She had need of all her wit and she knew it. Father
Michael began laughing as he shook hands.
"Now look here, Mary," he said, "I've been expecting you. I warn you
before you begin that I cannot sanction your marriage to a Protestant."
"Oh, but I'm going to convart him!" cried Mary so quickly that the
priest laughed harder than ever.
"So that's the lay of the land!" he chuckled. "Well, if you'll
guarantee that, I'll give in. When shall I read the banns?"
"Not until we get Dannie's consint," answered Mary, and for the
first her voice wavered.
Father Michael looked his surprise. "Tut! Tut!" he said. "And is
Dannie dilatory?"
"Dannie is the finest man that will ever live in this world," said
Mary, "but he don't want to marry me."
"To my certain knowledge Dannie has loved you all your life," said Father
Michael. "He wants nothing here or hereafter as he wants to marry you."
"Thin why don't he till me so?" sobbed Mary, burying her burning
face in her hands.
"Has he said nothing to you?" gravely inquired the priest.
"No, he hasn't and I don't belave he intinds to," answered Mary,
wiping her eyes and trying to be composed. "There is something about
Jimmy that is holding him back. Mrs. Dolan thought you'd help me."
"What do you want me to do, Mary?" asked Father Michael.
"Two things," answered Mary promptly. "I want you to tell me what
Jimmy confissed to you before he died, and then I want you to talk
to Dannie and show him that he is free from any promise that Jimmy
might have got out of him.
Pages:
192
193
194
195
196
197
198
199
200
201
202
203
204
205
206
207
208
209
210
211
212
213
214
215
216