The Hood River glacier. (Hood River, Or.) 1889-1933, 1902-10-10
CHAPTER Nv.


On the morning which followed his
interview with the Mormon prophet,
John Ferrier went in to Salt Lake
City, and, having found his acquant.
ance who was bound for the Nevada
Mountains, he intrusted him with his
message to Jefferson Hope.
In II he told the young man of the
imminent danger which threatened
them, and how necessary 1t was that
he should return.
Having done this, he felt easier in
his mind, and returned home with a
lighter heart.
AS he approached his farm he was
surprised to see a horse hitched to
each Of the posts of the gate. Still
more surprised was he on entering
to find two young men In possession
OF his sitting room.
Both of them nodded to Ferrier as
he entered, and the one In the rocking
chair commenced the conversation.
Maybe you don't know u.s." he
said. This here Is the son of Elder
Drebber, and I'm Joseph Stangerson,
who travelled with you In the desert
when the Lord stretched out His
hand and gathered you into the true
fold"
"As He will all the nations, in His
own good time" said the other, In q
nasal voice; He grindeth slowly but
exceedingly small"
I'VE have come" continued Stan
gerson, "at the advice of our fathers,
to solicit the hand of your daughter
for which ever of us may seem good
to you and to her. As | have but
four wives and Brother Drebber here
has seven, 1t appears to me that my
claim Is the stronger one"
May, nay, Brother Stangerson,"
cried the other; ''the question 1t not
how many wives we have, but how
many we can keep. My father has
now given over his mills 10 me, and
| am the richer man."
"But my prospects are better" said
the other, warmly. when the Lord
removes my father shall have his
tanning yard and his leather factory.
Then l am your elder, and am higher
in the church."
1T will be for the maiden to de-
eide" rejoined young Drebber, smirk-
ing at his own reflection In the
glass. I'VE will leave it all to her
decision"
During this dialogue John Ferrier
had stood fuming In the doorway,
hardly able to keep his riding whip
from the backs of his two visitors.
Look here" he said, at last, strid-
ing up to them, when my daughter
summons you, you can come; but un-
til then, l don't want to see your
faces again."
The two young Mormons stared at
him In amazement. In their eyes
this competition between them for |
the maiden's hand was the highest
of honors both to her and her father.
There are two ways out of the
room," cried Ferrler; there Is the
door, and there is the window,
Which do you care to use?"
His brown face looked so savage,
and his gaunt hands so threatening,
that his visitors sprang to their feet |
and beat hurried retreat.
The old farmer followed them to
the door.
Let me know when you have set
tied which 1t is to be" he said, sar.
donically.
"You shall smart for this!" Stan.
gerson cried, white with rage. "You
have defed the prophet and the
Council of Four. You shall rue 1t to
the end of your days."
"The hand of the Lord shall be
heavy upon you," cried young Dreb.
ber. "He will arise and smite you"
Then I'll start the smiting." ex.
claimed Ferrier, furiously, and he
would have rushed upstairs for his
gun had not Lucy seized him by the
arm and restrained him.
"The young, canting rascals!" he
wiping the perspiration
from his forehead Il would sooner
see you in your grave, my girl, than
the wife of either Of them"
"And so should |, father" she an
swered, with spirit, but Jefferson
will soon be here"
"Yes. 1t will not be long before he
comes. The sooner the better, for
we do not know what their next
move may be-"
1t was indeed high time that some
one capable of giving advice and help
should come to the aid of the sturdy
Did farmer and his adopted daughter.
In the whole history of the settle
nent there had never been such a
,ase OF rank disobedlence to the au-
hority of the elders. If minor errors
we're punished so sternly, what would
De the fate of this arch-rebel?
Ferrier knew that his wealth and
position would be of no avail to him.
others as well known and as rich as
himself had been spirited away be-
ore now, and their goods given over
o the church.
He was a brave man. but he
rembled at the vague, shadowy ter
ors which hung over him. Any
Jnown danger he could face with a
irm lip, but this suspense was un.
He concealed his fears from his
laughter, however, and affected to
make light Of the whole matter,
hough she, with the keen eye of
owe, saw plainly that he was Ill at
Ease.
Upon rising next morning he found
o his surprise a small square Of paper
,inned on to the coverlet of his bed,
ust over his chest. On 1t was print.
ID, in bold, struggling letters:
Twenty-Five days are given you
or amendment and then"
The dash was more fear-inspiring
han any threat could have been.
How this warning came into his room
puzzled John Ferrier sorely, for his
slept In an clubhouse, and
he doors and windows had all been
secured.
He crumpled the paper up and said
nothing to his daughter, but the incl
lent struck a chill to his heart.
The twenty-nine days were evident
J the balance Of the month which
foung had promised.
What strength or courage could
Ivail against an enemy armed with
Iuch mysterious powers?
The hand which fastened that pin
night have struck him to the heart I
- Il /