Magic and Lace

14

Lacey walked out on to the street not sure what to do with all the information that she had obtained since she got up this morning and she almost collided with Magic. She patted him and they walked along in silence. Magic was the one who was leading the pair, he seemed to have a destination in mind. She had learned to trust the horse so she followed. They arrived in front of a small house. The house was the one that Phillip had grown up in. It was vacant and needed a lot of work. Magic led Lacey to the front door and encouraged her to go in.

Lacey wasn't sure what she would find, but the horse had never given her bad advice before, so she went exploring. The living room to the house was as she remembered it from the images of the morning nothing had changed other than the fact that nobody had been there for a long, long time.

Lacey moved further into the house and found the kitchen. She looked around to see if anything important was left behind, but all she found was the common kitchen utensils that every kitchen of the day had. The next room that she found was a small room right off the kitchen, it had one bed a dresser and a washbasin. Lacey took this to be the servant's quarters. Lacey retraced her steps and went on to the other side of the house. Here she found a small room that seemed to be a young girl's room probably Phebe's it had been decorated scarcely. A small bed occupied one corner with a nightstand next to it. On the other wall there was a dresser and over on the other wall was a vanity that was set up waiting for someone to come and use it.

Lacey walked over to the vanity and felt around for a secret compartment and was disappointed there was none. She did find in one of the drawers of the dresser Phebe's diary. She was expecting the writings of a small child and was surprised to find that it was the writings of a woman.

The first entry was Dated January 1, 1866 Today is the first day of the new year and I attended my first ball Papa finally gave his permission to attend Jessica Allred's coming out ball. I met the man I hope to marry he's tall dark and handsome, and he likes to travel that is something that I would like to do.

If I never see this place again, I would be the happiest person in the world. His name is Franklin Anderson. He is twenty one, and he is trying to get investors in a horse breeding ranch. I would like to have Phillip meet him before he goes back to school for the new semester. They would like each other a lot. Lacey skipped to another page. April 16, 1866 I turned sweet sixteen today and instead of this being the happiest birthday Papa seemed to ruin this one too. He not only forgot to get me anything, but he refused to let me see Franklin. I wish it were Papa that would have left instead of mama. There was no more written on that page, so she turned to another.

The date was May 8, 1866 went to Phillip's graduation Franklin and Uncle Jeremy took me papa had business to attend. Phillip looked handsome and I was so proud. I told him that Franklin and I were going to get married and that after I was, I never wanted to see papa again. Phillip gave us his blessing and Franklin and him worked out a business deal they are now partners. Lacey couldn't help but see the picture this diary was painting. Phebe was miserable, her father didn't pay any attention to her and she was alone most of the time.

Lacey turned to the last page but there was no entry she

Flipped through the book to find the last entry it was June 18, 1866. Today I am marrying Franklin. Papa refuses to come to the wedding and will no longer talk to me. He told me that I was just like my mama, who stopped loving him and left him.

I told him that I never loved him and that I thought he chased my mama away. He slapped me and told me to pack up my belongings and to get out, and that is what I am doing. I just wanted to write in you one last time I will leave this diary behind and all its fowl memories and start on with my new life as Mrs. Franklin Anderson.