main street and several single
family homes. She quickly looked through the banking information. Are you kidding me? I have never seen that many zero's.
Claire was still not completely at ease, but
with the financial worries slipping to the back of her mind, she
put away the documents. Picking up the journal she opened it to
where she had placed the ribbon marker.
March 9, 1886
Dear Diary,
We have finally made it to Arkansas. The
trip was daunting, and I was beginning to think we would never
reach our new home.
We traveled by train from Boston to
Springfield and then traveled nearly a full day by coach to reach
Eureka Springs.
I have of course been on a train before, but
never for such a great amount of time. Even from the privacy of my
sleeping car I could smell the horrendous odor of the many bodies
of the people who traveled beside me. Like myself many had endured
motion sickness for much of the trip.
Annie pulled me aside on the second day of
the trip and confessed her fears, that I could be with child. I do
not know why I did not think about the possibility, but it is true.
After thinking about what she said I realized that I had not had my
menstruation since before my time with Thomas in the carriage
house.
I am conflicted, although I want to have
many children with my dear sweet Thomas, I worry that if it is true
father will harm me. Or worse, harm my child. But in a way I am
hopeful he might even allow us to marry. We have just moved to a
new town where nobody knows us. Perhaps he would allow us to wed in
secret. Until Thomas arrives, I could say that my husband is
settling our affairs in Boston.
I need to find a way to speak with mother in
private. Perhaps she will know what to do and could get me to a
doctor to confirm my condition. Although I am not being held
prisoner here, I am afforded very little privacy so I will have to
wait until father is out of the house.
Father's sour moods have continued, despite my hope that a new town
and a new start would bring a welcome change.
I hear someone coming. I need to hide my
journal, for fear if father knew, he would read my most private
thoughts.
Elizabeth
March 10, 1886
Dear Diary,
I have still heard nothing of Thomas. I had
hoped that one of the servants would have news of him. I know from
his letter that he still loves, me and at the moment that is
enough. I carry the letter with me everywhere and hold it dear to
my heart along with the memories of our time together in the
carriage house. I know I should not think of such things, but I can
not help but to remember the caring and love that he showed me.
When he looked into my eyes it was as if we were the only two
people in the world.
Despite all of fathers faults, he has built
a glorious new home. It is a large beautiful home set amidst the
Ozark mountains. My room is every girls dream, and mother had it
painted my favorite shade of pink. I think this must be how a
princess feels, sleeping in such a beautiful room.
I had hoped mother and father would allow me
take the blue room just beyond the balcony. However, they insisted
that my room be on the main hall with their rooms and those of my
brothers.
For the time being my sickness has subsided,
which seems to have erased the worry from Annie's face. I am
saddened at the thought that I might not be with child. But I know
that it is for the best. There will be plenty of time for Thomas
and I to have children, and I would prefer that we wed first, so he
can be by my side throughout my confinement.
I must go now. William wants me to explore
the attic with him. He is such a little thing. I know he is
frightened to go alone, but would never dare admit it to me.
Elizabeth
March 11, 1886
Dear Diary,
I wanted to write of my experience with
William in the attic so I would never forget the fun that we
had.
Because of the cold weather, we decided we
would have a picnic in the
family homes. She quickly looked through the banking information. Are you kidding me? I have never seen that many zero's.
Claire was still not completely at ease, but
with the financial worries slipping to the back of her mind, she
put away the documents. Picking up the journal she opened it to
where she had placed the ribbon marker.
March 9, 1886
Dear Diary,
We have finally made it to Arkansas. The
trip was daunting, and I was beginning to think we would never
reach our new home.
We traveled by train from Boston to
Springfield and then traveled nearly a full day by coach to reach
Eureka Springs.
I have of course been on a train before, but
never for such a great amount of time. Even from the privacy of my
sleeping car I could smell the horrendous odor of the many bodies
of the people who traveled beside me. Like myself many had endured
motion sickness for much of the trip.
Annie pulled me aside on the second day of
the trip and confessed her fears, that I could be with child. I do
not know why I did not think about the possibility, but it is true.
After thinking about what she said I realized that I had not had my
menstruation since before my time with Thomas in the carriage
house.
I am conflicted, although I want to have
many children with my dear sweet Thomas, I worry that if it is true
father will harm me. Or worse, harm my child. But in a way I am
hopeful he might even allow us to marry. We have just moved to a
new town where nobody knows us. Perhaps he would allow us to wed in
secret. Until Thomas arrives, I could say that my husband is
settling our affairs in Boston.
I need to find a way to speak with mother in
private. Perhaps she will know what to do and could get me to a
doctor to confirm my condition. Although I am not being held
prisoner here, I am afforded very little privacy so I will have to
wait until father is out of the house.
Father's sour moods have continued, despite my hope that a new town
and a new start would bring a welcome change.
I hear someone coming. I need to hide my
journal, for fear if father knew, he would read my most private
thoughts.
Elizabeth
March 10, 1886
Dear Diary,
I have still heard nothing of Thomas. I had
hoped that one of the servants would have news of him. I know from
his letter that he still loves, me and at the moment that is
enough. I carry the letter with me everywhere and hold it dear to
my heart along with the memories of our time together in the
carriage house. I know I should not think of such things, but I can
not help but to remember the caring and love that he showed me.
When he looked into my eyes it was as if we were the only two
people in the world.
Despite all of fathers faults, he has built
a glorious new home. It is a large beautiful home set amidst the
Ozark mountains. My room is every girls dream, and mother had it
painted my favorite shade of pink. I think this must be how a
princess feels, sleeping in such a beautiful room.
I had hoped mother and father would allow me
take the blue room just beyond the balcony. However, they insisted
that my room be on the main hall with their rooms and those of my
brothers.
For the time being my sickness has subsided,
which seems to have erased the worry from Annie's face. I am
saddened at the thought that I might not be with child. But I know
that it is for the best. There will be plenty of time for Thomas
and I to have children, and I would prefer that we wed first, so he
can be by my side throughout my confinement.
I must go now. William wants me to explore
the attic with him. He is such a little thing. I know he is
frightened to go alone, but would never dare admit it to me.
Elizabeth
March 11, 1886
Dear Diary,
I wanted to write of my experience with
William in the attic so I would never forget the fun that we
had.
Because of the cold weather, we decided we
would have a picnic in the
Similar Books
