The central record. (Lancaster, Ky.) 18??-current, 1915-07-01
NORA FInHERTrS SIN
by GEORGE muNsoN.


roared the exalderman. who ar'
your A penniless pup. a-a--"
ITO quote your own words. Mr.
Sheehan. we're you not a penniles'
canine yourself onceY" inquired Tim.
Il was. sor And proud OF ut" an
swered the old man, relapsing into his
native dialect. And I made q millior
for meself by honest labor. Wher
you've got started on the same wa,
you can show your face here again
not till then. VIII you get out or will
throw you outY"
That terminated the interview. But
In justice to Paddy II must be said he
secretly admired the young man and
did not bear him any malice on &C
count Of his lack OF means. He knew
that Tim had the makings OF a sue
cessful man. even though he was al
present struggling along as a clerk 10
an insurance once. The fact was. he
treasured his only child so much that
he could not bear the thought Of los
ing her.
This possibility so preyed upon his
mind that he resolved to put into exc.
cution a plan he had long projected.
Kathleen. girl" he said to his
daughter. you may as well put the
idea of that young pup out of your
head We're going to Ireland. which
I haven't seen since was a boy. Well
see the old home, and-and Nora Fin
nerty. Maybe she's married now. and
maybe she amt"
Kathleen knew all about her fathers
boyish sweetheart, whom he had prom
Used to marry when he sailed for
America years before. He had mar
ried another woman. but the memory
Of his irst love had always been
green with him.
II is probable that. in spite OF her
fathers injunctions. Kathleen did
contrive to see Tim before sailing
Anyway, hardly had the ship passed
Sandy Hook than Mr.. Sheehan. stroll
ing upon the deck. came face to face
with the young man.
What are you doing here, you
scoundrel?" he shouted.
Pardon me. Mr.. Sheehsn." replied
the young fellow blandly. but think
I am entitled to take passage aboard
this ship"
You're following me and Kathleen"
reared the exasperated father.
mo. sir. I am on my way home to
Ireland to visit my mother"
IF I see you speaking to Kathleen
fIl-rn throw ysu into the engine
room" warned Paddy. shaking his fist
Despite the most careful observa-
ton on his part, II was clear that the
would-be son-in-law did not attempt to
speak to Kathleen during the voyage.
He lost sight Of him at Queenstown,
but when he came upon him at Kerry.
standing. spick and span. with sham
rock In his buttonhole. at the railroad
station his anger burst out against
him.
You're following me-" he shoutsd.
shaking his fist under the young mans
nose
Mr. Sheehan, I'll have you know
once for all that I have no intention
OF following you" responded Tim. Il
have come to Kerry TO visit my old
mother"
IF you cross my path again I'll eat
you!' shouted the ex-alderman.
. AL; the way to Nora F1nnerty's cot
tage he pointed out the old landmarks.
BY the time the little matched build
ing arrived In sight he was as en-
thusiastic as q boy. He drew up tue
car leaped down and stared into the
wrinklrd face Of the old woman knit
tirg at the door. Then he flung his
arms atC.t her.
'1ff Morn F1nnerty. by all that's
sacred<' h, shouted. Don't you know
me, Nora. I'm Paddy Sheehan-Pad-
DIV that used tc be your sweetheart in
the lcnF age"
The OLE woman arose. beaming.
PADDY sns cried. Back from
Chicago. where it's great things I'm
hearing os you all these years. But
yor must come In and have a bite
Only yoI mustn't kiss me. Paddy, be-
cause my husbands away and he
wouldn't like It,
"Youi husband" echoed Paddy.
michael O'Rourke. who's at the fair
To-Day leavins me the sweetest boy
bu: come in-hsres my son Tim, Mr..
steehan"
The ex-alderman looked speechless-
iy al Tim Murphy. Then. whether or
net tine occasion overcame him. he
graf ped him by the hand And In
stantly his daughters arms were
round his neck
Father. we love each other" she
pleaded. Father. you won't keep US
apartr
IF I'd have known" began Shee-
han, growing, and then he clapped
the young fellow upon the back.
take her, Tim O'Rourke." he said.
81 give up. You've won her. l didn't
dream you wers the son of-eh.-eh-
is It O'Rourke or Is II Murphy they're
after calling your
Sure, he's me stepson.~ exclaimed
the old lady. He was my first hus-
bands SON."
You've been married twice. them"
inquired Paddy.
Three times" said the old lady.
"And," she added wistfully. as the
car drove on. half an hour later. with
Q happy couple upon one seat and a
Joyous old man on the other, Il think
I'll be on to Father Flynn and ask
him n it's q mortal sin to have taken
three husbands when I never had one.