The Wilmington morning star., 1940-02-04
. SERIAL STORY
THE Err
BY HELEN WORDEN sH% SERVICE. me.
COPYRIGHT. 1870.
2 SERVICE. INC.

pain, however, anQ even uAS AotnSA :
anger. was his uncertainty about
Marie. He loved her so much tnaI
he didn't see how she could pos
sibly not love him, and yet, that
might very easily be.
A Jealous fear clutched his hear
as he thought that tonight, when
she ran so frantically out on the
pier her concern was not for him,
but Tommy Ryan. Thinking of this
he wondered how he could live until
morning to talk to Marie and find
out for himself about her feelings
TO- him.
Early as it was when Dan arose,
Mike had already dressed a n d
breakfasted. AS they met in the hall,
Mike put an affectionate arm about
his sons shoulder. His tone was
kind.
well forget last night, laddie. If
We want to marry the girl, I'll not
oppose We, though I still claim the
right % stick to ne own opinion
His rough voice trembled a little.
But We know, ye're me only boy"
Dan didn't speak for a moment.
He couldn't. He just pressed his
fathers hand. Finally he said,
Where are you going so early,
Dad?"
Mikes voice became gruff again.
I've a little matter OF me own
want to settle. I'm one to clean up
business as I go. I like to be Ger.
tain of me ground. I'll be telling We
about it in detail later"
With that he was gone. Half AZ
hour later he was asking a strag-
gler leaning against a pier head on
Pier 6 where the barge Molly might
be.
"Yonder," replied the man, point
ing. You a spot it easy enough.
It's the only barge down here that's
got a fresh coat of paint. See its
white sides and green shutters?'
He leveled an index finger. And
there's Bat La Porte himself. on
deck"
Mike approached the Molly ami
ably enough, but his tone .nettled
Bat when he introduced himself as
Michael Donovan. Bat thought it
condescending.
and why do you want to be see.
ing La Porter" he demanded.
Mike lost his temper. Il want to
see the father of the girl my son
Dan says he's goin' to marry" he
roared.
Bat, who had been up since dawn
trying to figure how he could re.
claim the cargo which Tommy Ryan
had taken last night. looked at Mike
in bewilderment. His own temper,
never n too good, flared as he
realized the reason for Donovan's
visit.
I'm Marie La Porte's father, if
that's what you want to know" he
shouted, but your calls wasted,
my fellow, if you think you can per-
suade me to let my daughter marry
your son." He snapped his fingers
in Mikes face. Il have not the
intention of letting my girl marry
a waster."
Surprised c%analboat occupants
stuck inquiring heads out of hatch
ways as Mike beloved back at Bat.
For the first time in their memory,
Bat had met his match.
Your daughter isn't good enough
for my boy" screamed Mike, wav-
ing his cane at Bat. He clutched
his hat with his free hand as a sud
den gust of wind swiped it.
rs that so?" shouted Bat, rolling
up his sleeves.
Mrs. La Porte, hearing the rae
ket had hurried up on deck.
Desperately she caught Bat by the
coat tails. will you never stop
fighting?" she cried, pulling h / m
back toward the hatcLway.
On the pier Mike danced up and
down with rage. Your girl has no
social standing" he PEELED. "She
lives on a barge"
Porte had dragged Bat to the hatch
With superhuman effort, Mrs. La
way. MY girl is good enough for
anybody" Bat shouted. His CONVEX
sation was abruptly cut off. Mrs. La
Porte had yanked him in. The
~hatchway was banged shut.
Mike gave a derisive laugh and
stamped off the pier. Five minutes
later he was calling Dan.
L take back all I said this
mornin'," he roared ito the phone.
Yell not marry that blithering
bargeman's girl if 1 kin live to pre-.
vent it,"
(To Be COntinued)