A Hidden Truth (31 page)

The row of elders murmured their approval. I hoped Cousin George's compliments would be remembered when Anton asked for permission to marry Karlina. It suddenly seemed strange to me that the elders could now find more reason to deny the request due to Karlina's behavior than Anton's temper. And all because of me!

The senior elder turned a steely gaze in my direction. “Now I would like to learn more about these visits to the farm belonging to—” he hesitated and looked down at his notes—“to the Sedlacek family.”

I didn't know if I should stand, but since Cousin George had done so, I followed his example. Fear assailed me. My legs threatened to buckle, and I grabbed the back of the wooden pew for support. “Thank you for giving me permission to speak.”

One of the elders cupped a hand behind his ear. “Talk louder!”

His shouted command echoed off the walls like a shotgun blast. My lips trembled. I couldn't remember a time when I'd been so overcome. Standing before the Lord on Judgment Day would likely be thousands of times worse than this, but at the moment I couldn't imagine how anything could be more frightening.

In my loudest voice, I once again thanked the elders. The hard-of-hearing elder nodded his approval. I hoped that I wouldn't lose my voice before I finished, but I wanted to clearly detail what had happened so they would understand that Karlina hadn't initiated any of the visits. Three of the elders interrupted to ask questions, but mostly they remained silent and listened. At least most of them listened. From time to time, one of the older members nodded off until his chin dropped against his chest and jerked him awake. He would glance around, snort, and be back asleep a few minutes later.

When I'd finally explained everything to my own satisfaction, I added one final comment. “I hope that the Grossebruderrat will consider holding me alone responsible for the visits to the Sedlacek farm. Sister Karlina would not have given in to my requests if I had not placed undue pressure upon her by quoting Scriptures that command us to love our neighbors.”

One of the elders near the end of the table shook his head. “Your neighbors live within the colonies, Sister Dovie.”

The old elder who had fallen asleep through most of my recitation frowned and pursed his lips. “But we must remember the Gut Samaritan. Our Lord wants us to show compassion for those who do not believe the same as we do. We must show His love to others. I think that is what Sister Dovie and Sister Karlina were doing. They were instruments of God's love to a family in need.”

More murmurs followed before Brother Weizmann waved the group to silence. “Sister Karlina, do you wish to add anything?” Once again, he wiped the perspiration from his brow. “If so, please do not repeat what Sister Dovie has already told us. The room is very warm, and we hope to finish within the hour.”

Karlina shook her head. Remaining silent was probably the best choice, given Brother Weizmann's latest comment.

Tapping the page, Brother Weizmann sighed. “It appears both of the young men have petitioned the Grossebruderrat for permission to marry. Usually this would not take long, but since the two of you have asked to marry the two sisters who have strayed, we will need time to discuss this.” He looked at me. “As well as the punishment we decide should be meted out. You may all wait outside. We'll advise you when we have a decision.”

The six of us gathered beneath the branches of a large red oak. A warm breeze whipped at my hem, and I turned to catch the next puff of air that might move in our direction. Although Berndt continued to offer an optimistic view while we waited, the rest of us didn't express any opinion. I had no idea what the elders would decide, but I was thankful the old bald elder had mentioned the story of the Good Samaritan.

Not more than twenty minutes had passed before Brother Weizmann waved for us to return inside. We parted and entered our respective doors and then took our places on the hard pews. I folded my hands together and clenched them so tight, my fingers turned odd shades of red and white.

“We have come to our decisions. First, you should know that we do not condone leaving the boundaries of the colonies. In the future you should not do so.” He stared directly at Karlina, and my stomach lurched. Next, was he going to tell me I must leave the colonies? “We are thankful that the Sedlacek family has returned to health and that your health has been restored, Sister Karlina.”

I held my breath until I thought my lungs would burst. Earlier he had been in such a hurry, yet he now pondered every word before he spoke.

“We will grant permission to Brother Anton and Sister Karlina to marry in one year's time.” Again he looked at Karlina. “Tell me, Sister Karlina, would you be willing to spend your year of separation working at a Küche in Middle?”

Karlina gasped and I reached for her hand. Did she love Anton enough to leave her home and working with the sheep? “I . . . I . . .”

Brother Weizmann turned toward Anton. “Since you are still learning your duties as a shepherd and because living in this village will benefit Brother George, we thought you should remain in East, Brother Anton.”

He turned back to Karlina. “What say you, Sister Karlina? Do you wish to marry this man enough to leave your family for a year?”

“Ja.” Karlina's response was no more than a whisper. My eyes filled with tears thinking about her working in a kitchen rather than spending most of her days with her beloved lambs.

“Gut.” Brother Weizmann nodded. “And we have also decided that Sister Karlina should return to children's church for the next two weeks.”

The demotion to children's church was a punishment that was more easily accepted. Although the rest of the village would know she'd been chastised, it would be nothing compared to the pain she would bear living away from East for a year. I tried to sneak a look at Anton, but I couldn't see his face. Surely he must know how much she loved him if she would agree to such a thing.

Brother Weizmann turned his attention to Berndt. “Brother Berndt, we will agree that you can marry Sister Dovie, but we have decided upon a stipulation. If either of you refuse the requirement, we will withdraw permission to marry.”

I inhaled a ragged breath and clenched my hands so tight they lost all feeling. Brother Weizmann cleared his throat and looked at me. “We have decided Sister Dovie should leave the colonies and return to her family. If she desires to return one year from now, we will not object to her joining our faith or to the marriage.” He tugged on his collar. “Let us see if your love will withstand the test of time and separation—and if the colonies are truly the place where Sister Dovie wants to live the remainder of her life.”

The air whooshed from my lungs, and I thought I might faint. I would have to leave. What would I do without the direction of Cousin Louise and Cousin George? What would I do without Karlina? And how could I possibly leave Berndt, the man I loved?

Giving no thought to propriety, I stood. “How soon must I go?” My voice quaked, and a tear slipped down my cheek as I awaited the elder's answer.

“As soon as Brother George and Sister Louise can make proper arrangements, but do not try our patience by prolonging your time in East.” He straightened his shoulders. “You must remember that the quicker you depart, the sooner you may return—if that is your ultimate choice.”

None of the others said a word. I dropped back onto the bench. It seemed as though time stood still as we awaited permission to leave the room.

Instead of telling us we should leave, Brother Weizmann folded the sheet of paper and once again looked at Karlina. “Sister Karlina, we have tested you to see how you would answer regarding a move to another village. And while we prefer the year of separation for couples who ask to marry, we also know that your father depends upon you for recordkeeping in the sheep barn. Because you agreed to our condition and did not argue, we will permit you to remain at home.”

Karlina clasped her hand to her bodice. “Danke, Brothers. I am grateful.”

Brother Weizmann motioned to Anton. “I will make arrangements for you to live with another family. The two of you must have some separation during your year of waiting. I will speak to Sister Fuch when we are there for our evening meal. I believe she has a spare room.”

He pushed up from his chair. “We are dismissed.” The elders filed out of the room, with Anton, Berndt, and Cousin George following behind them. Tears rolled down my cheeks as I trailed behind Karlina and Cousin Louise.

“You should not cry, Dovie. The elders are wise in their ways, and this will be a gut test for you and Berndt. If your love is true, it will last.” She drew me close and wrapped me in her arms. “You need to have time with your Vater and his lady friend. This will be a gut thing—you will see.” She tipped her head back and looked into my eyes. “Trust God, Dovie. This is only a small interruption in your life. If this is what He wants for your future, it will happen.”

I wanted to agree. In my head, I knew she was right. In my heart, I remained unconvinced.

July 14, 1894
Dovie

My father extended his hand and helped Ardella down the step from the train. She took her place beside him while he held out his hand to me. A full year had passed since I'd departed the colonies, but everything looked exactly as I remembered. “Don't forget what I've told you, Dovie. You can change your mind at any time.”

I scanned the platform and sighed. Though I knew Berndt would be delivering bread in East Amana when we arrived at the train station in Main Amana, I had secretly hoped to see him waiting here when we arrived. I tried to hide my disappointment as I perched on my toes and kissed my father's cheek. “That's the same thing you said to me when we arrived at this train station a little more than a year and a half ago.”

My father chuckled. “You have a good memory, but I want you to be absolutely sure before you commit the rest of your life to a man who plans to live his entire life in the colonies. I know you love him, but I hope you understand that the changes in your life will be enormous.”

“I know, Papa. Remember, I lived here for eight months, and I am prepared to create a new life with Berndt here in East. In fact, I am probably as eager as you were to marry Ardella.” I smiled at the radiant woman who had married my father only a few months ago.

I had expected the twosome to wed immediately after the one-year anniversary of my mother's death, but Ardella had insisted on waiting longer. Though I had assumed I would dislike Ardella, I had been surprised. She was nothing like my mother. Instead of a quiet, melancholy nature, Ardella, who'd lost her husband and both of her children in a train accident five years ago, discovered joy in most everything that touched her life.

When I'd asked how she managed to deal with the grief, she'd taken my hands in her own and said, “I have much for which to be thankful, Dovie. I refuse to let bitterness rule my life. After the death of my family, the Lord showed me that it is much better to rejoice in what I have than to dwell on what I've lost.”

Ardella's explanation made perfect sense, and I decided that instead of dwelling on the loss of my mother, I would be pleased that my father had found a new wife who could make him happy—and that God had led me to a life in the colonies, where I could find my own happiness with Berndt.

My father went inside the depot to arrange for a buggy to East while Ardella and I remained on the platform with the baggage. She gazed around the village, and I did my best to answer her questions. Prior to our arrival, I'd tried to explain the different way of living and appearance of the villages. Now she was to see and experience the colonists' unique way of life for herself.

The conductor sounded two short blasts of the whistle as the train chugged out of the station. Moments later, my father strode to Ardella's side. A broad smile enhanced his good looks. Since meeting Ardella, he appeared ten years younger. There was no denying she'd had a good effect upon him. I glanced toward the station. “Is there a buggy to take us to East?” I'd been waiting a year to see Berndt, and I was more than ready to end our separation.

“Yes, but it will be a little while, so I said we would go over and get settled at the hotel.” My father grinned when I sighed. “I'm afraid you'll have to wait a little longer before you see your intended. I thought we could unpack and the two of you could change clothes for Karlina's wedding. That way we won't need to return to the hotel prior to the ceremony. We'll have more than sufficient time to visit with the family before the wedding.”

My heart warmed at my father's reference to Karlina and her parents as “family.” During the past year, we had embraced the decisions of one another, and that acceptance had strengthened and enlarged our relationship. My father was eager for me to find happiness with Berndt, and I was thankful he'd begun a new life with Ardella.

After signing the register, he carried the baggage upstairs and gestured toward the door. “I believe it might be best if I remain out of the way while you and Ardella change and unpack.”

After placing a fleeting kiss on Ardella's cheek, he hurried down the steps. “I'll let you know when the buggy arrives. No need to come down before then.”

I arched my brows at his sudden decision to leave us to the unpacking, but Ardella waved him onward. Apparently she'd decided it would be easier to prepare for the wedding without my father pacing about. She lifted a pink day dress from the trunk and held it in front of her. “Now that we've arrived, I'm not certain this dress was the right choice. I don't want to offend anyone.”

“No one will be offended by your choice of clothing, Ardella. Even though the people who live in the colonies choose to wear only dark clothing, they don't expect the same from outsiders.” I smiled, lifted another dress from her trunk, and hung it in the wardrobe.

“Don't fuss with unpacking the clothes right now, Dovie. We both need to hurry and get dressed for the wedding. We don't want the buggy to arrive before we've changed.”

Over an hour passed before my father tapped on the door and entered. “Don't you two look lovely.” His gaze swept over both of us. Ardella in her pale pink dress and me in my plain dark calico—complete opposites on the outside, yet two women who cared deeply for this wonderful man. He turned to me and winked. “The buggy has arrived, but I need to speak to Ardella for a moment. Why don't you go downstairs and tell the driver we'll be there shortly?”

“Of course, Papa.” I hurried down the steps and hoped they wouldn't take too long. I'd been waiting to see Berndt for a year, and the time since our arrival had seemed to drag on forever. The driver was standing near the window with his back toward me. My shoes clicked on the wood floor as I approached. He turned.

“Berndt!” My heart raced at the sight of him. Forgetting all decorum and proper behavior, I ran to his arms and reveled in the warmth of his embrace. “Oh, how I have missed you!”

He pressed a kiss to the top of my head, and I held tight to him, enjoying the strength of his arms around me until I heard a tapping sound across the room.

We continued to cling to each other, but the tapping grew louder and the hotel clerk finally cleared his voice. Berndt and I turned to the old man who stood behind the desk. He pointed his finger at us. “This is not a gut way to behave! You should know better.”

At his strident reprimand, we jumped apart. I mumbled an apology and was thankful to see my father and Ardella descending the steps. A wide smile spread across my father's face. “Were you surprised to see who I hired as our driver?”

Berndt grinned. “I'm not the driver. Brother Ackermann wouldn't agree to let me take charge of his buggy, but he gave me permission to ride along.”

I looked back and forth between my father and Berndt. “How did you arrange for Berndt to meet us?”

My father's eyes sparkled. “I can't tell you all of my secrets. If I did, I'd have no way to surprise you in the future.”

His words had a soothing effect upon me, for I had worried that once I returned to Amana, he would completely withdraw from my life. I grasped his arm and smiled up at him. “Then in the years to come, I shall look forward to being surprised by you.”

“Good. Now we best be on our way. We don't want to be late for Karlina's wedding.”

Karlina

I sat on the edge of the bed and traced my fingers over gray pinstripes of my navy blue dress, which was carefully spread across the bed. Perhaps I should press the skirt one more time to assure myself that it was completely free of wrinkles. Even though my dress wasn't a white satin wedding gown like those worn by outsiders, I had created it with as much love and attention as any lace-laden white gown. Besides, in the colonies white was worn only for burial—as a symbol of purity for the soul that ascended to God—never for weddings or other ceremonies.

I pictured myself walking forward to meet Anton in my navy blue dress, and I knew that no matter what I wore, Anton would think me beautiful. Hadn't he repeated those very words to me throughout the past year? Still, I didn't want to look down and see a wrinkle in the skirt of my dress. It was my hope that everything would be perfect when I took my vows and during the large reception that would follow.

Mother had worked feverishly over the past weeks. She'd arranged for flowers to decorate the tables, and along with supervising the preparations in our Küche, she had enlisted the help of the other Küchehaases in East. There would be plenty of food, of that I had no doubt. Wedding ceremonies might be simple affairs in the colonies, but the reception that followed was always a party to be enjoyed by everyone.

“Karlina! What are you doing up there?” My mother's voice drifted up the stairs, and I jumped up from the bed. “I hear the wagon coming. You should be down here to welcome Dovie, ja?”

I pushed aside all thought of pressing my skirt and ran through the parlor and down the stairs. “My window was open, but I didn't even hear the train whistle.”

My mother chuckled. “Because you spend all of your time lost in daydreaming. The train passed through Main Amana more than an hour ago.” She grabbed my hand and together we walked outside.

After stepping down from the buggy, Brother Ackermann turned and tipped his hat. “Guten Tag, Sister Louise and Sister Karlina.” He extended his hand to help Dovie out of the buggy. “Some of your wedding guests got here just in time, Sister Karlina.” With a glance over his shoulder, he shot a grin in my direction.

“I thank you for bringing them, Brother Ackermann. Since you won't be here for the reception, perhaps you should step into the kitchen. One of the ladies will be pleased to cut you a piece of pie.”

He chuckled and nodded. “I thought you would never ask.”

I hurried forward to welcome Dovie. We had corresponded regularly since her departure last year, but it seemed forever since I had seen her. “You look wonderful. I'm so glad you've arrived.” As I drew her into an embrace, I glanced up and met her father's gaze. I stepped back. “It is wonderful to see you, as well, Mr. Cates. And . . .” I hesitated as a lovely woman stepped to his side. I switched and spoke in English. “And I am pleased to make your acquaintance, Mrs. Cates.”

Dovie hurried to introduce her stepmother and smiled with pride when the older woman answered in German. “She speaks quite well, don't you think?”

I could see the relief spread across my mother's face. Dovie's stepmother would feel more included if she could understand the language. My mother ushered us into the Küche and suggested we visit in the upstairs parlor. “With all the baking and decorating, there is too much activity down here.”

Once upstairs, Dovie and I retreated to my bedroom. There wasn't a great deal of time before the wedding would take place, and I wanted her to help me with my dress. “What do you think?” I nodded toward my dress on the bed.

Dovie stepped closer and examined the fine lace I'd tatted and attached to the cuffs and collar. “It is beautiful, Karlina. Anton is a very lucky man.”

I giggled. “He is wonderful, Dovie. I am so very happy that today has finally arrived, and we can soon begin our life together.”

“The elders have assigned him to remain in East permanently?”

“Ja. We will live here with Mutter and Vater. There is enough space, and it will prove easier for Vater. The elders said that it would be best for all of us.”

I hadn't been surprised by the decision. Our house had enough bedrooms. Still, most couples received housing that included a private parlor, but Anton had agreed it would be easier to remain in a house not far from the sheep barns. His choice had warmed my heart. Once my father was certain of the decision, he made plans to rearrange the rooms. Anton and I would share my bedroom and the current parlor, while Anton's former bedroom would become the new parlor for my parents.

I quickly explained the arrangement to Dovie. “I think it will be perfect for us.” I didn't admit it, but I felt like a little girl who would soon begin to play house. “How are the rooms at the hotel?”

“The rooms are quite nice. We will be comfortable there.”

In her recent letter, Dovie had told me she would stay at the hotel with her father and his wife until her wedding. “I wish you could stay here until the wedding, but soon you and Berndt will be living—” I clapped my hand over my mouth. Berndt had told me that he wanted to tell Dovie about their living arrangements.

Dovie inched closer. “We will be living where? Tell me, Karlina.”

“I promised Berndt I would not say. He should be the one to tell you. But I can tell you that the elders assigned you to work with Mutter in the Küche. I hope that makes you happy.”

Dovie sighed. “I was very worried they might assign me to Sister Fuch's Küche. I'm sure I could do so if I had to, but I have been praying they would assign me to work with Cousin Louise and the other sisters that I already know.”