Connecticut western news., 1906-12-27
A Quick Cure
IOriginal.l


 pital, gradually growing worse till at last she had been given up by the house physician, and now he pronounc- ed the end very near.
 Has she any relativesT" asked the physician.
 "She's married and has children"
 "Well, notify the husband"
 Now, 1t so happened that Pat Mo Ginnis, having to work hard all day, with no one to take care of four young children during his absence, had called in a comedy young woman for house keeper and nurse. It was not long be- fore Miss Mulcahy, who occupied the position, had drawn a promise from Pat that after his wife's death he would marry her. Mrs. McGinnis was we'll acquainted with Miss Mulcahy, but did not know that she had been installed in her place as housekeeper and had been promised that when It should be possible she would be in- stalled as wife and stepmother. Pat in his visits to the hospital had been warned by the doctor not to say any thing to his wife calculated to worry her. Since this accorded very we'll with his inclinations, he had refrained from doing so.
 On the day Pat was summoned to the bedside of his dying wife he had taken a half holiday to go shopping with Miss Mulcahy, who, it having been reported to her that Mrs. Mo Ginnis could not last long, was quie- ly picking up trousseau. He took his conditional fiancee with him to the hos pital to wait in the reception room while he bid his wife last farewell, after which they were to continue their shopping. Mrs. McGinnis was lying in ward on the ground floor, from which she had a fine view of the approach to the hospital. She saw her husband coming in with Miss Mul- cahy, and it was revelation to her. A man, whose munitions In such mat ters are sluggish, would likely have died before the revelation had broken in on his stupid brain. Not so Mrs. McGin- his.
 The story of her husbands reia- tions with Miss Mulcahy was not only as plain to her the moment she saw them coming in together as 1t has been recorded here, but great deal plainer, Indeed, her mind shot out little radia- tions of intelligence, giving her minute pictures which have been necessarily omitted in this bald statement of facts. When Pat entered the ward and was conducted to the bedside of his wife his face wore a very solemn aspect Nor was 1t assumed. Mrs. McGinnis was the mother of his children and had been a good wife to him till dis ease deprived him and them Of her at tention. Indeed, he felt so deeply that it was not easy to open a conversa- ton. She spared him the trouble. There were a fash in her eyes and mouth not at all becoming to one about to enter paradise. Instead of lying on her back she raised herself and supported herself by an elbow
 Pat" she said, ''y'er a good man. Y n,ver lied to me- Now tell me who's been tendin' the childer'T
 "I got Mary Mulcahy to do.it."
 And who's goin' to do 1t when I'm goneT'
 T suppose she'll stay on."
 "What y been doin' with her this afternoonY'
 Pat started.
 Don't lie to me, Pat. Y niver did 1t, and y niver'n do 1t unless some woman persuades y. What y been Goin'?"
 Mary was doin' some shoppin'."
 And what's Mary's shoppin' to your"
 Pat stood stolidly silent His eyes rolled everywhere; his tongue moved not
 "D'y' think the banns II be published next Sunday" asked his wife.
 Still Pat was silent. His thoughts were tumultuous.
 And the weddin' the day after the last bannsr.
 Pat signified his distress by changing the leg that supported the principal part of his weight.
 Have y said anything about this at confession?'
 "Niver a word. But how did y know t allp'
 "Pat, you go right out and sind that woman away and don't y let her go back to my place. Tell her Ofll be there the night meseP."
 "Howly mother!' exclaimed Pat. crossing himself
 Sind her away, I say"
 Pat went out and told Miss Mulcahy that his wife had gained a supernatu- ral knowledge of their intention, warn ing her not to go to his house, since his wife had threatened to be there in ghostly form. Miss Mulcahy made nasty departure, and Pat compelled his rebellious legs to take him back to his legitimate partner.
 Has she gone? asked Mrs. McGin- his.
 "Yes."
 "Now, go get hack"
 For the love O heaven, Bridget,