The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1915-06-01
NORA FInnERTrs SIN
BY GEORGE MUNsoN.

Copyright 1915. by W. C. Chapman.)
Paddy Sheehan locked at Tim Muir
ply with whitening scorn.
'You want to marry my Kathleen
roared the ex-alderman. Who are
you? A penniless pup. IA"
ITO quote your own words. Mr..
Sheehan, were you not penniless
canine yourself once?" inquired Tim
Il was, sor. And proud Of Ut an
swered the old man, relapsing into his
native dialect. And made million
for meself by honest labor When
you've got started on the same way
you can show your face here again
not till then. Will you get out or will
/ throw you out?'
That terminated the interview But
in Justice to Paddy 1t must be said he
secretly admired the young man and
did not bear him any malice on &C.
count of rs lack of means. He knew
that Tim had the makings Of a sue
cessful man, even though be was at
present struggling along as a clerk In
an insurance office. The fact was. he
treasured his only child so much that
he coula not bear the thought Of los
ing her.
This possibility so preyed upon his
mind that he resolved to put into exc
cution plan he had long projected.
Kathleen, GIRL" he said to his
daughter. you may as we'll put the
idea of that young pup out of your
head We're going to Ireland. which
l haven't seen since was 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 first love had always been
green with him
It 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. Sheehan," replied
the young fellow blandly, but ! think
l am entitled to take passage aboard
this ship"
you're following me and Kathleen"
roared the exasperated father.
mo, sir am on my way home to
Ireland to visit my mother"
III see you speaking to Kathleen
IN-Tll throw you into the engine
ROOM" warned Paddy, shaking his fist.
Despite the most careful observa-
ton on his part. it was clear that the
would:De 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 q sham
rock In his buttonhole, at the railroad
station his anger burst out against
him.
You're following me-" he shouted,
shaking his fist under the young mans
nose
MI Sheehan. I'll have you know
once for all that have no intention
OF following you" responded Tim. Il
have come to Kerry to visit my old
mother"
IF you cross my path again Ill eat
you!' shouted the ex-alderman.
AL: the way to Nora Finnerty'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 a boy. He drew up the
car leapec down ana stared into the
wrinkleu face of the old woman knit
tlrg al the door Then he flung his
aims about her
TIT Nort FInnerty by all that's
sacred h. shouted. Don't you know
me, Nora. In. Paddy Sheehan-Pad'
DIV that USED tc be your sweetheart in
the lcne age -
The ole woman arose. beaming.
Paddy sno cried. Back from
Chicago where it's great things I'm
hearing OF you all these years. But
YOU must come in and have a bite
Only yoL mustn't kiss me, Paddy, be-
cause my husbands away and he
wouldn't like ii
"Youi husband" echoed Paddy.
Michael O'Rourke. who's at the fair
TO-DAY leaving me the sweetest boy
bu: come in-here's my son Tim, MT
Sheehah
TIE ex-alderman looked speechless,
ly al Tim Murphy Then, whether OF
nc, the occasion overcame him. he
gras ped him by the hand And in
slantly his daughters arms were
round his neck
Father, we love each other" she
pleaded Father. you won't keep us
apart?'
III 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 we're the son of-eh?-eh-
is it O'Rourke or is it 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. then?
inquired Paddy
Three times, said the old lady
And" she added wistfully. as the
+. car drove off, half an hour later, with
a happy couple upon one seat and q
Joyous old man on the other, Il think