advised him not to do so. Perhaps his uncle was right; he might be
right regarding the Kavanaghs. In the main he disagreed with his
uncle, but in this particular instance it might be well to wait
and pray that matters might improve.

Father Tom believed Ned Kavanagh to be a good boy. Ned was going
to marry Mary Byrne, and Father Tom had made up this marriage. The
Byrnes did not care for the marriage--they were prejudiced against
Ned on account of his family. But he was not going to allow them
to break off the marriage. He was sure of Ned, but in order to
make quite sure he would get him to take the pledge. Next morning
when the priest had done his breakfast, and was about to unfold
his newspaper, his servant opened the door, and told him that Ned
Kavanagh was outside and wanted to see him.

It was a pleasure to look at this nice, clean boy, with his
winning smile, and the priest thought that Mary could not wish for
a better husband. Ned's smile seemed a little fainter than usual,
and his face was paler; the priest wondered, and presently Ned
told the priest that he had come to confession, and going down on
his knees, he told the priest that he had been drunk last Saturday
night, and that he had come to take the pledge. He would never do
any good while he was at home, and one of the reasons he gave for
wishing to marry Mary Byrne was his desire to leave home. The
priest asked him if matters were mending, and if his sister showed
any signs of wishing to be married.

"Sorra sign," said Ned.

"That's bad news you're bringing me," said the priest, and he