The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1911-09-11

 | Norah fell to her knees and drew th' boy to her ample bosom, at whicf unaccustomed tenderness the frozer springs of his childish heart were melted and Bob burst into a torren of sobs.
 'Husha, husha, me de-arr," croone( Norah. There's no made to be cryin' Shure, ye aren't to be lift alone, nivir more, nivirmore." g Bob drew back from her embrac. and, stamping his feet, cried: 'I'I never cry again-not-another dam'-timew
 'Whisht, ye little spalpane" Moral laughed. Don't ye be swearin'."
 ''Ain't he tn little divilw Patricl slapped his thighs delightedV. Bob shake hands wid Molly and Kathleen an make yersilf at home." Bob obeyed.
 Some hours later Patrick, bearing 6 candle and accompanied by Norah crept upstairs softly to the spare bed room where Bob, face downward, re posed in uneasy slumber-and in { bed. Norah sank to her knees by tht bedside.
 .'Th' poor, poor la-adr' she murmur cd, laying her hand gently on his shoulder.
 Bob groaned and in his sleep shranl from the touch. The movement dis placed the thleen's- and disclosed black and blue shoul der.
 'Th' little spalpanew Norah whis pered tenderly. {.
 .'It's not from fightin', I warrint ye,' Patrick whispered. Its on his back
 Don't you hit me again, Jim Thomp son?' Bob screamed in his dreams "When Pm big I'll kick you"
 9Th little divil!' Patrick whispered compassionately.
 "He's like Paddy 'ud "a been," sob bed Norah.
 in fool av yersilf over tn la-ad thai was nivir borrn." Paddy was the boy for whom the Films hearts had al ways longed, but who never came.
 With deep satisfaction of soul Bot opened his eyes on new day.
 ''I'll> stay here," he said aloud.
 And stay he did, Bob, in the arro gance of his boyish egotism, taking his welcome for granted, while to tht Films, big hearted and instinctively hospitable, it never occurred to wonder at the boys presumption. The arrange ment thus tacitly established proved z happy one.
 So it was that when Policeman Film set out that noon to his duties Bob accompanied him, to revisit yes terday's battlefield, where hencefortt by right of conquest and Patrick's pro tection, he was to reign supeme. An( when the day's' work was done to gether they returned home to Irish town" t
 A few days later their bonds were finally riveted. |. It was Saturday night, and the fami 1y of Finn was gathered in ths kitchen, which was also the living room. Over the table in the corner Bob counted the earnings of the week To this task the assistance of Molly and Kathleen was needed, since, alas Bob's notions of arithmetical values after the sum of ten was reached were hopelessly vague.
 'Three dollars and fifty-three cents, Kathleen announced proudly.
 Hell be layin' aside a bit av it, { dime or a quarther mebby, fir tn sisters whin they come, won't ye Bob?" Norah suggested piously. But Bob had planned other uses fol his money. He laid to one side tht 53 cents and gathered together the $3 which he carried over to Norah and dropped, juggling, into her capacious lap.
 ssAn' what's this for?"
 'Take it," said Bob.
 s'Ye mane kape it fir yer"
 ''No; keep it fer yourself" "An' why should I kape it?' de manded Norah.
 "To pay fer me bed an grub.'' Away wid ye, ye little rapscallion Rape yer money; yell be nadin' it fl clothes an tn like. Ye can stay here without payin' yer way an welcome" 'sBut that's charity, ain't it?' Bot demanded directly. "Well, yes-sometimes," Norah re turned slowly. "But not in this case whin it's frinds is givin' to ye." '4Ain't goin' to be a charity boy Bob insisted "I got to pay" < But why?" Norah insisted. q don't know" Bob returned slowly