By Way of the Rose (41 page)

“So, I see you're fighting for the Union.”

“Was there ever any doubt?” He grinned. “Ya know how it is.”

“Yeah, so what else is new?”

“Ye'd be proud of me, Sarah. I finally married and settled down.”

“Really?” Sarah's smile faltered a bit. “To that cousin of yours?”

“Yeah, we had just gotten married when the war broke out.”

“Oh, I see. Congratulations, I guess.” Sarah was shocked at how disappointed she was.

“Lucky me, huh? I get to roam some more!” Doug smiled his wicked smile.

“You're so bad!” Sarah thumped his shoulder.

“Now, tell me what ye're doin’ way over here.”

“I've been teaching here in Jericho, but my home is in Marion. This is my last day here though. Too many hateful people around nowadays, if you know what I mean.”

“Look, I'm only gonna be here a few more hours before my company moves out. Can we have lunch and talk some? I've missed ya.”

“Sure, that sounds wonderful! I've missed you too.” Sarah took his arm and he led her to the hotel and restaurant down the way.

After they took their seat, Doug looked at her. “Sarah, I'm sorry about that day on the train, I was an inconsiderate fool.”

“No you weren't. Don't say that. You've always been a perfect gentleman to me, and kind too. Besides that, if I knew then what I know now, you wouldn't have gotten such a fiery and angry response from me.”

Doug smiled, obviously pleased to hear this. “Oh? And what is it that ya know now that ya didn't know then?”

“I know John a bit better.”

“What do ye mean by that?”

“It's hard to explain, Doug. I still get so angry when I think about it.”

“What? Ye're angry with him for bein’ kidnapped and killed?”

“John's alive, Doug... don't you know that?”

“No, I never heard.” Doug said blankly.

“Oh, my, no. He's very much alive and meaner than the devil himself.”

“Where is he?”

“I have no idea, and I really don't care to know either.”

“What happened?” Doug leaned toward Sarah taking her hand in his. “Why are ya so angry?”

“When John came back, things had happened. One horrible thing in particular.” Sarah looked out the window. Her face seemed to hold a bitterness.

“What was it?”

“Oh, Doug, let's not talk about that. I have better news, I found my aunt. My real mother's sister!”

“That's wonderful! But I'm afraid you've piqued my interested about that ‘other thing.'”

“Well, I'm sorry to disappoint you... but that
other thing
should stay in the past.”

“It's that bad, huh?”

“It tore me and John apart.”

“It was horrible, then.”

“It was.”

“I'm sorry about whatever it was. Is there anything I can do?”

“Thank you, but no one can do anything now and I'm not sure that I would want them to. Things have worked out for the better.”

“So, ye're a teacher here? It's quite a ways from Marion.”

“Yes, I've been driving back and forth. Going home on the weekends.”

“That is dangerous for a woman all by herself.”

“I know, that's why tomorrow is my last day. I thought I could hold out until the war ended, but I don't see the end coming.”

“I know what ya mean. But now that Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation that should encourage more to join the Union. Now we'll be getting more help from those other countries that are against slavery.”

“That's good news. So, you do see an end in sight?”

“I do. And I see a victory for us too. The nation will win this war. That blight will be taken from America when all of her citizens are truly free.”

“I believe you are right. It gives me hope. Whatever happened to Mrs. Jenkins and Miss Ruby?”

“I'm not in touch with the folks anymore. After what happened to John, the whole house just broke up. We all scattered to the four winds.”

“That's sad. I'd love to hear from them again. They were so much fun and full of life too.”

“I know. I miss the old times.”

“It was a good life, huh?”

“Yes, it was.” Just then a tall and rough looking fellow in a Yankee uniform stepped into the place..

“You coming with us, Mahaffey?” Doug looked around.

“That's my company leaving. We have to run meet up with Sherman now.” He picked up his haversack and rifle. “Um, If I wanted to write to ye, where would I send the letter?”

“Just send it to Sarah
Rush
at the Post Office in Marion. I'll get it.”

“Rush? Did ya marry?”

“No, I just took my aunt's last name. It felt more like family. You will write to me often, won't you? I'd truly love it if you would!”

“I will! I promise! It was wonderful seeing you again. Sorry we didn't get a chance to eat, but the talking was better,” he said with a wink.

“You don't know what it's meant to me! And oh, how I've missed that wink.”

“Well, being an honorable married man now, would it be too forward of me if I hug ya good-bye?”

“Of course not.” Sarah smiled. “I've already hugged you hello anyhow.” She wrapped her arms around him and he kissed her on the cheek then ran to get in line with the other men. Sarah stood watching him march away. Tears filled her eyes as she remembered their time together. She'd lost the truest love she'd ever receive from a man once again. She'd shunned Doug in her pursuit and infatuation for John and now it was too late, Doug was married. She could barely see him now, suddenly she turned as she remembered what he'd told her about watching anyone out of sight. She quickly prayed that the Lord would protect him and she prayed that what he'd said about the war was true. The ugly fighting would end and all men would be free. Sarah walked back to her room and finished packing her things to go home.

Sarah and Nora drove into Marion to pick up supplies and check the mail. Sarah reined the horse up in front of Carrol's Mercantile then they both walked in together. “Good evening!” Mr. Carrol spoke. “What can I do for you two ladies this fine day?”

“Oh, we need some of it all!” Nora chuckled. Sarah strolled over to gaze upon the book stock.

“Everything going all right out at your place, Mrs. Rush?” He said as he measured out the sugar.

“Yes, fine.”

“You heard about what happened out at the McKenny farm, didn't ya?”

“No.” Nora looked concerned. Sarah walked toward the counter to listen.

“Well, some scallywags, deserters, came upon her and her daughters and just raided their place. Took everything and even burned the barn.” He leaned forward and whispered. “And they did other things too, to her daughters, ya know what I mean?”

“Oh, how horrible!” Nora exclaimed.

“Yes, horrible it was! So horrible that they're moving, going overseas, back to her folks. Going to where there ain't no war, is what she says. I'm telling you, those scallywags did a job on ‘em!” Sarah's stomach became nervous. She didn't want to hear anymore!

“I-I'm going to run over to the post Office and check the mail while you finish up here.” She told Nora.

“All right dear.”

Sarah took a deep breath as she left the store. She walked across to the post office. As she thumbed through the mail, she saw a letter to her from Doug and promptly tore into it.

Dear Sarah;

I can't tell you how wonderful it was seeing you again!
You were like a breath of fresh air to me!

War changes a man, but I promise you this, I won't let it change me! When it's all over and done, I'm going to be just as incorrigible as the day I joined!

It's a beautiful day here. The flowers are blooming and the birds are singing. It looks as if this mess of dirty rotten men are camped out on lovers lane or something. Can you even imagine such a contrast? This is the perfect setting for two lovers to walk holding hands. I see a place right now that would do wonderful for proposing to the woman you love. There's a stream nearby. I can picture a couple floating down it in a boat. She's wearing all white, holding a white lacy parasol and he's dressed in his finest spring suit.

It seems a shame, we're about to leave this place bloody and rip it of its carefree innocence.

Well, I hear the call to duty beckoning me.

Love, (Is that all right?

Doug

When Sarah got back to the wagon, Mr. Carrol had it loaded with the supplies. “My, my. Looks like you bought the store out, Nora.”

“Well, after what Mr. Carrol said, I thought I'd better get it while we're here. We need to stay close to home with all this mess running loose. We don't need to be flitting back and forth every time we need a pound of sugar or something.”

Sarah handed her the mail. “Before we leave, I'm going back to the post office and tell them to bring our mail out to the house when they can, since we won't be coming in every week.”

“That's a good idea! I'll wait for you and see what we've got here.” she shuffled through the letters.

Later that same evening, Sarah sat down and answered Doug's letter.

My very dearest Doug;

That place sounds wonderful. I am sure that after your call to duty, it will return to its former glory. Flowers will bloom, and lovers will walk through there again. Everything is going to be fine!

Aside from the war, everything here is staying pretty much normal. Life goes on.

It was wonderful seeing you again also. I didn't get a chance to say this, but I'm sorry about that day on the train. I was just upset. Everything seemed to be happening at once and I wanted it stopped!
But so many things have happened to me in the years since.
It's difficult to think about it. John and I were not meant to be. I know that now.

I must go but I will leave you with this one thought. ‘Ne'er's a day, ne'er's a night, that we're not in, God's loving sight.'

Love, (all right for dear friends like us,)

Sara

As Sarah stood from her writing, a letter fell from her papers onto the floor. It was that first letter she'd gotten from Greta. She picked it up and read it again.
She deserves to know the truth.
Sarah sat back down, picked up her pen and with trembling hands began a letter.

Dearest Greta;

I was going through my papers and found the letter that you had written me a few years ago. You begged to know the truth. I didn't want to write it, I ran from you... I ran from telling it again. But if you still want the truth here it is. The horrible, twisted story follows.

Sarah wrote all day and into the night. At times she found herself crying again but she wrote on. She told Greta everything. When she got through she had written a ten page letter. The next day she went to the post office and dropped it in the mail. Her stomach twisted a bit when she turned it loose. Now, it was on its way. Finally, her friend would know the truth.

Sarah anxiously awaited Greta's reply. Several nervous weeks passed then there it was. She trembled as she stared at the envelope.
What was inside? Would Greta hate her forever? Was their friendship over?
She didn't want to look inside, but she had to. With trembling fingers and a pounding heart, Sarah ripped it open and began reading.

Sarah, my dear friend;

Sarah held the letter to her heart and cried as the opening line gave wings to her heart. Greta had still called her ‘my dear friend'. She wiped away the tears of joy and continued reading.

I almost passed out while reading your letter! I can't believe you kept all that to yourself. What a burden you alone have carried

My dear sweet Sarah... you were the victim, not anyone else! I am so proud of my darling brother! To tell you the honest to God's truth, if I had known I would have been blazing a trail right behind Shane and it wouldn't have been your fault if that horrid monster had killed us both that night.
You were a part of us both as I believe we are a part of you. Not even death can break this bond. We will all three be together again someday and it will be even better than the old times. They were good, weren't they? No one can take those memories from us. Not Nathan, not even the devil himself

I took your letter to the sheriff. He said there was enough to worry about with this war. He don't care about a four year old murder case. But at least I know the truth now! Thank you, Sarah for finally coming out with it! Thank you so much! I know it must have been hard to do but I hope you won't ever be afraid to tell me anything.

Your loving friend always,

Greta

Sarah felt a tremendous weight lift from her shoulders. Now, she was totally free to be happy... and she was!

Greta made her way towards the DuVal's with Sarah's letter in hand.
Sarah the sinner indeed!
She snorted to herself as she stomped onward. She wanted everyone to know the truth. The door was standing wide open. Marion was busy in the kitchen as usual. “Mrs. DuVal,” Greta called through the door.

“Yes, Greta come on in... what can I do for you today?”

“Mrs. DuVal, I have something very serious I need to talk over with you.” She entered the house. Marion pulled out a chair for her.

“Would you care for a cool drink? I know I would. It's awful hot today.”

“No, thank you.”

“Well, it's good to see you again. Now, what is this serious business?” Marion sat down

“It's about Sarah.” She boldly glared into Marion's face.

“Humpf, Sarah... you've heard from that little tart, have you? Well what is it now? Is she pregnant again?”

“I got this letter from her the other day,” Greta plopped it down on the table in front of Marion. “She knows who killed Shane and just like we all suspected, it wasn't John.”

“Then who was it?” Marion perked up in excitement as she reached for the letter. “It's past time we cleared my John's name of this travesty.” Greta looked at her in contempt.

“I doubt the truth will make you much happier as it was
your
Nathan who killed him.” Marion's face went pale.