Part 31 (1/2)

”Then it is all lies?” she asked, looking into his brave, ugly face

”It is true that I was divorced, and true that I am innocent,” he answered

”I believe you,” she cried, throwing her arain Little I care what people may say or think when I know it is false Sure, there is only one that can truly judge us, Alo and return thanks”

She went snised that Denis Quirk had proved his innocence to his mother's satisfaction

Ebenezer Brown seized the opportunity for reviving ”The Observer” with Gerard as editor In capability and brilliance he was not to be compared with Cairns, but the public”The Observer” and neglecting its rival Day by day the circulation and the advertisements of ”The Mercury” dwindled until at last Denis Quirk su of those interested in his paper

”If we intend to win out, I o,” he said ”The public has awoke to a sense of virtue and selectedone, ”The Mercury” will return to its own and destroy 'The Observer'”

”I say stay in Grey Town and fight it out,” said Dr Marsh ”I am prepared to put my last penny into the paper”

Samuel Quirk was there with Dr Marsh, Cairns, and the staff of the paper, right down to Ti away?” Saht the blackguards? You, an Irishman, whose fathers have battled for independence in the dark days as in the fine ones? No, Denis you will reain”

”I don't need any pay, sir,” said Ti, just for the love of you and the old 'Mercury'”

”Good boy, Tiold from the hair of your head to the soles of your feet But I shall go to Melbourne and open out there Once I am out, 'The Mercury' will have a fair run, and Ebenezer Brown, Gerard, and Garnett will be sorry they invested their money in a hopeless cause You shall buy me out, Dad”

The day before Denis Quirk's departure he found Kathleen alone in the dining roo less confidently than was his custoeneral rule I class reat respect for you, and I want you to believe in erly

”Men have been tried and convicted on false evidence,” he went on ”The world judges us by results, but I want you to disregard the past and take my word that I am innocent”

”I have always believed it,” she said

”Thank you,” he said, and was turning ahen Kathleen said:

”You are going to Melbourne, Mr Quirk I place Des him back to the Faith”

”I shall do my best, but no man can constrain another Desmond must work out his own salvation,” he answered

When his business was completed, Denis Quirk departed from Grey Town

But Ebenezer Brown and his satellites discovered that his absence s evenhis presence in the town ”The Mercury” rose buoyantly to resume its old power; and in a month's time it had crippled its rival beyond recovery

Samuel Quirk took his son's place on the Council, and there asserted hinised that it was time for hiour, and the town put on awith a new commercial activity Those who had flourished under the old systeime Their triumph over Denis Quirk had proved a veritable disaster to Ebenezer Brown and his companions in evil

CHAPTER XVII

FATHER HEALY'S MISSION

It was a war his friends in the garden of the Presbytery They sat together on the green lawn that faces the town and the distant ocean In a quiet and secluded place, just within earshot of their conversation, Molly Healy sat on the lawn, her back supported by a big pine tree Near her a kitten was playing with Mollie's collie dog Father Healy had returned froreet him, and hear from his lips the account of his travels Dr Marsh asked, abruptly, almost impatiently:

”Your mission was a failure, Father Healy?”