The Hood River glacier. (Hood River, Or.) 1889-1933, 1902-10-10
PART II-Chapter IV-Continued.

His heart leaped to his mouth, for
this was none other than the great
Brigham Young himself. Full of trep-
idation-for he knew that such a Wis
1t boded him little good-Ferrier ran
to the door to greet the Mormon
chief. This latter, however, received
his salutation coldly, and followed
him with stern face into the sitting
room.
Brother Ferrier," he said, taking a
seat, and eyeing the farmer keenly
from under his light-colored eyelash-
es, "the true believers have been good
friends to you. We picked you up
when you were starving In the desert,
we shared our food with you, led you
safe to the chosen valley, gave you a
goodly share of land, and allowed you
to wax rich under our protection. Is
not this so?"
ut Is Sc" answered John Ferrier.
"In return for all this, we asked
but one condition; that was, that you
should embrace the true faith, and
conform in every way to It's usages.
This you promised to do; and this, If
common report says truly, you have
neglected"
"And how have I neglected it?"
asked Ferrier, throwing out his hands
in expostulation. Have | not given
to the common fund? Have l not at
tended at the temple? Have | not"
Where are your wives?" asked
Young, looking round him. Call
them in, that may greet them"
ut Is true that have not mar
ried," Ferrier answered. "But women
were few, and there were many who
had better claims than |, was not a
lonely man; had my daughter to
attend my wants"
1T Is of that daughter that would
speak to you" said the leader of the
Mormons. "She has grown to be the
flower of Utah, and has found favor
in the eyes of many who are high In
the land"
John Ferrier groaned internally.
There are stories of her which
would fain isbelieve-stories that
she Is sealed to some gentle. This
must be the gossip of idle tongues
What is the thirteenth role In the
code of the sainted John Smith? Let
every maiden Of the true faith marry
one Of the elect, for II she wed gen
tile she commits a grieyous SIM This
being so, 1t Is impossible that you,
who profess the holy creed, should
suffer your daughter to violate it."
John Ferrier made no answer, but
he played nervously with his riding
whip.
Upon this one point your whole
faith should be tested-so 1t has been
decided in the Sacred Council of
Four. The girl is young and we would
not have her wed gray hairs, neither
would we deprive her of all choice.
We elders have many wives, but our
children must also be provided.
Stangerson has a son and Drebber
has a son, and either of them would
gladly welcome your daughter to their
house. Let her choose between them.
Tney are young and rich and of the
true faith. What say you to that?"
Ferrier remained silent for some lit
tie time with his brows knitted.
"You will give us time." he said at
last. "My daughter is very young
she is scarcely of an age to marry"
"She shall have month to choose"
said Young, rising from his seat. "At
the end of that time she shall give
her answer"
He was passing through the door
when he turned with flushed face and
flashing eyes.
at were better for you, John Fer
rier," he thundered that you and she
were now lying blanched skeletons up
on the Sierra Blanco than that you
should put your weak Wills against
the orders of the Holy Four!"
With a threatening gesture Of his
hand, he turned from the door, and
Ferrier heard his heavy step scrunch-
ing along the shingly path.
He was still sitting with his elbows
upon his knees, considering how he
should broach the matter to his
daughter, when a soft hand was laid
upon his, and looking up, saw her
standing beside him.
One glance at her pale, frightened
face showed him that sne had heard
what had passed.
81 could not help It," she said In
answer to his look. His voice rang
through the house. Oh, father
father! What shall we do?"
Don't you scare yourself" he an
swered. drawing her to him and pass
ing his broad, rough hand caressing-
ly over her chestnut hair "We'll
fix II up somehow or another. You
don't find your fancy kind o. lessening
for this chap, do your"
A sob and squeeze of his hand
was her only answer.
mo. of course not. shouldn't
care to hear you say you did. He's
a likely lad, and he's a Christian, |
which is more than these folk here. |
in spite o. all their praying and |
preaching. There's a party starting |
for Nevada tomorrow, and I'll manage |
to send him message letting him |
know the hole We are in. If | know |
anything o. that young man he'll be
hack here with speed that would |
whip electro-telegraphs."
Lucy laughed through her tears at |
her fathers description.
when he comes he will advise us
for the best. But II is for you that I |
am frightened. dear. One hears
one hears such dreadful stories about |
those who oppose the prophet: some
thing terrible always happens to
them"
"But we havnt opposed him yet"
her father answered. at will be time
TO look out for squalls when we do. |
We have a clear month before us: at |
the end of that, I guess we had best
shin out Of Utah."
Leave Utah?"
That's about the size OF It."
"But the farm?"
I'VE will raise as much as we can |
in money. and let the rest go. To tell |
the truth. Lucy. 1t isn't the first time
have thought OF doing 1t. l don't |
care about knocking under to any
man, as these folk do to their darned |
prophet. I'm free-born American, |
and it's all new to me. Guess I'm too |
old to learn. II he comes browsing
about his farm, he might chance
to run up against a charge Of buck
shot travelling in the opposite direc-
ton"
"But they won't lSt us leave" his
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