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Show THE MORMON LION " Then you realize! " she murmured, and she pressed my hand to her lips. " I am a wicked woman, David, a shameful wanton. But at least I am not selfish that way. Poor sweet girl! How could I wish her to come to such grief! If I could help her to escape, I would, David, I would. You must believe that." "You almost convince me, Cora." " Almost! How can I make you realize ? You have not lived for years under the yoke of the doctrine. You cannot understand how the natural instincts of a woman may be so crushed that she would think it bliss if she had to share her husband with only one other woman-yes, bliss even to be secure in favour in the midst of a dozen I But I cannot convince youunless, by some miracle, she should escape him and be ~iven to you." . ' The miracle has happened," I said. " David! " She stopped me, to grasp my shoulders and peer up into my face. " You cannot mean it ? That he should have given her up to you- I cannot believe it possible I " " She was desperate," I explained. " He came when I was there, this afternoon. To save me, she took poison. She almost- died." "Took poison? The brave girl! ... But she did not die?" "No. And he-I suppose even he must have something that answers for a heart. He swore to spare us both." " He did ? Oh, the brave girl! the brave, brave girl! Go to her-at once! Run!" The lady had not deceived even herself. She released her hold on my shoulders and urged me, pushed me from her. I cau~ht her arm and started back with her, despite her efforts to dissuade me. "Be quiet," I said. " I shall not go to her until I have taken you home again." " You cannot I She is waiting for you-and after THE MORMON LION 185 that- after she saved you! Go, David. It does not matter about me. Co to her I " "No Cora. You have convinced me. I shall first try to determine what can be done about you." "You will?" She clasped my hand to her bosom. "You believe me, David! You know now that I really meant what I told you. I do not want to take her place. I wish only to be second. She shall be first, the brave lovely girl! I could never be jealous of her." "What are your plans? You must have laid out some course of action." " A thousand times over I I have not been idle. While you and he were away I went to consult with Brigham." " You told Brigham ? " " Only that my husband was weary of me, _an~ that I would not obJect to bemg released from him. " That was shrewd. What did he say? " " I feared to show my eagerness, lest he might suspect. He advised me to be patient because of my child. He said he would advise Brother Chilcott to be more kind to me. As ifi care for his kindness now! " "Hush! Not so loud," I cautioned. "After that, what do you plan ? " . . . " I shall be very patient, David, and wait until after you have married her." " That may not be for several months." " Several months? " exclaimed Cora in consternation. " She is still grieving over her parents." " She cannot love you if she wishes to delay all that time." " You forget. she is a young maiden. I shall not seek to persuade her against her will." . Cora sighed. " It is hard, very hard. Yet If she! wish-- But of course she must be your first. She would never consent to be sealed to you unless she was the first. I can wait, if it must be so." |
