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Show CHAPTER XIX CROSS CURRENTS THE bath and change and Amanda's banquet refreshed me wonderfully. When the parlour was lighted and the family left the table, I excused myself and started out for my call at the Senbys'. Night had fallen. Coming suddenly from the glow of Amanda's chandelier into the faint starlight, I could not at first see what was before me. As I swung into the street I struck against a woman who was waiting outside, near the gate. " Excuse me, sister," I apologized, touching my hat and stepping aside to pass her. But she caught me by the arm. Even before she spoke I knew that it was Cora. "I was sure that you would be going out, David," she whis_pered. " I have been waiting for you." "I m1ght have expected i~1" I rep1ied, with m~re bitterness than I mtended. You Wlll not be satis-fied until you have brought ruin on us both." " Is that just ? " she asked. " I wish only to walk a little way with you. It 1s dark, and no one Will recognize me in this dress. Can you not spare me a few moments from her ?-No, not even moments, for I shall be walking along with you. You will lose no time." " You know I must bring you back, if you go even a few yards. This is the city of the Saints. Lone women are not safe in the streets after dark." " I ask only a few of your thoughts- not any of your time. I am not afraid to return alone," she replied, and slipping her arm through II!me, she began to walk with me towards the Senbys . •h THE MORMON LION The street seemed deserted and I saw that it was useless to try to oppose her. "Very well," I agreed, hastenin(S her away from the gate. " This is a good opportumty for us to come to an understanding." " You say it so coldly, David! " she reproached. " I cannot help it. You know that another is first in my thoughts. I have made no pretence." "Can you think I could be jealous of her, David? She will tell you that we are warm fri ends. I have called upon her often during your absence, to talk w1th her about you and to comfort her." " You talked to her about me? " " Do not be alanned. I was discreet. I know only too well how one unbroken to an acceptance of plurality regards such matters. She is a lovely pure girl. Not for all the world would I have said anything to hurt her. She has all my love and sympathy -all that one woman can (;!Ve to another. Even if you should not- lose her--" "Lose her? You know, then, about him? But you could not fail to know." " I won her confidence, David. Even without that it was easy to see his intentions. He did not change from homespun to broadcloth to call on Mrs. Sen by." " You would be glad if he had succeeded I " I accused. She clasped my hand. The quaver in her rich voice told me how deeply I had wounded her- " You believe that ? You can believe that ? When I did all in my power to help her I She will tell you how often I called when he was spending his afternoons there- how I did my best to divert his attention and save her from his compliments and gallantries." " You did? Cora, I have misjudged you. I really thought you would be glad to have her taken out of your way. I beg your pardon." |
