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Show IO THE MORMON LION lady's complexion was so exquisitely pink and white that I scarcely could believe it real. Her beautiful and expressive eyes were the clear pure lavender blue> of flax flowers. " The gentleman wishes to see your father, my dear," explained the older lady as I made my bow. Miss Lucy dropped the tilt and a moment later appeared in the front of the wagon to descend. I had not forgotten the lessons taught me by my old French dancing master in Ohio. Springing off my horse, I stepped forward to offer my assistance. The girl blushed ingenuously but did not refuse, and I handed her down to the ground without the awkwardness which I surmised she had expected. She dropped me a graceful curtsey and hastened to her mother. "If the gentleman will kindly wait," she said, " I shall fetch my father as soon as he can come." " I could not think of troubling you," I replied. " Still, if you are going to meet him and would not mind directing me-" " I beg your pardon, but here comes my husband now," remarked Mrs. Neville. As I looked about at the tall, blond-bearded gentleman who was approaching through the grove, the lady inquired in a tone of kindly interest : " May I ask, s1r, if you are one of us-one of the saved ? " Without realizing the cause, I answered with a fervo~r that surprised me: " My mother, madam, d1ed .m the Kingdom. But I was raised among Gentiles and only recently have I heard the doctrines of th~ Prophet Joseph expounded. The principle of celestial marnage alone prevents me from accepting baptism. Even that doubt, I believe, will be removed when I have seen and talked with the Prophet Brigham." " You are going to Zion ? The Lord be praised! " exclaimed Mrs. Neville, clasping her hands. " He calleth His Saints unto Zion and they shall obey the voice of His holy Prophet I "' THE MORMON LION II "Amen! " whispered Miss Lucy, her gentle eyes upturned 1':' devout ecstasy .. Dr. Nev1lle came up bes1de the girl and his wife hastened to explain my presence : ' "My dear, this gentleman, who is going to Zion to be,paptlzed, WIShes to speak withyou." My name IS Ford, s1r-Dav1d Ford," I introduced myself. "Ah, Brother-! should say, Mr. Ford," he responded, g1v1l!g me a cordial handclasp and studying my black ha1r and eyes and swarthy skin with his kindly, nearsit;hted gaze. " You are, I take it in part of Lamamte blood." ' Had he been an American I would have knocked him down. As it was I knew that he had not intended any insult. "My J;>,lo?d i? as pure white as your own," I re~hed. I m no Indian mixed breed." ' Ind~ed? You are quite dark-- So you are to be baptized, that you may march with our party the rearguard of the host of Zion! " ' " You mistake," I corrected him. " I am going to Utah to see about being baptized. But I did not say that I had planned to travel with these poor unfortunates of the handcarts. I came up here from Omaha to-day to persuade all I can to go into winter quarters. '' "To st~p here for the winter? " exclaimed Mrs. Nev1lle. Are you, then one of the faint-hearted who predict disaster-:-wh~n the Apostles and Elders assure us that God w1ll hold back the storms until we are safe at Zion ? " " God's servants have been known to err in their interpretation of His will," I replied. " I know num~ers of men ~ho have journeyed beyond the Rockies . . The way 1s long, and, even at best, it is full of hardsh1ps and dangers. Dr. Neville, I can see that you are a man of education and intellect. You have here your wife and daughter to cherish. Your wagon |