"She is only considering a proposal I have made
her. I find it not Divine will that she waste her
sweetness upon the unappreciative breast of
Brother Walling, but that she is the destined wife
of Zion's chosen leader. "

Mrs. Benson gazed at him in astonishment

** Her mother was the wife of the first prophet,
what more natural than that the daughter should
wed his successor ! **

*'Do I understand you aright?'* she gasped.
Then, indeed, has the good Lord prospered my
house I"

*' Mother, oh mother ! " cried Julia, "Can you
not see that to be a plural wife is more of a dis-
grace than an honor ! "

" Hush 1 Ungrateful child 1 Go at once to
your room. I will see you later ; " then turning
to the prophet, as Julia left the room, " I hope
you will not take offense at anything she says.
She shall be brought to look upon this subject
more rationally. I am sure I cannot see what
idea possesses her to cause her to behave thus. "

"She has imbibed some of the prejudices of
her &ther, I judge. Benson left the church, be-
cause he was not willing to accept this law and
ordinance, did he not?"

"Yes, but she was not bom at that time, and



1 24 APPLES OF SODOM.
has never seen him since, for I reached Salt Lake
before her birth, "

'*True; I had forgotten. Your stepson is in
the city, I believe. May he not have been talking
with her? There must be some cause for this
sudden rebellion and dislike to the system under
which she has grown up."

''It is not a sudden rebellion, I am sorry to say.
