The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1915-06-19
NORA FIHnERTrs SIN
BY GEORGE MUNsoN.
Copyright. 1916. by W. @. Chapman.

you? A penniless pup, IA"
!. TO quote your own words, Mr.
Sheehan, were you not a pennilesa
: canine yourself once?" inquired Tim.
i. Il was, sor. And proud of Ut" an
t 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 it must be said he
secretly admired the young man and
did not bear him any malice on ac-
count of lis lack of means. He knew
that Tim had the markings Of sue
cessful man, even though he was at
present struggling along as a clerk in
an insurance Office. The fact was, he
treasured his only child so much that
he coul0 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
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
ised 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
1t Is probable that, in spite of her
| fathers injunctiops, 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. Shcehan," replied
the young fellow blandly. but think
! am entitled to take passage aboard
this ship"
You're following me and Kathleen"
roared the exasperated father.
No, sir am on my way home to
ireland to visit my mother"
If | see you speaking to Kathleen
Fll-Tll throw you into the engine
room," warned Paddy. shaking his fist.
Despite the most careful. obserya.
ton On his part, it 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 ollowing me-" he shouted,
shaking his fist under the young mans
nose
mi Sheehan, Ill 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"
III you cross my path again I'll eat
you! shouted the ex-alderman.
All the way to Nora Ffnnerty'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 boy He drew up the
car leapec down ana stared into the
wrinkleu face of the old woman knit ,
tlrg at the door Then he flung his
arms about her II
TIT Nori F1nnerty by all that's
sacred h. shouted Don't you know
me. Nora: In Paddy Sheehan--Pad-
Nv that useo tC be your sweetheart in
he lcnr age
The OLE woman arose, beaming.
Paddy snG cried. Back from
Chicago where tie great things I'm
hearing o. you all these years But
'or must come in and have a bite.
Duly 70. mustn't kiss me, Paddy. be-
cause my husbands away and he
like it \
y oul husband!' echoed Paddy.
Michael ORourke. who's at the fair
ooay leaving me the sweetest boy \
u: come ln-here's my son Tim. Mr..
sreehah N
TIE ex-alderman looked SPECIFICS.
y az Tim Murphy Then, whether or Il
'cl the occasion overcame him, he
,ras ped him by the hand And in.
family his daughters arms were
ound his neck \
Father. we love each other" she H
beaded Father. you won't keep US
part?'
III I'd have known began Shee.
ian, growing, and then he clapped
he young fellow upon the back. II
Take her Tim O'Rourke,' he said III
l give up. You've won her didn't III
ream you were the son of-eh?-eh- II
1t O'Rourke or is it Murphy they're III
fter calling your" III
Sure. he's me stepson," exclaimed III
ne old lady. He was my first hus. III
and's son III
You've been married twice them" n
inquired Paddy III
Three times" said the old lady. III
And" she added wistfully. as the III
ar drove off, half an hour later, with Ill
happy couple upon one seat and q III
oyous old man on the other, 81 think HI
II be OF to Father Flynn and ask III
i'm II its mortal sin to have taken HI
hree husbands when never had one. Hi
nd a fine young man like thst--me Hi
hat nc yer bore e~y childher." mi