Roxy Cheeseman, Emeline's cousin, was stirred to restlessness by the Prophet's unusual manner, and shifted uneasily on the bench. Her short, scarlet-cheeked face made her a favorite among the young men. She had besides this attraction a small waist and foot, and a father who was very well off indeed for a Beaver Island farmer. Roxy's black eyes, with the round and unwinking stare of a bird's, were fixed on King Strang, as if she instinctively warded off a gaze which by swerving a little could smite her. But the Prophet paid no attention to any one when the meeting was over, his custom being to crush his notes in one hand at the end of his peroration, and to retire like a priest, leaving the dispersing congregation awed by his rapt face. The two cousins walked sedately along the street of St. James village, while their elders lingered about the Tabernacle door shaking hands. That primitive settlement of the early '50's consisted of a few houses and log stores, a mill, the Tabernacle, and long docks, at which steamers touched perhaps once a week. The forest partially encircled it. A few Gentiles, making Saturday purchases in a shop kept by one of their own kind, glanced with dislike at the separating Mormons. The shouts of Gentile children could also be heard at Saturday play. Otherwise a Sabbath peacefulness was over the landscape. Beaver Island had not a rugged coastline, though the harbor of St. James was deep and good. Land rose from it in gentle undulations rather than hills. Emeline and Roxy walked inland, with their backs to the harbor. In summer, farmers who lived nearest St. James took short-cuts through the woods to meeting, and let their horses rest. The last house on the street was a wooden building of some pretension, having bow-windows and a veranda. High pickets enclosed a secluded garden. It was very unlike the log-cabins of the island. “He lives here,” said Roxy. Emeline did not inquire who lived here. She understood, and her question was-- “How many with him?” “All of them--eight. Seven of them stay at home, but Mary French travels with him. Didn't you notice her in the Tabernacle--the girl with the rose in her hair, sitting near the platform?” “Yes, I noticed her. Was that one of his wives?” Roxy waited until they had struck into the woods path, and then looked guardedly behind her. “Mary French is the youngest one. She was sealed to the Prophet only two years ago; and last winter she went travelling with him, and we heard she dressed in men's clothes and acted as his secretary.” “But why did she do that when she was his wife according to your religion?” “I don't know,” responded Roxy, mysteriously. “The Gentiles on the mainland are very hard on us.” They followed the track between fragrant grapevine and hickory, and the girl bred to respect polygamy inquired-- “Do you feel afraid of the Prophet, Cousin Emeline?” “No, I don't,” retorted the girl bred to abhor it.