"Papa," said Lucy, after a pause of consideration, "you have made me so happy to-day. You can make my joy complete by granting me one other thing." "What's that?" asked he unthinkingly. "Let me be baptized," she replied softly. The father's body stiffened perceptibly, and his face sobered. "Believe me, papa, I _am_ sorry to have to annoy you so much on the matter; but I can't help it. Something within me urges me on. I can't get away from the testimony which I have, any more than I can get away from my shadow." "You can get away from your shadow," said the minister. "Yes; by going into the dark, and that I do not want to do. I want to live in the light,--the beautiful gospel light always." Chester listened in pleased wonder to Lucy's pleadings. He added nothing as she seemed able to say all that was necessary. In time the father's face softened again, and he turned to Chester to ask: "What do you think of such arguments?" "They're splendid--and reasonable--and true, sir." "Of course, you would say so. Well, I'll think about it, Lucy." "But, papa, you've been thinking about it a lot, and time is going. Say yes today, now--here with Chester and me--and the Lord alone. Besides, papa, now I ought to be one with Chester in _everything_. That's right, isn't it?" "Yes; that's right." "So you consent?" "I didn't say that." "You must. I'm of age anyway, and could do it without your consent; but I don't want to. I want your blessing instead of your disapproval on such an important step." "Could she stand the ordeal, do you think?" asked the father of Chester. "In a few days when she gets a little stronger--yes." "Well, let's walk a bit. You two go ahead. I must think." The two did as they were told nor looked back. The one was not thinking clearly and logically, so much as he was fighting over the eternal warfare of conviction against policy. He also knew. He had received more of a testimony than he ever admitted, even to himself. If he should do as his innermost conscience told him, he also would join Lucy in baptism of water for the remission of sins; but that thought he pushed from him. He, an old man in the ministry, to now change his faith--to cut himself off from his life's work--no, that would never do. It was different with Lucy, quite another thing. She had set her heart on it and on Chester, and it would be best for her--yes, it would be best for her. When Chester was saying good-night to Lucy that evening, the father came out into the hall to them. "Chester," said he, "tell Elder Malby I should like to see him to morrow. He is the one that attends to baptism into the Mormon Church, isn't he?" "Yes," replied Chester. "I shall tell him." "Oh, papa, you dear, good papa!" exclaimed Lucy throwing her arms about him. "There, there now, behave--say good-night to Chester." But she clung to him and kissed him through her tears of joy. Then she went to Chester. The father turned to go.