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Show 218 THE MORMON LION He nodded. " Bill has told me how well you done your duty. I'll let her down as easy as I can." He signed to his secretary. " Place a chair for Mrs. Senby, and leave us." When the man had obeyed and we were alone, he blandly addressed Mrs. Sen by: "Well, sister, Dave sent in word you wanted to ask counsel. What can I do for you ? " Mrs. Sen by leaned towards him and answered very quietly : " You can punish William Chilcott for murdering my husband." "Murdering, you say? H'mm," considered Brigham. He glanced aside, unable to meet the look in her intensely bright eyes. " That's rather a strong term, sister- mighty strong." " You will punish the man as he deserves I " she asked. " As he deserves ? As he deserves-- Yes, that's the nub. You don't seem to've grasped the facts of the case, Sister Sen by. Your husband had sinned beyond salvation by rebaptism. Only one way was left to redeem him from eternal damnation. That way was taken." ' Then you will do nothing ? " He answered with profound gravity : " As a true believer in the doctrines, sister, you can't blame them what've done their duty for the salvation of Brother Senby. Thanks to their zeal, he sure for certain will arise in the first resurrection with his fellow Saints, to possess his kingdom and the three stars in his crown of glory." " You will do nothing? " repeated Mrs. Sen by. "Well," he affected to consider," in the first place, Brother Senby showed hisself a spy, and spies're always subject to sum'ry execution in war-time. That's one defence for them what are involved in the business. Anyhow, what d'you want me to do? Mebbe you noticed I said ' them,' not ' him.' They was all mit together, one as thick as t 'other. Them're the facts and that's the law of it. Ask Dave. If one THE MORMON LION 219 of 'em is tried and shot for doing what was done, so must be the others. I couldn't do otherwise as Gov'nor of this Territory. Guess you know Dave was along." " He told me the truth. You know that he is not guilty." " I know he fired one of the two shots that was fired. He can tell you he'd have a mighty hard time to clear hisself with a jury .... No, sister, it puts me in a pretty tight box. As Gov'nor, I can't show no favouritism. I like Dave. Just the same, if Bill is tried and found guilty, I'm afraid Dave'll be too." Mrs. Senby rose. " If you will kindly excuse me," she said, " I believe I shall go now." " Yes, you can go. Glad you take it so quiet-the resignation of true faith! He's been saved, sister, and you'll be blessed for not kicking up a fuss over it. Don't forget you're counselled to say he's gone to Californy to buy a fresh stock of goods." " We shall not forget," I replied, and I led Mrs Sen by towards the street door. "That's good," he said. " Hold on, though. Go out t'other door. She can wait awhile. I've got something to say to you alone." "I must first see the lady home," I reproved him, unable longer to endure his callous disregard of her feelings. " What? " he demanded. "No, David," murmured Mrs. Senby, and she curtsied to him. "Pray pardon Brother Ford. I shall be pleased to wait, as you wish." She drew me towards the other door, and I took her into the outer office. When I returned I had regained command of myself. Brigham met me with a frown. " I don't want any more of that, Dave," he admonished. " Mebbe you didn't mean nothing. But I want you to know, right here and now, I won't stand for any disobedience. I've got enough a' ready |
