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Show 128 waiting-room of clients, I worked on during the noon hour. But the last one, a tedious old farmer Elder, insisted upon my going over and over the details of his case with endless repetitions and redundancy. It was mid-afternoon before I could rid myself of him. Once started, a very few minutes' of brisk walking brought me to the Sen by cottage. Mrs. Sen by opened the door and welcomed me in with smiling cord1ality. "Davidl- at Jasti" she cried, and she kissed me with maternal tenderness. " Lucy ? " I asked. "I shall fetch her immediately," she replied. She started out, but turned back to lay an appealing hand on my arm. " Be gentle with her, David. Do not urge her too fast. She is very fond of you and is learning to love you. But her heart 1s still that of a child, and-those terrible disclosures at the Tabernacle!" "Have no fear, dear lady," I said. " I love her." "Yes yes! you Jove her- love her as a woman should be loved! God grant that you may save her from a fate worse than death! " She hastened out, and returned as quickly, leading Lucy by the hand. There was an added timidity in the dear girl's manner. But when I took her hands in mine and spoke to her in my usual tone, she looked up at me relieved and glad to show her pleasure in my presence. " Yes, Brother David," she answered my inquiries, " I am quite rested. I am far stronger than you think. Had it been only the dancing-- " She paused and averted her gaze, her cheeks scarlet with shame. "Tell me," I demanded. "When he drove you home, was he other than courteous ? " "Indeed, no. Yet I would rather that he- -" Again she stopped. "Sit down, dear. We will talk over what should THE MORMON LION be done," I said, and I drew her to a seat beside the table. She looked around for her aunt. Mrs. Sen by had left us alone. "Do not be afraid, dear," I said. " I shall only tell you what I believe is best for you to do. You are then to decide for yourself." "!- will do- what you say, Brother David," she murmured. "No, you are to do only what your heart tells you," I replied. " Last night I required you to agree that we were betrothed. I did 1t because I thought it would save you from annoyance, if not from danger." " Danger ? " she whispered. " It Will help you to withstand my cousin's husband. Yet if you would rather have it understood between us that it is merelY. a pretence--" "No, no," she replied. 'That would be false. It would cause people to believe what is not true." " Then, if you wish, your aunt can let it be known that our betrothal is broken. It probably would make little difference so far as Brigham is concerned. If he is resolved, he would not consider that." "You think he- that he--?" she faltered, her eyes widening with dread. "I hope not- I must hope not, for if his interest proves to be more than a passing fancy, I do not see how I can stop him. I have thought and schemed, yet I see no way." " Oh! " she cried, and she reached out like a frightened child to clasp my hands. " You will not Jet him take me, Brother David! you will not let him take me!" " Don't you still believe that he is God's holy Prophet ? " I queried. She shrank back, her eyes darkening with doubt. " Why do you ask that, David? He is- he must beelse how shall we be saved ? " , " You still cling to your faith, after all that you I |
