"Now that you shall soon be mine, I shall carry you about whenever I please," he told her. "You are just the right armful for me, did you know that?"
"I never thought about it," Katie confessed.
"Only I have, several times! From the first moment I lifted you in my arms, and you kicked and screamed to be free. I marveled at how light you felt. You belong in my arms, Katie!"
He stepped up into the carriage beside her, and ordered the driver to Emerson Manor. "I know Alain's death will make things awkward, but would it be in terribly bad taste if we get married shortly after the funeral? I'm sure people will think it improper of us, but I don't want to take another chance that we may be parted."
"I think people will understand," Katie assured him. "After all, we have been betrothed since we were children, and you have waited a very long time for me to return."
Alden pulled her close to him. "Yes, such a very long time! You have been so brave, Katie, and taken everything so well. I am very proud of you."
“If, we get married, Alden, there is something you have to promise me... I really don’t think we should keep Winslow hall. It has nothing but disturbing memories for me. I would like it to be made into an orphanage. After all, my mother was an orphan, and in a way so was I.”
“If that is what you want.” Alden suddenly sat up straight. "…Which reminds me, I have something I have been carrying around with me, something from your Mother, Katherine Gail Winslow. Nancy had tucked in the back of her diary, apparently you didn't notice it. He took a slip of paper from his vest pocket and began to read.
My dearest Kathy,
It breaks my heart that I must part with you like this, but it is for your safety that I do so! Nancy is a dear friend of mine and she will take good care of you, and if anything happens to me before you are able to return to Winslow Hall, I want you to know I love you dearly!
This poem is one my father left with me before he died and I was sent to live with the Emersons, I want you to have it and remember me by it....
Alden began reading the poem that Katie had put to memory, and played such an important part in her life when she didn’t even know it.
Katie took in her breath. "Nancy made me memorize that poem! She said it was very important and had clues in it about finding the secret box, but I guess I can tell you about that later. It was from my own mother all along, and that was probably part of the clue to who I was.
“In saying it so often, I guess I sort of lived my life by those words. Did I tell you that I found the broach in the bottom of my music box, along with the letters my mother sent to Nancy? Alain had a music box just like it, which my mother had given her also. Nancy said there was a secret box with a key in it that would open a door to wealth and security, if only I could find the box. It was with me all along, and I didn't even know it!"
"You certainly have done what the poem requested," Alden praised her, as he put the slip of paper back in his pocket.
"I'm sorry I never knew my real mother," Katie said sadly. "However, her choice of a husband for me is more than I could have ever wished for.”
Then she was engulfed in his kiss, and she knew within her heart that she and Alden were always meant to be together. Their lips parted briefly, as Alden whispered. “With you, Katie, now my life will be one grand sweet song.”
The End
Winslow's Web Page 33
