Fenian now."

"Is it possible?" Honora cried in astonishment.

"Well, I don't see any reason for wonder, Nora. He has been listening to
me for three months, vaporing over the wrongs of Ireland; he's of Celtic
blood; he has been an adventurer in California; he has the money, it
would seem. Why, the wonder would be if he did not do what all the young
fellows are doing."

"I have not quite made up my mind about him yet, father," the young
woman said thoughtfully.

"He's all man," said the father.

"True, but a man who is playing a part."

He laid down his pipe in his surprise, but she smiled assuringly.

"Well, it's fine acting, if you call it so, my love. In a little over a
year he has made himself the pride of Cherry Hill. Your great
friend,"--this with a sniff--"Monsignor O'Donnell, is his sponsor. He
speaks like the orator born and with sincerity, though he knows little
of politics. But he has ideas. Then did you ever meet a merrier lad?
Such a singer and dancer, such a favorite among boys and girls! He seems
to be as lovable as his uncle the Senator, and the proof of it is that
all confide in him. However, I have faith in your instincts, Nora. What
do they say?"

"He looks at us all like a spectator sitting in front of a stage. Of
course I have heard the people talk about him. He is a popular idol,
except to his mother who seems to be afraid of him. He has moods of
sadness, gloom, and Miss Conyngham told me she would wager he left a
wife in California. While all like him, each one has a curious thing to
tell about him. They all say it is the sickness which he had on coming
home, and that the queer things are leaving him. The impression he gives
me is that of one acting a part. I must say it is fading every day, but
it hinders me from feeling quite satisfied about him."

"Well, one thing is in his favor: he listens to me," said Ledwith. "He
is one of the few men to whom I am not a crazy dreamer, crazy with love
of Erin and hate of her shameless foe."

"And I love him for that, father," she said tenderly. "There is no
acting in his regard and esteem for you, nothing insincere in his liking
for us, even if we cannot quite understand it. For we _are_ queer,
Daddy," putting her arms about him. "Much love for our old home and much
thinking how to help it, and more despair and worry, have shut us off
from the normal life, until we have forgotten the qualities which make
people liked. Poor Daddy!"

"Better that