“Could she stand the ordeal, do you think?” asked the father of Chester.

“In a few days when she gets a little stronger—­yes.”

“Well, let’s walk a bit.  You two go ahead.  I must think.”

The two did as they were told nor looked back.  The one was not thinking clearly and logically, so much as he was fighting over the eternal warfare of conviction against policy.  He also knew.  He had received more of a testimony than he ever admitted, even to himself.  If he should do as his innermost conscience told him, he also would join Lucy in baptism of water for the remission of sins; but that thought he pushed from him.  He, an old man in the ministry, to now change his faith—­to cut himself off from his life’s work—­no, that would never do.  It was different with Lucy, quite another thing.  She had set her heart on it and on Chester, and it would be best for her—­yes, it would be best for her.

When Chester was saying good-night to Lucy that evening, the father came out into the hall to them.

“Chester,” said he, “tell Elder Malby I should like to see him to morrow.  He is the one that attends to baptism into the Mormon Church, isn’t he?”

“Yes,” replied Chester.  “I shall tell him.”

“Oh, papa, you dear, good papa!” exclaimed Lucy throwing her arms about him.

“There, there now, behave—­say good-night to Chester.”

But she clung to him and kissed him through her tears of joy.  Then she went to Chester.

The father turned to go.

“Wait a moment, papa,” said Lucy:  “I want to go with you.”

With a parting kiss for Chester, and a murmured good night, she took her father’s arm and led him in.

CHAPTER XV.

Lucy gained in strength so rapidly that within a week it was thought safe to let her be baptized.  Her father, Uncle Gilbert, Chester, the housekeeper at headquarters and one other sister were present at the Baths.  Elder Malby performed the ordinance.  Three others were also baptized at the same time.

Uncle Gilbert was very curious as also a little nervous at what he called the “dipping.”  He couldn’t see why the ceremony required a whole swimming pool when a few drops sprinkled on the forehead, had, as long as he had any recollection, been sufficient.  The father witnessed the ordinance unmoved.  Lucy went through the ordeal bravely, and when she came out from the dressing room where the sisters had helped her, he kissed her placidly on the forehead.

The party took a cab to the mission headquarters, where a simple service was held of singing and prayer, Elder Malby making a few remarks on the meaning and purpose of the ordinance of baptism.  The newly baptized were then confirmed members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  Then the housekeeper invited them all down to the dining room, and again there were a few simple special features in celebration of the happy occasion.