nd I have been trying to do it. We
easily learned by letter from our friends in Detroit who your lover was.
My husband had me do that: he wanted to know. Then without his knowledge
I stooped to write an anonymous letter."

"To James Arnold?"

"Yes."

"About me?"

"About you."

"What did you tell him?"

"I said you were exposed to great danger on Beaver Island, among the
Mormons, and if you had any interested friend it was time for him to
interfere."

"And that brought him here?"

"I am sure it did. He was keenly disappointed at not finding you."

"But why didn't he come to the farm?"

"My husband prevented that. He said you were on Beaver Island three or
four weeks ago, but you were now in the Fairy Isle. It was no lie. He
spoke in parables, but the other heard him literally. We let him inquire
of people in St. James. But no one had seen you since the Saturday you
came to the Tabernacle. So he is going back to Mackinac to seek you.
Your life will be decided in a quarter of an hour. Will you go on that
steamboat?"

"Throw myself on the mercy of a man who dared--dared to break his
engagement, and who ought to be punished and put on probation, and then
refused! No, I cannot!"

"The minutes are slipping away."

"Besides, I have nothing with me but the clothes I have on. And my
uncle's family--think of my uncle's family!"

"You can write to your uncle and have him send your baggage. I dare not
carry any messages. But I thought of what you would need to-night, and
put some things and some money in this satchel. They were mine. Keep
them all."

Emeline took hold of the bag which Mary French shoved in her hand. Their
faces were indistinct to each other.

"For the first time in my life I have deceived my husband!"

"Oh, what shall I do--what shall I do?" cried the girl.

A steamer whistle at St. James dock sent its bellow rebounding from
tree to tree in the woods. Emeline seized Mary French and kissed her
violently on both cheeks. She snatched the bag and flew towards St.
James.

"Stop!" commanded the Prophet's wife.

She ran in pursuit, catching Emeline by the shoulders.

"You sha'n't go! What am I doing? Maybe robbing him of what is necessary
to his highest success! I am a fool--to think he might turn back to me
for consolation when you are gone--God forgive me such silly fondness!
I can't have a secret between him and myself--I will tell him! You shall
not go--and cause him a mortal hurt! Wait!--