f the
ungratefulness of those they love is enough to keep the dead from
resting quietly, Matthew Collins should be one of the first to come
back and haunt his dishonored homestead.'

"'But if all the dead min that lave wifes aisily consoled for their
loss, were to come back, there'd be plinty of haunted houses,' said
Peter, pithily.

"'Well, we'll watch there the night, and try to find out the mysthery,'
said the priest. 'But I'm off to matins. Be sure and see that Mrs.
Hartigan has the breakfast ready when I return.'

"The bell calling the peasantry to their morning service awoke Matthew,
who hastened to his cottage, which he found as closely barred and bolted
as the night before.

"'She's gone to chapel long before this. Well, I'll have a wash at the
spring, and away to church.' Saying which, he carefully picked the straw
from his coat, cleaned his dusty shoes with a wisp of dry grass, and
after a thorough washing of face and hands, he took up the worn felt hat
of the stranger, and set off down the lane.

"As he got nearly to the main road, a group of neighbors passed along;
but instead of answering his cheerful greeting, they crossed themselves,
and hastened on with longer strides, turning from time to time, and
looking at him in a most puzzling manner.

"'Sure, the folks are mad,' muttered poor Matthew, 'or else 'tis late we
are--that must be it. Well, we can run, any way.' And suiting the action
to the word, he began to run after his neighbors, who, terribly
frightened, strove with all their might to preserve undiminished the
distance between them.

"'Faix, half the people is late--or is it a fire is ragin'? Well, I
dunno, but I'll be on hand any how.' And Matthew, taking a long breath,
pressed on after the flying crowd, which grew larger each moment, as
group after group of staid and devout worshipers recognized the features
of their dead neighbor, and joined the panting crowd, which, crossing
and blessing themselves, and shrieking and praying with terror, sought
the protection of the church, and having, as they deemed, found a refuge
from the apparition, sank exhausted into their seats, to thank God for a
place of safety.

"But they had reckoned without their host, for the next moment the dead
man strode through the arched door, and deliberately glided towards his
accustomed seat. In speechless horror the people, with one accord, arose
and rushed to the altar for protection, while many rushed out throug