OCR Text |
Show x8o THE MORMON LION policy of the Church ; yet if that's still your wish, you needn't marry Brother Ford till the year is up. --Now, Dave, you'd better come with me. I'll take you home. You look about used-up yourself. You need a good rest. The ladies'll be a lot better off if we clear out and let 'em settle down. I'll step outside while you say good-bye." He went out into the porch. I whisfered to Lucy that it was best for me to go. But promised to return for the evening. When I joined Brigham he had regained his usual manner. Chilcott had taken away my pony. As we entered the carriage I remarked the fact. Brigham nodded sagely. " Bill's a mighty reliable fellow. Hope you and him'll continue to hitch-up as you've been doing. May have another mission for you two some day. His report is satisfactory on all points. About Lucy, I figure he was hard hit. Well, some're bound to lose out when the lady is popular-and it ain't always the youngsters." He looked away from me, with a wry smile, and continued: " Far's Bill is concerned, though, he couldn't ever have won my consent. She ain't the sort for him. It's bad enough with the others. The revelation of plurality was given so's God's people might increase and multiply to fill up the Kingdom. I want your pledge, Dave, to do your duty in that line." " I shall hope to be blessed with many children," I said. "That's the proper spirit," he commended. He set me down at Chilcott's gate. I went in to the tub of hot water and the fresh clothes that Amanda had ready for me. She greeted me with her awkward reserve, which I knew covered real affection, showed me to my room, and hurried away to her crowded cooking range. Chilcott and the rest of the family were assembled THE MORMON LION I8I in Polly's apartments .. But when Amanda's dinner W":S ready, all crowded mto her little dining-room to enJOY th~ feast that she had prepared in honour of the husbands return. There was one exception. Cora did not a pear. Polly remarked to Amanda that the missing lady had gone to her own rooms complaining of a severe headache. |