Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1915-06-03
NO.. H..

'motherly gentleness and love for a
month or two. Meantime trust the
boys to me. I'll show you the real
merit there is in them"
The bargain was really made. OF
course every day the families visited
to and fro. The girls began to lose
their shyness and reserve. The boys
became interested in everything about
the Newton place. They loved prac-
tical work, and the CHEEKY helpful old
man was constantly with them, for
the time being a boy at heart and
chirpy as lark.
One day there was quite row at
the Newton home. The hired man had
got intoxicated and had runaway.
The boys were with him and both
were slightly bruised. This angered
Archibald. He discharged the man.
"Tll get even with you!" 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 to
his cups at the village tavern.
A week later one morning the
younger Of the boys startled Archt
bald with quick alarming cry.
"Fire-see, it's our house!"
They all ran for the Burton home
The girls were 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
flames!" 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
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 eye
ming. They were all housed comfort
ably now in the Newton home THE
flames started in the cellar where no
one had been for two days"
The village marshal was advised.
He started a still hunt for the incen-
diary.
Archibald and Mrs. Burton were dis
cussing her plans for rebuilding the
next evening when the marshal ap-
peared. The dismissed hired man was
in his charge.
"Tve found the person who set that
fire." said the official.
The hired man looked reckless and
ugly.
What shall I do with him?" in
quired the marshal.
Archibald hesitated. 1t seemed so
nice and homelike to see Mrs. Burton
under his roof that he almost forgave
the firebug.
Make him sign the pledge and send
him away I don't want to start any
man on the way to the penitentiary,"
he said.
But why did he set fire to my
house?" inquired Mrs. Burton in an
injured tone.
Revenge, ma'am," muttered the in.
cendiary.
"Why, I never harmed you"
mo, ma'am, but l was mad with
drink and down on Mr.. Newton for
discharging me from his service"
What had I to do with that?"
asked the lady.
well, knew It would hurt him
worse to have you suffer than him.
self"
II don't understand"
"Because--well, because he was in
love with you!" blurted out the man.
Mrs. Burton looked at Archibald.
Both blushed. The officer and his
prisoner departed. Archibald crossed
over to the woman's chair.
MARY" he said softly, I'VE don't
need two houses. One will do, If"
"Oh, my!" fluttered Mrs. Burton.
''If we bring up the boys and girls
under one roof. Make me happy,
Mary" and Archibald was eloquent
and earnest as a young lover of TWEEN.
ty-one
II wish I could" responded Mrs.
Burton-"as happy as am myself aft.
or what that man said"
TITS true, Mary-every word Of it,"
declared the ardent swain thrillingly,
And then he kissed her, just as he
had in the far past when she was q
blushing girl Of sixteen.