The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1930-01-30
He Was the
Last Shane
By LEETE STONE

ON5CNN
called rosy world Of choices had
narrowed to one of those two for
Michael Shane. He passed and re-
passed a part open window on the
second-fOor fire-escape Of substan-
tial apartment.
All, this was never bit like Ireland
The war past, Michael had handed
his mother useless v. c., kissed her
with gay flourish, lighted her long
clay pipe for her with exaggerated dig
nifty, and promptly sailed for the gold
en- land Of opportunity.
Maggie Shannon's lips trembled
against his in their good-by kiss. Both
mother and sweetheart sent their last
Shane away to seek his fortune with
tears in their hearts and high hope
in their eyes.
Michael Shane found America diff
cult and different; so much so that
the passing Of seven years found him
one Of the great army Of odd-job cas-
uals that ride In box cars from state
to state. He had long since stopped
writing to Maggie.
So he stared and stared at this open
window, up one little ladder length
from the pavement.
Stealthily, Micheal was up and In
the room. He cautiously swept the
darkness with his one possession,
pocket flash.
/ From behind the gracefully meeting
curtains of an alcove, family audible.
came sound of sleeper's breathing.
On the bureau was a woman's hand.
bag; delicate perfume invaded his nos
trils pleasantly and memory rushed
back to his lost Irish sweetheart, Mag
| gle Shannon. A woman's room
That's what 1t is
No! 1t was not in him. Preying
on a sleeping woman. Better for
Shane to starve. With deep inhala-
tion of the rooms fragrance, Michael
slipped out as silently as he had ell
tered.
Then his arms were close pinioned
in a steel-hard embrace.
"Well, my lad, you were not long,
the officer searched Michael for the
gun and pelf and found only the worn
flashlight. "Pve watched you ever
since you picked this block .
over to the station house with you
now!"
"Why not?" Michael shrugged and
smiled. "There's food and a flop
there. This was my first job and !
did not take anything, so they can't
hold me long,"
Lets look at your The big police
man steered Michael under a street
light and peered into his face. The
eyes Of both men grew large and
| round.
mickey ShaneW
"Paddy Flynnw
Childhood playmates; buddies Of
the front line trenches-there they
stood, speeches., before the long arm
Of Coincidence. Question and answer
tumbled over each other for a few mo-
ments. Then from Paddy:
"Meet me here at seven. I'll be off
duty. You're comm home with me. 81
"Did y'ever think O. tryin' the
Force, Mickey?" Paddy asked over
| breakfast.
'"Never, Paddyl This is my first
time in New York since landing. It's
been dollar to dollar out West with
me. an a long walk in be-
| tween"
"Would you like it, MickeyT
Like it? Don't you know it's some
thin steady been searchin' for?"
1t wasn't long before Michael Shane
started on his training for the Force
that is known as. the finest.
Meanwhile, till they accept you for
duty, Mickey-mind you lay around
the rooms and get fat-see?" Paddy
grinned the Flynn grin. "Yell need
all the beef ye can pile in around this
gunman's town."
One day Michael Shane entered the
Bronx apartment, stalwart and Inn
maculate in the neat, deep blue Of
the "Finest."
"Look what you done to me, Pad
dy" A reborn Shane spoke in hope
full, hearty tones.
Paddy leaped up. Eyes met eyes.
They shook-a mighty grip, and some
thing fine and intangible passed be-
tween them. Strolling together down.
town, later:
"Come along, and I'll show you
somethin', Mickey"
Paddy stopped in front of an apart
ment that seemed strangely familiar
to Michael Shane.
"The scene o. the crime, Mickey boy
-r'member?'
'Tryin' to forget it, Paddy. Let's
be on our way"
"Sure thing, Mickey; but just mo-
ment twas the second floor
front you stole into that night,
eh?" Paddy compelled his reluctant
buddie into the apartment lobby, and
using massive index finger, pointed
to a calling card In a brass enclosure.
Heres the name. Mickey-what do
you say?'
Michael leaned down to the card.
His breath came suddenly in a soft
sob:
''Maggiei"
1.-THE same-Mickey, quite the same
She's been in the land O. opportunity
FIVE years, an she'll have none o. me.
All the time hopfn' an lookin', she is,
for you"
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