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Show THE MORMON LION to me, wiping his bald head and red face with a silk handkerchief. "Good day, sir," he said, appraising myself and my clothes with his kindly grey eyes. "What can I do for you?" " You are Brother Norton Sen by? " "Yes." "MynameisFord." He glanced about at several customers who were eyemg my baggy garments with amused curiosity. "Ah, Brother Ford," he exclaimed in a loud tone " pleased to meet you! Sister Chilcott was telling me that you had reached Zwn m safety and that you are stoppmg w1th your cousin Sister Amanda Ch1lcott. You need clothes. Permit me to show you some modish suits, as good as new, traded to me by gentlemen travelhng through to California. Back this way, lf you please." I followed him to a little room partitioned off in the rear of the store. He bolted the door and turned to grasp my hand. " Sir, my niece has told me all that you did for her and her parents. We can never repay you for your kmdnessl" " You will do so by your care of Miss Neville " I replied .. "Her father saw fit to make me the exec~tor of h1s w1ll. As such, I hold your receipt to him for seven thousand dollars." He dropped my hand and scrutinized my face with an anxwus gaze. "Mr. Ford, if you wish to withdraw her share in the partn~rship, I stand ready to repay the amount w1th full mterest. But whatever you intend to do w1th the money, I beg of you not to deed it to the Trustee m Trust." . " Is the southern trail to California open in the Wlnter ? " I asked. " " The southern trail ? " he said in a puzzled tone. Yes, always." THE MORMON LION 77 " You must have credit in San Francisco. What is the largest amount for which you could draw on your correspondent there ? " " You mean--? " I nodded. "Mrs. Sen by was somewhat vague in her statements. But I surmise that a change of climate would benefit her health. Miss Neville should 11o along to care for her aunt. Ever since 'Forty-mne I have longed to visit California. Later on, if you wished to sell out your business here and try your fortunes in the Golden State--" "If I wished!" he echoed. "Mr. Ford, had I suspected the condition of affairs in this--" He checked himself and nervously sought to explain away his words. "I of course referred to the shortage in our crops the last two seasons, Brother Fordnothing invidious, you know! A few more irrigation canals, and Deseret will be a veritable Garden of Eden." I bent forward and spoke in a lowered voice : " What a hell on earth this must be when neither you nor your wife will trust me in spite of Lucy's faith in me!" " She still has faith in the Prophet, yet she has been told the truth about the doctrine," he replied. '\l " She still believes ?- after that! " " What will not women believe and endure when they think it is the will of the Lord ? " he sighed. ' She cannot! she shall not! " I vowed. " I will take her away at once, out of this infamous place! " My heat lessened though it did not completely remove his distrust. " Brother Ford, your motives do credit to your generosity. But you should know that the-Church does not look with favour upon the straying of its ewe lambs. Nor do any of our brethren leave the Basin without first having taken counsel. The~Lion of the Lord watches over the Lord's sheep. All |