t will do you more good
than a ton of logic. I have business with Father Healy."

The children scattered in all directions, saving for a group around Tim
O'Neill. To these he related an amended version of the late
conversation.

"'D'you know what sacrilege is?' says she.

"'Sacrilege!' says I, scratching my head. 'Will it be telling lies?'

"'It may be, and it may not be,' says she.

"'Then I think it is sacrilege you're after, yourself. To be telling
lies with a brother a priest is sacrilege, sure enough.'

"With that she wiped her eyes with the back of one hand. I think it's
shamed she is." A burst of laughter rewarded the young sinner, and he
darted off for home to gobble down a cold dinner.

"Is Michael O'Connor worse?" asked Molly, anxiously.

"He is dying," replied the doctor.

"What will Kathleen and Desmond do?"

"Desmond can battle for himself, but Kathleen's future needs
consideration."

"Why not go to the Quirks, at Layton?"

"I would not allow Kathleen O'Connor to go to everybody. I must discuss
the matter with Father Healy," replied Doctor Marsh.

CHAPTER II.

MICHAEL O'CONNOR.

Michael O'Connor died placidly, as he had always lived. An improvident
man, as the world uses the term, he undoubtedly had been, but this arose
from a defect of character. He never could refuse to give when asked to
do so; his failing sprang from an excess of generosity.

A clever man, brilliant in his own chosen career of journalism,
opportunities to make money had not been wanting; and money had been
made and spent. He had founded "The Grey Town Observer," now a valuable
property, but the paper had passed into the hands of Ebenezer Brown,
with Michael O'Connor as editor; for Ebenezer Brown recognised that no
other man could better fill the position. But the proprietor was careful
to make the utmost of his employee's lack of worldly wisdom, offering
him the very lowest salary that ever an editor worked for. The
consequence was that Michael O'Connor lived and died an impecunious man,
whose only legacy to his children was the record of a virtuous life.

Yet no fear had troubled the man as life slowly slipped from him. He had
wronged none: to the poor he had given generously; staunch to his
friends, loved by his children, and always faithful to his religion, why
should he have any regrets? "Father," he said to Father Healy, "I am not
afraid to die, for God is good; He will provide for Kathleen and
Desmond