The night guns boomed from the white fort and a dark sentinel paced the
ramparts above the little city tucked down close to the water. A great
tenor summering in the north came out on the upper deck of the big
boat, and baring his head, faced the moon and sang: "Oh, the moon shines
bright on my old Kentucky home!" Elnora thought of the Limberlost, of
Philip, and her mother, and almost choked with the sobs that would arise
in her throat. On the dock a woman of exquisite beauty swept into the
arms of Terence O'More.
"Oh, Freckles!" she cried. "You've been gone a month!"
"Four days, Angel, only four days by the clock," remonstrated Freckles.
"Where are the children?"
"Asleep! Thank goodness! I'm worn to a thread. I never saw such
inventive, active children. I can't keep track of them!"
"I have brought you help," said Freckles. "Here is the Limberlost girl
in whom the Bird Woman is interested. Miss Comstock needs a rest before
beginning her school work for next year, so she came to us."
"You dear thing! How good of you!" cried the Angel. "We shall be so
happy to have you!"
In her room that night, in a beautiful cottage furnished with every
luxury, Elnora lifted a tired face to the Angel.
"Of course, you understand there is something back of this?" she said.
"I must tell you."
"Yes," agreed the Angel. "Tell me! If you get it out of your system, you
will stand a better chance of sleeping."
Elnora stood brushing the copper-bright masses of her hair as she
talked.
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