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Show 134 THE MORMON LION in all the world by saying that she will soon marry him," I said. But her eyes sank before my eager gaze, and she averted her face, with a quick return of her painful shr,ness. ' Please, please ! " she begged. " Do not ask me now. I wish to wait- to wait a long, long time." "Very well," I said, hiding my disappointment as best I could. " We shall wait as long as you wish, unless- to save you- - " She looked up at me, and I knew that I had won her absolute trust. " You are- good I " she sighed. She rose and came to me. As I clasped the hand that she timidly offered, she knelt beside my knee and held up her lips for me to kiss her. They were as fragrant as dewy rose-petals- and as cool. She sprang up, blushing and smiling. I held fast to her hand, half minded to draw her down again. There sounded a light rapping at the front door. Lucy drew her hand from mme and fled. CHAPTER XIVj CELESTIAL MARRIAGE THE rapping at the door was repeated. I felt sufficiently at home to respond. When I opened the door I saw two girls standing in the porch, their heads down bent in utter dejection. They looked up at me shamefaced. I saw that they were Helga the Swede and little Ann Jane. The younger girl-wife was shrinking behind her companion. But when she saw who I was, she came to me, her tearful child eyes almost brightening, so great was her relief. "Brother Ford! "she whispered. "You're hereyou'll help us! " " You are in trouble? I'll do anything I can, of course " I replied. " So too, I'm sure, will Mrs. Sen by' and Miss Neville. Come in~ome in." They entered timidly. At my request that they be seated, Helga sank down in a chair and crouched over, silent and heavy-faced. Hers was the stolid m•sery of a suffering beast. But Ann Jane clung to my arm and gazed nervously about at the elegant simple furnishings of the room. " This- this is hers," she whispered. " How funny everything is! It's pretty but so- so different. I like 1t ... If- if only she'll like me I " . . " Poor child! " I replied. " Of course she w•lllike you. Why haven't you and Helga called on her sooner? And Miss Neville? I 'll call them at once." Gently forcing the girl into a chair, I started for the kitchen. At the same time Mrs. Senby came in, flecking a dab of flour from her sleeve. Lucy followed •JS |
