I lost it, I
never should trust another living mon. He had his faults to others, I
admit that, but he never had ony to me. He was my friend, and above my
life I loved him. I wad gladly have died to save him."

"And yet you say you are responsible for his death!"

"Let me tell ye!" cried Dannie eagerly, and began on the story the
priest wanted to hear from him. As he finished Father Michael's face
lighted.

"What folly!" he said, "that a man of your intelligence should torture
yourself with the thought of responsibility in a case like that. Any
one would have claimed the fish in those circumstances. Priest that I
am, I would have had it, even if I fought for it. Any man would! And as
for what followed, it was bound to come! He was a tortured man, and a
broken one. If he had not lain out that night, he would a few nights
later. It was not in your power to save him. No man can be saved from
himself, Dannie. Did what he said make no impression on you?"

"Enough that I would have killed him with my naked hands if he had na
taken it back. Of course he had to retract! If I believed that of
Jimmy, after the life we lived together, I would curse God and mon, and
break fra the woods, and live and dee there alone."

"Then what was he trying to tell you when he died?" asked the
bewildered priest.

"To take care of Mary, I judge."

"Not to marry her; and take her for your own?"

Dannie began to tremble.

"Remember, I talked with him first," said Father Michael, "and what he
confessed to me, he knew was final. He died before he could talk to
you, but I think it is time to tell you what he wanted to say.
He--he--was trying--trying to tell you, that there was nothing but love
in his heart for you. That he did not in any way blame you. That--that
Mary was yours. That you were free to take her. That----"

"What!" cried Dannie wildly. "Are ye sure? Oh, my God!"

"Perfectly sure!" answered Father Michael. "Jimmy knew how long and
faithfully you had loved Mary, and she had loved you----"

"Mary had loved me? Carefu', mon! Are ye sure?"

"I know," said Father Michael convincingly. "I give you my priestly
word, I know, and Jimmy knew, and was altogether willing. He loved you
deeply, as he could love any one, Dannie, and he blamed you for nothing
at all. The only thing that would have brought Jimmy any comfort in
dying, was to know that you would end your life with Mary, and not hate
his memory."

"Hate!" cried Dannie. "Hate!