there. In the midst of the desert, these two had created a beautiful
home. I went to their Sunday School and their meetings. I read Mormon
books. My eyes were opened to the truth, and I was ready to accept it."

"Thanks to Julia," suggested the listener with a sly glance at Chester.

"Yes; thanks to Julia, Brother Malby; but not in the sense you hint at.
I think I would have accepted the gospel, even had there been no Julia
mixed up with the finding of it. But Julia helped. She was a living
example of what 'Mormonism' can do for a person, and when I looked at
her, learned her thoughts through her words, and saw her life by her
every-day deeds, I said to myself, 'A system of religion that produces
such a soul, cannot be bad.' Yes; she was a wonderful help; but I repeat
that had the truth come to me by other means and other ways, I believe I
should have accepted it."

"Forgive me for the thoughtless remark," said Elder Malby.

"O, I know how justifiable you are for it, so you are forgiven."

"Did you join the Church in Utah?"

"No; I went back to Chicago. Away from Utah, from Piney Ridge Cottage
and its influence. I pondered and prayed. I found the elders there and
was baptized. Then I went to Salt Lake City, where Julia had gone to
attend school while her father was away on a mission to England."
Chester paused, looking out on the sea. "You don't blame me for falling
in love with Julia, do you?" asked he.

"I don't blame you a bit."