Free The Mother Lode by Gary Franklin Page A

fact, you are a remarkable specimen of womanhood. Strong, smart, and industrious.”
    Ellen did not know how to take a compliment from such a man and she had her suspicions as to his motives. “And how are your wives, Mr. Purvis?” she asked. “I have not seen them in quite some time even though we are all neighbors.”
    â€œThey are well and happy in my home, thank you.”
    My home? she thought. Of course. With these Mormons the home and the property all belonged to the man. If a woman wronged that man, she could be excommunicated from the Church and the society and would receive absolutely nothing for her years of labor and devotion.
    â€œI’m glad to hear that, Mr. Purvis.”
    â€œYes,” he said, momentarily seeming to be at a loss for words. “Uh, well, I was wondering if you would like to go for a nice little drive over to Carson City today. I know that you have not been out for a good while and thought that you might need to do some shopping.”
    â€œHow thoughtful of you,” she said. “But I have enough supplies until the end of the month. And I really do need to finish weeding this garden. I’ve already let the weeds go too long.”
    â€œAll work and no play,” the man said, trying to hold onto his fading smile. “Really, Ellen, I insist that you take a day off and accompany me to Carson City. You look rather tired and a change of scenery would be good for your mind and body.”
    Ellen did not want to go for a long wagon ride with Mr. Purvis for she knew that he would almost immediately badger her about them getting married and joining their farms. On the other hand, she had found herself looking to the north thinking of Joe Moss and of other people living in different ways. And she had not been to Carson City in months. Perhaps she could manage to squelch Eli’s talk of marriage and anger him into silence, then enjoy the change of scenery.
    â€œWell,” she said, “maybe you are right, Mr. Purvis. I could use some coffee, beans, and calico.”
    â€œExcellent!” he said, beaming. “I will water these horses and wait for you by the barn.”
    â€œI’ll only be a few minutes,” she promised.
    â€œThat mangy fellow that you took in for a while left rather suddenly, didn’t he?”
    â€œThat’s true,” Ellen said, turning away so that he could not see the pain in her eyes.
    â€œGood riddance, I’d say,” Purvis continued. “He was a freeloader and none of us can understand why you helped him retrieve that lumber.”
    â€œHe paid me very well,” Ellen said, because it was true and she knew that money was something that this man would actually understand.
    It took Purvis a moment to recover before he said, “Money isn’t everything. And considering the shame that you brought upon—”
    Ellen didn’t let him finish and her eyes flashed with anger. “Shame, Mr. Purvis! What shame!”
    Purvis reeled back as if he had been slapped. “Well, I mean . . . I mean it wasn’t really . . . proper.”
    â€œDamn being proper!” Ellen stormed. “I’m a Christian woman and I did a Christian act in helping heal that man. And I don’t care what you or anyone else says, I am proud of my actions.”
    â€œWhy . . . why, of course you are, Ellen. But that man was not our kind and he was a heathen. Everyone could see that.”
    Ellen could feel blood pounding in her head. “Mr. Purvis, I think that you had better just leave. You have greatly angered and insulted me as well as the Lord.”
    â€œNow just a minute, woman!” he thundered. “Take care how you speak to me.”
    â€œYou’re on my land and I’ll speak to you as I please!” Ellen was trying hard not to start crying out of frustration and deep anger.
    Purvis bowed his head for a moment, fists clenched at his side. Finally, and with great effort,