The Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1???-1928, 1908-06-05

1By Grace Mac aowan Cooke

mus slSAl 10 TOOK up ana that
countenance was made for smiles, not
Tor woe. He busted the pews with
an inept. clumsy hand
You've been quarreling with your
wife again." said Father Mac Neil $
accusing voice from the vestry door.
'Nawthin much, your reverence, q"
! said Reddy sulkily. What did boy
/ like that know about women, even if
he was priest?
The reverend father came down
the aisle. He might know little about
women but he knew much about dust,
and his caretaker's brush fourished
With renewed energy. A thin, other
worldly looking young fellow. was
Father MacNeil with a pair of soft,
misty, dark eyes, and a voice to vile
a bird from bush-a voice that did
not seem to be made entirely for the
reciting of Latin services.
"Mahoney," he began in those win
ming tones which Reddy had learned
could convey as sound a reproof as
the bishops rasping bass. Reddy,
your wife is good woman. Your
Jealousy Is a disgrace to YOU and an
insult to her. The whole parish is
talking of It,"
The priest had been gone for a few
moments. Mahoney was behind the
one small confessional which the
church contained, rubbing some
brasses about picture. when he
heard light football. Peering eau
tiously round the corner of the ward
robe like structure, he saw his wife !
Kate approaching. He would have |
gone on sullenly with his work; but |
the sight Of Rates beaming face |
chokei him with Jealous rage. For |
what was She grinning like that?She |
tossed her graceful head and set her /
hat in place with a gesture so ia
n liar to the watching man that he
'hoked again with something that
was not all rage. For whom had she
put on her gay clothes? Not TO
harm the'9ye of her lawful spouse
If tnat Re was sure: for she well
inew q could not be off duty
NTH e 1T night. Well, she had
ONE to confess--perhaps she would
eli the priest VIII it was that she
lad been doing which had set a bar
Ter between her and her husband for
Il months.
The girl had stepped lightly inside
he curtains of the confessional.
IN waiting. nay daughter" he
lurmured in a voice sufficiently UNI
Ike his own.
Katy evidently recognized that IL
'as not the voice of Father MacNeil.
| have committed sin" she MUIR
iured running through the opening
hrases Of her confession, ana trying
} catch glimpse OF her confessor.
For the life of him the injured hus-
and could not get together the ques-
ons which were to satisfy his burn
lg curiosity His mind was In a
hirl Suddenly he became aware
nat the girl had dropped her formal
leech, and was addressing Father
acNell evidently with the belief that
le had been mistaken in supposing
lat the voice was not his.
"Oh, your reverence" she cried, in
mes bubbling with joy, I've seen
lie man again-and it's all right!
ow, If you'll absolve me for telling 7
husband an untruth, and say what
| should do for deceiying
m, why, III be the happiest woman I
the town MS night"
"Deceivin' your husbani?" gasped n
eddy. Another man-what other
an?" Q
Yes, your reverence" Katy rip q
ed on sweetly Il felt my heart f
my bosom like lead TO deceive poor
eddy; but l couldn't tell him of the
an--now could II" a
What man, you shameless wom- =,
IT, came from behind the little
Icket.
on, your reverence, you know I
e man that says my poor Reidy
ok something that didn't belong to -
ma ring to give me when | was y
5 sweetheart. Maybe my poor boy j
that same, being tempted. But n
aid | be the one t. tel him that o.,
vas brought to my knowledge? Pye i
i'd the last cent on It this day, your =
verence; and no Reddy need new e,
know The man has been comm
the house regular to get the !
oney; and was that 'fraid Reddy y
)uld see him and ask questions; d
d twice I've had to lie to him, Faith
M~cNell-don't forget that. Give =
pennance I'm that happy that 4
need a pennance to keep my feet 1
the earth" I
The soft voice ceased. The little 4
IN crouched behind the window. ]
!, how wei he remembered the i
y! He wanted the ring for Katy 1
at was soon t. be his wife. He
dnt cutie enough to buy il. They 1
ed him that much for fines that 1
~ had put on him. a porter in the
, department store.
His eyes royed like a creature at :
y seeking some exit from this tor \
re chamber, wnen abruptly a black
rita n de ,elded before them. 1t
) the skirt Of Father MacNen's E
sock; aud Father MacNeil's quiet
ce said to the wondering girl out
e: nc
The priest to whom you were con- pc