The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1915-04-13
HIS FRIENDS WIFE
BY GORDON TOMBSTONE.
(Copyright.)

Reagan, East Thirty-fourth street"
Malone pressed the hot ashes in his
clay pipe and rubbed the bowl medi-
tatively with the palm Of his big hand.
Read it again. lad" he urged soft
ly, as his gaze returned to the lowered
pattern Of the carpet.
The boy read 1t with the information
of child reciting memorized lesson
at school .
"a young widow. Has child for
adoption. Unable to support Baby
eighteen months old. Irish blue eyes.
Weighs twenty pounds"
Denny laid the paper In his lap and
looked at the big man sitting on the
horsehide chair
"Will you tear that out and give II
to me, Denny?" the man asked. The
boy complied with his request.
Crossing the room, he picked up his
hat and opened the door.
Where are you goin, Barry?" called
Murphy senior from the kitchen.
For bit of walk, john" Malone
answered.
Reaching the avenue, he turned
down. BY the light in store win
dow he took out the ragged paper and
studied the address Replacing 1t in
his pocket, he took up his walk, re-
peating the number to himself.
Halfway down the street he found
the address, and searched the dimly
lighted hallway for the name. Run
ming his eyes over the dirty mall
boxes, he found 1t.
He pressed the button. A pause en-
sued. There was no response. Again
he rang and waited. After what
seemed an interminable time the latch
clicked.
Pushing his way in, he climbed the
stairs covered with oilcloth. On the
second landing he backed into a cor
ner to let a much-perfumed woman
pass.
On the floor above Nora Reagan
stood in the lighted doorway, little
red head pillowed against her shout
der. Malone paused near the top and
looked at her. The woman peered into
his face
"Barryl" she cried. Barry Ma
lionel" She staggered back into the
room. els 1t yourself, or am dream
ing?"
TITS no dream, Noreen," he an
swered TITS myself"
A bright flush crept up from her
white throat over her face and lost it.
self in the bronze hair. She had not
heard that old name in ages. To her
husband she had always been Nora.
No one but her mother and Barry had
ever called her Noreen. and that was
years ago on the boys round Wexford.
She reached out her disengaged hand
to him.
Come in. Barry" she said, "and
! bring your happiness with you. IT'S a
sight you are to cure blind eyes. And
it's girl am again to see you"
Malone stepped into the room and
closed the door. Turning. he looked
at the frail little figure radiating her
Joy, but showing the signs of battle
against odds.
The face would always be beautiful.
There was the milklike skin, and the
charm OF eyes and hair The girls Of
Nora Reagan's coloring were the glory
of Ireland. Malone's eyes rested on
the little red head pressed against her
shoulder, and the wonder of child
less man dreamed In their depths.
He dropped into the chair she point
ed out to him.
Barry" she cried, at was my good
angel that sent you tonight. There
was woman here just now that want
ed to take the baby"
Noras voice fell to q Mortified
whisper:
"And, Barry, there was paint on her
cheeks Think of it! Red paint!
Malone remembered the woman he
passed in the hall.
Eyes" he said; Il met her on the
way" o
The woman shuddered and Rugged
the little bundle closer.
Malone glanced up at the crayon on
the wall
When did Tim go?" he asked
quietly.
Twelve months this morning Tues
day"
I've been down In Panama" he
working on the canal. /
don't know much about what's going
on
He was killed in the expressman's
strike" she explained. "He used to
speak Of you very often. Barry, and
wonder where you were keeping your
SELF"
God never made better man." he
murmured. II said that when you
chose him"
And he was always saying that OF
you, Barry" she returned.
The baby's chubby hands crept over
the womans breast Whatever want
Nora had seen, the child had not
shared it. Malone watched the little
fingers with feeling akin to awe.
Whats the babbine?" he asked. "a
girl?"
Nora looked at him and shook her
pretty head. A glad note sang In the
mans voice.
"a boy?" he questioned, as though
unable to believe It.
YES"
Whats his name"
You'd never guess"
"Timf" he ventured.
mo"
your father'sf''
Again Nora shook her head.
Twas Tim that named him"
What, Noreen?"
Barry" she answered, beaming In
to bis face.
A strange light came into Malone's
eyes, and his big hands opened and
closed over his hat.
"Yes," she continued; II left It 70
Tim. The priest was for wanting the
name Of saint, but Tim would have
| none of them. Tn going to call him
after my comrade-lad,' he said. MY
comrade-lad that saved my life In
Rosslare Harbor.'
"'Who is that7' asked the priest
The finest lad ever made answered
Tim. My friend and comrade-Barry
Malone.
There are men in the world who vii
! stand In the shadow Of great sorroW
firm Of lip and dry-eyed. But let the
arrow Of beautiful happiness pierce
their hearts and the tears will gush VI
from q living fountain. Barry Malone