thrown out by Amanda, that she, somehow or other, was in possession of
their contents. On a certain day, however, a circumstance convinced Paul
that he could not now expect an answer from his letters to Father
O'Shane; for Miss Amanda had just pointed out to him a paragraph in the
newspaper stating that the Catholic priest of T---- had died of ship
fever, taken by him in the discharge of his duties among the sick of his
flock.

"God rest his soul," said Paul, raising his eyes to heaven; "he was a
good friend to us in our hour of need."

"What's that you say, Paul?" said Amanda, with a frown. "Did I not tell
you repeatedly, Paul, that it was useless to pray for the dead?"

"I know _you told_ me that often, 'Mandy; but am I bound to believe you,
when I know the church teaches me the contrary? In fact, the Bible says
it is 'a holy and a wholesome thought to pray for the dead, that they
may be loosed from their sins.'" (Mac. xii. 42.)

"Don't you call me 'Mandy, Paul," said the vain old maid; "my name is
Miss A-man-day."

"A-man-a-day," said Paul, with a sarcastic smile. "I beg pardon," said
he, "miss; I must guard against that blunder in future, and say
_A-man-a-day_."

"Ah, you naughty boy!" she said, catching him by the hand. "Come here to
me till I teach you the knowledge of God's word. Now, Paul, that passage
you quoted I do not find in my Bible."