\"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