Morning Star Read Free Page B

church will be saved.”
    Jenny lifted her face and Mark watched her rub at the tears. “There,” he chided, “there’s nothing in that letter to make you cry.”
    â€œOh, Mark, you’ll never understand!” She was shivering, and now his thoughts were on the past. Jenny’s fear was a reminder: at one time her brother Tom had asked if his fear of God was keeping him from following Jenny to Missouri. And when he had joined the wagon train, he had given her his whispered promise, In sickness, in health, I pledge you my love . Could those dark shadows in her eyes reflect a soul sickness?
    With a sigh, Mark slowly pulled the other letter out of his pocket. “I’ve had a letter from Joseph asking me to come to Nauvoo. Seems he needs another lawyer, and he knows Illinois has granted me a license to practice law in the state.”

Chapter 2
    Mark stood at the window of his second-floor law office looking down on Springfield’s busy main thoroughfare. Accustomed as he was to the brisk passage of buggies and wagons, and the cluster of women visiting on the streets while their parasols and billowing skirts forced a detour upon the male pedestrians, today’s unusual activity kept him glued to the window despite the piles of paper on his desk.
    When he heard the quick steps on the stairs, Mark turned to face the door. It was Aaron Turnbull, his partner.
    Aaron nodded at the case of books on the floor. “You’ve settled your affairs to the point you must pack law books?”
    â€œYes.” Mark said with a note of regret in his voice. “The house has been sold and Jennifer has begun to pack our belongings.”
    â€œI still can’t quite convince myself you’ll really do this. Certainly I can’t believe it’s a wise decision.” His curious eyes held that wary expression Mark had come to expect since he had admitted his connection with Joseph Smith, the Mormon prophet. Mark sighed and turned toward his desk.
    â€œBy the way,” Aaron said, “is there any possibility you’re related to the evangelist, Peter Cartwright?”
    â€œYes, he’s a brother of my father. Why do you ask?”
    â€œWell, he’s a part of the reason the streets are nearly impassable. He’s holed up in the lobby of the Continental Hotel.”
    â€œI should pay him my respects,” Mark murmured, shuffling through the papers on his desk.
    â€œThe other reason is that the esteemed prophet is in town. I understand he’s the guest of Judge Adams. That makes me question his religion.”
    â€œJoseph’s in town?” Mark said in surprise. “I didn’t know. I’m sure he’ll want to dine with us. You say he’s staying with Judge Adams? That really surprises me, although I know little about the man. It’s just—”
    â€œWell, let me fill you in.” Aaron said shortly.
    â€œIf it’s only conjecture—”
    â€œIt isn’t. You need to know if you intend to make Nauvoo your home and practice law there. Abe Lincoln has circulated a handbill. I’ll try to get you a copy of it, but for now, Lincoln’s charged him with being a forger and swindler.”
    â€œI wonder what the connection can be?”
    â€œSince he’s involved with the Masons, I’d guess it has something to do with that.”
    â€œThat’s impossible. Joseph is dead set against the Masonic Lodge, always has been. His gold book strongly teaches against secret societies.”
    Aaron shrugged and went to his desk. Mark closed his desk drawer and said, “Well, I’ll head for the hotel and then try to find Joseph.”
    â€œThat won’t be difficult,” Aaron replied in a muffled voice. “When I left the hotel they were having a shouting match in the lobby. If you look out the window, you’ll notice their audience is streaming inside. I doubt you’ll get a ringside