ry her, how could she mention it? Mary began to grow
pale, and lose sleep, and Dannie said the heat of the summer had tired
her, and suggested that she go to Mrs. Dolan's for a weeks rest. The
fact that he was willing, and possibly anxious to send her away for a
whole week, angered Mary. She went.

Chapter XI

THE POT OF GOLD

Mary had not been in the Dolan home an hour until Katy knew all she
could tell of her trouble. Mrs. Dolan was practical. "Go to see Father
Michael," she said. "What's he for but to hilp us. Go ask him what
Jimmy told him. Till him how you feel and what you know. He can till
you what Dannie knows and thin you will understand where you are at."

Mary was on the way before Mrs. Dolan fully finished. She went to the
priest's residence and asked his housekeeper to inquire if he would see
her. He would, and Mary entered his presence strangely calm and
self-possessed. This was the last fight she knew of that she could make
for happiness, and if she lost, happiness was over for her. She had
need of all her wit and she knew it. Father Michael began laughing as
he shook hands.

"Now look here, Mary," he said, "I've been expecting you. I warn you
before you begin that I cannot sanction your marriage to a Protestant."

"Oh, but I'm going to convart him!" cried Mary so quickly that the
priest laughed harder than ever.

"So that's the lay of the land!" he chuckled. "Well, if you'll
guarantee that, I'll give in. When shall I read the banns?"

"Not until we get Dannie's consint," answered Mary, and for the first
her voice wavered.

Father Michael looked his surprise. "Tut! Tut!" he said. "And is Dannie
dilatory?"

"Dannie is the finest man that will ever live in this world," said
Mary, "but he don't want to marry me."

"To my certain knowledge Dannie has loved you all your life," said
Father Michael. "He wants nothing here or hereafter as he wants to
marry you."

"Thin why don't he till me so?" sobbed Mary, burying her burning face
in her hands.

"Has he said nothing to you?" gravely inquired the priest.

"No, he hasn't and I don't belave he intinds to," answered Mary, wiping
her eyes and trying to be composed. "There is something about Jimmy
that is holding him back. Mrs. Dolan thought you'd help me."

"What do you want me to do, Mary?" asked Father Michael.

"Two things," answered Mary promptly. "I want you to tell me what Jimmy
confissed to you before he died, and then I want you to ta