The Kansas City sun. (Kansas City, Mo.) 1908-1924, 1915-04-03

got intoxicated and had q runaway.
The boys we're with him and both
were slightly bruised. This angered
Archibald. He discharged the man.
I'll get even with you'll" threatened
the latter.
Don't show your face around here
again." ordered Archibald.
"Yah!" retorted the insolent fellow.
mighty LOVING about those two mis-
chievous brats, amt yer? HUH guess
it's the mother you're after"
you wretched scoundrel!" raved
Archibald, and made for the man, but
the latter darted away and back tc
his cups at the village tavern.
A week later one morning the
younger of the boys startled Archi-
bald with a quick alarming cry.
"Fire-see, it's our housed"
They all ran for the Burton home.
The girls we're outside on the lawn.
weeping. They had been carried to
safety by Mrs. Burton.
Where is she?" shouted Archibald
frantically.
She went back to get the bird you
gave her." replied one of the little
misses.
why, she's hemmed in with the
fames!" cried Archibald.
1t was fortunate that he entered
the burning house, for in one Of the
upper rooms he stumbled across Mrs.
Burton. She had tainted away. He
lifted her in his arms. She partially
recovered sensibility. Her arms en-
circled his neck. He felt quite the
hero as he got her safely out of the
house.
THE house was set on fire, Archi-
bald" declared Mrs. Burton that eve
ming. They we're all housed comfort
ably now in the Newton home. The
flames started in the cellar where no
n had been for two days"
The village marshal was advised.
He started a still hunt for the incen-
diary.
Archibald and Mrs. Burton we're dis
cussing her plans for rebuilding the
next evening when the marshal APP
peared. The dismissed hired man was
in his charge.
1--WE found the person who set that
fire." said the official.
The hired man looked reckless and
ugly.
What shall 1 do with him?" in
quired the marshal.
Archibald hesitated. 1t Oeemed so
nice and homelike to see Mrs. Burton
under his roof that he almost forgave
the frebug.
Make him sign the pledge and send
him away. l don't want to start any
man on the way to the pe%nitentiary,'
he said. .
But why did he set fire to my
house?" inquired Mrs. Burton in ar
injured tone.
Revenge, ma'am," muttered the in
cendiary.
why, l never harmed you"
mo, ma'am, but l was mad will
drink and down on Mr.. Newton fol
~discharging me from his service"
What had l to do with that?
asked the lady.
wen, II hn6W II WOulu HuTL Mn
worse to have you suffer thar him
SELF
Il don't understand"
"Because-well, because lie was II
love with you!" blurted out the man
Mrs. Burton looked at Archibald
Both blushed. The officer and hi
prisoner departed. Archibald crosse,
over to the woman's chair,
Mary" he said softly, I'VE don
need two houses. One will do, If"
"Oh, myl" fluttered Mrs. Burton.
IF we bring up the boys and girl
under n roof. Make me happy
Mary" and Archibald was eloquen
and earnest as a young lover of TWEEN
ty-one.
9" wish / could" responded Mrs
Burton-"as happy as l am myself aft
er what that mar said"
IT'S true, Mary-every word of it!
declared the ardent swain thrillingly
And then he kissed her, Just as h
had in the far past when she was
blushing girl of sixteen.