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Show 268 THE MORMON LION Somewhat reluctantly I started for the Chilcotts'. That last glance of Cora s haunted me. I did not wish to see her again. But I had to give Chilcott the San Bernardino order, and I felt certain that Cora would be close in her own apartments. When I entered the gate Amanda was coming out of her side doorway into the garden. She beckoned to me stiffly. I went to her and saw that her faded eyes were burnin(; with fanatical madness. " You're just 111 time," she said. "Come along with me." " What is it? " I asked. "Something that concerns you too," she sniffed. " May the Lord grant it will so edify you and fill you with the spirit that you'll go and do likewise!" Thinking that Chilcott had called a family prayer meeting at which Cora would be required to play the part of " mourner," I sou(;ht to excuse myself. But Amanda was stubbornly 111sistent. " You come, Dave," she ordered. "You're no coward. Mebbe it'll lead to your own salvation, God willing." She grasped my arm with such determination that I could not refuse to go with her. At first I conjectured that she was leading me to the quarters of one of the other wives, not improbably to Cora's apartments. It was particularly painful to think of meeting the unfortunate lady in her own rooms after what had occurred. Amanda relieved me by t urning away among the fruit-laden apple trees. There seemed to be no one else in the garden, and the house was very still. A few belat ed bees droned in a bed of marigolds, and a linnet warbled in the top of one of the t rees. The air was clear and pure. n was one of the calm still evenings when all the world seems full of peace and rest. We came to the entrance of a little bower surrounded with trees and shrubs. In the centre Chilcott and Cora were kneeling, hand in hand. They THE MORMON LION 269 rose as we caught sight of them, but neither perceived us. Chilcott held up his hands towards heaven and solemnly intoned · " 'The Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away. Blessed be the name of the Lord!'" "Amen! " murmured Cora with deep fervour. Chilcott held out his arms to her. " God has given me strength to forgive you, woman- to forg1ve you and to obey counsel." " To do unto me even as I wish ? " she asked. " The counsel of the Prophet is to me the word of God," he answered. " Then you do forgive and love me, William I" she exclaimed. He drew her to him and bent to kiss her upraised lips. I saw her white arms clasp his neck in an affectionate embrace. There was no longer any doubt 111 my mmd that they had become reconciled. Greatly pleased, I drew back to go. But Amanda gnpped me fast. Ashamed to stand eavesdropping any longer, I attempted to free myself. She held to me with stubborn strength. Neither of the others heeded us. They stood for nearly half a minute in that loving embrace. Then they drew half apart , Cora with one hand still clasping his big sunburned neck, and he with his left arm about her softly curved bust. " One more kiss, William! " she whispered. He kissed her. Again they drew half apart. She put up her free hand and opened her dress at the bosom. " Now- I am ready, William. Make certain my salvation I " She flung back her head and gazed up at him expectantly, her beautiful eyes wide w1th fanatical ecstasy . ... And looking into those t ender eyes he drew his bowie knife and struck through he; white bosom to her heart. " Atonement !- blood atonement I She is saved I " |