Entangled Hearts

Chapter 20

The next two days were filled with helping Martha pack her belongings and making final preparations for her departure. During those two days, the girls worked together happily, and as they worked, the barrier that had always seemed to exist between them faded. They spoke to each other with tenderness and love, gaining a different attitude toward each other, a more sympathetic understanding of each other's feelings. Clara noticed this and was pleased; she even imagined that the girls had grown to look very much alike. Martha's eyes were not as true brown as her sister's, nor was her hair as wavy, but there was a marked resemblance. Perhaps they were drawn closer because each realized she might never see the other again when the horrible war was over. A warmth came into Laura Mae's heart as the thought came to her that Martha might see Gene in France and be a friend to him over there. She was tempted to let her sister in on her dear secret, but no, she would not tell it to anyone.

The time came for Martha to bid them all farewell and catch her train. The girls clasped their arms about each other in a warm embrace, and tears rolled down their cheeks as they kissed each other goodbye. Martha then turned to her mother standing there with open arms awaiting her turn for a kiss. In her mind, Clara kept repeating over and over a prayer, asking God to bless her child and bring her safely home again.

Out in the yard, Eli put the baggage into the back of the buggy, then he and his daughter climbed in and seated themselves for the drive to the station. Eli started his prancing team down the lane, and Martha turned with tears in her eyes to wave at her mother and sister, who were waving in return. When the buggy had reached the crossroad and disappeared from view, Clara dried her eyes and turned in the direction of the henhouse. It was time to feed and water the chickens, but most of all, she wanted to be alone for a while, so she could think and cry and pray without anyone to see or interrupt her. It was the way she had always had of curing the many heartaches that had come into her life.

Laura Mae knew that her mother wanted to be alone, so she turned to the house. She was to think of Martha leaving, but her thoughts immediately turned to Gene. She went to the telephone and called the Whitmer Mansion. After a long talk with Gene's uncle, she hung up the receiver and hurried to her room where she found her box of pale pink stationary and wrote a letter to her dear, beloved husband!

"Dearest, dearest Gene,

It seems like ages since I saw you. I am home again, but it does not seem right to be here, knowing that you are not at the Whitmer Mansion. I just had a talk over the phone with our dear Uncle Everett. Does it seem funny that he is my uncle, too, now that we are married? He told me about the things you have written in your letters to him while I was in Denver.

I am glad that you find camp life interesting. I bet your muscles surely do ache from the severe training they are giving you. Uncle said that you think New York is a wonderful city. I have always wanted to see it. Perhaps someday, after you come back, we can have a honeymoon and see some of these places together that you are now seeing ahead of me.

Uncle Everett said that one of your college friends from Kingsford happens to be in the same squad as you. I am glad; you can be company for each other. Who is he? Maybe you have mentioned him to me in relating school experiences.

I shall never, never forget our day in Kingsford. I think the very memory of it will help the time to pass faster and easier. You were so wonderful to me that day. Gene, I have slipped the wedding ring onto the string of beautiful pearls and put them in the bottom of my trunk. I am not ready to tell Father and Mother my secret yet. The photograph you gave me two years ago is down there with them. Every night, when I am sure the folks are in bed, I take out my treasures and kiss them all goodnight. Do you think I am silly? My lover, I miss you so!

Martha is leaving today to join the Red Cross. Maybe you will see each other in France if this dreadful war lasts, and it looks like it will. We will all have to sacrifice and be brave for Uncle Sam. I am going to try and do my bit at home. I bought thrift stamps with the money Father gave me for dresses.

Uncle Everett said he would be going to the store and Post Office in about a half an hour, and if I want him to mail this letter for me, he will stop at the crossroads for it, so I had better quit for this time. I will write to you again soon. Father has gone to take Martha to the train; I hope he doesn't come back in time to see me handing this letter to Uncle Everett, or he would likely take it and read, then he would know of our secret marriage.

My sweetheart, please write to me soon. Be brave and trust in God.

With oceans of love, Your Bride."

She sealed the envelope and addressed it as Everett had dictated over the phone. As she went out of the little gate into the lane, she heard the rattle of buggy wheels from the west. It was Everett Whitmer. He stopped his horses at the crossroads and waited for the girl. She handed him the letter, and while he was putting it into his pocket, he asked, "How did you enjoy your trip to Denver? Gene told me you had gone."

"I enjoyed it quite well, but I would rather be here than there." Everett gave a low chuckle. "This is not a bad place at all, at all," he said. "Laura Mae, Maria and I want you to come over and see us."

"Thanks, I will," she said, smiling. "Martha is leaving today to join the Red Cross."

"Is that right?" He looked concerned. "Well, well, I only hope they all come back safe."

"I am sure they will." Laura Mae did not dare think of it being any other way.

"Well, I had better be getting on to the store," he said. "Maria wants some groceries to work on as soon as I can get back with them. She's a fine cook, Laura Mae, a fine cook." He rapped his horses with the lines and started down the road.

"Thanks for taking my letter," the girl called after him. He nodded in acknowledgment, then turned his head back to watch his glossy team as it trotted along with lively steps. He was proud of his well-bred horses. Laura Mae went back toward the house. Seeing her mother out in the vegetable garden, she went to her to help pull out the bothersome weeds from around the growing plants.

"The world is just like this garden," she thought as she worked. "Just full of people who are only weeds living and thriving alongside the people who are worthy and good."