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Show CHAPTER XXVII WITHOUT MERCY HAD it not been for Cora I would have started my flight at once. But I could not go until I had learned the outcome of Chilcott's interview with Brigham. Amanda's mad denunciation had fl11ed me with a terrible doubt as to Chilcott's purpose. He had changed too readily from his look of hate to his ready complaisance. If he accused us t? Brigham, my flight would be re(:arded as a confesswn of gmlt, and Cora would certamly be made to suffer the extreme penalty for a sin that she had not committed. The next morning at breakfast Amanda informed me that Chilcott had been sent out of the city on a short mission. He had asked to be freed from Cora, and Brigham had promised to give him a definite answer upon his return. This sounded reassuring, but in my cousin's look and manner there was a suggestion of something withheld. It rendered me uneasy. I went to see Brigham. As usual, his office was crowded with caBers. When I asked him for a private consultation with regard to the business of Brother Chilcott that he had taken under consideration, he smilingly told me that he was overrushed with public aftairs but would send for me in a few days. His affability would have quieted my apprehensions had I not reca11ed to n:'ind th.at lions, like the sma11er cats, sometimes toy w1th their prey. From Brigham's office I went direct to Mrs. Sen by and told her all. She was grieved, but she did not blame me for the part that circumstances had compe11ed me to play. Her first advice was that I •s& THE MORMON LION 257 stould slip away after supper, leaving a note to the e ~ct that I had gone to Echo Canyon to help in the bmld,mg of the fortifications. My explanation of Cora s danger, however, caused her to agree that it would be cowardly for me to leave before I had learned whether the unfortunate lady was accused . For three days I was left in suspense. During tl;at time Clulcott remained away from the city and Cora confined herself to her own apartments. ' The first I knew of Chilcott's return, he came to my law office, shortly after noon, on the third day of September. He was grave, and his tone was rather curt, yet he d1d not show the enmity that I had expeded. It s~emed to me there was even something akin to ptty m his demeanour "Howdy, D~ve," he said.' " I've been sent to fetch you. Bngham wants to see us about tl1at matter." " Good! " I exclaimed. " The sooner it is settled the better." H.e gave me ~ peculiar look, and started out. His carna(:e was wmting in the street. We were driven to the Lwn House. Among the callers seated in the o~ter office were two veiled women. I at once recogru~ ed the,m as. Cora and Amanda. A clerk went into Bngham s pnvate office. Alter a few minutes he came. out and told us to enter. B~tgham was. alone. :f!:e received us with the graVIty of a magistrate. Hts heavy face, as he si ned to us to be seated, lacked the smile with whict he usda11y greeted me. I placed chairs for the ladies an . sat down beside Amanda. Chilcott stood behi~d us, stroking his beard. B~gham took up from his desk a paper with an offict~l seal and read it over attentively. I relaxed Had 1t not bee11: for the other phases of the affair, i should .have smiled a.t myself for having given wa to foohsh apprehenswns. I told myself that th~ dfct':lment was, of course, the Prophet's certificate o Rtvorcement between Chilcott and Cora. |