The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1915-03-31

motherly gentleness and love for .
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-
teal work, and. the CHEEKY helpful old
man was constantly with them. for
the time being boy at heart and
chirpy as q lark.
One day there was quite q 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.
I'll 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 AID back to
his cups at the village tavern.
A week later, enc morning the
younger of the boys startled Archi-
bald with quick alarming cry.
| hat,colb
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
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
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 sot on fire. Archi
bald" declared Mrs. Burton that eve
ming. They we're all housed comfort
ably now in the Newton home. "Tht
, flames started in the cellar where nj
. one had been for two days"
The village marshal was advised
He started q still hunt for the incen
!. diary.
Archibald and Mrs Burton were dis
cussing her plans for rebuilding tn
= next evening when the marshal ar
peared. The dismissed hired man wa
in his charge.
1--WE found the person who set tina
+. fire." said the official.
The hired man looked reckless an
:, ugly.
What shall do with him." IL
quired the marshal.
: Archibald hesitated. II seemed s
nice and homelike to see Mrs. Burto
. under his roof that he almost forgav
= the firebug.
- Make him sign the pledge and sen
I, him away. don't want to start an
- man on the way to the penitentiary
he said.
,. But why did he set fire to m
~ house?" inquired Mrs. Burton in q
- injured tone.
!" Revenge, ma am" muttered the 4
. cendiary.
= why, never harmed you
Il mo, ma'am, but l was mad vii
drink and down on Mr.. Newton Il
discharging me from his service"
What had I to do with that
| asked the lady.
| well, I knew II would hurt hi
y worse to have you suffer than hi
!. SELF"
Il don't understand"
r "Because-well, because he was
love with you!" blurted out the ma
Mrs. Burton looked at Archibal
r Both blushed. The officer and
9 prisoner departed. Archibald CROSSE
over to the woman's chair.
i Mary" he said softly. I'VE dor
3 need two houses. One will do, If"
5 "Oh. my" fluttered Mrs. Burton.
= eff we bring up the boys and gil
under one roof. Make me happ
Mary" and Archibald was eloque
and earnest as a young lover of tive
ty-one.
Il wish ! could" responded MI
\ Burton-"as happy as am myself .
er what that man said"
TITS true. Mary-every word of II
declared the ardent swain thrilling
And then he kissed her, Just -
had in the far past when she was
blushing girl of sixteen.