The Rice belt journal. (Welsh, Calcasieu Parish, La.) 1900-19??, 1907-05-17
CHAPTER lV.-Continued.


She stopped, her short upper lip
holding its incautiOUs mate a pris'
oner. She blushed furiously under
the sudden blaze of his eyes.
so it's true, what Seth Wright
limited at? TO think that you, of all
peOple-my sweethearr-gOne over
won over by a cursed mobocrat-a
tiend with the blood Of our people wet
on his hands! Listen, Prue; I'm going
into the desert Even though you
beg me to stay, you must have known
perhaps YOU hOped--that | would
go. There are many reasons why |
must. For one, there are $40 poor
hunted wretches over there on the
river bank, sick, cold, wet, starving,
but enduring it all to the death for
their faith in Joseph Smith. They
could have kept their comfortable
homes here and their substance, SIM
ply by renOuncing hinl--they are all
voluntary eXiles-they have only to
say 1 do not believe Joseph Smith
was a prophet of God and these
same Gentiles will receive them with
open arms, give them clothing, food,
and shelter, put them again in posses
sion OF their own. But they are lying
out over there, fever-Stricken, starry
ing, chilled all because they will not
deny their faith. Shall | be a craven,
then, who have scarcely ever wanted
for food or shelter, and probably shall
not? OF course You don't love me or
you couldn't ask me to do that. Those
faithful wretched ones are waiting
over there for me to guide them on
toward spot that will probably be
still more deSOlate. They could find
their way, almost. by the trail OF
graves we left last spring. but they
need my strength and my spirit, and
| am going. | am going, too. for my
own salvation. | would suffer any.
thing for you, but by going | may
save us both. Listen, child; God IS
going to make short work on earth.
We shall both see the end of this
reign of sin. 1t is well if you take
wheat to the mill, but what if you
fetch the miller chaff instead?"
"Joa.-dear, dear Joel.-indeed |
pity and sympathize-and care for
but | cannot go-even after all you
say And don't you see it will al
ways be so. Ny father says the
priesthood will always be in trouble
if it sets itself above the United
States. Dear Joel, can't go, indeed
l can't co."
He spoke more softly now.
Thank God don't realize 1t yet
| mean, that we must part. You tell
me SO and | hear you and my mind
knows, but my heart hasn't sensed
it yeti can feel it now going stupid.
ly along singing it's old happy song
of hope and gladness, while all this is
going on here outside. But soon the
big hurt will come Oh, Prue-Prue,
girl!-can't you think what it will
mean to me? Don't you know how |
shall sicken for the sight of you, and
my ears will listen for you. Prudence,
Prue, darling-yet | must not be
Womanish! have a big work to do.
have known it with a new clearness
since that radiance rested above my
head last night. The truth burns in
me like a fire. Your going can't take
that from me. 1t must be was not
meant to have you. With you per-
haps | could not have had a heart
single to Gods work He permitted
me to love you so could be tried and
proved"
But indeed | must be favored more
than common, to deserve that so
great a hurt be put upon me, and |
shall not be found wanting. | shall
never wed any woman but you,
though, dear. If not you, never any
other"
I4G SLUOu up.
must go in to them now. There
must be work to do against the start
tomorrow"
JOEL"
May the Lord deafen my ears to
you, darling" and squaring his shout.
ders resolutely away from h r, he left
her on the seat and went in.
The old man looked up from his
Bible as his son entered.
Its sore sad, laddie, we can't have
the temple for your sealing-vows"
Prudence will not be sealed to me-
father" He spoke dazedly, as if an.
other like the mornings blow had
been dealt him. II am already
sealed to the Spirit for time and
eternity"
Was it Prudence's doings?" asked
his mother, quickly.
Yes; she has left the church with
her people"
The long-faced, narrow proved old
man raised one hand soemnly.
Then let her be banished from
Israel and not numbered in the books
of the offspring of Abraham. And
~ I, l.