Morning Star (42 page)

Then in a quiet moment, George Miller's voice rose, “If the election's successful, Joseph and the Council of Fifty will at once establish dominion. Fellas, that's us. You ready to take over?”

Before the day had finished, Rigdon had been reluctantly acknowledged as Joseph's running mate. Joseph stood to his feet. “I want every man in the city who can lisp a clear sentence to hit the campaign trail. Advocate the Mormon religion, purity of election. Call upon the people to be on the side of law and order. Campaign. Put our name before the people!”

“Hear ye, hear ye!” Wight shouted, jumping to his feet, “I make a motion that on July 13, we assemble in New York for the purpose of holding a national
Joseph Smith for President
convention.”

Later, as the men rushed out of the room, Mark chewed his lip and contemplated the shambles of paper and debris left behind in his office. He studied his desk and wondered about carrying home the work he had intended finishing.

Joseph approached. “Mark, you look down in the mouth about it all.”

Mark looked up in surprise. “Well, not about the day's events. I was thinking of what I didn't do today. But since you ask—Joseph, you don't have any expectations about winning this election. But have you considered what this interlude means in the lives of these men? Some of these men are going out simply because they feel forced into it. That's bad—for them and for the image they'll project.”

“Since when have you been concerned about my image?”

“It isn't
yours
,” Mark frowned. “It's the image of the people; the mindlessness of your absolute control. From the council on down, everything in Mormon country smacks of subservience. You may control the people now, but it's going to backfire. Either they'll break free or some firebrand will do the breaking for them. Your platform holds high a happy view of freedom, but it's only to allow you to do as you please. I can't believe you really have the best interests of the people at heart.”

Mark's heart was heavy as he started for home. As he reviewed the day and thought of the direction Joseph was leading, he shook his head. “Poor old John D. Lee. I hope someday that his faithful sacrifice will merit him more than the crumbs at Caesar's table.”

Law caught up with him. “I hear you. I get the idea you're against faithfulness.”

Mark slanted him a glance. “Faithfulness, of the kind John D. Lee has, belongs to God. Given to man or cause instead of God, it leads to slavery.”

William's eyes were bright and questioning for a moment; then he asked, “Was Joseph served the summons?”

“Yes,” Mark shook his head. “I'm not too confident. He laughed it off, saying he had a complete record of his actions and even the most mundane of daily activities to support his righteous life. If the court accepts his records, it could be bad.”

“Well, brace yourself, Attorney Cartwright. I've filed suit against the Prophet charging adultery and polygamy. Considering Joseph's second favorite lawyer is now suing him for slander, I hate to think where that leaves you.”

When Mark walked into the house, Jenny was in the kitchen. John Mark clung to her skirts. With his face tilted upward and the tears coursing down, he cried.

Mark looked at Jenny's tired face, watched her rub at the perspiration on her brow. “Oh, Marky, be a good baby,” she moaned.

“What's the trouble?” Mark asked, astonished even then that he could look beyond his own problem.

“Laundry, fussy baby, late daddy, and burned potatoes.”

“I'm sorry.” He kissed her cheek and picked up John Mark. Jenny was blinking tears out of her eyes. He said, “Why don't you sit down and rock the tyke. I'll do something with dinner.”

The tears fell. “Don't you ever want to hold him?”

“Jenny, I love holding him,” he explained patiently, “but you're exhausted. In a minute I'll put both of you to bed.” He pulled her against his chest, wondering how he could convince her of his plan and how he could let them go.

She pulled away. “I'm fine. We'll have bread and gravy, unless you want eggs.”

John Mark was tucked into bed early and Mark went down to help with the dishes. Jenny was still sagging listlessly over the dishpan. She tried to straighten and smile when he picked up the dish towel. Studying her tired face, he decided he had found a reason.

Speaking lightly he said, “First thing tomorrow I am going to make arrangements for you and John Mark to take the stage to Cleveland to visit Mother. She's been begging for a visit since the baby was born. I can't get free, but there's no reason you can't go.”

Jenny was staring at him. Slowly she lifted one soapy hand and touched her face. “Mark!” she whispered. “Oh, Mark, please don't make me go!”

“I thought you liked Mother.”

“I do, but Mark, not now.”

“Yes, now.” She moistened her lips and the expression in her eyes brought him a step closer. “Jenny, don't look like it's the end of the world. I'm doing this for your own good.”

“What's happened?”

He sighed and said, “Come sit down.” She hesitated and he eased her into the rocking chair. For a moment he studied her face, trying to understand the sadness he perceived there. He took a deep breath and decided the truth would be the only thing she would accept.

“I saw William Law this afternoon. He's filed suit against Joseph Smith, charging him with adultery and polygamy. At the same time there's Foster's suit and now Higbee's suit. It looks like, unless Joseph chooses a defense attorney from out of Springfield, I'll be handling his case.”

“I realize you'll be busy for the next several months. But Tom could stay here if you'll be out of town.”

“That isn't the point. Jenny, I'm trying to say it gently, but I don't know how. There's going to be a very unsavory trial. I know William well enough to realize he's not going to back down from exposing the facts even if he treads on our toes.” He could see she still didn't comprehend. “Jenny, I love you and I've forgiven you for what—” He took a deep breath.

“Let's put it this way. I refuse to allow your name to be dragged in the dirt. The only way that can be avoided is by your leaving until this whole affair can be settled.”

She was silent for a moment before she asked, “What about the other women? We heard some of them at the meeting. Won't they be pulled into witnessing?”

“I'm afraid so. Right now, knowing how Joseph will fight, I guess every woman who has ever been involved with Joseph will be forced to testify. That's why it is absolutely necessary for you to leave.”

“I don't like it,” Jenny said slowly. “But if they will have to talk about their troubles with Joseph, it seems only fair that I do the same thing.” She lifted her face. “Mark, don't you think that's what Jesus would want me to do?”

“No!” He jumped to his feet and paced the room. “I refuse to allow my wife to be shamed in that manner.” When she began to sob, hiding her face in her hands, Mark knew himself defenseless. “Look, I've got to take care of things outside. There's no point in discussing this further.”

Jenny lifted her face. He tightened his jaw and waited. She wiped her eyes and slowly got to her feet. Stepping close she looked at him intently. He watched despair creep over her face. As she turned away, she said flatly, “Very well. I'll be prepared to leave day after tomorrow.”

Chapter 42

“Jen! Are you home?”

Jenny walked slowly down the stairs and set John Mark on his feet. “Hello, Tom. I'm surprised to see you.”

Tom blinked, “You all right?” She nodded and he said, “Mark invited me out for supper.”

“He did?” She frowned and looked around the room. “That's strange.”

Tom looked down at the trunk. “You going someplace?”

“Yes, Mark's sending me to his mother's place until things are resolved.”

His glance was sharp. “You mean the suits? The newspapers are full of the wildest stories. I sure didn't have any idea there was—aw, yes, I did; but still—”

They heard Mark's horse and Jenny headed for the kitchen. She sighed and reached for her apron. “Fortunate for you I've planned a good meal.” She glanced at him. “John Mark and I are leaving on the stage in the morning.”

“It's going to be rough on Mark, facing that mess without having you around.”

“Tom!” Mark opened the door as she cried, “this isn't my idea. I'm not deserting Mark—he's
sending
me away. I want desperately to stay.”

“Jenny!” She saw Mark's face was white as he reached for her arm. “Little love, this is going to be more difficult for me than—but I simply can't allow you to undergo the kind of treatment Joseph's promising.” Jenny shook his hand off, sank her teeth into her lip and turned to the table.

Her voice was flat as she said, “Well, come to supper. There's pot roast.” She began lifting the meat and vegetables to the serving platter.

Mark picked up the baby and said, “Come on, fella, let's find that bib.”

“You mean a baby that size is eating real food?” Tom marveled. “I—Jen!” He started after her as she dashed out the backdoor.

When Jenny returned to the kitchen, Mark and Tom stared at her. Mark said, “Jenny, you're ill!”

“It's just the smell of meat. Mark, feed the baby, I'm going to lie down.”

“Jenny—” Mark's voice was commanding and cold.

She faced him and lifted her chin. “I'm pregnant.” There was a moment of silence, a moment of waiting, and Jenny headed for the stairs.

“Jenny!” She turned around and saw the agony on his face. “No matter. I'll accept this one as mine and love him as much as I love little John Mark.” For a moment she was motionless.

“Mark!” She rushed at him, pounding his chest with her fists. “What are you saying? I can't believe I'm hearing you!” She turned to run and he grabbed her arms.

“Jenny, face it. You'll never be happy until you're willing to confess this to God. I've told you I forgive you. Please!”

Flinging off his grasp, Jenny turned and ran across the room. She snatched up John Mark and ran back to Mark. Shoving the toddler into his arms she said, “Look at that child's eyes and tell me they aren't yours!”

John Mark was crying and Mark cuddled him close. Staring at Jenny, he said, “You can't be certain; besides, it's not necessary to prove anything.”

Suddenly limp and shaking, Jenny sat down in the rocking chair and whispered, “Mark, you're saying you believe I was unfaithful to you. Never, never, Mark! I would
never
do that to you.”

She could see he didn't believe her. “And you expect me to believe you could be Joseph's wife and not submit to him?” he asked. “There are the facts. It's common knowledge that Mark Cartwright's wife tried to commit suicide while he was gone.”

“Suicide!” Jenny's voice trembled with horror. For a moment she stared at Mark and then at Tom. “Tom, tell him—”

“Jenny, Joseph told me about it.”

“Joseph!” For a moment Jenny was frozen motionless and then she began to laugh.

Mark had her in his arms. “Jenny, stop or I'll shake you; you're going to be—”

She shoved his arms away and rubbed her eyes. “Oh—but then you'll never believe it.”

Slowly Mark said, “Maybe you'd better tell me about it. You know there are questions you never answered about that time, and questions I didn't dare ask.”

“That marriage; it's so stupid! I don't know why—but there was this book. It all seemed so high and holy and far away. For eternity. I never dreamed there was anything else involved. He tried to tell me there was, and that the marriage was invalid until—” Suddenly she grinned up at Mark. “Can you possibly believe I always managed to outtalk him?”

For a moment she sobered and then shuddered. “Except for that sermon about posterity. I went to him. I intended to ask how I could help John Mark since you wouldn't take endowments. He said that because of the spiritual wife doctrine, all my posterity belonged to him. But then he said there would be no hope for John Mark to be with me in the eternities unless I validated the marriage. He confused me, but I never yielded. Mark, if you could only know how horrible it was!”

She got to her feet, coming close to look into his eyes. “Do you remember our marriage? That was the first time I ever
felt
God. But I didn't know it was Him. I just thought it was love; and because of it, I knew that our vows were so important I couldn't ever break them. Mark!”

Jenny saw the relief and joy in Mark's face and she held out her arms.

Behind her Tom was saying, “Well, tyke, let's go feed the cows.”

On Monday morning, just before Mark was ready to leave for Nauvoo, Jenny was able to say. “Now that you really believe in my innocence, may I testify? I'm still ashamed of myself, and of the ugliness of the whole affair, but, please! If nothing else, maybe I'll be able to convince some other Sally—” Her voice broke, but in a minute she hurried on. “I know it'll be painful for you, but I feel it's necessary.”

From the shelter of his arms she sighed with contentment. “Mark, these past few days have almost made me hope again.”

“About what?”

“Our marriage. We had such a wonderful marriage and then suddenly it all seemed to fall apart. It happened when I was pregnant with John Mark—”

“Because I was certain he was not my baby. I'm sorry.” He felt her tears and asked, “What is it?”

“I thought it was because I threw the talisman away. See, I had the talisman when I asked you to marry me. Always I thought the talisman made you love me. But if you do now and I don't have the talisman—well?”