Marion Marlowe in Salt Lake City — page 10: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

g | MY QUEEN. He was revolving this question in his mind as Mr. Temple talked to him, and* when _ Marion passed him again on her way to the stage he gave her an admiring glance that suffused her face with blushes. There had not been time between the acts for a word with any one, and the young girl was still favorably inclined toward the hand- some gentleman; besides, she felt sure that there must be some good reason for Mr. Temple presenting him. “It is not his custom to introduce ts to ' strangers,’ she argued to herself, “and he has always been such a cautious manager! It must be all right or he would not have done it, and no doubt he will explain after the performance is over.” But there was no time for explanations after the final curtain. Marion had to leave the stage a few minutes before the rest, and she was in a cab with Mr. Temple on her way to a restaurant ten minutes before those who could have told her something of her new acquaintance had reached their dressing rooms. “Now, Marion, I'll explain,” began Mr. Temple, as soon as they were in the cab. “This gentleman, Mr. Artemas V. Canton, is one of the most influential men in Utah, and it was he who arranged to give us this date at the theatre. You know we were booked for next week, and then that change in our plans “occurred, so I felt under obligations to show him my appreciation.” “And is he a man of good character?” asked Marion, quickly. “He is certainly handsome and extremely agreeable.” Mr. ‘Temple stroked his mustache thought- fully before he replied. “| know very little ‘about him except in a business way,” he said, slowly. “I know him to be public-spirited, and he goes to Wash- ington frequently. I believe he used to be a stanch follower of Brigham Young, and even now there are suspicions against his loyalty to the laws, but it is not for me to judge of 4 man’s religion. My own is none too good ; ! never criticize others.” Marion looked at him a moment with a led expression upon her fair features. ‘You mean that he is a Mormon " she be- - then a pitying smile puZ ean, a little guardedly curved her lips as she went on more eagerly. “Do you know, Mr. Temple, I read all about Joseph Smith and Mormonism in the ency- clopedia when I found we were coming to Utah, and really, I can’t understand how the people can cling to such a belief! Of course, there are some good points in it and some that are very bad, but I supposed that the laws of the country had eradicated the most of the evils from Mormonism!” Mr. Temple felt that he was on dangerous ground, so he spoke with great deliberation. “The fundamental law of all religions, which is humanity and love, is all right,” he said, very soberly. ‘‘But there is much that we might criticize in all beliefs, for the best of them are not free from superstition and folly. My theory is to let a man’s life speak for him. I respect honest sentiments where- ever [ hear them and can sympathize with a martyr who dies for his convictions, even though I consider him a fool for doing it. Now the doctrines of Mormonism preach in- dustry, economy and sobriety. The streets of Salt Lake City do not teem with unfortunate women, and so far as I know, the natives of Utah are as happy as the people of other countries. : “Whether Brigham H. Roberts was worse than our other Congressmen at Washington, I do not know. You had a little experience with them yourself, Marion, so you must have your opinion; but,at any rate, polygamy is said to be as ‘dead as a doornail’ in Utah, so, as we did not come out here to investigate the ‘pasts’ of the audiences which pay us for amusing them, I feel that we are iree to treat people with kindness and courtesy.’ Marion listened eagerly. They were her sentiments exactly, vet there was a feeling of horror creeping over her that she could not quite account for, “And this gentleman, Mr. Canton—he is not a polygamist, is he?” she asked, timidly, Mr. Temple smiled, and as the carriage stopped, he answered: “I said just now that ‘polygamy’ is dead. A man cannot contract plural marriages any more—it is possible that there are those who prefer their so-called ‘faith’ to legality.” ‘fe alighted from the carriage as he spoke, ' that moment Mr. Canton himself came Eomichooks.com