarealily，straightthrough。Younever，nevercouldhavedriftedfromthethistle-patch。
\"WheredidyoufindthecouragetogointotheLimberlostandfaceitsterrors？Youinheriteditfromthebloodofabravefather，dearheart。Wheredidyougettheplucktoholdforoverayearajobthatfewmenwouldhavetakenatall？Yougotitfromapluckymother，youbravestofboys。Youattackedsingle-handedamanalmosttwiceyoursize，andfoughtasademon，merelyatthesuggestionthatyoubedeceptiveanddishonest。Couldyourmotheroryourfatherhavebeenuntruthful？Hereyouare，sohungryandstarvedthatyouaredyingforlove。Wheredidyougetallthatcapacityforloving？Youdidn\'tinherititfromhardened，heartlesspeople，whowoulddisfigureyouandpurposelyleaveyoutodie，that\'sonesurething。Youoncetoldmeofsavingyourbigbullfrogfromarattlesnake。Youknewyouriskedahorribledeathwhenyoudidit。Yetyouwillspendmiserableyearstorturingyourselfwiththeideathatyourownmothermighthavecutoffthathand。Shameonyou，Freckles！Yourmotherwouldhavedonethis——\"
TheAngeldeliberatelyturnedbackthecover，slippedupthesleeve，andlaidherlipsonthescars。
\"Freckles！Wakeup！\"shecried，almostshakinghim。\"Cometoyoursenses！Beathinking，reasoningman！Youhavebroodedtoomuch，andbeenallyourlifetoomuchalone。It\'sallasplainasplaincanbetome。Youmustseeit！Likebreedslikeinthisworld！
Youmustbesomesortofareproductionofyourparents，andIamnotafraidtovouchforthem，notforaminute！
\"Andthen，too，ifmoreproofisneeded，hereitis:Mr。McLeansaysthatyouneveroncehavefailedintactandcourtesy。Hesaysthatyouarethemostperfectgentlemanheeverknew，andhehastraveledtheworldover。Howdoesithappen，Freckles？NooneatthatHometaughtyou。Hundredsofmencouldn\'tbetaught，eveninaschoolofetiquette；soitmustbeinstinctivewithyou。Ifitis，why，thatmeansthatitisborninyou，andadirectinheritancefromaraceofmenthathavebeengentlemenforages，andcouldn\'tbeanythingelse。
\"Thenthere\'syoursinging。Idon\'tbelievethereeverwasamortalwithasweetervoicethanyours，andwhilethatdoesn\'tproveanything，thereisapointthatdoes。Thelittletrainingyouhadfromthatchoirmasterwon\'taccountforthewonderfulaccentandeasewithwhichyousing。Somewhereinyourclosebloodisamarvelouslytrainedvocalist；weeveryoneofusbelievethat，Freckles。
\"Whydoesmyfatherrefertoyouconstantlyasbeingoffineperceptionsandhonor？Becauseyouare，Freckles。WhydoestheBirdWomanleaveherpreciousworkandcomeheretohelplookafteryou？
Ineverheardofherlosinganytimeoveranyoneelse。It\'sbecauseshelovesyou。AndwhydoesMr。McLeanturnallofhisvaluablebusinessovertohiredmenandwatchyoupersonally？Andwhyishehuntingexcuseseverydaytospendmoneyonyou？MyfathersaysMcLeanisfullScotch-closewithadollar。Heisahard-headedbusinessman，Freckles，andheisdoingitbecausehefindsyouworthyofit。Worthyofallweallcandoandmorethanweknowhowtodo，dearheart！Freckles，areyoulisteningtome？Oh！won\'tyouseeit？Won\'tyoubelieveit？\"
\"Oh，Angel！\"chatteredthebewilderedFreckles，\"areyoutrulymaningit？Coulditbe？\"
\"Ofcourseitcould，\"flashedtheAngel，\"becauseitjustis！\"
\"Butyoucan\'tproveit，\"wailedFreckles。\"Itain\'tgivingmeaname，ormehonor！\"
\"Freckles，\"saidtheAngelsternly，\"youareunreasonable！Why，I
didproveeverywordIsaid！Everythingprovesit！Youlookhere！
IfyouknewforsurethatIcouldgiveyouanameandyourhonor，andprovetoyouthatyourmotherdidloveyou，why，then，wouldyoujustgotobreathinglikeperpetualmotionandhangonfordearlifeandgetwell？\"
AbrightlightshoneinFreckles\'eyes。
\"IfIknewthat，Angel，\"hesaidsolemnly，\"youcouldn\'tbekillingmeifyoufelledthebiggesttreeintheLimberlostsmashonme！\"
\"Thenyougorighttowork，\"saidtheAngel，\"andbeforenightI\'llproveonethingtoyou:Icanshowyoueasilyenoughhowmuchyourmotherlovedyou。Thatwillbethefirststep，andthentheremainderwillallcome。IfmyfatherandMr。McLeanaresoanxioustospendsomemoney，I\'llgivethemachance。Idon\'tseewhywehaven\'tcomprehendedhowyoufeltandsohavebeenatworkweeksago。
We\'vebeenawfullyselfish。We\'veallbeensocomfortable，weneverstoppedtothinkwhatotherpeopleweresufferingbeforeoureyes。
Noneofushasunderstood。I\'llhirethefinestdetectiveinChicago，andwe\'llgotoworktogether。Thisisnothingcomparedwiththingspeopledofindout。We\'llgoatit，beakandclaw，andwe\'llshowyouathingortwo。\"
Frecklescaughthersleeve。
\"Memother，Angel！Memother！\"hemarveledhoarsely。\"Didyousayyoucouldbefindingouttodayifmemotherlovedme？How？Oh，Angel！
Nothingmatters，IFONLYMEMOTHERDIDN\'TDOIT！\"
\"Thenyouresteasy，\"saidtheAngel，withlargeconfidence。
\"Yourmotherdidn\'tdoit！Mothersofsonssuchasyoudon\'tdothingslikethat。I\'llgotoworkatonceandproveittoyou。ThefirstthingtodoistogotothatHomewhereyouwereandgettheclothesyouworethenightyouwereleftthere。Iknowthattheyarerequiredtosavethosethingscarefully。Wecanfindoutalmostallthereistoknowaboutyourmotherfromthem。Didyoueverseethem？\"
\"Yis，\"hereplied。
\"Freckles！Weretheywhite？\"shecried。
\"Maybetheywereonce。They\'reallyellowwithlaying，andbrownwithblood-stainsnow\"saidFreckles，theoldnoteofbitternesscreepingin。\"Youcan\'tbetellinganythingatallbythem，Angel！\"
\"Well，butIjustcan！\"saidtheAngelpositively。\"Icanseefromthequalitywhatkindofgoodsyourmothercouldaffordtobuy。
Icanseefromthecutwhethershehadgoodtaste。Icanseefromthecareshetookinmakingthemhowmuchshelovedandwantedyou。\"
\"Buthow？Angel，tellmehow！\"imploredFreckleswithtremblingeagerness。
\"Why，easilyenough，\"saidtheAngel。\"Ithoughtyou\'dunderstand。
Peoplethatcanaffordanythingatall，alwaysbuywhiteforlittlenewbabies——linenandlace，andtheveryfinestthingstobehad。
There\'sayoungwomanlivingnearuswhocutupherweddingclothestohavefinethingsforherbaby。Motherswholoveandwanttheirbabiesdon\'tbuylittlerough，ready-madethings，andtheydon\'trunupwhattheymakeonanoldsewingmachine。Theymakefineseams，andtucks，andputonlaceandtrimmingbyhand。Theysitandstitch，andstitch——little，evenstitches，everyonejustascareful。
Theireyesshineandtheirfacesglow。Whentheyhavetoquittodosomethingelse，theylooksorry，andfolduptheirworksoparticularly。Thereisn\'tmuchworthknowingaboutyourmotherthatthoselittleclotheswon\'ttell。Icanseeherputtingthelittlestitchesintothemandsmilingwithshiningeyesoveryourcoming。Freckles，I\'llwageryouadollarthoselittleclothesofyoursarejustalivewiththedearest，tinyhandmadestitches。\"
AnewlightdawnedinFreckles\'eyes。Atingeofwarmcolorsweptintohisface。Renewedstrengthwasnoticeableinhisgripofherhands。
\"OhAngel！Willyougonow？Willyoubehurrying？\"hecried。
\"Rightaway，\"saidtheAngel。\"Iwon\'tstopforathing，andI\'llhurrywithallmymight。\"
Shesmoothedhispillow，straightenedthecover，gavehimonesteadylookintheeyes，andwentquietlyfromtheroom。
Outsidethedoor，McLeanandthesurgeonanxiouslyawaitedher。
McLeancaughthershoulders。
\"Angel，whathaveyoudone？\"hedemanded。
TheAngelsmileddefianceintohiseyes。
\"`WhathaveIdone？\'\"sherepeated。\"I\'vetriedtosaveFreckles。\"
\"Whatwillyourfathersay？\"groanedMcLean。
\"Itstrikesme，\"saidtheAngel，\"thatwhatFrecklessaidwouldbetothepoint。\"
\"Freckles！\"exclaimedMcLean。\"Whatcouldhesay？\"
\"Heseemedtobeabletosayseveralthings，\"answeredtheAngelsweetly。\"Ifancytheonethatconcernsyoumostatpresentwas，thatifmyfathershouldoffermetohimhewouldnothaveme。\"
\"AndnooneknowswhybetterthanIdo，\"criedMcLean。\"Everydayhemustastonishmewithsomenewfineness。\"
Heturnedtothesurgeon。\"Savehim！\"hecommanded。\"Savehim！\"
heimplored。\"Heistoofinetobesacrificed。\"
\"Hissalvationlieshere，\"saidthesurgeon，strokingtheAngel\'ssunshinyhair，\"andIcanreadinthefaceofherthatsheknowshowsheisgoingtoworkitout。Don\'ttroublefortheboy。
Shewillsavehim！\"
TheAngellaughinglyspeddownthehall，andintothestreet，justasshewas。
\"Ihavecome，\"shesaidtothematronoftheHome，\"toaskifyouwillallowmetoexamine，or，betteryet，totakewithme，thelittleclothesthataboyyoucalledFreckles，dischargedlastfall，worethenighthewaslefthere。\"
Thewomanlookedatheringreaterastonishmentthantheoccasiondemanded。
\"Well，I\'dbegladtoletyouseethem，\"shesaidatlast，\"butthefactiswehaven\'tthem。Idohopewehaven\'tmadesomemistake。
Iwasthoroughlyconvinced，andsowasthesuperintendent。Welethispeopletakethosethingsawayyesterday。Whoareyou，andwhatdoyouwantwiththem？\"
TheAngelstooddazedandspeechless，staringatthematron。
\"Therecouldn\'thavebeenamistake，\"continuedthematron，seeingtheAngel\'sdistress。\"FreckleswasherewhenItookcharge，tenyearsago。Thesepeoplehaditallprovedthathebelongedtothem。
TheyhadhimtracedtowhereheranawayinIllinoislastfall，andtheretheycompletelylosttrackofhim。I\'msorryyouseemsodisappointed，butitisallright。Themanishisuncle，andasliketheboyashepossiblycouldbe。Heisalmostkilledtogobackwithouthim。IfyouknowwhereFrecklesis，they\'dgivebigmoneytofindout。\"
TheAngellaidahandalongeachcheektosteadyherchatteringteeth。
\"Whoarethey？\"shestammered。\"Wherearetheygoing？\"
\"TheyareIrishfolks，miss，\"saidthematron。\"TheyhavebeeninChicagoandoverthecountryforthepastthreemonths，huntinghimeverywhere。Theyhavegivenup，andarestartinghometoday。They——\"
\"Didtheyleaveanaddress？WherecouldIfindthem？\"interruptedtheAngel。
\"Theyleftacard，andInoticethemorningpaperhastheman\'spictureandisfullofthem。They\'veadvertisedagreatdealinthecitypapers。It\'sawonderyouhaven\'tseensomething。\"
\"Trainsdon\'trunright。WenevergetChicagopapers，\"saidtheAngel。\"Pleasegivemethatcardquickly。Theymayescapeme。
Isimplymustcatchthem！\"
Thematronhurriedtothesecretaryandcamebackwithacard。
\"Theiraddressesarethere，\"shesaid。\"BothinChicagoandattheirhome。Theymadethemfullandplain，andIwastocableatonceifIgottheleastclueofhimatanytime。Ifthey\'veleftthecity，youcanstoptheminNewYork。You\'resuretocatchthembeforetheysail——ifyouhurry。\"
ThematroncaughtupapaperandthrustitintotheAngel\'shandassherantothestreet。
TheAngelglancedatthecard。TheChicagoaddresswasSuiteEleven，Auditorium。Shelaidherhandonherdriver\'ssleeveandlookedintohiseyes。
\"Thereisafast-drivinglimit？\"sheasked。
\"Yes，miss。\"
\"Willyoucrowditallyoucanwithoutdangerofarrest？Iwillpaywell。Imustcatchsomepeople！\"
Thenshesmiledathim。Thehospital，anOrphans\'Home，andtheAuditoriumseemedaqueercombinationtothatdriver，buttheAngelwasalwaysandeverywheretheAngel，andhermethodswerestrictlyherown。
\"Iwilltakeyouthereasquicklyasanymancouldwithateam，\"hesaidpromptly。
TheAngelclungtothecardandpaper，andasbestshecouldinthelurching，swayingcab，readtheaddressesover。
\"O\'More，SuiteEleven，Auditorium。\"
\"`O\'More，\'\"sherepeated。\"SeemstofitFrecklestoadot。Wonderifthatcouldbehisname？`SuiteEleven\'meansthatyouareprettywellfixed。SuitesintheAuditoriumcomehigh。\"
Thensheturnedthecardandreadonitsreverse，LordMaxwellO\'More，M。P。，KillvanyPlace，CountyClare，Ireland。
TheAngelsatontheedgeoftheseat，bracingherfeetagainsttheoneopposite，asthecabpitchedandswungaroundcornersandpastvehicles。Shemechanicallyfingeredthepasteboardandstaredstraightahead。Thenshedrewadeepbreathandreadthecardagain。
\"ALord-man！\"shegroaneddespairingly。\"ALord-man！Betmyhoecake\'sscorched！HereI\'vegoneandpledgedmywordtoFrecklesI\'dfindhimsomedecentrelatives，thathecouldbeproudof，andnowthereisn\'tachanceoutofadozenthathe\'llhavetobeashamedofthemafterall。It\'stoomean！\"
Thetearsofvexationrolleddownthetired，nerve-rackedAngel\'scheeks。
\"Thisisn\'tgoingtodo，\"shesaid，resolutelywipinghereyeswiththepalmofherhandandgulpingdownthenervousspasminherthroat。
\"ImustreadthispaperbeforeImeetLordO\'More。\"
Sheblinkedbackthetearsandspreadingthepaperonherknee，read:
\"Afterthreemonths\'fruitlesssearch，LordO\'Moregivesupthequestofhislostnephew，andleavesChicagotodayforhishomeinIreland。\"
Shereadon，andrealizedeveryword。Thelikenesssettledanydoubt。
ItwasFrecklesoveragain，onlyolderandwelldressed。
\"Well，ImustcatchyouifIcan，\"mutteredtheAngel。\"ButwhenI
do，ifyouareagentlemaninnameonly，youshan\'thaveFreckles；
that\'sflat。You\'renothisfatherandheistwenty。Anyway，ifthelawwillgivehimtoyouforoneyear，youcan\'tspoilhim，becausenobodycould，and，\"sheadded，brightening，\"he\'llprobablydoyoualotofgood。FrecklesandIbothmuststudyyearsyet，andyoushouldbesomethingthatwillsavehim。Iguessitwillcomeoutallright。Atleast，Idon\'tbelieveyoucantakehimawayifIsayno。\"
\"Thankyou；andwait，nomatterhowlong，\"shesaidtoherdriver。
Catchingupthepaper，shehurriedtothedeskandlaiddownLordO\'More\'scard。
\"Hasmyunclestartedyet？\"sheaskedsweetly。
Thesurprisedclerksteppedbackonabellboy，andcovertlykickedhimforbeingintheway。
\"Hislordshipisinhisroom，\"hesaid，withalowbow。
\"Allright，\"saidtheAngel，pickingupthecard。\"Ithoughthemighthavestarted。I\'llseehim。\"
TheclerkshovedthebellboytowardtheAngel。
\"ShowherladyshiptotheelevatorandLordO\'More\'ssuite，\"hesaid，bowingdouble。
\"Aw，thanks，\"saidtheAngelwithaslightnod，assheturnedaway。
\"I\'mnotsure，\"shemutteredtoherselfastheelevatorspedupward，\"whetherit\'stheIrishortheEnglishwhosay:
`Aw，thanks，\'butit\'sprobableheisn\'teither；andanyway，Ijusthadtodosomethingtocounteractthat`Allright。\'
Howstupidofme！\"
Atthebellboy\'stap，thedoorswungopenandtheliveriedservantthrustacardtraybeforetheAngel。Theopeningofthedoorcreatedacurrentthatswayedacurtainaside，andinanadjoiningroom，lounginginabigchair，withapaperinhishand，satamanwhowas，beyondquestion，ofFreckles\'bloodandrace。
WithperfectcontroltheAngeldroppedLordO\'More\'scardinthetray，steppedpasthisservant，andstoodbeforehislordship。
\"Goodmorning，\"shesaidwithtensepoliteness。
LordO\'Moresaidnothing。Hecarelesslyglancedheroverwithamusedcuriosity，untilhercolorbegantodeepenandherbloodtorunhotly。
\"Well，mydear，\"hesaidatlast，\"howcanIserveyou？\"
InstantlytheAngelbecameindignant。Shehadbeensoshieldedinthemidstofalmostentirefreedom，owingtothecircumstancesofherlife，thatthewordsandthelookappearedtoherasalmostinsulting。Sheliftedherheadwithaproudgesture。
\"Iamnotyour`dear，\'\"shesaidwithslowdistinctness。\"Thereisn\'tathingintheworldyoucandoforme。IcameheretoseeifIcoulddosomething——averygreatsomething——foryou；butifI
don\'tlikeyou，Iwon\'tdoit！\"
ThenLordO\'Moredidstare。Suddenlyhebrokeintoaringinglaugh。
Withoutachangeofattitudeorexpression，theAngelstoodlookingsteadilyathim。
Therewasasilkenrustle，thenabeautifulwomanwithcheeksofsatinypink，darkhair，andeyesofpureIrishblue，movedtoLordO\'More\'sside，andcatchinghisarm，shookhimimpatiently。
\"Terence！Haveyoulostyoursenses？\"shecried。\"Didn\'tyouunderstandwhatthechildsaid？Lookatherface！Seewhatshehas！\"
LordO\'Moreopenedhiseyeswidelyandsatup。HedidlookattheAngel\'sfaceintently，andsuddenlyfounditsogoodthatitwasdifficulttofollowthenextinjunction。Hearoseinstantly。
\"Ibegyourpardon，\"hesaid。\"Thefactis，IamleavingChicagosorelydisappointed。Itmakesmebitterandreckless。Ithoughtyouonemoreofthosequeer，uselesspeoplewhohavethrustthemselvesonmeconstantly，andIwascareless。Forgiveme，andtellmewhyyoucame。\"
\"IwillifIlikeyou，\"saidtheAngelstoutly，\"andifIdon\'t，Iwon\'t！\"
\"ButIbeganallwrong，andnowIdon\'tknowhowtomakeyoulikeme，\"saidhislordship，withsincerepenitenceinhistone。
TheAngelfoundherselfyieldingtohisvoice。Hespokeinasoft，mellow，smoothlyflowingIrishtone，andalthoughhisspeechwasperfectlycorrect，itwassorounded，andaccented，andthesentencessoturned，thatitwasFrecklesoveragain。Still，itwasamatteroftheverygreatestimportance，andshemustbesure；soshelookedintothebeautifulwoman\'sface。
\"Areyouhiswife？\"sheasked。
\"Yes，\"saidthewoman，\"Iamhiswife。\"
\"Well，\"saidtheAngeljudicially，\"theBirdWomansaysnooneinthewholeworldknowsallaman\'sbignessesandallhislittlenessesashiswifedoes。Whatyouthinkofhimshoulddoforme。Doyoulikehim？\"
Thequestionwassoearnestlyaskedthatitmetwithequalearnestness。
ThedarkheadmovedcaressinglyagainstLordO\'More\'ssleeve。
\"Betterthananyoneinthewholeworld，\"saidLadyO\'Morepromptly。
TheAngelmusedasecond，andthenherlegaltingecametotheforeagain。
\"Yes，buthaveyouanyoneyoucouldlikebetter，ifhewasn\'tallright？\"shepersisted。
\"Ihavethreeofhissons，twolittledaughters，afather，mother，andseveralbrothersandsisters，\"camethequickreply。
\"Andyoulikehimbest？\"persistedtheAngelwithfinality。
\"IlovehimsomuchthatIwouldgiveupeveryoneofthemwithdryeyesifbysodoingIcouldsavehim，\"criedLordO\'More\'swife。
\"Oh！\"criedtheAngel。\"Oh，my！\"
SheliftedhercleareyestoLordO\'More\'sandshookherhead。
\"Shenever，nevercoulddothat！\"shesaid。\"Butit\'samightybigthingtoyourcreditthatsheTHINKSshecould。IguessI\'lltellyouwhyIcame。\"
Shelaiddownthepaper，andtouchedtheportrait。
\"Whenyouwereonlyaboy，didpeoplecallyouFreckles？\"sheasked。
\"DozensofgoodfellowsalloverIrelandandtheContinentaredoingittoday，\"answeredLordO\'More。
TheAngel\'sfaceworehermostbeautifulsmile。
\"Iwassureofit，\"shesaidwinningly。\"That\'swhatwecallhim，andheissolikeyou，Idoubtifanyoneofthosethreeboysofyoursaremoreso。Butit\'sbeentwentyyears。Seemstomeyou\'vebeenalongtimecoming！\"
LordO\'MorecaughttheAngel\'swristsandhiswifeslippedherarmsaroundher。
\"Steady，mygirl！\"saidtheman\'svoicehoarsely。\"Don\'tmakemethinkyou\'vebroughtwordoftheboyatthislasthour，unlessyouknowsurely。\"
\"It\'sallright，\"saidtheAngel。\"Wehavehim，andthere\'snochanceofamistake。IfIhadn\'tgonetothatHomeforhislittleclothes，andheardofyouandbeenhuntingyou，andhadmetyouonthestreet，oranywhere，Iwouldhavestoppedyouandaskedyouwhoyouwere，justbecauseyouaresolikehim。It\'sallright。IcantellyouwhereFrecklesis；butwhetheryoudeservetoknow——that\'sanothermatter！\"
LordO\'Moredidnothearher。Hedroppedinhischair，andcoveringhisface，burstintothoseterriblesobsthatshakeandrendastrongman。LadyO\'Morehoveredoverhim，weeping。
\"Umph！LooksprettyfairforFreckles，\"mutteredtheAngel。
\"Lotsofthingscanbeexplained；nowperhapstheycanexplainthis。\"
TheydidexplainsosatisfactorilythatinafewminutestheAngelwasonherfeet，hurryingLordandLadyO\'Moretoreachthehospital。
\"YousaidFreckles\'oldnurseknewhismother\'spictureinstantly，\"
saidtheAngel。\"Iwantthatpictureandthebundleoflittleclothes。\"
LadyO\'Moregavethemintoherhands。
Thelikenesswasalargeminiature，paintedonivory，withaframeofbeatengold。Surroundedbymassesofdarkhairwasadelicatelycutface。IntheupperpartofittherewasnotraceofFreckles，butthelipscurvinginasmilewerehisveryown。TheAngelgazedatitsteadily。ThenwithaquiveringbreathshelaidtheportraitasideandreachedbothhandstoLordO\'More。
\"ThatwillsaveFreckles\'lifeandinsurehishappiness，\"shesaidpositively。\"Thankyou，ohthankyouforcoming！\"
Sheopenedthebundleofyellowandbrownlinenandgaveonlyaglanceatthetextureandwork。Thenshegatheredthelittleclothesandthepicturetoherheartandledthewaytothecab。
UsheringLordandLadyO\'Moreintothereceptionroom，shesaidtoMcLean，\"Pleasegocallupmyfatherandaskhimtocomeonthefirsttrain。\"
Sheclosedthedoorafterhim。
\"TheseareFreckles\'people，\"shesaidtotheBirdWoman。\"Youcanfindoutabouteachother；I\'mgoingtohim。\"
CHAPTERXIX
WhereinFrecklesFindsHisBirthrightandtheAngelLosesHerHeartThenurselefttheroomquietly，astheAngelentered，carryingthebundleandpicture。Whentheywerealone，sheturnedtoFrecklesandsawthatthecrisiswasindeedathand。
Thatshehadgoodwordtogivehimwashissalvation，fordespitetheheavyplasterjacketthatheldhisbodyimmovable，hisheadwasliftedfromthepillow。Botharmsreachedforher。Hislipsandcheeksflamed，whilehiseyesflashedwithexcitement。
\"Angel，\"hepanted。\"OhAngel！Didyoufindthem？Aretheywhite？
Arethelittlestitchesthere？OHANGEL！DIDMEMOTHERLOVEME？\"
Thewordsseemedtoleapfromhisburninglips。TheAngeldroppedthebundleonthebedandlaidthepicturefacedownacrosshisknees。
Shegentlypushedhisheadtothepillowandcaughthisarmsinafirmgrasp。
\"Yes，dearheart，\"shesaidwithfullestassurance。\"Nolittleclotheswereeverwhiter。Ineverinallmylifesawsuchdainty，fine，littlestitches；andasforlovingyou，noboy\'smothereverlovedhimmore！\"
AnervoustremblingseizedFreckles。
\"Sure？Areyousure？\"heurgedwithclickingteeth。
\"Iknow，\"saidtheAngelfirmly。\"AndFreckles，whileyourestandbeglad，Iwanttotellyouastory。Whenyoufeelstrongerwewilllookattheclothestogether。Theyarehere。Theyareallright。
ButwhileIwasattheHomegettingthem，Iheardofsomepeoplethatwerehuntingalostboy。Iwenttoseethem，andwhattheytoldmewasallsoexactlylikewhatmighthavehappenedtoyouthatImusttellyou。Thenyou\'llunderstandthatthingscouldbeverydifferentfromwhatyoualwayshavetorturedyourselfwiththinking。
Areyoustrongenoughtolisten？MayItellyou？\"
\"Maybe\'twasn\'tmemother！Maybesomeoneelsemadethoselittlestitches！\"
\"Now，goosie，don\'tyoubeginthat，\"saidtheAngel，\"becauseI
knowthatitwas！\"
\"Know！\"criedFreckles，hisheadspringingfromthepillow。\"Know！
Howcanyouknow？\"
TheAngelgentlysoothedhimback。
\"Why，becausenobodyelsewouldeversitanddoitthewayitisdone。That\'showIknow，\"shesaidemphatically。\"NowyoulistenwhileItellyouaboutthislostboyandhispeople，whohavehuntedformonthsandcan\'tfindhim。\"
Freckleslayquietlyunderhertouch，buthedidnothearawordthatshewassayinguntilhisrovingeyesrestedonherface；heimmediatelynoticedaremarkablething。Forthefirsttimeshewastalkingtohimandavoidinghiseyes。ThatwasnotliketheAngelatall。Itwasthedelightofhearingherspeakthatshelookedonesquarelyinthefaceandwithperfectfrankness。Therewerenosideglancesanddown-droopingeyeswhentheAngeltalked；shewasbusinessstraightthrough。InstantlyFreckles\'wanderingthoughtsfastenedonherwords。
\"——andhewasasour，grumpy，oldman，\"shewassaying。\"Healwayshadbeenspoiled，becausehewasanonlyson，sohehadatitle，andabigestate。Hewouldhavejusthisway，nomatterabouthissweetlittlewife，orhisboys，oranyone。Sowhenhiseldersonfellinlovewithabeautifulgirlhavingatitle，theverygirlofalltheworldhisfatherwantedhimto，andaddedabigadjoiningestatetohis，why，thatpleasedhimmightily。
\"Thenhewentandorderedhisyoungersontomarryapokykindofagirl，thatnooneliked，toaddanotherbigestateontheotherside，andthatwasdifferent。Thatwasalltheworlddifferent，becausetheeldersonhadbeeninloveallhislifewiththegirlhemarried，and，oh，Freckles，it\'snowonder，forIsawher！
She\'sabeautyandshehasthesweetestway。