John Ferrier groaned internally

" stories of her which fain disbelieve -- stories that sealed to some Gentile This the gossip of idle tongues the thirteenth rule code sainted Joseph Smith ? `Let every maiden true faith marry elect; for if she wed Gentile, she commits grievous sin ' This being so, impossible that you, who profess the holy creed, should suffer your daughter to violate it "

John Ferrier made no answer, but he played nervously riding-whip

" one point your whole faith shall be tested -- so decided Sacred Council of Four The girl is young, and have her wed grey hairs, neither would we deprive her of all choice We Elders have many heifers, * but our children must also be provided Stangerson has son, and Drebber has son, and either would gladly welcome your daughter house Let her choose young and rich, and true faith What say you ? "

Ferrier remained silent for some little time brows knitted

" time," at last "My daughter is very young -- scarce of an age to marry "

"She month ," said Young, rising seat " end she shall give her answer "

passing door, when he turned, with flushed face and flashing eyes "It were better , John Ferrier," he thundered, "that you and she were now lying blanched skeletons Sierra Blanco, than that put your weak wills against the orders Holy Four ! "

With threatening gesture hand, he turned door, and Ferrier heard his heavy step scrunching along the shingly path

still sitting elbows upon his knees, considering how broach the matter daughter when soft hand was laid upon his, and looking up, her standing beside him One glance at her pale, frightened face showed him that she had heard what had passed

" help it," she said, in answer look "His voice rang house Oh, father, father, what shall ? "

"Don't you scare yourself," he answered, drawing her to him, and passing his broad, rough hand caressingly over her chestnut hair "We'll fix it up somehow or another You don't find your fancy kind o' lessening chap, ? "

sob and squeeze hand was her only answer

"No; not I shouldn't care to hear you say He's likely lad, and he's Christian, more than these folk here, o' all their praying and preaching There's party starting for Nevada to-morrow, and I'll manage to message letting him know the hole in If anything o' that young man, he'll be back here with speed whip electro-telegraphs "

Lucy laughed through her tears at her father's description

"When he comes, advise us best But that frightened, dear One hears -- one hears such dreadful stories who oppose the Prophet: something terrible always happens "

"But we haven't opposed him yet," her father answered " time to look out for squalls when clear month ; end , I guess we had best shin out of Utah "

"Leave Utah ! "

"That's size of it "

"But the farm ? "

" raise in money, and let the rest go the truth, Lucy, it isn't the first time thought of doing it I don't care about knuckling under to any man, folk do darned prophet I'm free-born American, and it's all new Guess I'm too old to learn If he comes browsing farm, he might chance to run up against charge of buckshot travelling opposite direction "

"But they won't leave," his daughter objected

"Wait till Jefferson comes, and we'll soon manage that meantime, don't you fret yourself, my dearie, and don't get your eyes swelled up, else he'll be walking into me when he sees you There's nothing afeared about, and there's no danger at all "

John Ferrier uttered these consoling remarks in very confident tone, but help observing that he paid unusual care fastening doors that night, he carefully cleaned and loaded the rusty old shotgun which hung wall bedroom

CHAPTER IV

FLIGHT FOR LIFE

morning which followed his interview Mormon Prophet, John Ferrier went in to Salt Lake City, and having found his acquaintance, who was bound Nevada Mountains, he entrusted him message to Jefferson Hope the young man imminent danger which threatened them, and how necessary it return Having done thus easier mind, and returned home with lighter heart

As he approached his farm, surprised horse hitched to each posts gate Still more surprised was he on entering two young men in possession sitting-room One, with long pale face, was leaning back rocking-chair, feet cocked up stove The other, bull-necked youth with coarse bloated features, was standing in front window hands pocket, whistling popular hymn Both nodded to Ferrier as he entered, one rocking-chair commenced the conversation

"Maybe you don't know us," "This son of Elder Drebber, and I'm Joseph Stangerson, who travelled desert Lord stretched out His hand and gathered you true fold "

"As all the nations own ," said the other in nasal voice; "He grindeth slowly but exceeding small "

John Ferrier bowed coldly He had guessed who his visitors were

" come," continued Stangerson, " advice fathers to solicit the hand of your daughter for whichever of us may seem good and to her As but four wives and Brother Drebber here has seven, it appears that my claim stronger one "

"Nay, nay, Brother Stangerson," cried the other; "the question wives , but keep My father has now given over his mills , and the richer man "

"But my prospects are better," said the other, warmly " Lord removes my father, his tanning yard leather factory Then your elder, and am higher Church "

" maiden to decide," rejoined young Drebber, smirking at his own reflection glass " leave it all to her decision "

During this dialogue, John Ferrier had stood fuming doorway, hardly able his riding-whip backs two visitors

"Look here," at last, striding up , "when my daughter summons you, come, but until then I don't your faces again "

The two young Mormons stared at him in amazement In their eyes this competition maiden's hand highest of honours both to her and her father

" two ways room," cried Ferrier; " the door, and the window Which care to use ? "

His brown face looked so savage, gaunt hands so threatening, that his visitors sprang feet and beat hurried retreat The old farmer followed them door

"Let me know have settled which it ," , sardonically

"You shall smart ! " Stangerson cried, white with rage " defied the Prophet Council of Four You shall rue it end of your days "

"The hand Lord shall be heavy upon you," cried young Drebber; " arise and smite you ! "

"Then I'll start the smiting," exclaimed Ferrier furiously, and rushed upstairs gun Lucy seized him arm and restrained him Before escape from her, the clatter of horses' hoofs told him were beyond his reach