“I know of one poor creature that ran away from her husband to escape that dreadful fate; for he told her they thought she was weakening in the faith and that he was to kill her. Every night he hung a dagger at the head of her bed, and he told her that some night she would hear a tap at the window at midnight, and that would be a signal for him to stab her to death with that dagger.
“Now do you wonder I think it would be well for me to have a pistol and know how to use it?”
“No, indeed!” exclaimed Lulu. “I’m sure I should in your place; and I’m dreadfully ashamed that my government doesn’t protect you so well that no one would dare do such things to you or to any woman or girl, or anybody. It’s just awful! I shall tell papa about it, and ask him if something can’t be done. I think he’ll find a way; and I can tell you, if he sets out to do a thing it’s pretty sure to be done.”
“You have great confidence in him,” Marian returned, with a sad sort of smile. “Ah, you’re very fortunate, Miss Lu, to have such a father.”
“Don’t I know it?” replied Lulu, exultantly. “Max and Gracie and I think he’s just the best man and kindest father that ever lived. He knows all about fire-arms, too, and if anybody can teach us how to use them he can.”
“When do we take the lesson, Miss Lu?” inquired Marian.
“I suppose in a few minutes, but you can come just when you are ready. I must run back now and tell papa that you will join us.”
She was full of what Marian had just told her of Mormon doings, and at once repeated it all to her father, winding up with “Oh, papa, isn’t it dreadful? Can’t something be done to put a stop to such wicked, cruel doings? I do think it’s a perfect disgrace that such deeds can be done in our country.”
“And I quite agree with you,” he sighed, “and am resolved to exert myself to the utmost to put a stop to the commission of such crimes in the name of religion.
“Talk of the right of Mormon men to civil and religious liberty,” he went on, rather thinking aloud than speaking to her, “what has become of the woman’s right to the same, if they are to be permitted to murder her when she ceases to believe as they do, or to conform her conduct to the will of their hierarchy? Oh, it is monstrous, monstrous, that this thing called Mormonism has been allowed to grow to its present proportions!”