ne
small boy could have been both so sad and so happy.

Chapter VI

The Cost of Honor

The next morning at about ten, Father Boone was in his office at the
Club, waiting for Mr. Roberts, who had phoned him asking for an
appointment.

"This has been a crowded week," said the priest to himself. "On Monday
morning I found the Club rooms a wreck. Since then, we have had a fire,
Bill Daly's adventure and death, all the worry over the mystery and,
thank God, its solution.

"All cleared up now. And out of it comes Frank Mulvy, pure gold. He had
a hard ordeal, poor boy. I was certainly severe on him. But under the
same circumstances, yes, I'd do the same again. What a _mirage_ life is!
We see or fancy we see, so many things that are not there."

Presently, Mr. Roberts was shown in, and after the usual greeting, he
said, "I know you are busy, Father, and so I won't take up much of your
time. You know I had intended putting William Daly through school, but
that's off now."

"Yes," interrupted Father Boone, "he knows more now than all the
colleges could impart."

"Say, Father Boone, do you know it's taken my breath away--the way you
people look at things. You talk and feel about the other world as we do
about this! Why, last night, everybody seemed to be right next door to
God."

"That's our Faith," replied the priest. "It's our greatest treasure, the
best thing we have in life. That is, for those of us who live up to it."

"It must be so, Father. I couldn't help but notice how happy that boy
looked after the Sacraments. But, I came on another matter today.
William Daly is dead. What I was going to do for him I want to do for
some other whom you will designate. Preferably, that young lad who was
with you last night. But I leave it to you."

"God will bless you for that. But Frank Mulvy comes of a well-to-do
family. He is one of the finest lads that God ever made. He intends
going to college after finishing at our high school. I have another boy,
however, very deserving and very poor. If you will consent, I should
like to designate him. His name is Edward Morgan."

"Edward Morgan it shall be," replied Mr. Roberts.

"Now, another thing, Father. I have told Mrs. Daly to have as nice a
funeral as possible for her boy. That's not an act of kindness, but of
justice. He saved my wife and child. I shudder when I think what life
would be without them. All my money would be nothing, with them gone. Of
course I shal