“You are no good to us if you if you are unwell.”
CHAPTER 22 – The Train
The traveling party boarded the train with copious farewells and promises to write. Barbara reminded her younger charges to practice their letters with care so they too could send missives.
The final boarding party consisted of Mother Evangeline, ten orphans, two gentlemen accompanying and escorting the group, and Emilene.
Mother Evangeline had embraced Emily’s last wishes and insisted that not even black armbands be worn by anyone. But she had, herself, clipped several locks of Emily’s lovely hair and asked Sister Margaret and the other nuns who’d made Gracie’s wedding lace to make mourning jewelry for Barbara, Judith, and Emilene, plus mementos for herself and Sister Teresa Rose, and any of the other Sisters who’d become especially close to the quiet, uncomplaining girl.
Ned Shanks turned up and took a number of photographs of the group in the station and boarding the train. As promised, Sister Benedicta had penned an article describing the voyage in such a manner as to give credit to the church, both orphanages, and the parishioners whose beneficence had made the trip a possibility.
While short on personal details, each girl was named, as were each of the key parishioners, especially Mrs. Arbuthnot, ensuring a strong society interest. The role of the Board of Directors was omitted, as that was an internal matter.
Not knowing the deeper background, Ned was quite pleased with the piece and feeling rather good about the pictures he had taken. The young ladies had looked like fashion plates and he knew his photographs would get full play in the rotogravure.
~~~
For more than one of the girls, this adventure had created a hope beyond what any of them had ever dreamed of in life. The train ride would have been considered tedious by many people, but for most of the Mercy group, several of whom had never been more than four blocks from Saint Francis their entire lives, everything was brand new, even the shabby, rundown shanties as they left town.
And the further they travelled, the more new things they saw. Fields and houses widespread and not crammed together; cows, horses in fields or pulling buggies or drays, sheep, and goats; and then the hills and mountains. They also passed through many cities and by nightfall had passed out from exhaustion in their seats. Even the adventure of sleeping upright in a train was something to be treasured.
Although after several days of travel, some of the inconveniences had become painfully obvious to all, nonetheless, their excitement at all the new things bombarding their senses, continued to buoy their spirits and fuel their hopes.
And, finally, they were there.
CHAPTER 23 – Kansas
The men crowded around the platform, anxious to catch a glimpse of the women traveling west to be with them as brides.
“Over there!” cried Jeff, as he saw a group of young women descend from one of the cars.
As the men hustled forward, the women gained the platform and one turned back to receive something from another. She turned around as the men approached, holding a bundle in her arms.
Billy, drawn by her thick, richly colored hair, went straight toward her. He stared at her in awe, taking in the baby in her arms and the calm expression of the woman holding it. This was the woman from the photograph. His Barbara.
She looked up into his eyes.
He was a small man, but she was even smaller and, oh, so beautiful.
“You look just like the Virgin Mary,” he said softly and worshipfully. “You are even more beautiful than your picture.
“I'm Billy,” he added shyly.
“How do you do, Billy. Yes, I'm Barbara. And this is my niece, Emilene.”
He reached out his hand ever so gently.
“May I touch her?” he asked reverently.
At her nod, he gently stroked a finger along the rosy cheek of the sleeping child. Emilene’s eyes fluttered open and gazed at him, then smiled, cooed, and dropped back off to sleep.
Barbara had been watching his hand, but now looked up. Sensing her gaze he lifted his eyes, falling into the soft depths of hers.
“I would be most honored if you would allow me the pleasure of escorting you to the wagon.”
Barbara nodded and smiled shyly as she allowed him to cup her elbow, his other hand grasping her valise.
Father Flanagan and Mother Evangeline were catching up on family news as they watched their two groups mingle and meet for the first time.
“Our nephew Frederick just presented our parents with their fifth great-grandson shortly before we left.”
“What are they calling him?”
“Pius Aloysius.”
Her brother rolled his eyes. “Poor lad hasn’t a chance. They’ll be giving him to the church at every opportunity.”
“He’ll either end up like you or run off to the gold fields like Ignatius.”
They both laughed; then Father Flanagan confided, “That’s actually where I got the idea, you know. Ignatius wrote to tell me he’d gotten a mail-order bride and it worked out splendidly after they got used to each other.”
“When did this happen and why haven’t I heard?” sputtered his sister.
“Well, he made me swear on my honor our parents wouldn’t get word of it until he was ready to break the news to them. They are now expecting a wee one and Iggy thought he might be able to share the news of his marriage that way, so he said I might mention to you in confidence how he happened to acquire a bride.”
She looked thoughtful for a moment and then gave her head a decided nod. “You two have always been thick as thieves. He still hasn’t written me since he left home. And I’m never sure any of my letters reach him, he’s moved about so.”
“Well I think he’s staying put now. He’s homesteading in
