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Show 102 THE MORMON LION "My dear Sister Neville I " she cried. "To think I have waited all this time! Had I suspected you were so charming, I should have called long ago. No wonder Brother Ford has said so little about you. He will have numbers of rivals the moment you appear at your first ball. You will be the belle, my dear." "How can that be if you are there, Sister Chilcott?" replied Lucy, no less sincerely. "No, Cora is right," stated Chilcott, and he placed a chair for Lucy with the gallantry of a ChesterfJCld. She could not refuse the service without open rudeness. He seated himself near her to enjoy the deep blush that betrayed her confusion. I would have taken the chair at her other side, but Cora interposed so adroitly that I was compelled to place a seat for her. She smilingly passed by it to a small sofa, and invited me to sit beside her with a look that caused her husband to frown in heavy disapproval. Even Lucy noticed the graciousness of her manner towards me and glanced up at us as if startled at our intimacy. Mr. Sen by was bowing Amanda to a chair opposite us. His wile quietly took the seat beside Lucy and drew one of the girl's hands into her reassuring clasp. It was well she did, for Chilcott, after a stern glance at Cora, again centred his attention upon the blushing girl. "Yes, Sister Lucy," he said, "there can be no doubt that you will be the belle of the next ball. I call it outright selfish of Brother Ford not to have told us of your full recovery. When I spoke to Brigham this morning, he agreed with me that you should be enjoying some of the entertainments which the Church makes a point of encouraging. Zion is a place of rejoicing." "Oh, but- it is most kind of you-but I have no ac~uaintances as yet," murmured Lucy. Are we not all brethren and sisters in the Kingdom ? " remarked Amanda. THE MORMON LION 103 " Of course " said Chilcott. " Don't worry, Sister Lucy. You'll get acquainted q~\ck enough at this ball. It's to be at the Social Hall. " I fear that I must ask to be excused," faltered Lucy. " I do not feel like merrymaking." . "We can't hear of that," replied Chilcott. "Engham considers it best for your welfare for you to mingle with persons whose obedience to counsel IS unquestioned. He revised the hst of mv1tatwns and added the names of yourself and your relatives.': " I- I appreciate the honour. But I must declme, really I must. The thought of dancmg so soon after the loss of my dear father and mother- .-I" The dear girl drooped her head to hide the tears that suffused her eyes. " H'm-- Isn't that rather a selfish way to look at it, sister? " questioned Chilcott. " Women, m particular should consider the good of others. Your parents h'ave gone to their celestial abode.. You won't dim the joy of their exaltatton by dwelling on your selfish gnef." He looked significantly at Mr. Sen by. " I trust that Brother Sen by will be able to persuade you." " Docs Brigham counsel our acceptance of the invitation? " asked the merchant, pomt blank. " Since you ask- yes, he does.'' " Then of course we shall go. When is the ball to be?" " To-morrow evening," answered Chilcott, and he turned gallantly to Lucy. " May I have the pleasure of dancing the first cotillion with you? " "You are very kind- only, you see, I-I'm--" She looked timidly about for aid. Catchmg my glance, she rallied and completed her answer alm?,st firmly-" I am to dance first with Brother Ford. " Sorry to disappoint you, but I doubt if Brother Ford is going," said Chilcott. " He hasn't been counselled to accept. He's excused once more, on account of the press of his law practice." |