The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1915-04-15

got intoxicated and had a 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!" 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 wretchcd scoundrel!" raved
Archibald, and lde for the man, but
the latter dartet away and back to
his cups at the village tavern.
A week later one morning the
younger of the boys startled Archl-
bald with quick alarming cry.
"Fire-see, it's our housed"
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
f1ames!" 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, Archi1
bald" declared Mrs. Burton that eve
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 still hunt for the incen-
diary.
Archibald and Mrs. Burton were dis
NuOolnS AEl pldAO III ACOuIlulASS ChC
next evening when the marshal ap-
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. lag
What shall l do with him." in
quired the marshal.
Archibald hesitated. 1t ueemed 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. 1 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, never harmed you"
mo, ma'am, but / was mad with
drink and down en- Mr.. Newton for
discharging me from his service"
What had | to do with that?"
asked the lady.
We'll, | knew it would hurt him
worse to have you suffer than him.
SELF
Il don't understand"
'Because-well, because lie 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!" fiuttered Mrs. Burton.
IF We bring up the boys and girls
under one roof. Make me happy,
Mary" and Archibald was eloquent
and earnest as young lover of TWEEN
ty-one.
Il wish l could" responded Mrs.
Burton-"as happy as I am myself aft
er what that man said"
IT'S 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 a
blushing girl of sixteen.