Cora: Bride of South Dakota (American Mail-Order Bride 40) (2 page)

Peter snorted his annoyance. “I don’t have time to get it from the Post Office. I’m seeing Mary Kelly after work tomorrow.”

“You’ll have to take her with you or reschedule your meeting.” Cora was not going to put herself out for someone who wouldn’t normally give her the time of day. “Goodnight Peter.” She closed and locked the door before returning to the paper on her bed.

It seemed like she had been reading advertisements for hours and despaired of finding someone suitable. In fact it had only been thirty minutes when a notice seemed to jump out at her. The man she was drawn to appeared to stare back at her. He had kind, caring eyes as bright as the bluest sky. His sun-bleached fair hair was streaky and tousled. His skin, golden brown marred by an ugly red line which ran from beneath his ear to the corner of his lip. Despite this, he was the most handsome man she had ever set eyes on. A feeling of excitement settled deep in her belly. The advertisement accompanying the picture, read:

Quiet, hardworking man looking for a wife to share ranch one hour from Rapid City, South Dakota. I am 26 years old, 6 feet 5ins tall and of lean but muscular build. I have the means to give prospective wife a comfortable life. Although not grotesque in appearance, I do have an ugly red scar running from the bottom of my left ear to the corner of my lip. References to my character are available on request. John Franklin – Cattle Rancher.

“Hmmm, he sure is tall. I’d barely reach his chin. I don’t care about the scar.” Cora re-read the advertisement and checked where South Dakota was located. “Why am I drawn to you John Franklin? South Dakota. That should be far enough away to never have to see father again.”

She stood and moved to her desk. Withdrawing paper and a pencil she began composing a letter:

Mr Franklin, Sir

My name is Cora Ancelet. I read your advertisement for a wife in the Grooms’ Gazette. I am 18 years old and currently reside in Massachusetts. Compared to your stature, I am rather short at only 5feet 3ins. I have long, brown coloured hair, rather dull I’m afraid and grey eyes. Although I am plain, I don’t believe I am unbearable to look at.

Until recently I was employed in a factory as a seamstress. Unfortunately the factory burned down and I have found myself without employment. I have been unable to find another position. It was suggested to me that I may benefit from applying to be a Mail Order Bride. At first I found the idea terrifying but after much thought, I have decided I would very much like to be a wife.

I’m a strong woman who would be willing to work alongside you should you accept me. Although I have grown up in the city and have never ridden a horse, I’m a quick and willing learner. I would welcome the quiet of the country where the stars are said to be brighter. I do hope you will consider me.

Yours in anticipation

Cora

Cora checked the letter once more before folding it neatly and sealing it into an envelope. On the back page of the
Gazette
was a list of agencies and she noted one in North Reading which was close by. They also had a regular stage service from Lawrence, she could be there and back in one day. With luck her letter would be on its way by tomorrow evening.

Excited anticipation caused the hairs on her arms to stand on end.

“Please Lord, let him be interested.”

She stripped off her day clothes and stood in her drawers. A jug of water rested in a basin by the bed. She filled the bowl, washed her face and neck and slipped on a white cotton nightgown.

Cora flipped off the light. The room was plunged into darkness and she crawled into bed. A sliver of moonlight found its way through a small opening in the curtains revealing a tiny piece of the night sky. She stared at it for a moment before turning onto her side.

“Goodnight, John,” she murmured before sinking into a deep sleep.

Chapter Two

Cora awoke to the sun warming her face thanks to a gap where her curtains didn’t quite join. The sun poked its head over the horizon. A new day was beginning. Anticipation of her journey to North Reading caused butterflies to celebrate in her belly. She stretched her arms above her head before throwing the bedcovers back, swinging her legs over the side of the bed and standing up.

“North Reading, here I come,” she whispered.

After taking care of her morning routine and dressing in her favorite, although slightly threadbare, blue frock, she made her way downstairs to the kitchen.

Bacon and sausages sizzled, eggs were ready nearby and a fresh batch of biscuits warmed in the oven when her brother wandered in. He rubbed the sleep from his eyes, dragged his fingers through his hair, pulled out a chair and sat down. Cora poured coffee from the pot she had just made and set the mug of steaming hot liquid on the table in front of him.

“Have you given any thought about waiting in for my parcel?” he asked as he sipped at his coffee.

Cora bent down over the stove to remove the tray of hot biscuits. With her back to the door she didn’t see or hear her father come in. He startled her when he snapped, “what’s this about a parcel? The tray jiggled in her hands but fortunately the biscuits didn’t land on the floor. Her father noted her clumsiness.

“Careful there, girl. I don’t have time this morning for you to make a fresh batch if you ruin those,” he growled.

Cora ignored him but gnashed her teeth together when he dragged his chair across the floor. She certainly wouldn’t miss hearing that sound at every mealtime when she finally escaped.

“Peter, what’s this about a parcel?” Pierre asked again.

Cora set the plates of food on the table and seated herself as her brother answered. “I am expecting papers to arrive for the political rally we’re attending in a few weeks. They have lists of attendees, the weeks’ agenda and other information. I want them as soon as possible. They are due to arrive today.”

“I don’t understand the issue,” her father said. “Why do you need Cora to be here when they arrive?”

“They have to be signed for. I have a great deal to do today and I have arranged to meet Mary this afternoon for tea. Tomorrow I’ll be out of town and the following day the Post Office is closed. If Cora is not here to sign for them, it will be another three days before I can collect them. I would like to investigate the attendees before the rally and I need time to do so. I asked Cora to be here but she has refused.”

Cora waited for the inevitable response from her father. She found she no longer had an appetite for breakfast and pushed back her chair to clear her dishes away. Her father barked at her, “sit down and explain to me why you refuse to help your brother further his political career. I can see no reason why you cannot be here to sign for the papers.”

Cora defiantly remained standing as she answered, “I have a job to find or have you also forgotten? If Peter is willing to pay me a days’ wage to wait here for his parcel, I will gladly comply.”

Pierre glared at his daughter. She noted his knuckles turning white as he fisted his hands. “You may leave the house to look for a position after the papers arrive and not before,” he snarled.

“They may not arrive until late this afternoon and I’m not wasting an entire day waiting for them. Peter will have to make other arrangements.” Cora cleared dishes from the table and stomped to the sink. As far as she was concerned the matter was closed. She jumped and was forced to juggle a plate to prevent it smashing to the floor when her father came up behind her. His breath fanned her neck as he hissed in her ear. “You will remain here or I promise you, you will wish you had never been born. As I do every day of my life.” Shivers of fear spread over her, it wasn’t so much what he had said, but the cold, emotionless way in which he said it. The threat rang in her ears as the men left the room.

Cora continued washing dishes and re-thinking her decision to become a Mail Order Bride.
What if John turns out to be like father or Peter? No, his advertisement sounded nice and he was truthful enough to include the information about his scar. But what if he beats you? No, the Agency wouldn’t have listed him if he was like that and he did offer references.
Back and forth the arguments in her head raged until she felt close to exhaustion.

She hung the drying towel on a hook by the sink, straightened a few things she had noticed were out of place and swept the floor. After making herself a mug of tea, she padded to the living room and sank into a chair. She placed the mug on a table beside her and picked up her book. After reading a few words her mind, once more, began taunting her.
This is all a ploy to stop you getting work. Your father will force you to marry Ernest when you run out of money. He doesn’t care about you, it’s his political career that’s important and he’s prepared to sell you to the devil if it gets him what he wants.

The thought terrified her. There was no doubt Ernest Monroe would treat her badly. Cora sprang up from her chair spilling her book from her lap. She bent to retrieve it and placed it back onto the table. “Being a Mail Order Bride couldn’t possibly be worse than marrying that horrible little man.”

She raced up the stairs to her room and changed into one of her prettiest, and best, day frocks. She chose her pale green one which was trimmed with white lace and emerald green ribbon. She adored the matching green bonnet. After securing her hair in a neat chignon, she positioned her bonnet and secured the ribbons in a bow under her chin. Gathering her reticule, she slipped the letter she had written to John inside before donning her white lacy gloves. She hurried from the house. With any luck she would be in time to catch the next stage to North Reading. Her future awaited and hopefully it was a much brighter one than what she faced here. It couldn’t be much worse.

***

Cora attempted to rub the wrinkles from her skirt as she stood across the road from the Agency trembling with apprehension. “Stop it Cora Ancelet. Stop acting like a fool. You want to get away don’t you? You don’t want to be forced into a marriage with such a horrid man, do you?” With renewed resolve, she straightened her back, lifted her chin and crossed the road.

A bell on the door tinkled as she pushed it open and entered the business.

“May I help you?” a young woman asked.

Cora watched the woman’s face as she inspected her. Thank heavens she had worn one of her prettiest dresses. “I would like to speak to someone who can help me with an advertisement which was in the
Grooms’ Gazette.
I would like to forward a reply to a gentleman I think may be suitable for me.” Cora replied with more confidence than she felt. The woman was intimidating although Cora didn’t think she meant to be.

“Of course. I can help you, come through to my office. I’m Lillibeth Barrow.”

Cora followed the woman into an office and sat in the chair she indicated. “My name is Cora Ancelet.”

Lillibeth took a seat behind a desk and placed a pencil and writing paper in front of her. She relaxed back and Cora knew she was being covertly evaluated.

“Now, which advertisement are you wishing to respond to?”

“A gentleman by the name of John Franklin from South Dakota has placed a notice and I have written a letter of response.” Cora pulled the envelope from her reticule and handed it over as she spoke.

Lillibeth accepted it and opened a copy of the
Gazette
. She scanned the pages for the advertisement.

“It’s on the next to last page,” Cora said.

Lillibeth flipped to the back and folded the last page over. “Here it is. Hmmm, this gentleman placed his notice via the
Chicago Tribune
. It doesn’t appear that he has retained the services of a matchmaking agency. The
Gazette
often picks up advertisements from newspapers and adds them to their paper.” Lillibeth frowned.

“Does this mean the gentleman is unavailable?” Cora felt disappointment wash over her.

“No, not at all. It means it’s a private advertisement and the man has not been investigated and vouched for by an agency. We cannot guarantee his age, his standing or character. It could be a risk for you to correspond with him.”

Cora sat silent for a few moments. “He said references are available. What if I send my letter and request copies of the references. Explain I cannot make myself available until I have them checked? Surely they would be truthful and attest to his character?”

“Possibly but, references can be fraudulent. Maybe you would prefer to correspond with someone else? You’re very young and I would hate for any harm to befall you.”

“I understand, Miss Barrow but, my situation is rather desperate. I don’t have the funds to stay where I am now I have no employment. My father is simply unbearable and will force me into marriage with a man much older than I am if I don’t get away.”

“Are you one of the girls who lost their job in the factory fire in Lawrence? I read about it in the paper and I have had some other enquiries too.”

“Yes, I am. One of the girls who had been in charge there recommended being a Mail Order Bride and gave us copies of the Gazette. After a great deal of thought and, as it doesn’t appear I have any other options, I have come to the conclusion I would rather like being a rancher’s wife.”

The two women discussed Cora’s home situation and the threats. It was agreed, this was the way for her to escape and have a happier life.

Cora changed her letter to request John’s references and watched as Lillibeth sealed it into a fresh envelope.

“I’ll place it in this evenings post. Hopefully you’ll receive an answer quickly and we can get you away from your horrid situation. I’ll contact you as soon as I receive a response.”

Cora thanked Lillibeth as the two women rose. Lillibeth escorted Cora from the building and wished her luck.

A stage was being prepared to leave for Lawrence and Cora hurriedly crossed the street and boarded. She would be home in time to make supper. Her father would be none the wiser.

***

“Sorry folks, the wheels broken and will have to be replaced. I’ll send a rider back for a spare but it’s gonna be a few hours I’m afraid.” The driver spoke to a young man who had been accompanying him up top. The two then unhitched one of the horses, the young man sprang onto its back and set out at a gallop toward town.

Cora and the two other passengers stood staring at the broken wheel. It was certainly beyond repair as the driver had stated. She was going to be late.
Father will be furious!
She strolled to a large boulder and plopped herself down to wait.

More than four hours later she let herself into her house. Supper had passed and she knew her father would be livid.

He confronted her in the entry hall. “Where the hell have you been? Peter and I had to make our own supper. You can do the dishes,” he roared.

Cora stared at him.
Are you alright? Yes, I’m fine father. I was worried you’d met with an accident. He just doesn’t care.
“I caught the stage to North Reading and on the way back a wheel broke. The driver had to send for another to replace it which took a few hours. I’m fine, if you care to know.” She attempted to push past him but he reached out and grabbed her arm. His large fingers pinched and dug into her soft flesh. She attempted to pull away. “Father, you’re hurting me!”

The gleam of anger radiating from his eyes frightened her.

“What were you doing in North Reading?” His voice was menacingly quiet and despite not wanting him to know how frightened she was, she shuddered. She watched as his lips twisted into a satisfied smirk.

“I was applying for a position.” Not exactly a lie. She pushed at his arm and he relaxed his grip slightly.

“That’s too far away. We would have to rise earlier for breakfast and supper would be later. No, I won’t allow it.”

“You can’t stop me,” Cora spat.