Ribbons of Steel

by Carol Henry

  ****

  Seth and Catherine arrived at the academy the following day, along with others who rolled in on buckboards. A few walked over from the train depot across the street having come in by train. The academy’s lawn was a hive of activity with twenty or so young ladies dressed in their Sunday finest, their hair combed up in dangling ringlets and their hats tied neatly under their chins. Although they were all pretty ladies, Seth considered as how his Anna Louise had them beat by a mile.

  Catherine had also put on her best dress, a lavender and lace concoction Mrs. Flanagan had helped her sew for the occasion. She looked more like a schoolmarm than a farmer’s daughter, and Seth had no doubts she’d do well on her exams today. She sure had studied hard enough.

  Seth stepped down from the wagon, turned, and offered his hand to help Catherine down. He looked over his sister’s shoulder and spotted Anna Louise coming through the iron gates surrounding the academy grounds. Dressed in a bright sun-yellow dress, Anna Louise carried a matching parasol in order to keep the hot afternoon sun from her fair skin.

  “Good day, Miss Anna,” Seth called as she approached. He tipped his hat slightly, then offered what he hoped was a beaming smile of welcome. “You’re looking mighty fine today.”

  He was going to be a gentleman today even if his insides were tied in knots.

  “Why, thank you, Seth.” Anna Louise smiled. “Catherine,” she nodded to his sister. “I hope you’re both doing well.”

  Seth had made up his mind to clarify his position with Anna Louise as soon as possible. The light shade of pink on his true love’s cheeks wasn’t caused by her lovely rouge, or the reflection of the afternoon sun. He’d bank his crop of potatoes on it.

  It was a very good sign, indeed.

  “I wish you well on your exam,” he said. “I hope you both pass with flying colors. I would be honored to have the pleasure of your company for tea at the Spinning Wheel when you’re finished here today.”

  Seth smiled at both of them, thinking as how his speech was a bit overdone, but one Anna Louise would appreciate. Anna Louise twirled her parasol and turned even pinker.

  Seth took hope.

  Catherine’s eyes twinkled at him. The corner of her mouth lifted a tad. He didn’t care, dang it. His relationship with Anna Louise was worth any amount of embarrassment his sister chose to lay on him.

  Before Anna Louise could respond, Seth continued, least she refused. “I will stop in at the Spinning Wheel and give them our reservations. I’ll return and pick you both up later. In the meantime, I must be on my way to the telegraph office. Good day, ladies.”

  Seth tipped his best Sunday-go-to-meeting hat, bowed his head slightly, and then jumped up into the wagon. Before he could click on the reins, Catherine laughed. He didn’t care. He smiled to himself as his insides danced with pleasure. The look on Anna Louise’s surprised face had been worth it. He’d been a perfect gentleman. If Anna Louise wanted manners, he’d work real hard to accommodate her. He’d work real hard to do the best he could to impress the woman he loved. Even if it meant enduring a proper tea with others watching. Like Catherine said, all he needed was a bit of patience.

  Seth’s smile broadened as he drove his team out onto the main street. He’d just left Anna Louise speechless. And by Catherine showing up to take the exam, he hoped it proved to Anna Louise he didn’t need her to help out at the farm; he was making do just fine since Mrs. Flanagan was there to help.

  Seth had passed his own test. Another step in his attempt to win Anna Louise’s heart. He couldn’t wait to take them to tea.

  Seth headed straight to the telegraph office across the street at the train station while he waited for the two-hour exam process to be over. He hitched his horses and buckboard to the post in front of Candor Hall across the street. With plenty of time on his hands, he walked down the street to the Spinning Wheel to set his reservations.

  The afternoon was warm and sunny, and the sunlight twinkled through the leaves of the maples on both sides of the street. There hadn’t been a single raindrop in a week, and dust kicked up as several wagons rolled into town. But nothing could waylay him today. Today he was going to have tea with Anna Louise. Of course, Catherine was going to be there, too, but she was aware he was in love with Anna Louise. She understood.

  After making reservations at the Spinning Wheel, Seth headed back to the telegraph office to thank Mr. Benson for sending the telegram from his father. He had picked up the family photo taken on the Fourth of July from Child’s Studios and wanted to send a copy to his mother.

  “Morn’n, Seth,” the man behind the ticket booth called when he entered the depot. “Come to send a telegram to your ma? I received one for you the other day. Seeing as no one was going out your way, I kept it right here for you. Figured you’d be coming in with Catherine for the school exam today. Other than a slight incident with the hoodlums and the Chinese riots out there, you’re ma’s just fine. Marybelle says your ma’s health has improved. Says she’s almost as good as new. Now, if I know Marybelle, Emily is in good hands. Always was a kind person, our Marybelle. Why she’d want to up and leave and travel way out west, I’ll never know. Heard her husband found his pot of gold out there before going up north and getting involved in the lumbering business.”

  Seth smiled. No matter when Seth dropped in, Mr. Benson always had a story to tell and could recite the entire message verbatim.

  “We were all surprised they didn’t go way on up farther into Alaska like everyone else to do some panning,” Seth replied, wondering when Mr. Benson was going to get around to giving him the telegram.

  “Settling for a logging camp was sure a surprise to folks around here, seeing as lumbering is pretty big in these parts, too. Now, where’d I put that dang telegram. Ah, here it is. Tucked it away to keep it nice and fresh for you. I guess you’ll want to be writing back later with Catherine’s test results today.”

  Seth took the telegram, and as Mr. Benson said, his mother was fine. Not much more about the rioting in San Francisco.

  “Yes sir. I’m taking Catherine and Miss Mitchell to the Spinning Wheel for tea after their exams. I’ll stop by later.”

  “Miss Mitchell? Well, now, Seth, she’s a right pretty little thing, our Miss Mitchell. Wasn’t she seeing Mr. Linsky from Catatonk? Hmmm...” Mr. Benson scratched his head. The telegraph contraption started clicking away, and Mr. Benson turned, he and Anna Louise already forgotten.

  ****

  Seth grinned from ear to ear all the way home. Catherine shook her head and covered her mouth. Still, her laughter rang out. He didn’t care. He was happier than a flea on a dog’s behind. What a lark. Mr. Linsky walking into the Spinning Wheel toting another lady on his arm. His eyes had just about popped out of his face a good country mile when ol’ Linsky’d seen Anna Louise sitting next to him at a corner table. They sat so close together Seth’s arm was draped across the back of Anna Louise’s chair. The look on Anna Louise’s pretty little face had been a picture, and it warmed his heart. She and Catherine had just been discussing the fact they had both passed their exams in the top five percent of everyone taking the exam. The smiles and twinkle in their eyes were a pleasure for Seth to behold. He had just been congratulating himself on being clever enough to plan this treat for them when the bell had tinkled over the door. And Mr. Linsky walked in. For a moment Seth had been ready to do battle. But when he’d seen the shocked look on both Mr. Linsky and Anna Louise’s face, he wanted to stand up and clap and give himself a sound slap on the back. He could see Anna Louise hadn’t anticipated Mr. Linsky’s duplicity. And Mr. Linsky hadn’t expected to be found out. In all, Seth figured it had been a very successful day, indeed.

  “You didn’t have to gloat so,” Catherine admonished him as they sat in the buckboard riding out of town. “Poor Anna Louise. I could see she was crushed.”

  “Like a groundhog under a hay wagon wheel,” Seth chuckled.

  “Seth. How could you? You confessed your love for he
r, and you were trying to be such a fine gentleman today.”

  “Oh, hang it, Catherine. I know Anna Louise has feelings for me. I can sense it every time we’re near enough to breathe on each other she can’t take her eyes off me. I must say, I was trying to make amends and let her know that even though she didn’t accept my proposal in the beginning, I truly wanted to wed her for all the right reasons.”

  Seth recalled how upset Anna Louise had been when she’d seen Mr. Linsky walk in with another woman on his arm. Seth had taken her hand in his and given it a gentle squeeze and then laid it on his lap under the tablecloth. Anna Louise hadn’t looked at him right away, and he hadn’t said anything. Without thinking, he had raised her hand to his lips and planted a tender, understanding kiss on the underside of her wrist. Thinking back, his gesture had been very romantic. Anna Louise had looked up, and he was shocked to see her dreamy blue eyes seek his in an exchange of mutual understanding. Her tender mouth quivered, her lips parted, and Seth wanted to do nothing more than to sweep her up out of the chair and out of sight of everyone in the room. He had wanted to be alone with Anna Louise. He had wanted to kiss her right properly.

  “Well, I will agree Mr. Linsky was rather shocked to see the two of you together,” Catherine said, hanging on to the buckboard as the wheels bounded along.

  “If you ask me, the man was shocked because he got caught with another woman. Ha. I told you I didn’t like the man from the beginning. Couldn’t see why he was coming around Anna Louise in the first place. No doubt because her family has money.”

  “It doesn’t matter now. Anna Louise has seen him for what he is. And more credit to you, I say. I could see she connected with you back there. I think you’ve hooked her good, Seth. Now just don’t go ruining everything by being stupid.”

  “I love her, Catherine. I truly do. I guess I just don’t know how to go about getting past all her hopes and dreams if they didn’t include me.”

  “Keeping your mouth shut is a start. Your actions seem to speak for themselves.”

  “I’ll keep it in mind.” Seth looked at Catherine and smiled.

  The remainder of the ride home was accomplished in companionable silence. They crested the top of the hill to the homestead to find Madeline and Timothy herding five cows along the road. Seth maneuvered the wagon up beside them.

  “What happened?”

  “Gab Hayland stopped by and told us he’d seen our cows grazing down the road in the hay field on the other side of the fence,” Timothy said. “Not sure how they got out. What with you gone, and Madeline’s mother up to her neck in baking and minding Sarah, we volunteered to round’em up.”

  At fourteen, Timothy was starting to turn into a fine young man, and a big help on the farm. Without Ma around, Timothy had been a bit of a problem at first. Seth had a hard time getting him to help with chores, but once Mrs. Flanagan arrived, his behavior changed. He became more accommodating.

  Brownie, the Collie, herded the cows as they meandered up the road like they were out for a Sunday stroll, their tails switching back and forth.

  “Brownie’s a good help,” Timothy said. “He’s kept the cows from heading on down the road and got them started up the hill toward the barn without a fuss.”

  The big brown dog wagged his tail and barked as if he understood and accepted Timothy’s praise.

  Madeline waved her long crooked tree branch at the cows, the leaves still clinging for dear life. She hit the dirt path with the bough in an effort to help the dog coax the cows back up the hill. If Seth didn’t know any better, he’d think the girl had lived on a farm all her life; her smiles infectious. Timothy didn’t seem to care that Madeline dogged his every step. In fact, Seth considered as how Timothy enjoyed the girl’s attention. Seth would have to have a talk with Timothy soon. Madeline was only twelve.

  “Catherine, take the reins.” Seth handed the strands of leather to his sister and slid down, both feet hitting the dry dirt at the same time. I’ll stay and find where they broke through the fence. Timothy, when you get the cows back to the barn, get the fencing tools and ride back on out here. We’d best take care of this before we lose a crop or two to more curious cows. I’m just thankful they didn’t discover the potatoes and tromp all over them now they’re doing so good. You two did a fine job.”

  Seth finished mending the fence long after suppertime, and then headed straight to the barn. Thankfully, Timothy had gone back earlier, and he and Madeline had fed all the animals, gathered the eggs, and made sure all the gates were locked. Seth set to milking, and then settled the cows and goats for the night. For the end of July, he was satisfied everything in his life was starting to fall into place. The only thing on his mind now was the strike in Philadelphia, and what it would do to his marketing ventures.

  After today’s events in Candor, Anna Louise was close to being his for good.

  Chapter Eighteen

  Emily couldn’t believe how much strength she’d gained over the last month and a half. Marybelle’s doctor explained to her how often times women experienced a state of depression after childbirth.

  “My dear, your body has gone through some rapid changes,” the older doctor said in a mild, caring voice. “What with moving your entire family to a new location, caring for your new baby, along with your other children, not to mention taking care of an entire household, you have no strength left for yourself so soon after giving birth.” He patted her hand she held clasped in her lap.

  “I have been tired,” Emily confirmed. “When Doctor Wooster told me I suffered from consumption, why I had no reason to disbelieve him. And now you’re telling me I don’t have the dreaded disease?”

  “My dear Mrs. Carmichael, of course you don’t have consumption. Like I said, what you do have is a bad case of exhaustion. However, your doctor back home was right in his assessment. You needed complete rest and care. I’m glad you decided to come out west to your cousin’s. It’s plain to see she’s been taking good care of you.”

  “Charley-boy was a wise man, Em,” Marybelle said. “I’m glad he sent you my way instead of to one of those old stuffy institutions for the really sick people nobody wants. Surely your condition would only have worsened all closed up in such a place.”

  At Marybelle’s, she was free to sleep and relax on the side veranda and take in the soothing breezes blowing in off the ocean all day if that’s what she wanted to do. She drank plenty of fresh, cold lemonade, enjoyed hot Sassafras tea, and ate hearty meals she didn’t have to prepare. Before long, the fever had broken, and she’d gained strength. Marybelle had suggested she start taking walks in the afternoon, something she had never had the opportunity to do back home. What with the children, there’d always been too many things to do—scrubbing, laundry, cooking, and picking up after everyone. Looking back, her doctor was right. No wonder she had been so tired all the time.

  Today she and Marybelle decided to take a stroll down along one of the old access logging paths.

  “William and his workers cut this path months ago,” Marybelle said. “It’s turned into a nice lane for walking, don’t you think, Em? It’s good to finally get you to walk this far. I’m delighted you’re feeling so much better. Won’t your family be surprised to learn you don’t have consumption after all? Did you notice how clean the area is? Sweet the air is? My William makes sure every scrap of wood is used. See those neat stacks over there? The camp uses it for firewood for the camp stoves. We’ll take the bigger pieces for the winter months to put in our own fireplace. I wish you were going to be here in the winter months, Em. We don’t get the ice cold weather like you do back home, but it’s still cold enough to sit back and enjoy a nice log fire big enough to warm the soul.”

  Emily kept in step with Marybelle, surprised when her cousin grew quiet.

  Birds twittered overhead, and the sun dimpled in between the trees as if lighting their way in the forest.

  “How do you manage, Marybelle?” Emily asked. “How do you keep up your strength t
o go on? You work hard around here. I’ve seen you manage the house and help William with the accounts. You run back and forth between the logging camp and the house and San Francisco.”

  “It’s not easy, Em. Lord knows I thrive on it, though. The boys work with William all day, now they’re old enough. If I sat around I’d go crazy like old Johnny Johns back east. Say, whatever happened to him? He was pretty old when I left. Can’t be still alive now, can he? Poor old soul. Must be a relief for his family.”

  “He was killed in a horse and wagon accident right after you left. He didn’t get out of the way fast enough, and a horse spooked and reared up and killed him. It was a sorry day. The whole town came out to support his family.” Emily thought of Marion Aderley’s son having ended up the same way as Johnny Johns. She wondered how Marian was doing.

  “What’s Candor like now? The country sure is a great place to be, isn’t it? I’m not sorry I followed William, though. I’ve got to tell you, coming across the dry prairie was no walk down the lane. Yet, it gave me the strength I needed. My William was a big help throughout our long journey, yes sir.”

  “Like you have been for me. I do so appreciate everything you’ve done. Taking care of me these past couple of months has been a blessing.”

  “Ah, Em, I didn’t do much. I’m just glad you’ve regained your health and are ready to go back to Charley soon.”

  “Yes. But I was glad to learn Charles sent Mrs. Flanagan and her daughter up to the farm. Just knowing there was someone to help Catherine with the children was a Godsend. You know how much I’ve missed the children, Marybelle. It will be so good to see them again.” Emily wiped her eyes. “Oh, dear. Look at me—acting like a blubbering fool.”

  “Now don’t you be fretting about a few tears. You’ve been away from your children for far too long. Just wait. You’ll be seeing them before you know it. Won’t they be surprised? Come. Let’s go see what William and the boys are up to. You can tell me more about what’s been happening in Candor along the way.”