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Show sB " If it were not for your niece, my ward, madam I should go to California after a short visit with my cousin." " You ha vc a cousin here ? " " Amanda Chilcott." " Chilcott-Amanda Chilcott ? His first wifehis I " The lady tottered back to a chair, ghastly pale. " Lost I betrayed! " Her terror confirmed my surmise that she was mad. "Madam," I begged," be calm. There is nothing to fear. You must believe your own niece. She has told you I can be trusted." " Chilcott I Bill Chilcott! " she whispered. " His wife your cousin I " " What of that ? " I asked. " I came here to Salt Lake City intending to visit my cousin. Her husband was one of the, first of the rescuers to reach our party, beyond Devil s Gate. In all probability he saved my life and Lucy's. Yet, for all that I ~an't say I like him, and if there are reasons why 'I should have nothing to do with him- -" "No, no, do not break with him, whatever you do I "she urged .. " If you really mean what you have smd, do not telllum, oh, do not tell him I Do not even let him suspect that you have doubts. Be warned. Pretend to be orthodox. Ar,ostasy is fa tall " " What do you mean? ' I queried. " Explain what you mean." But she shrank back, with reawakened terror in her sad eyes. " I - I had said too much already," she replied. " I have put myself into your power. Oh, if you have a spark of honour, do not tell them-do not betray mel" "Dear aunt I " soothed Lucy, "have no fear. Brother David will tell nothing that you wish kept secret." I clasped the poor lady's trembling hands between mme and gazed steadily into her frightened eyes. THE MORMON LION 59 "Mrs. Senby, you hear what Lucy says. I give you my pledge that I shall never repeat a word that you have given me in confidence." " What if you are counselled to tell? " she asked. "In no event!" " But if by Brigham himself I They say he can read one's very heart." " Then he will have to read mine. I will not tell him." " You dare say that? They will call you an apostate! Be careful what you say, Brother Ford. Do not anger them." "I am a lawyer, madam. I shall be discreet. Now, if you will tell me why you so greatly fear them." "Not now. I dare not say more now. You are warned.-Pray be seated. Will you not stay to tea with us I I shall send Ankotash for my husband-if you will kindly excuse me." She curtsied and hastened out through the kitchen into the garden. Lucy softly closed the door after her and stole back to me, her eyes wide with doubt and dread. "Brother David," she whispered, "my poor dear aunt !--do you think she is mad? " "Not mad, dear," I answered. " If it were no worse than that I " "No worse? What could be worse? " " You saw that she was afraid to tell me all. It is certain that your aunt and uncle have enemies here." " Enemies l-in Zion I " "Satan once dwelt in Heaven," I reminded her. " I shall not tell you what I fear, Lucy. I shall wait until I am certain of the truth. But for your aunt's sake and your own, be careful what you say when the Bishop of this ward or his Counsellors and Teachers come around to catechize you." " I cannot tell them what is untrue." "You would not bring harm upon your aunt by repeating what she has said I " |
