sed the caution that sprang from knowledge of danger and the
direction from which it probably would come. Several times he thought of
sending for McLean, but for his life he could not make up his mind to do
it with nothing more tangible than one footprint to justify him.

He waited until he was sure Duncan would be at home, if he were coming
for the night, before he went to supper. The first thing he saw as he
crossed the swale was the big bays in the yard.

There had been no one passing that day, and Duncan readily agreed to
watch until Freckles rode to town. He told Duncan of the footprint, and
urged him to guard closely. Duncan said he might rest easy, and filling
his pipe and taking a good revolver, the big man went to the Limberlost.

Freckles made himself clean and neat, and raced to town, but it was
night and the stars were shining before he reached the home of the Bird
Woman. From afar he could see that the house was ablaze with lights. The
lawn and veranda were strung with fancy lanterns and alive with people.
He thought his errand important, so to turn back never occurred to
Freckles. This was all the time or opportunity he would have. He must
see the Bird Woman, and see her at once. He leaned his wheel inside the
fence and walked up the broad front entrance. As he neared the steps, he
saw that the place was swarming with young people, and the Angel, with
an excuse to a group that surrounded her, came hurrying to him.

"Oh Freckles!" she cried delightedly. "So you could come? We were so
afraid you could not! I'm as glad as I can be!"

"I don't understand," said Freckles. "Were you expecting me?"

"Why of course!" exclaimed the Angel. "Haven't you come to my party?
Didn't you get my invitation? I sent you one."

"By mail?" asked Freckles.

"Yes," said the Angel. "I had to help with the preparations, and I
couldn't find time to drive out; but I wrote you a letter, and told
you that the Bird Woman was giving a party for me, and we wanted you
to come, surely. I told them at the office to put it with Mr. Duncan's
mail."

"Then that's likely where it is at present," said Freckles. "Duncan
comes to town only once a week, and at times not that. He's home tonight
for the first in a week. He's watching an hour for me until I come to
the Bird Woman with a bit of work I thought she'd be caring to hear
about bad. Is she where I can see her?"

The Angel's face clouded.

"What a disappointment!" she cried. "I did