The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1908-07-16
FOR THE LAST TIME.

A slender, pale-faced girl was speak
ing. She was about &c years of age, and
undoubtedly she was pretty, but want
had set it's mark on her, so that her
hollow cheeks added several years to her
appearance and. at the same time, de-
tracted from her good looks Her eyes
were deep blue, and now, as she gazed
on her husband, they were very wistful.
Il must go to the club tonight, Ethel, .
the man replied. 'I'n. almost sure to
hear of job tonight
Richard Darlington had been a mem
Der of the unemployed for hearty nine
months. Perhaps it was largely due to
himself; he was too anxious to find an
appointment just cut out for him. lie
was good looking, at least many people
said so, but, on close inspection, Il Ger
tain weakness was apparent in his face.
He was an excellent boon companion,
ready to be hail fellow we'll met with
anyone, ever ready to dip his hama in his
pocket (when there was money there) to
help friend, but just as ready to yield
to temptation that stronger character
would have kept clear of.
He had one child, boy, commonly
known as Kiddy, and he was wrapped
up heart and soul in the youngster. He
was as fond of his wife as it was in his
somewhat shallow nature to be, but her
good advice, which would have steered
him clear of many rocks, had little or no
effect on him.
Now their finances were at their last
ebb. Both husband and wife knew that
in a day or two the wherewithal to live
would be missing, and yet Dick Caring
ton must 90 to his club.
'Dont 90 tonight, old boy. Stay with
me-" Ethel Darlington pleaded.
II must 60 tonight, Ethel, but it shall
be for the last time"
The girl sighed. How often she had
heard those words, 'for the last time"
Darlington tried to look injured.
II might hear of something tonight"
he said. ut would be silly to miss it.
Look here, it's s o'clock now. I'll be
back by g."
Ethel was silent; she knew she was
powerless to prevent him going. He
kissed her-there was rarely any lack of
affection between them when he was So
ber-and presently the door slammed
The girls eyes filled with tears. She
mounted heavily up the stairs and sat
by Kiddy's cot. The youngster slept the
deep sleep of innocent babyhood. No
care or trouble had any effect on him,
except his childish ailments. If his faith
er and mother went hungry, he was al
ways looked after and well fed.
my darling little Kiddy!" whispered
the mother, gazing with mingled rapture
and pain at the soft face and tiny,
clenched fists.
Meanwhile Dick Darlington was laugh
ing and Joking with his companions at
the Welcome club. All care had fallen
from his shoulders, for was there not
full glass before him and laughter going
on around him?
Then, curiously enough, the last thing
that he expected happened. He was fond
of talking of looking for work at the
club, but he never anticipated finding it.
whom the surroundings and company
were neither familiar nor congenial. He
singled out Darlington.
here, he said. Il want to have a few
words with you.''
Somewhat regretfully, Dick left the
circle of his friends and joined the new
conner The upshot of the conversation
was that Dick was offered, and he ac.
cepted, an appointment. He was to COM
mence work on the following morning.
1t was characteristic of him that his
first thought was to hasten home and
tell Ethel of his good fortune. With this
idea in view, he acquainted his friends
with what had happened, and then said
goodnight.
"Surely you're not going without
drinking luck to your new job?" cried
man.
well, just one, them" said Dick, sit
ting down again.
The ''iust one" was but the forerun-
ner of many others, and not until the
public house closed did Dick try to go
home.
Richard is himself again." he quoted
in thick voice, tossing final whisky
and soda down his throat.
He made his way unst aadiiy home and
tumbled into the living room. Then he
collapsed into chair, and tried to re-
view what had happened. A new idea
suddenly glimmered in his fuddled
brain.
'Wouldn't do for wife to see me,' he
1nuttered. mus keep her in room.''
He felt his way up to the bedroom
and turned the key in the lock. Then
he staggered back to the living room.
''S'alri' now, Richard" h hiccoughed
gravey, addressing his refe .tsol in the
mirror. 'Knew you'd find job, didn't
you, Richard?'
He staggered back against the table.
and with sweep of his arm, upset a
lighted oil lamp. A moment later pale
blue flame ran all over the tablecloth.
The man collapsed into a chair, and
gazed in surprised annoyance at the
flame
"Ridiculous!" he muttered "Silly iii
flames, arm they? If bin nice big flames,
bin alrP. Richard don like lii blue
flames"
He felt aggrieyed, and to show his
he closed his eyes, so as not |
to see the sheet of blue flame that was
rapidly growing larger and licking up |
in it's path
Carrington's head nodded, and few |
seconds later he fell into drunken stu
por. He was awakened by two causes;
one was loud laundering noise, the |
other was feeling of suffocation.
In a dazed manner he started around to |
End the room filled with dense. smoke
Hinged with warm red glow. On all |
sides the cracking of burning timber
was apparent, and every now and then
he thud of falling plaster was heard.
He was sober now He realized that |