ant corner.

"The man will never get to heaven--he is too slow; and he will prevent
me getting there unless Providence removes him to another round."

She carried the letters to Father Healy, and then proceeded to shut
herself in her room, and there absorb the news from Ireland. In laughter
and in tears she read her letter, and then re-read it, determined to
lose not one word of the contents.

Dr. Marsh was with Father Healy when the letters came.

"May I read them?" the priest asked.

"Certainly! Why not?" replied the doctor in his brusque manner. "I will
digest a slice of theology."

He took a book from the table and opened it.

"I hope it will agree with you," laughed Father Healy, as he tore the
first letter open.

"Humph!" grunted Dr. Marsh. "When I am dying I will send for you;
meanwhile I am quite content to remain a sinner."

Father Healy did not reply. He had become keenly interested in his
letter. Twice he read it, and then he asked:

"Where was it that Denis Quirk told you he was editing that paper of
his?"

"'The Firebrand?'" asked Dr. Marsh, who had become absorbed in the book
he was reading.

"Yes! yes!" cried the priest.

"I don't exactly remember. I fancy it was Goldenvale. You had better ask
Denis. Now, I can't agree with this," said the doctor, referring to
something he had just read.

"I will controvert with you in due season. Just now I am worried. You
are a safe and reliable man. Read this."

Father Healy handed the letter to Dr. Marsh, who having glanced at it,
became deeply interested in the contents.

"Goldenvale! Do you know this man?" he asked.

"How should I?" replied the priest, almost irritably. "Could you expect
me to know every priest in America? But I could find out if there were
such a man."

"I would take this letter to Denis Quirk, and allow him to deny it. It's
a lie, a palpable lie. I am sure of that."

"And so am I; but lies are more readily credited in Grey Town than the
truth. I will see Denis Quirk at once. Will you come with me?" asked
Father Healy.

"Not to 'The Mercury' office, but a part of the way. Put your hat on
while I finish what I was reading."

Denis Quirk was in the outer office as Father Healy entered. He was
inditing a letter to Tim O'Neill, who now claimed, among his other
qualifications, a certificate as a typewriter.

"Good-day, Father Healy!" cried Denis Quirk. "What can I do for you? A
paragraph to encourage your congregation to bu