Morning Star (22 page)

Jenny pulled the buffalo robe about herself and flicked the reins across the mare's back.

Chapter 21

Mark reached the outskirts of Nauvoo on an early December afternoon. As he rode rapidly through the streets, his mind was clicking off the changes five months had made in the town.
City
, he reminded himself. The shops and sidewalks teemed with bustling people on this snowy afternoon. Lorries and carriages filled the streets. From factory, to shop, to the
Times and Seasons
newspaper office, the place was filled with activity.

Mark was noticing the strange faces, but he was also hailing friends. As he lifted his arm to salute Andy Morgan, he saw Phelps, William Law, and his brother Wilson.

To all he called, “Not now! I'm going home. I'll visit later.”

Turning in at the livery stable he found Tom shoeing a horse. “I'm back,” he clapped his brother-in-law on the shoulder. “I'm heading home as fast as I can go. Soon as you finish that horse, will you take this packet of papers to Joseph? Tell him I'll see him on Monday.”

Tom recovered from his surprise and slowly said, “Can't ya take a bit to talk?”

Mark was backing out the door. “No. That's why I'm letting you deliver the papers. See ya later.”

He met Orson Pratt at the door. The shock on his face had Mark apologizing. “Didn't mean to run you down.”

“‘Tweren't that. Just surprised.” He hesitated and studied Mark's face. “From the grin I'm guessing you're heading home. Give a half hour and I'll ride with you.”

“Man,
give
me a break—I haven't been home for five months!” Pratt hesitated; Mark, sensing the unsaid, studied his face and waited, but Pratt shrugged and turned away.

Mark cut away from the main street of town. He followed the ravine down to the wharf and then cut south along the river road. The road was coarse and uneven from heavy wagons, but it was quick.

He touched his tired horse lightly with his heels and pondered again the futility of his mission. He was also mulling over the effect of the separation on Jenny. “Not one letter,” he muttered, feeling a familiar sinking sensation which had dogged his life during the past months.

Again he reminded himself, “If I'd known what I know now, I'd never have gone. At times I think Joseph invents these missions just to prove his power.”

When Mark cantered up his lane he saw the lonely figure. His Jenny, swathed in a shawl, was dragging a pail toward the barn. His throat tightened and it was a minute before he could shout her name.

He was off the horse and running toward her before she could move. When he finally released her, he said, “Give me a minute to pull the saddle off the mare, then let's get in the house. The tears are freezing on your face. I'll feed the pigs later.”

Inside she pushed him into the rocking chair and knelt to pull off his boots. She could only smile and mop at the tears. When he lifted her, he asked, “Has it been that bad?”

“Oh, Mark, if only I could put it in words! But, yes. Please don't leave me again, ever—I'll die!”

“Jen.” He held her close and pressed his cold face against her warm neck. “I won't. I can't take another separation either—no letters, nothing except that worthless time.”

The afternoon light was a pale gleam when he stood, saying, “I've got to take care of the stock.”

When he set her on her feet, she smiled and spread her arms. “Mark, look!”

It took a moment to understand the difference he had been feeling. “I'm pregnant. Oh, Mark, we're going to have a baby.”

“Baby?” He knew his voice was stunned.

The smile faded and she whispered, “Aren't you glad? After all these years—”

“That's what I was thinking,” he said slowly. “After all these years. Jen, it'll take me a spell to get used to the idea.” Abruptly it sunk in. “We're going to have a child, a baby. My little boy!”

She was laughing. “That's the way I felt. I should have guessed before you left. But for Mrs. Daniels' guessing I don't think I could have believed even then.” She was quiet for a moment and he watched the strange shadow momentarily mingle with the joy on her face.

Then she lifted her face and smiled as Mark said, “Be back in a few minutes.” He went out to care for his horse and feed the pigs.

When Tom came, Mark was still in the barn, bemused, and lost in thought. Tom pulled down hay for the horses and said, “Well, what do you think about being a papa?”

Mark faced him and grinned, but he saw the expression on Tom's face as he avoided his eyes. “What's the problem? You don't look like you're crazy about being an uncle.” Tom turned away, and Mark didn't press the question.

During the night Mark felt Jenny turning restlessly and he reached to pull her close. “Mark, I worry. It's such a responsibility.”

“And you think about that now?”

She pressed his hand across her stomach. “But feel him; he's so tiny and alive!” Abruptly she asked, “Mark, who is Jesus?”

“God.”

“Like Joseph says?” Her voice was flat.

“No.” He raised to one elbow and tried to see her face in the dim moonlight. He was guessing a difference and wondering if it was the pregnancy. He felt his heart lift as he carefully answered, “Not the brother of Lucifer, not the child of Mary and Adam. Not the spirit brother of all good Mormons. Jenny, I've told you before that the Bible teaches there is only one God and that there will never be another God.

“If that is so, biblically there's only one answer. If Jesus is God, as the Bible says, then He is
the God
. Just as the Bible teaches. He is God come to earth to take upon himself a human body, to live among men and to be their atonement for sin.”

Later when Mark recalled that nighttime conversation, he held it as an extra blessing, crowning his first night home. But too soon it was forgotten.

By Monday evening, after his first day back in the office, Mark had garnered enough of covert glances and questioning eyes to become alarmed over Joseph's unusual arrogance. The uneasy questions began to grow in his mind.

When Tom reached home, Mark met him at the barn.

Tom started the conversation when he turned from his task of forking down hay to the cattle. Looking over his shoulder at Mark, he said, “Mark, there's been a heap of strange happenings since you've been gone. And some not so strange.”

“That's what I came to ask you about. Joseph hinted at a couple. I tried to avoid showing my ignorance.”

“Well, you know about the Boggs shooting, and how the Prophet's prediction about it nearly did him in.” Mark was nodding and Tom went on. “Seems all that leaked back to Missouri. Unfortunately, Boggs didn't die.

“Just after you left a sheriff and posse from Missouri appeared with a writ for Joseph and Porter Rockwell's arrest. The Nauvoo court shoved it back to Governor Carlin. By the time they had satisfaction from Carlin and came back for him, he'd skipped.”

“Where did he go?”

“Not far. Porter Rockwell headed for Pennsylvania, but Joseph's been layin' low. Couple of times the posse got pretty close. One time he was at home, havin' a nice dinner with friends when this knock came. Joseph ducked into his hidden room, went up to the roof and shinnied down the trees, all unbeknownst to the fellas at the door.” Tom paused to chuckle, “Joseph sure had the gift of prophecy when he had that hidden staircase built to the roof.”

Tom bent to pick up the pails of milk. “Don't think he's ever been farther than across the river. Plenty of friends around to hide him out. I saw him a couple of times.”

“Today Joe mentioned he'd surrendered and is to stand trial in Springfield after the first of the year.”

Tom nodded. “Kicking Bennett outta the church and all his positions sure turned him sour. Seems his contrite spirit didn't last long. I hear he's out stirrin' up things in Missouri. Guess you saw all the newspaper articles he's put out.”

Mark nodded and Tom said, “Well, Carlin's out of office as of the first of the month and Ford's governor of Illinois. Joe has a lot of confidence in him. Says he isn't political. I think he means he won't be hard on the Saints.”

Tom paused and looked at Mark as he asked, “What else has happened since I've been gone?”

“Just after you left, Orson Pratt had a bad time. Seems all the gossip about Sarah got to him.”

“About the situation while Orson was in England?”

“Yes, there was a lot of rot. Gossip sproutin' both ways. First off, Bennett was sayin' Joseph was trying to starve her into submission to him, after promising her husband he'd see she had enough to eat and such. I did hear before you and Jenny moved to Nauvoo that she was in a bad way, not havin' enough to eat or fuel to keep warm. Finally heard she'd took to sewin' in order to have a livelihood.

“About the time Orson came back, the gossip surfaced that she'd been carryin' on with Dr. Bennett. Well, that kept gnawing on Orson. Some say he nearly did himself in. Took a bunch a fellas a while to talk him back to normal. I never heard him myself, but I understand he was walking the streets for a time, tellin' ever'body he met that Sarah was innocent.”

“What else?”

Tom paused and hedged, scratching his head. “Well, I've been gone too. Joseph had me out on a couple of assignments. Weren't gone long. The Daniels young'un took care of the stock.” His voice trailed off and he looked at Mark.

“That isn't what I'm referring to.”

“Aw, who's been talkin'?”

“Not a soul. It's the looks, and the way Pratt and Andy Morgan are dodging around avoiding me. It's a pile of impressions, and I think you can tell me about it. Does it have something to do with the baby?”

Tom winced. He lifted his head and Mark saw the dark questions. “Mark, I don't know. I just don't know what to make of the whole affair. Jen seems so happy now. When I got back in town after the first trip, Joseph came to give me the sad news that Jen had tried to do herself in.

“Says Daniels told him all about it. How she jumped in the river and they pulled her out. Joseph said he was right worried about her mind. Seemed to indicate she might not be remembering and able to hang life all together. I've not had that impression, but I've sure been watchin'.”

Tom had been silent for some time before Mark realized it. Lifting his head out of his hands, he said, “Sorry, Tom. What did you say?” Tom shook his head, his expression bleak.

Silently they sat together. When Mark began shivering, he realized the last of the afternoon light was gone. With a sigh he said, “Well, guess I'd better be getting in the house.”

That evening, while they were eating, Tom said, “Well, I can't see that you two need me around here, and I'm right anxious to get back to my cozy hole over the livery stable before the blizzards begin. I'll be movin' out tomorrow.”

In the morning, as Mark prepared to leave, he kissed Jenny's cheek. He was still reflecting on all Tom had said. Last evening, he had tried to give Jenny every opportunity possible to talk about her fall in the river, but she had said nothing.

Mark was still brooding as he headed for Nauvoo. Orson Pratt rode down his lane; just as Mark passed, he hailed him.

Bringing his horse even with Mark's mare he said, “I suppose you're glad to be free of traveling for a time. Sarah says there's to be a little one at your house come spring.”

Mark noticed the man's nervousness and recalled Tom's remarks as he acknowledged the news. “Yes, we're pretty proud.”

In the silence he added, “I'm hoping to settle into that pile on my desk today. Whatever the Prophet's activities, he's managed to stack up enough work to keep me busy until spring.”

“He tapped you for the council yet?”

“Priesthood?” Mark waited for Pratt's shrug before he shook his head. “I don't intend to be part of it.”

“Mark,” Pratt warned and then paused to take a deep breath. “Sarah's been talking about how deeply involved Jenny is in the church. I know you've had some trouble with the beliefs in the past, but if I can counsel you to accept Joseph's direction, I'd be glad to.”

Orson continued, “I've been in disfavor because of my attitude. The Prophet's forgiven me, and there's not much I wouldn't do to help his cause right now. Without revealing any of the hidden doctrines, I must advise you that things are moving forward at a rapid pace. There's much to learn yet of the kingdom business. To deny Joseph endangers your soul. To refuse to progress means trouble for you with your wife.”

“What do you mean by that?”

“You know Joseph is teaching now that an apostate spouse voids the marriage contract.” Mark didn't reply, but he saw Pratt's troubled expression. In a moment Pratt continued with another line—at least Mark thought so as he listened to the gossip.

“They're saying Emma Smith sent Eliza Snow tumbling down the stairs after catching her with the Prophet. I know for a fact that Doc had a time with her. Seems she won't be having increase very soon.” Again there was a pause, and Orson said, “In these latter days we're being called upon to pick up all the old ways of the church. It's our holiness and our salvation to do so.”

While they were talking, the two had reached the main street in Nauvoo. They overtook a figure hunched nearly double on his horse. He straightened and turned. “Hello, Taylor,” Pratt said, pulling on the reins. “I was just advising Mark he's about to be tapped on the shoulder.”

Taylor nodded soberly and peered at Mark. “Joseph's declared that the church is at the crossroads. Unless these higher teachings are embraced wholeheartedly, there will be no further progression for the church. We must work to that end.

“Just last meeting Joseph was telling us that as soon as the temple is completed, there's instructions to be given out which are of the utmost importance. He says, for example, the keys of the kingdom are signs and words whereby false spirits and persons can be detected.” His piercing gaze held Mark's for a moment before he bid them farewell.