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Show IOO THE MORMON LION Others than myself began to observe the beauty of Sister Neville. Whenever we went to the Tabernacle, amorous Elders appraised the girlish curve of her neck and bosom and gloated on her sensitive blushes. I would hurry her past them, inwardly cursing them for the evil of then· hearts that burned in the1r eyes. I cursed them-forgetful of those evenings in Amanda's parlour when I looked into Cora's brown eyes. The second Sunday in January, as I was entering the Tabernacle with Lucy and the Scnbys, the crowd beside us opened respectfully to make way for Brother Chilcott and Ius family. He advanced with utmost dignity, the latest Mrs. Chilcott on his arm and the others following in couples with the children. He recognized me with a curt nod. I raised my hat and bowed, at the same time trying to keep myself between him and Lucy. It was a vain attempt. He caught a glimpse of her face, and promptly swung around to bow to her with urbane courtliness. He passed on without waiting for her curtsey. She shrank close to Mrs. Sen by. The following evening he delighted Amanda by joining us at dinner. At the end of the meal, he addressed her with his usual dictatorial abruptness : "Leave this now, and get on a calling-dress. Tell Cora to do the same. Hurry up." As Amanda bustled out of the room, he turned to me. "Well, Dave, I hear that Sister Neville has proved herself most devout and obedient when catechized by the Bishop and Teachers of her ward, even though she is living with those cussed apostates.'.' "The Senbys are her relatives," I reminded h1m. "They have given her a home." He smiled. " They're not the only ones willing to do thatnor to be sociable, for that matter. I've spoken w1th Brigham about her case. It seems there have been THE MORMON LION IOI invitations sent to her and the Senbys, but all have been refused. It's about time they began to accept some. She can't play 'possum any longer. She's as well as any girl in the city." " Have you no consideration for her grief? " I asked. " She is still in mourning for her parents." " Bosh I Let the dead bury their dead. She's in Zion. Let her dance before the altar of the Lord. It's no usc your talking, Dave. The matter is settled. I have Brigham's instructions to see that Sister Neville gets acquainted around." He turned his shoulder on me and helped himself to a last slice of Amanda's pumpkin pie. Unable to trust myself to speak, I went into the parlour. Soon Cora came in, wrapped in her warmest mantilla. The weather was very cold for the Valley. Her eyes were sparkling with joyous anticipation, but I perceived from her eager glance about the room as I made my bow that I was not the cause of her animation. The curt summons of Chilcott had brought her flying to accompany him. Though this was far from flattering to my vanity, I was still sane enoul?h to experience a feeling of relief along with my mortlf1cation. The feeling was short-lived. When the others joined us, Chilcott responded coldly to Cora's ardent greeting and gave his arm to Amanda. The repulsed lady covered her chagrin with a quick smile and started to converse with me in her most sprightly manner. Throughout the drive to the Senbys', she sat beside me in the carriage, chatting gaily and seemingly quite regardless of Chilcott's frowns. The unexpectedness of our call did not prevent the Senbys from greeting us with polite cordiality. Even Lucy found courage- in her home--to welcome the lady callers and curtesy to Chilcott with a fair degree of composure. Amanda shook her hand in awkward Western fashion. Cora, with an outburst of emotion, embraced her and kissed her heartily on each cheek. |