The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1915-03-18
HIS FRIENDS Wife
By GORDON TOMBSTONE.

head of the boy reading the newspa-
per.
did I hear you right, Denny?" he
asked. did you say Nora Reagan!
Denny scanned the column and
found the paragraph.
"Yes," he answered. Mrs. Nora
Reagan East Thirty.fourth street"
Malone pressed the hot ashes In bis
clay pipe and rubbed the bowl medi-
tatively with the palm Of his big hand.
"Read 1t again. lad" he urged soft
", - his gaze returned to the lowered
pattern Of the carpet.
The boy read 1t with the intonation
Of child reciting a 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.
"Win you tear that out and give 1t
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 a bit of a walk, john" Malone
answered.
Reaching the avenue, he turned
down. BY the light in a 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.
Hallway down the street he found
| the address, and searched the dimly
| lighted hallway for the name. Run
ming his eyes over the dirty mail
boxes, he found it.
| 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 cor
ner to let a much perfumed woman
pass.
On the floor above Nora Reagan
stood III the lighted doorway, a little
red head pillowed against her shout
der. Malone paused near the top and
looked at her. The woman peered into
his face.
| Barry" she cried. Barry Ma
lionel" She staggered back into the
room. "Is it yourself, or am l dream
ingi"
ITS no dream. Noreen." he an
swered. ITS myself"
Il A bright flush crept up from heI
white throat over her face and lost It
self In the bronze hair. She had moi
heard that old name In ages. To hel
husband she had always been Nora
No one but her mother and Barry had
ever called her Noreen. and that wal
years ago on the bogs round Wexford
She reached out her disengaged hand
to him.
Come in, Barry" she said, amt
bring your happiness with you. It's
sight you are to cure blind eyes. Ant
it's a girl l am again to see you"
Malone stepped into the room ant
7. closed the door. Turning. he looked
at the frail little figure radiating he
Joy, but showing the signs Of battl'
against odds.
II The face would always be beautiful
There was the milklike skin, and tn
charm of eyes and hair. The girls
Nora Reagan's coloring were the glor
of Ireland. Malone's eyes rested Of
the little red head pressed against he
shoulder and the wonder OF child
| less man dreamed in their depths.
II He dropped into the chair she poin'
ed out to him.
II Barry" she cried. ut was my goo
angel that sent you tonight Their
was a woman here just now that wan
ed to take the baby"
II Nora's voice fell to q horrtne
whisper:
II "And, Barry, there was paint on he
cheeks. Think Of It! Red paint!
II Malone remembered the woman b
passed In the hail.
III "Yes," he said; II met her on tn
way"
II! The woman shuddered and huge
the little bundle closer.
III Malone glanced up at the crayon
the wall.
l when did Tim GOT" he sske
quietly.
III Twelve months this morning Tue
day"
i've been down In Panama"
misunderstanding on the canal.
| don't know much about what's goir
on
"He was killed in the expressman
strike" she explained. He used
l speak of you very often. Barry. al
| wonder where you were keeping you
self"
God never made q better man."
murmured. 81 said that when ~
chose him."
"And he was always saying that
you, Barry" she returned.
The baby's chubby hands crept ov
the woman's breast Whatever wa
Nora had seen, the child had n
shared It. Malone watched the lit
fingers with q feeling akin to awe.
whats the babbine?" he asked.
girl"
III Nora looked at him and shook b
pretty head. A glad note sang In {
mans voice
"A boy?" he questioned, as thou
unable to believe 1t.