Morning Star by Marian Wells Page B

and Mark was instantly sorry. He settled into his overcoat and reached for the lap robe.
    He was still berating himself for allowing his jealousy to show as he tucked the robe around Jenny. “Now, let’s see how fast this rig will move,” he said lightly.
    He flicked the reins across the back of the mare and headed through Nauvoo. Glancing at Jenny he saw the faint smile on her lips and felt that twinge again. Was it related to the angry scene he had interrupted in Joseph’s office this morning?
    Jenny turned her head toward him and asked, “Did you have a good trip to Carthage?”
    He shook his head. “So Joseph told you. Actually, I could see no reason to have gone. The fellow I was to contact has been out of the state for a month. His business partner looked at me as if I were slightly deranged when I asked after him.” He was silent, thinking again about the confrontation between the two men that morning. Those words had capped all the ugly rumors he had been hearing. He knew a confrontation with Joseph was fast approaching.
    Mark shot another glance at Jenny. The faint smile was still on her lips. “You look pleased,” he stated. “That must mean your meeting went well.”
    She turned to him with a puzzled look. “It was the snow I was smiling about. It’s pleasant now that I needn’t ride home alone. I don’t know what to think about my meeting with Joseph. I’m feeling more was left unsaid than was said.”
    â€œHow’s that?” he asked cautiously.
    â€œThere are so many gaps in my religion. So much I don’t understand, and so much more I need. Joseph put me off by saying there’s new revelations to be made to the church in the future. He didn’t give me any help except to tell me to go home and read the Scriptures.”
    Mark straightened and turned to study Jenny’s face intently. She was busy flicking snow off her shawl and drawing it more tightly around her head, and she didn’t see his excitement. Carefully he settled back and compared this with the information rolling around in his mind. So Jenny isn’t happy with her religion! he mused.
    He felt his grin disappearing. New revelations. That seemed to fit in with the scene he had interrupted between Joseph and his brother, Don Carlos.
    This morning he had arrived early at the office over the grocery store. Obviously neither man had anticipated an audience to their angry scene. He had heard Don Carlos as he walked in. The man’s flushed, angry face had emphasized his words, and his wrath had delivered the rest of them. Turning to Joseph, he shouted, “I don’t care if you are my brother and the Prophet of the living God. Sure as I stand here, you’ll go to hell if you preach the spiritual wife doctrine. Hyrum feels the same. He told me last night that he’s confident it will break up the church.”
    The angry red left Don Carlos’ face, and he paused on his way to the door. Mark saw the anguish in his eyes. “Hyrum said it could cost your life. I don’t know what he meant by that unless—” Suddenly he noticed Mark. He ducked his head and hurried out the door.
    Mark became aware that Jenny was throwing worried glances at his frowns, and he snatched up the conversation again. “Jen, tell me where your church has failed you.” He saw the startled expression and watched her shrug.
    In the morning, Jenny was still wondering how to answer Mark. As she broke eggs into the sizzling fat, Mark came into the kitchen. “One thing I did find out yesterday,” he said, as he turned the bread toasting on the stove, “Joseph has had communication from Dr. Bennett.”
    â€œIsn’t he in Springfield?”
    â€œYes. He wrote that the Nauvoo Charter passed the house without being read.”
    Jenny dropped the knife she held. “You mean after all the fearing you and Joseph went through over that charter,