Story of Chester Lawrence: Being the Completed Account of One who Played an Important Part in "Piney Ridge Cottage"Anderson, Nephi
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Story of Chester Lawrence: Being the Completed Account of One who Played an Important Part in "Piney Ridge Cottage"
Anderson, Nephi
Christian fiction; Latter Day Saints -- Fiction
"I shall not ask you to break your promise," she said at last, "but I
did so want to learn more of the gospel--the true restored gospel. It
isn't true that a discussion of these things affects me unfavorably. I
am never so well as when I am hearing about and thinking of them.
Perhaps father thinks so, however; I shall not misjudge him."
"So I shall keep my word," said he, "and if I keep it strictly, I should
not now prolong my talk with you. But I have a way out of your trouble.
You know Elder Malby. He is a wise man and knows the gospel much better
than I. He will gladly talk to you."
"Thank you. That's a good suggestion; but you--"
"I shall have to be content to look from afar off, or perchance to
listen in silence. Good night."
And so it happened that the very next morning when the passengers were
looking eagerly to the near approach to Queenstown, Lucy and Elder Malby
were seen sitting on deck in earnest conversation. Chester promenaded at
a distance with some envy in his heart; but he kept away. For fully an
hour the girl and the elderly missionary talked. Then the minister,
coming on deck saw them. He, no doubt, thought she was well out of
harm's way in such company, for he did not know Elder Malby. When he
caught sight of Chester he went up to him, took him by the arm and fell
into his stride.
Their conversation began with the common ship-board topics. Then the
minister asked his companion more about himself and his life. It seemed
to Chester that he purposely led up to his personal affairs, and he
wondered why. There were some parts of his history that he did not
desire to talk about. What did this man wish to know?
"How long did you live in Utah?" asked the minister, after receiving
little information about Chester's birth and parentage.
"Altogether, about a year."
"And you liked it out there?"
"Very much. The mountain air is fine; and that is truly the land of
opportunity."
The two swung around the deck, keeping in step. Chester pressed his
companion's arm close. They reached in their orbit the point nearest to
Lucy and Elder Malby, then without stopping went on around.
"I knew a man once by the name of Lawrence," said the minister. "I
wonder if he could be related to you."
Chester did not reply.
"I don't know whether or not he ever went to Utah."
"My parents were not with me in Utah. I went alone, after I was a grown
man. My mother had lived there many years before, but had left. She
lived in Chicago the latter part of her life; but she made a trip to
Utah when she was old and feeble,--and she died there. * * * * Her grave
is there now."
The minister now was silent. His lips twitched again. Chester once more
wondered why such things should affect him. The man's arm clung to
Chester firmly as if he wished support; and Chester's heart warmed to
him. Was he not Lucy's father? Should he not know all he desired to know
about the man who had expressed deep regard for his daughter?
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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