"I believe there _is_ a resemblance," he remarked. The old man only smiled.

Hugh Elston now drove up to the door. The young mother climbed into the front seat, and then was given the baby. Grandpa Elston took a back seat by Thomas Strong, while the Bishop sat by his wife to drive. Then they were off.

"Did I tell you," said Mr. Strong to his companion, "that I got a letter from my brother last evening?"

"No; you did not."

"Well, he's been recently to London and visiting with Elder Malby. It seems he can't keep away from that man, and I must say Elder Malby is a wonder. Such a spirit he has with him--"

"The missionary spirit, Brother Strong--the spirit of the Lord."

"Yes, yes," mused the man--"strange--and he but a hard-working farmer--I wouldn't be surprised if Brother Gilbert came to America and out west here. He intimated as much in his letter. Poor brother, he also has suffered."

"If he comes, give him our invitation to visit with us."

"Thank you, that I shall."

"Perhaps he will accompany Elder Malby when he is released."

"Invite them both," said the other. "We shall all like to see them very much."

There was a brief silence, as the horses trotted along. Thomas Strong's gaze roved across the Flat to the mountains, then rested again on his companion. Presently, he said:

"Brother Elston, the other day you were speaking of vicarious work for the dead, 'temple work' you called it. I understand the doctrine of baptism for the dead, but some other things are not quite plain--for instance, having the dead married, made husband and wife, which they would have been had they lived and had the chance--well, you understand."

Yes; Hugh Elston understood, and made his explanations to his companion, who listened attentively and exclaimed at its close:

"I am so glad--for Chester's and Lucy's sake--so glad!"

In good time they arrived at the meeting house. The Bishop busied himself with the business before him. The good people of the ward came in, exchanged the usual greetings, then found seats. There were flowers on the sacrament table as usual, and the meeting house looked sweet and clean--a fit place in which to worship the Lord.

The opening hymn in which the congregation joined was:

"God moves in a mysterious way, His wonders to perform; He plants his footsteps in the sea, And rides upon the storm."

At the close of the song, Thomas Strong nodded his head and whispered, "Amen."

Then after prayer and the sacrament, the Bishop announced, "All mothers who have babies to be blessed will please bring them forward, and all who were baptized yesterday will kindly take their places on the front seat."

Julia, with rosy face, bore her baby to the front, followed by another mother with less timidity. A little girl tip-toed along the aisle, and a boy, "just turned eight" trod heavily forward. Then Thomas Strong also arose, and silently took his place on the front seat alongside the mothers with the babies and the children.

The sun shone through the uncurtained window and lay as a broad strip of light along the front seat. The little boy was nervously twitching his feet, the little girl's hands were folded serenely, the babies cooed.

The white-haired man sat with the children, now one with them and of them in very deed. His face was as a child's, as was indeed his heart.

The meeting was still, silenced by the strange, solemn occasion. Then the Bishop, assisted by his counselors and Patriarch Hugh Elston laid their hands on the three who had been baptized in water for the remission of sins and now bestowed on them the Holy Ghost. Then the officiating Elders came to the mothers.

"Brother Elston," said the Bishop, "bless the baby."

Hugh Elston took Julia's baby into his arms, where he lay cooing into the men's faces as they gathered around. The Patriarch, in slow, carefully chosen words, gave the babe its name and a blessing:

"Chester Lawrence--for this is the name by which you shall be known among the children of men--"

There was a moment's pause in the blessing. Thomas Strong glanced up to the men, then looked at Julia in surprise.

"Oh," said he softly, "my boy's name shall live--Thank God."

THE END.