Lilly_Bride of Illinois

by Linda K. Hubalek

  Lilly wondered what time Seth had returned, and if he went looking for her. She guessed he’d go to Clear Creek first, thinking she’d take the train to Lindsborg this morning.

  But what if Seth decided she left because she didn’t want to be married to him, and he wasn’t looking for her? Then Lilly was truly on her own to get away from these men. But then what? Hardesty was crazy enough to send someone to Kansas to bring her back to Chicago. He’d do it again if she got away from these kidnappers.

  They checked into the Brookville Hotel late evening as Mr. and Mrs. Aldrin, with Humphrey registered in another room. But both men were in the room with her, taking turns sleeping in front of the door, or sitting in the room chair awake to watch Lilly so she didn’t try to escape. Lilly claimed the bed intending to get some sleep, because she had to be alert for whatever came next. She decided they wouldn’t hurt her because she was being delivered to Hardesty, so it was best to get as much rest as she could to keep up her strength

  But Lilly’s mind turned over every possible scenario to get away and back to Seth, both on the ride to Brookville and most of the night as she lay there staring at the ceiling.

  She’d left one clue at the Brookville livery stable, and was hoping someone had found it and figured out what it meant. The men had rented the horses from there to ride to the ranch, so they returned them. They also talked the livery owner into buying Britta and her saddle at a ridiculously low price. While they were talking, Lilly needed her handkerchief because she was upset having to leave Britta. When she dug her handkerchief out of her reticule, she pulled out her twenty dollar bill, too. She stuffed the money up her sleeve, then dropped her reticule beside the wall inside the barn where she stood waiting. It was dark, and her reticule was black in color, so they didn’t see her drop it. Her identification papers were in her reticule, so hopefully someone might try to find the owner when it was found.

  They boarded the first morning train going east and were already past Abilene. Lilly ate a hearty breakfast in the dining car with the men, but otherwise snubbed them. She was not going to act like a friendly wife out on an excursion. Lilly thought about screaming for help, but worried it might backfire with the men hurting her, or other passengers instead.

  Before they left the hotel this morning, Lilly had asked Aldrin what it would take for Hardesty to leave her alone, and his answer was “your death”. And Lilly had been plotting her “death” ever since, because she was not going back to the saloon.

  ***

  Seth slammed through the door of Marshal Wilerson’s office, because he needed help. The livery hadn’t seen Lilly’s horse last night, she didn’t check into either hotel last night and the depot agent didn’t sell a ticket on any train for today to a woman in a blue coat and hat.

  Adam isn’t here! Seth whirled around to run out the door, and slammed into the marshal’s chest, nearly knocking them both down. “Slow down Seth, what’s the rush?”

  “Have you seen Lilly?! She left last night while I was gone to get the doctor for Mrs. Squires. I’ve asked all over town and no one’s seen her, last night or this morning.” Seth paced the room, not able to sit down, while the marshal walked around his desk to sit.

  “Lilly’s missing? Then I might have a clue for you, Seth. Got a telegram from the Brookville marshal while on rounds this morning,” the marshal said as he handed the telegram to Seth.

  Believe stolen horse with Straight Arrow saddle sold to livery last night. Rode by woman, with two men. Found RETICULE, name LinDdotter.

  Seth read the telegram again, trying to make sense of it. Who were the two men and why was she with them?

  “That’s Lilly’s maiden name, so she was in Brookville last night. If they turned in horses, they have to be in town, or on the train going east.”

  “Why would she be going east, and with two men?” Adam narrowed his eyes as he quizzed Seth.

  “Oh no…Hardesty’s after her again,” Seth rubbed his hand on the back of his neck. “Why is the man obsessed with her?!”

  He hadn’t told anyone besides his parents how he and Lilly met and got together, but Seth filled Adam in now on the whole story, hoping he could figure out how to help Lilly.

  “We can telegram ahead to towns they’ll be passing through and try to get a marshal on the train to arrest the men, or we might have to wait and have the Chicago police arrest the men at the depot or saloon.”

  “But it seems every person in business, and the police station in that part of Chicago is on Hardesty’s payroll! That’s why neither one of us could get any help while we were there!”

  Seth put a hand on his chest, trying to get his heartbeat to slow and air into his lungs. He had to calm down and think. What would Lilly try to do to get away from the men, and from Hardesty? If she got away this time, Seth hoped she headed to her friend in Missouri instead of Kansas. As long as Hardesty didn’t know about Lilly’s friends from the textile mill, it might be the safest place for her to go.

  ***

  She’d gone to the wash room, but Aldrin stood at the door and escorted her back to her seat. She checked the window in there, but she’d never survive trying to tumble out of the window while the train was moving. She’d get run over by the rest of the train, or break bones hitting the frozen ground. And if she tried while they were stopped at a little town, she’d be caught before she made it to the depot.

  What a pickle she was in. All she wanted when she answered the mail–order bride ad, was a nice husband and a decent home. She should have stayed in Lawrence and been satisfied with her meager life! Lilly hoped her friends who answered ads weren’t in a situation like hers. How would someone like Isabella, young and new to America, survive this type of disaster?

  Lilly looked out the window, watching the scenery as they passed. There wasn’t any snow covering the ground here in Kansas. Looks like the rain they got last night in Ellsworth County, didn’t fall past Salina. Lilly thought again of jumping out a window or to the train platform, if she could get between the train cars.

  Hmm…how could she get herself taken off the train? Well…singing got her in this mess to begin with…maybe it could help her get out of it. Maybe the conductor would escort her off the train at the next stop if she offended the passengers. The randy tune she had to sing came to mind, but first, maybe a few religious songs to captivate the audience.

  When the train left Abilene, Lilly softly started singing “Amazing grace—how sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me!”

  By the third hymn, she was standing in the aisle giving the best performance of her life. Even Aldrin and Humphrey were listening to her impromptu concert. The next long stop was Junction City, and one way or another, she was going to be off this train. Should she use the randy song or make a quick plea to the audience for help before Aldrin got his hand over her mouth? Which one would get the sheriff on the train the fastest, and not get anyone hurt?

  “I love to tell the story, ‘twill be my theme in glory, to tell the old, old story of Jesus and his love…” Lilly finished the refrain as the train started slowing.

  Lilly nodded and looked around the car. “Thank you so much for listening to my hymns of praise. Now I ask something from you…I’ve been kidnaped by these two men! Please somebody hold them down so I…” In one quick motion, Aldrin grabbed Lilly, twisted her back to his front and put his hand over her mouth. He dragged her backwards down the aisle while holding his pocket pistol to her head.

  Women screamed and pushed their children’s heads down below the seats. Several men pulled their colts and pointed them at either Humphrey or Aldrin. Lilly closed her eyes and slumped forward in Aldrin arms, hoping someone would have a clear shot at him, instead of her being hit.

  Lilly felt Aldrin stiffen as a deep voice behind them said, “Give me your pistol, or you’ll have a hole in your head. I’m Marshal John Blair and you’re under arrest.”

  Thank goodness for western cowboys and their guns, Lilly thought as Aldrin s
lowly lifted his hands in the air. She slid down to the floor and quickly crawled between and underneath the nearest two bench seats.

  Lilly heard more voices of more people entering the car, and saw the feet of the two kidnappers stumble past where she stayed hidden. Now that Lilly knew she was safe, she started shaking and crying, realizing she could have been shot dead mere minutes ago.

  The marshal got down on his hands and knees to get to Lilly’s level. “I’m looking for a Mrs. Seth Reagan, ma’am. That’s you, I assume?” the marshal asked as held out his hand to help her to rise.

  She took a deep breath and nodded to indicate she was, indeed, Mrs. Seth Reagan. She was going to be all right.

  Chapter 13

  It was the longest train ride Seth had ever taken. He’d wanted to hold Lilly and be sure she was all right. When the telegram came through to Clear Creek that Lilly was safe, he sank on his knees and thanked God. He had never been so scared in his life.

  She would not be out of his sight, or a brother—or someone with a gun—until he knew Hardesty was in prison and Lilly was finally safe from that lunatic.

  The train was slowing down and he was ready to jump off the car’s steps as soon as it was slow enough he wouldn’t break a leg.

  “Mr. Reagan?” a man with a star on his coat called and waved at him. Seth sprinted to the man.

  “Where’s my wife?!”

  “She’s all right and waiting for you at the Railroad Hotel. I’ll take you over there,” the deputy said as they quickly weaved through the passengers getting off the train and the people waiting for them.

  “Are the men who took her in custody?” Seth demanded to know as they walked down the boardwalk.

  “Yes. They’re at the jail and have been questioned. You can go to the jailhouse and talk to the marshal once you’ve seen your wife.”

  “I want them charged with stealing a horse and saddle, too, in case they weasel out of the kidnapping charge.”

  “Your wife already thought of that when she gave a statement to the marshal. She was livid about losing her horse.”

  “She’s been in the jailhouse with those men?!”

  “Oh, she talked a good hour, telling what has happened to her since she arrived in Chicago. She’d make a good Pinkerton detective with her good memory for details, and getting out of dangerous situations.”

  “Don’t even think of suggesting it to her. We’re going home to the ranch and staying there,” Seth growled.

  Seth saw Lilly through the hotel window as he reached for the doorknob. She pushed out of her chair and was in his arms before the door closed behind him.

  “Lilly, I thought I’d lost you,” Seth whispered in her hair as he hugged her close, then kissed her forehead, her cheek, and settled on her lips for a long kiss.

  “Did they hurt you?” Seth pulled her to arm’s length to look her over.

  “I’m fine, Seth, but upset about Britta …”

  “She’s fine, too. The man at Brookville’s livery stable recognized the Straight Arrow brand mark on the saddle, and wondered if she was a stolen horse. Then he found your reticule and realized you might have been in trouble so he sent a telegram to Marshal Wilerson.”

  “Are the dogs dead? They were poisoned so they couldn’t bark to warn me.”

  “They’re fine, but still moving a little slow,” Seth admitted to her.

  “I didn’t get home until after eleven o’clock last night. You weren’t downstairs, Lilly, so I thought you decided you didn’t want a real marriage. I hate to admit it, but it was eight o’clock this morning before I realized you weren’t upstairs. I’m sorry I wasn’t home to protect you,” Seth hugged her to his chest again.

  “It was bad luck…but it’s in the past now.” Lilly took a deep breath, then let it out slowly. “I love you, Seth, and I want to stay married.”

  “I love you, too, Malena Lillya Reagan. And I plan to be your loving husband until death do us part, which better not happen until we’re at least great great-grandparents.” Seth gave her another long kiss to show his love to his wonderful wife.

  The deputy cleared his throat. “Mrs. Reagan knows where the jail is. Please come over there when you’re done talking.” The deputy tipped his hat, and walked out the door. Seth was so glad to have Lilly in his arms he’d forgotten the man was with him.

  “We need to go over to the jailhouse to finish up this nightmare with Hardesty. I heard you already gave a statement to the marshal?”

  “I did. It really scared me when the man held a gun to my head…”

  “What? Who?!”

  “Remember the two men, Aldrin and Humphrey, we met on the train going to Kansas City? They asked if they could stop by the ranch on their way home from Denver to visit.” Lilly placed her palms on Seth’s chest to calm him down. “They weren’t horse breeders, and I’m sure they weren’t using their real names either. They were following me on Hardesty’s orders.”

  “I never would have guessed their plot when talking to them,” Seth stared at Lilly, shocked at her revelation.

  “After I calmed down, I was furious at Hardesty and everything which had to do with him. I told the marshal everything I could think of, hoping he can send a telegram to Chicago and press charges against him for ordering my kidnapping.” Seth liked seeing the spunk back in Lilly’s eyes.

  “Sounds like you’ve acquired the Wild West attitude of getting things done, ma’am,” Seth teased her.

  “That’s another thing. I want my own pistol before I get back on the train. When I yelled I needed help, almost every man in the car—who wore a cowboy hat—drew a Colt on the kidnappers, and several women pulled pocket pistols from their reticules, too,” Lilly waved her index finger in the air to make her point before setting her hands on her hips.

  “You need to learn how to take care of and shoot guns and rifles before you carry a firearm, Lilly. I’m sure it won’t take you long to become a sharpshooter, like most of the women in Ellsworth County.”

  “Yes, I’ll be a good shooter, too, because I need to protect our home, livestock and our family,” Lilly firmly stated.

  “Mrs. Seth Reagan, I believe you’ll make a fine rancher’s wife,” Seth grinned and pulled Lilly back into his chest.

  “Okay, let’s get over to the marshal’s office and get the interview over with. Good thing those two are behind bars, or else my fists might have done some talking of their own,” Seth said in a whisper while looking around the hotel lobby.

  “Then you might end up in jail, and I don’t want that to happen on our honeymoon,” Lilly said over her shoulder as Seth helped her into her coat.

  “Yes, I believe this is our official wedding night, Mrs. Reagan. I think we need to enjoy a nice steak dinner, then check into this hotel. There’s no reason to go home late tonight,” Seth grinned, squeezing Lilly’s hand as they stepped outside.

  “But tomorrow’s Thanksgiving. We should go home to be with your family. I won’t have time to make anything in the morning, though.”

  “I think our first Thanksgiving can be just ourselves, seeing we’re starting our own family now. The train runs tomorrow and we can be at the parsonage by midafternoon,” Seth suggested.

  “There’s a chocolate shop farther down this street. Could we buy a box of chocolates to bring home to your family?”

  Seth guessed she’d love her own personal box of treats, too, so he’d be sure she picked out her choice of chocolates. “That’s a great idea! We’ll get a big box so everyone gets a least one piece.”

  “Oh, but who’s taking care of chores tonight, and milking Daisy?” Lilly stopped to ask.

  “My brother, Mack, went out this morning to take care of the animals, and will stay overnight to do the morning chores, too.”

  “Can Mack sing Swedish songs to Daisy? Otherwise he’s going to have a terrible time milking her.”

  “Mack’s big and strong enough, he can tie her up and get Daisy milked whether she wants it done or not.”


  “Then I don’t have to worry, do I? I bet Manurva will keep his feet warm in bed, too,” Lilly laughed, linking her arm in his as they strolled to the marshal’s office.

  Seth’s heart swelled with pride because Lilly was finally his wife, and he was the lucky man to be this beautiful woman’s husband. He would never be lonely on the ranch now with Lilly working and singing, by his side.

  Epilogue

  Saturday evening, December 6, 1890

  Seth beamed at Lilly standing at the back of the church, holding onto Dagmar Hamner’s arm. Seth had asked Dagmar to walk Lilly down the aisle to represent her father. He was honored, and asked Lilly to call him Uncle Dagmar now, because she was officially part of their Swedish family as of today. The two were ready to begin walking down the aisle as soon as the organist started playing the Wedding March.

  Lilly was a vision of silk, happiness and love, all wrapped together and topped with a beautiful hat. Lilly and his mother went to a dress shop last week to buy a new dress for today. Lilly chose a midnight blue silk dress, with cream colored lace at the neck, down the bodice front, and around the cuffs. Lilly excitedly went into more detail explaining the features of her dress to him, but it was beyond his comprehension of women’s fashion. His mother made a few minor adjustments to the dress and it fit perfectly. She tried to talk Lilly into a wearing a veil, but Lilly declined because they were only renewing their vows, but the silk and flowered hat matching the dress colors made the ensemble complete.

  On Monday, they were going to the portrait studio in Ellsworth to have formal portraits taken in their wedding clothes. Besides Lilly’s new dress, Seth had bought a new black suit for the ceremony. Seth was happy Lilly wanted a copy of the portrait to send to her parents. Hopefully, her family ties would reconnect, because Seth wanted Lilly to have new, good memories of her family.

  When they were at his parents’ house on Thanksgiving, Seth asked his father to renew his and Lilly’s wedding vows. Besides making their vows stronger, Seth’s family and friends could be a part of their wedding celebration. After the ceremony, the congregation would walk over to Paulson’s Hotel to enjoy wedding cake and refreshments. Seth wanted his bride to have a special wedding with all the trimmings and traditions, because Lilly had missed out on so many life celebrations due to her family’s circumstances.