tell you where
Freckles is; but whether you deserve to know--that's another matter!"

Lord O'More did not hear her. He dropped in his chair, and covering his
face, burst into those terrible sobs that shake and rend a strong man.
Lady O'More hovered over him, weeping.

"Umph! Looks pretty fair for Freckles," muttered the Angel. "Lots of
things can be explained; now perhaps they can explain this."

They did explain so satisfactorily that in a few minutes the Angel was
on her feet, hurrying Lord and Lady O'More to reach the hospital. "You
said Freckles' old nurse knew his mother's picture instantly," said the
Angel. "I want that picture and the bundle of little clothes."

Lady O'More gave them into her hands.

The likeness was a large miniature, painted on ivory, with a frame of
beaten gold. Surrounded by masses of dark hair was a delicately cut
face. In the upper part of it there was no trace of Freckles, but
the lips curving in a smile were his very own. The Angel gazed at it
steadily. Then with a quivering breath she laid the portrait aside and
reached both hands to Lord O'More.

"That will save Freckles' life and insure his happiness," she said
positively. "Thank you, oh thank you for coming!"

She opened the bundle of yellow and brown linen and gave only a glance
at the texture and work. Then she gathered the little clothes and the
picture to her heart and led the way to the cab.

Ushering Lord and Lady O'More into the reception room, she said to
McLean, "Please go call up my father and ask him to come on the first
train."

She closed the door after him.

"These are Freckles' people," she said to the Bird Woman. "You can find
out about each other; I'm going to him."

CHAPTER XIX

Wherein Freckles Finds His Birthright and the Angel Loses Her Heart

The nurse left the room quietly, as the Angel entered, carrying the
bundle and picture. When they were alone, she turned to Freckles and saw
that the crisis was indeed at hand.

That she had good word to give him was his salvation, for despite the
heavy plaster jacket that held his body immovable, his head was lifted
from the pillow. Both arms reached for her. His lips and cheeks flamed,
while his eyes flashed with excitement.

"Angel," he panted. "Oh Angel! Did you find them? Are they white? Are
the little stitches there? OH ANGEL! DID ME MOTHER LOVE ME?"

The words seemed to leap from his burning lips. The Angel dropped the
bundle on the bed and la