Этюд в багровых тонах
The Flower of Utah.
Asyearsucceededtoyearshegrewtallerandstronger,hercheekmorerudy,andherstepmoreelastic. ManyawayfareruponthehighroadwhichranbyFerrier’sfarmfeltlong-forgottenthoughtsreviveintheirmindastheywatchedherlithegirlishfiguretrippingthroughthewheatfields,ormethermounteduponherfather’smustang,andmanagingitwithalltheeaseandgraceofatruechildoftheWest. Sothebudblossomedintoaflower,andtheyearwhichsawherfathertherichestofthefarmersleftherasfairaspecimenofAmericangirlhoodascouldbefoundinthewholePacificslope.
Itwasnotthefather,however,whofirstdiscoveredthatthechildhaddevelopedintothewoman. Itseldomisinsuchcases. Thatmysteriouschangeistoosubtleandtoogradualtobemeasuredbydates. Leastofalldoesthemaidenherselfknowituntilthetoneofavoiceorthetouchofahandsetsherheartthrillingwithinher,andshelearns,withamixtureofprideandoffear,thatanewandalargernaturehasawokenwithinher. Therearefewwhocannotrecallthatdayandremembertheonelittleincidentwhichheraldedthedawnofanewlife. InthecaseofLucyFerriertheoccasionwasseriousenoughinitself,apartfromitsfutureinfluenceonherdestinyandthatofmanybesides.
ItwasawarmJunemorning,andtheLatterDaySaintswereasbusyasthebeeswhosehivetheyhavechosenfortheiremblem. Inthefieldsandinthestreetsrosethesamehumofhumanindustry.
