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Show THE MORMON LION "Mighty sorry, girl," he replied, regretfully shaking Ins head. " He has guessed that already. It's not enough. You'll have to give me something more than that to tell him." " Must I ? If I do, will you-will you promise to ask him to free me from you ? " Again he smiled with grim satisfaction as he answered: "For time, yes; but not for eternity." "You will?" "Yes. Now, what have you got to tell me? Mind, it's got to be something you've done." "Tell him nothing!" I cried. "For Heaven's sake, tell him nothing I Don't you see it's only a trap? " ' No, David, he has promised! He will go to Brigham I . I shall be freed 1-- Oh, thank you, Brother Chilcott I thank you I Tell Brigham that one ni9ht I went alone to- to the room of another man." ' Who ? " he demanded. She looked at me. " So! " he sneered. " I had a sort of notion there was a nigger in that woodpile. When was it? " "Last J anuary-after we came home from that ball where you were so attentive to his promised wife," she thrust. " Satan I " he muttered thickly, his face flushing from red to purple. " It's been going on--" " Not as you think," she disclaimed. " No, not as you think! That was the only time I--" " Shut up, you I Even if it was only once, that's enough." He rose and started for the front door. I placed myself before him. "One moment, Brother Chilcott," I said. "You gave the lady your word that you would ask Brigham to free yon from her. Were you lying? " " Lying! " he rejoined. " Think I want to keep such as her in my house? I'm going to shuck her off quick as I can. I'm going straight to Brigham." " Then first let me explain how-- " THE MORMON LION 253 " No, no I " cried Cora. " Explain- that I " growled Chilcott in the same moment, and he shoved me reeling out of his way. . As I recovered my balance and sprang to detain h1m, he went out and jerked the door shut. Before I c,?uld gr~sp the kn~b, Cora was clinging to me. Let !urn go, Dav1dl "she begged. "Let him go! He will find Brigham, and I shall be freed- freed! " " He believes what is not true, Cora. I must follow him. From the way you told it, he believes that we--" "What of that? Oh, David, my David! Aren't you glad ? I shall be free I " " At the price of your good name I " " Only Brigham will hear it- and I shall be freed I You can tell Brigham afterwards- tell both of them. But not now, not now, David! He has promisedhe will keef his word! " It was o no use to argue with her, and I could not release myself from her arms without brutal force. She was in an ecstasy of joy- :· Dear David, you drop your head ; you're not go~?g I I am. so happy! Kiss me, dear heart I " Not unhl you have been freed from him," I said. "You are right," she agreed- " right to stand coldly; to not k1ss me. I honour you for it, as I have honoured you all these months. You have made a better woman of me, David: You lift me to higher, P':'rer thoughts of love. I will make you a good, true wlfe. I shall be your first wife! Oh, David, I am so unworthy ; yet I will try to take her place ; I will pray to become a very little like her- the pure, sweet angel! " " Don't I " I begged. It was more than I could endure to listen to her blissful anticipations. In the months that she had been waiting for me she had become a better woman - or rather, the real goodness of her nature which had been ~rushed down during the years' of her marnage Wlth Chilcott, was strengthened to regain |
