Веснянки

           Shewasnotofhisworld,andbetterthananyotherheknewit;butshemightbehisAngel,andhewasdreamingofnaughtbutblind,silentworship.Hefinishedthehappiestdayofhislife,andthatnighthereturnedtotheswampasifdrawnbyinvisibleforce.ThatWessnerwouldtryforhisrevenge,heknew.ThathewouldbeabettedbyBlackJackwasalmostcertain,butfearhadfledthehappyheartofFreckles.Hehadkepthistrust.HehadwontherespectoftheBoss.NooneevercouldwipefromhisheartthefloodofholyadorationthathadwelledwiththecomingofhisAngel.Hewoulddohisbest,andtrustforstrengthtomeetthedarkdayofreckoningthatheknewwouldcomesoonerorlater.Heswungroundthetrail,brisklytappingthewire,andsinginginavoicethatscarcelycouldhavebeensurpassedforsweetness.

           AttheedgeoftheclearinghecameintothebrightmoonlightandtheresatMcLeanonhismare.Freckleshurriedtohim.

           “Istheretrouble?”heinquiredanxiously.

           “That’swhatIwantedtoaskyou,”saidtheBoss.“Istoppedatthecabintoseeyouaminute,beforeIturnedin,andtheysaidyouhadcomedownhere.Youmustnotdoit,Freckles.Theswampisnonetoohealthfulatanytime,andatnightitisrankpoison.”

           FrecklesstoodcombinghisfingersthroughNellie’smane,whilethedaintycreaturewastwistingherheadforhiscaresses.HepushedbackhishatandlookedintoMcLean’sface.“It’scometothe’sleepwithoneeyeopen,’sir.I’mnotlookingforanythingtobehappeningforaweekortwo,butit’sboundtocome,andsoon.