eyes of many who are high in the land.”

 

John Ferrier groaned internally.

 

“There are stories of her which I would fain disbelieve—stories that she is

sealed to some Gentile. This must be the gossip of idle tongues.

 

What is the thirteenth rule in the code of the sainted Joseph Smith? ‘Let every

maiden of the true faith marry one of the elect; for if she wed a Gentile, she

commits a grievous sin.’ This being so, it 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 shall be tested—so it has been decided in

the Sacred Council of Four. The girl is young, and we would not have her wed

grey hairs, neither would we deprive her of all choice. We Elders have many

heifers,[1] 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. They are young and rich, and of the

true faith. What say you to that?”

 

[1] Heber C. Kemball, in one of his sermons, alludes to his hundred wives under

this endearing epithet.