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Show zr6 THE MORMON LION I related everything-how I had been ordered to join in the mission, the pursuit, and my futile attempts to delay it. When I explained how, under threat of Chilcott's rifle, I had been compelled to fire Lucy cried out in horror. But she begged my pardo~ when I added how I had shot high and had then sought to spoil Chilcott's aim. To the very end, Mrs. Senby sat tearless and silent. Even when I gave her the watch and penknife and purse, she did not weep- nor did she famt. She put them aside, and said m the same tone of unnatural calmness: "Fetch me my bonnet, Ann Jane." " Aunt Ellen! What are you going to do? " exclaimed Lucy, as Ann Jane ran to obey. " What am I going to do, my dear? " repeated Mrs. Senby. ·:Why, I am going to Brigham, of course, to ask him to punish that man." " But you must understand, Mrs. Senby " I said. "Everything that was done must have b~en counselled. Chilcott never would have acted without orders.'' " I shall go to Brigham and ask him to punish the murderer," she insisted. We argued with her and entreated her not to go. But nothmg we said could make her falter in her determination. At last I conjectured that the shock must have unbalanced her mind. I called Lucy aside and told her that I thought it would be best to humour her aunt. She agreed that it would be better to risk the anger of Brigham than for the poor lady to lose her reason, a result that seemed all too probable if she were restrained. "Yes, yes, she should go," Lucy agreed. "Poor dear heart! She shall go, and I shall go with her." "No," I forbade. "You shall stay here. You shall not go where he can see you. I will take your aunt." "But if he is angered? Oh, David, without you we should now have no one!" " I shall do my best, dear. I do not know how it is THE MORMON LION 217 to end, but I shall do my best. You now realize that we are in the power of the most merciless unscrupulous hierarchy the world has ever known. I will stop at nothing to save you and, if I can, your aunt. The Prophet and those who support his fanatical policies are, to say the least, self-confessed bigamists and traitors. I will not stop at an1•th•ng ~?save you from them. I will fight the devil with fire. , " No David no! Better let them kill us. " If killing ~ere all! " I rejoined. "Dearest, the purity of woman is the most precious thmg m the world. These fanatics would trample you m the mire of barbarism into which they have dragged down your sisters. I tell you--" ",I am ready. I am going now," announced Mrs. Sen by. Lucy would have darted forward. I caught her in my arms. "Wait, dear, until she returns. Then be ready to comfort her. Good-bye." Mrs. Senby had thrust aside Ann Jane with gentle insistence and was gmng out. I followed, leavmg the three girls silently weeping. There was much doubt in my mind whether we should find Brigham in his office so !at~ m the day, and still more doubt whether he would give a heanng to the widow of the victim. The chance favoured us. He had returned from the inspection of one of his many farms and was still closeted with Chilcott. . I sent in word from the outer office that I was wru.tmg with Sister Senby, who wished his counsel. After some delay, the secretary: came to the door and told us we might enter. Chilcott had gone out through the street doorway. I led in Mrs. Senby. While she was curtseymg to Bngham with preCise politeness, I stepped near enough to murmur m his ear: "You see that her quietness is unnatural-that she is distracted. Your great kindness w1ll make allowance for her, whatever she says." |