A Love Transformed

by Tracie Peterson

  She reached for a plate, but Curtis gently took her wrist and pulled her close. “I’m so sorry for ever doubting that love.”

  “You should be.” She still smiled, but there was a hint of reproof in her tone. “It better never happen again.”

  He shook his head. “It won’t. I promise.” He drew her hand to his lips and kissed each of her fingers. “You know we haven’t talked about when we should marry.”

  “No, we haven’t. I suppose I’ve been so upset by Mother’s threats and this strange lull of silence from her that I’ve not given it much thought.”

  He could hear the fear in her voice. “You know you don’t have to worry about her. I won’t let anything happen to the children, and I know Madeline and Paul won’t either.”

  “They’ve been so good to keep the children busy. I haven’t been myself, and I know they sense my uneasiness.”

  “I hope you don’t mind, but I’d like to talk to the children about us getting married.” Curtis had given this a great deal of thought. “I want to make certain it’s all right with them.”

  “I’m sure it will be. They already adore you.” She sighed. “Just as I do. But feel free to talk to them as you wish. I want there to be no secrets about this.”

  “Neither do I. In fact, I want to make everything so clear and unhidden that none of the area gossips will have any ground to accuse us of acting inappropriately.”

  “There’s nothing inappropriate about this,” Clara countered, but a hint of worry edged her voice. “Still, perhaps we should marry right away. Today even. I don’t want anyone to think badly of Madeline and Paul.”

  “Anyone who knows them or you will know nothing inappropriate has happened, nor will it. I value you too much to dishonor you, despite what people think of me and my past.”

  She put her hand to his cheek. “I know you are completely honorable. And those people who think badly of you and refuse to forgive or forget your past are of no concern to me.”

  “They will be if your mother starts asking about me around town. There are plenty of gossips, as you well know, who will be only too happy to tell her every ugly detail of my life.”

  Clara sighed and retook her seat. “And that will give her all the more ammunition to take the children from me.” Her expression grew worried. “I can’t just keep running away from her, but I don’t know what to do. She has money and powerful friends. She’s always gotten what she wanted and usually at great cost to others.”

  “Well, she won’t get the children. Nor is she going to take you away. I won’t let it happen, Clara. You need to just trust me on that. Your uncle has some powerful friends too, but more important, we have the power and defense of the Lord. I can’t say that I’ve always understood His ways. There are so many things that remain a mystery to me, but I do know that He is on the side of right.”

  Clara wrung her hands together. “This is just so hard. I knew my mother was a determined woman. I knew she could be ruthless and inconsiderate of other people’s feelings. I just never expected her to be so cruel as to want to rob me of my children. I never thought she’d threaten such a thing.” Tears came to her eyes. “I suppose I was naïve in that and so much more.”

  “Well, we still don’t need to be afraid. God will help us through this matter. We need to trust Him and pray fervently.” He smiled. “I’ve done a lot of praying lately.”

  Clara wiped her eyes. “I know you’re right. Aunt Madeline said the same thing. I just start thinking about all the harm Mother could do.”

  “The Bible tells us to take those thoughts to Him. Why don’t we do that right now? We haven’t prayed together in a long time.”

  “You’re right. The Bible says there is great power in our prayers when we pray with others.” Clara bowed her head. “Dear Lord, show us the way to overcome the obstacles others have put in our path. Show Curtis and me when we should marry. Help me to deal effectively with my mother, but not to dishonor her.”

  She fell silent and Curtis continued. “Lord, we need you now more than ever. You’ve been so good to bring Clara back to me and to bring me back from the pits of self-pity and sin. You alone hold the answers we need, and we trust you to show us what we need to do in order to keep the children safe. Help us, Lord, to know your will in all of this.”

  An hour later, Curtis sat in his room reading Second Corinthians chapter ten verse five aloud as a reminder to himself. He hadn’t wanted to say anything to Clara, but he wasn’t entirely without his own concerns. Her mother was an unrelenting tyrant when it came to ordering people about. She didn’t care about feelings or motives; she only cared about herself. However, Curtis realized he’d fallen victim to the very thing he’d warned Clara about and that had sent him to the Bible.

  “‘Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.’”

  He glanced toward the ceiling. “Every thought. That’s not gonna be easy, but I definitely see the value in it.”

  He read the Bible for a few more minutes, then remembered the diaries of Adolph Vesper. How strange for a man like Clara’s husband to keep detailed journals. Given his love of business and absence as a husband and father, it seemed unlikely that he would leave a record of his thoughts and feelings.

  Curtis opened the small case, catching sight of the banded stacks of paper bills. There was a considerable amount of money. No doubt Clara was right to hide it from her mother. He reached into the case and pulled out the first journal. Taking it back with him to his chair, Curtis settled in to read. His leg ached, so he took a moment to prop it up on the ottoman before he opened the book.

  Scanning the first few lines, Curtis quickly realized the contents of this journal dealt with numerous business dealings. At least that’s how it appeared at first. The further he read, however, the darker and more sinister the content grew.

  Otto has imposed his will upon me once again. There is no refusing him as his threats grow more devious by the day. I find it impossible to leave our associates and their plans of treachery and espionage.

  Curtis continued reading as Adolph gave an account of activities that had resulted in destruction of property and loss of life. Many of the pages were simple yet detailed lists of activities that had been performed. To Curtis it was clear these were events that had been planned out by German sympathizers.

  This is done in hopes of forcing America’s hand to come into the war in support of Germany. Promises have been made by emissaries of the kaiser. They have made it clear that with our support and investment in their cause, we will be richly rewarded when Germany wins the war. I have told Otto the foolishness of this. First of all, as Americans we owe allegiance to our country. Otto believes our allegiance is for sale to the highest bidder.

  There were additional dates and events listed for several pages and then another page of scrawled writing that clearly told of Adolph’s regret in his participation.

  It’s just as I told Otto after the sinking of the Lusitania—the loss of all those precious souls; life must matter for more than this. We have become puppets of a regime that cares nothing about the loss of life. Otto has threatened me once again, and I know he will see his threats through if I do not comply, but I do not see how I can agree to what he is asking—demanding.

  Curtis shook his head, realizing the truth. Adolph and his brother were involved in treason against America. They were operating with others to mastermind the sinking of ships, both civilian cargo and passenger liners as well as military. They had helped to finance and arrange bombings and destruction of property. They had helped subversives to escape local authorities and had given information to others who would take back this new knowledge to their king.

  Glancing at the door, Curtis wondered if Clara had any idea of her husband and brother-in-law’s guilt. He scanned yet another page of details. This one had a list of supplies and monies that had been donated for
the cause. He turned the page and saw several lines of writing.

  I told Otto today that I cannot go on participating in this treason and plan to give myself up to the authorities. I know my life has been forfeited. I will no doubt meet my end very soon. I fear that most likely it will come at the hand of my own brother. He believes me a coward and a disgrace. I told him I would rather be dead than go on as a spy, and he told me that if I held to this decision, he would see to my death personally. I do not fear death. I face it without sorrow for myself, but I fear for Clara and the children. They don’t deserve the fate that awaits them as the wife and children of a traitor. Poor Clara. She has suffered her fate in silence all these years. My deepest regret is that I had no love to give her. If I should be killed and anyone lays hold of this journal, I want it known that she had no knowledge of my treachery. She is completely innocent of any wrongdoing.

  It was dated April 3, 1917, and was clearly the last entry made by Adolph Vesper, as the rest of the book was blank. Curious, Curtis went to retrieve the other three books. He found that the first of the journals showed dates set in 1915. The first was a notation in January.

  I have agreed under some duress to help in aiding Germany in their war efforts. Otto demanded I participate, and after he explained the reasons, I was of a more cooperative nature. Germany has a right to their cause, and as one with ancestors who came from that country and relatives who still live there, I agreed to comply and do what I could to help. My first order of business is to make detailed accounts of all shipping. Others will help with this by bringing me information. The lists will be compiled as far into the future as possible and then turned over to Otto, who will in turn take them to Charles Weidel. Weidel is a powerful American with deep pockets and ties to the Fatherland.

  The journal continued much as the first with a detailed list of donations given by various sympathetic Americans. There was also a list of information that Vesper had compiled on the ships and their dates of sailing. This went on for several pages, intermingled with comments about the results of some of their dealings. It wasn’t until Curtis read the entries dated May 10, 1915, however, that he truly understood the impact of this espionage.

  My heart is grieved beyond words, and yet I cannot tell a soul of how I feel at the knowledge that information I gave aided in the sinking of the Lusitania. This ship carried munitions and cargo bound to aid Great Britain in their fight against the kaiser and his allies. It also carried nearly 2,000 souls—most of whom were lost. How can I bear my guilt? I made my feelings known to Otto and he actually laughed. He told me I was foolish to even care, reminding me that the ship was in violation of agreements that passenger liners would not carry troops or munitions. Somehow in his mind the presence of such things makes it acceptable that so many human lives were taken.

  After that declaration, Curtis found newspaper articles folded between the pages. Many were about the Lusitania, but after a few pages there were others that told of additional ships being sunk and of plots being uncovered to place Americans in peril.

  Curtis glanced through the other journals and found more of the same. The comments given by Adolph betrayed his growing desire to be rid of his responsibilities, as well as the impossibility of leaving because of his brother’s demands and threats.

  A knock sounded on his bedroom door. Curtis quickly closed the journal, placed all four books back in the case, and set it beside his chair. “Come in.”

  “Look who’s come to check up on you.” Clara smiled and stepped aside for Dr. Cosgrove. “I told him you were behaving yourself and following orders, but he wanted to see for himself.”

  Curtis tried to clear his mind of what he’d just learned and smiled. “Good to see you, Doc.”

  “I hope you can still say that after I examine that leg.” Cosgrove crossed the room and put his medical bag on the quilt-covered bed. “I see you’ve propped it up. Is it causing you pain?”

  “Yes, but nothing I can’t manage.”

  “I’ll leave you to examine your patient,” Clara announced, exiting the room.

  When the door closed behind her, the doctor motioned Curtis to the bed. “I need you to disrobe so that I can examine your back as well as the leg. I want to make certain you are healing and haven’t developed any new issues.”

  Curtis thought the doctor would never conclude with his poking and prodding. At one point he made Curtis walk back and forth across the room. First with the aid of his cane and then without.

  “You are obviously in a great deal of pain, and that limp seems even more pronounced. I am still of a mind that we may need to send you to Billings, where a surgeon can rebreak and set the leg properly.” He held up his hand, seeming to know Curtis would protest. “We’ll give it another month or so and see how it goes. After that, we’ll have to make a decision. The last thing you want, however, is to be crippled.”

  The news wasn’t exactly what he’d hoped for, but Curtis held back his complaints. There was no sense in protesting what wasn’t yet reality. After the doctor had gone, Curtis dressed and waited for Clara to appear. He knew she’d want to know all the news, but what the doctor had told him paled in comparison to what Curtis had read in her husband’s journals. He knew the authorities needed to see these. No doubt Clara’s brother-in-law was still quite active in the espionage.

  At the sound of Clara’s light knock, Curtis bolstered his courage. She deserved to know the truth, but at the same time Curtis longed to protect her.

  “Come in.”

  Clara opened the door with a look of expectation. “So what did the doctor say?”

  Curtis hobbled to the chair. “He’s still worried the leg hasn’t healed properly, but everything else checked out just fine.” He sank into the chair. “We’ll know for sure in another month or so.”

  Clara came to stand in front of him. “That is good news. I knew it would be. And I feel certain that in another month, you’ll be much better.”

  “I hope so.” Curtis frowned. “Clara, sit down for a minute.”

  Her expression changed to one of worry. “Is there something you haven’t told me? Did the doctor have other concerns?”

  “No. It’s about your husband’s journals.”

  Clara sat on the edge of the bed and waited for him to continue. Curtis wasn’t exactly sure how to break the news to her. For a moment, he struggled to find the right words.

  “It would seem that the journals were of a business nature more than a personal one.”

  “Somehow that doesn’t surprise me,” Clara replied, looking notably relieved. “He always loved his jewelry making far more than anything or anyone else.”

  “But this isn’t about the jewelry, Clara. It’s about something far more sinister.”

  She frowned. “Such as?”

  “Treason.” Curtis could see the confusion on her face. “Your husband and his brother were spies for Germany. Otto is most likely still working to give information to the enemy.”

  “I know the entire city was on edge looking for traitors, but I would never have believed Adolph capable of that.”

  “But it’s true, and it’s all detailed in those books.” He saw the disbelief in her eyes give way to acceptance.

  “So what should we do?”

  “The authorities need to have the journals. There are dated accounts of information given, as well as lists of people who supported the cause of aiding Germany. Your husband listed donations and the activities of a great many people, and the government will want this information in order to bring those people to task for what they’ve done. That includes your brother-in-law.”

  “I can’t imagine Otto acting in such a way either. He always seemed so . . . well . . . so patriotic.” Clara shook her head. “Are you certain he’s involved?”

  “Yes. In fact, Adolph spoke of Otto’s threats to him. Adolph feared for you and the children and what might happen if the truth were discovered. He even spoke of . . .” For a moment Curtis wrestled with whethe
r or not it would do any good to tell Clara the truth of Adolph’s fears.

  “Spoke of what?” Clara insisted, as if she could read his mind. She squared her shoulders. “I can handle whatever the truth is.”

  “He feared he was going to lose his life,” Curtis replied. “And he was afraid that Otto would be the one to take it.”

  22

  We’ve had a long talk,” Clara announced to her aunt and uncle after dinner.

  They looked somewhat puzzled, and Curtis thought to add an explanation, but Clara continued. “Curtis and I—we had a long talk. We want to be married right away.”

  Curtis smiled, knowing Clara had waited until the children had left the room before making the announcement. She hadn’t yet spoken to the children about the idea, because Curtis wanted to speak to them first and get their approval.

  Paul slapped Curtis on the back. “It’s about time you came to your senses and married our Clara.”

  Curtis smiled and nodded at Madeline. “I suppose even pigheaded folk manage to do the right thing now and again.”

  “They do if they’re smart.” Madeline fixed him with a smile. “I couldn’t be happier. You two have always belonged to each other.”

  “I agree,” Clara replied.

  “Do the children know?” Madeline asked.

  Clara shook her head. “No. We wanted to tell you first. Curtis plans to talk to them afterward.” She glanced toward the window. “With it raining they’ll be glad for the diversion.”

  “I’ve never seen anybody enjoy the great outdoors like those two do,” Paul said, scratching his chin. “Does a body good to see children healthy and happy.”

  “Well, they are, thanks to you and Aunt Madeline. They love it here. Oh, and it was so kind of you to set up that table on the porch for them,” Clara said. “I know they’ve enjoyed working on that wooden jigsaw puzzle you brought from town.”

  “Judge Walker had it from when his children were young.”