Hunter's Redemption. Eleni P Sianis

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СКАЧАТЬ has been watching this story unfold with Wesley beside him relaying occasional bits and pieces of information. But now, Mason’s focus shifts to the same desk William’s hand has come down hard on. He recognizes that wood grain, and as his eyes travel around and down the side of the desk, the legs are unmistakably the same as those of the desk in Mason’s bedroom. Wesley notices Mason’s realization and states, “It’s the same desk, an antique now.”

      “But I don’t understand, how did your desk end up in my room? Is that what brought you here?” Mason asks.

      “Heavens no. The desk did not bring me to you. Aah made sure the desk would end up in good hands. Aah chose you not just to be the owner of the beloved desk my father built but for what you must do. That which aah was unable to complete in my life.”

      “I don’t understand,” Mason says the words slowly with an obvious tone of annoyance.

      “Patience, Mason. You will see and you will understand,” Wesley replies.

      Wesley continues with his tale. “Irritated, Charlotte told William and Grace that she could never live the way they do, with their rigid rules, orders, and obligations. William explained that she was too young and apparently too naive to understand what it means to be an adult with responsibilities. ‘If y’all lived as free as y’all would like, there’d be no plantation or money to buy y’all fancy dresses and tickets to movies and trips to all parts of the country in the finest trains,’ he said.

      “As the argument heated, Charlotte stormed out, and aah headed out after her. When we were finally alone, we were sitting on her silken chase lounge. She was upset and more beautiful than ever. With the sunlight coming in through the window and her eyes glistening, aah leaned in and kissed her, slowly. Her anger had made her lips unusually warm, and aah placed my hand above her chest. It was so warm, and aah could feel her every breath…steady and then intensify slightly. Charlotte wasn’t shy, not ever. As she pulled away from our kiss, Charlotte looked in my eyes, and aah swear she could see right into my soul. With the most serious expression, she said, ‘Let’s leave together. We do not belong at this plantation.’

      “After a long discussion with William and Grace, they agreed that Charlotte and aah travel together to Boston, Massachusetts, with one condition: that we travel as a couple, engaged to be married. In those years, a young woman’s reputation and prospects for marrying well would be greatly diminished if it became known that she traveled with a man not her relative or fiancé, or husband, and her virtue questioned. William had already given Grace our mother’s engagement ring, but there was another ring in our mother’s jewelry box with an onyx stone set in a platinum band with small diamond surrounding it.”

      Mason looks on as a young Wesley presents the ring to Charlotte, and then says, “It’s like the night sky that goes on forever, like my love for you. Marry me, Charlotte.” Charlotte smiles and says yes as Wesley slides the ring on her slender finger.

      “We traveled by train to Boston. Diesel trains didn’t make it to America from Europe until the 1930s, so we were fortunate to have lived during the era of steam locomotives. Although employees of the railroad companies were on strike quite often for higher wages at that time, the steam trains themselves were quite an experience. The South was known fo-wah having the most beautiful depots and railroad facilities. George Pullman was an acquaintance of mine and made sure Charlotte and I were given an exclusive tour of the parlor, diner, and best sleepers his Pullman Palace Car Company built for the train.

      “We stood on the platform waiting for the train as its cylinder and piston cranked loudly to a full stop. Smoke pumped out from the chimney and floated like shadows all around us. A hot breeze from the smokestack blew past, bringing with it a smell of metal and coal so sharp you could almost taste it. Charlotte stood quietly, holding a handkerchief to her mouth. We stepped onto the train along with at least fifty other passengers, found our red velvet covered seats and soon heard the chuga, chuga, chuga, chuga, chug of the engines pushing the train onward. The experience of crossing trestles and going through tunnels just to emerge out to a glorious countryside felt like defying gravity and time. It was autumn, and the weather had finally cooled. The trees presented a firestorm of colors, and I noticed Charlotte watching the scene go by. Her large eyes reminded me of a deer seeking shelter near a lake when a forest is ablaze.

      “It was on the train to Boston that we met Adrian Blake. Adrian appeared to be the most quintessential 1920s gentleman. Clean-shaven with a homburg hat, dark wool suit with herringbone pattern, and two-tone Oxford shoes. He was in his late twenties then, and aah must admit, he had a smile that shone a mile away, especially when he first laid his eyes on Charlotte.

      “‘Pardon me, sir. Are the two of you staying in Chicago?’ Adrian asked as the train rattled along.

      “‘One day to see Chicago and one night at the Palmer House. From there ’tis onward to Boston,’ aah replied.

      “‘Boston! My, that is where I am headed. I have an idea for a new movie but need the right leading lady.” With that, Adrian turned and smiled at Charlotte.

      “Her eyes lit up as she gently touched my elbow but leaned in toward Adrian with the next bump of the train on its tracks. ‘What’s the movie about?’ she inquired.

      “Adrian told us about his big idea fo-wah a movie. It was a story set in a small town about a beautiful ballet dancer who falls fo-wah her dance instructor but gets sidetracked by some mischievous other dancers in the group. Eventually, she finds her strength and leaves alone fo-wah New York City where she becomes a famous dancer.

      “When we arrived at the Palmer House in Chicago, aah was in awe of the majestic beauty of the place. Incredibly high and intricately painted ceilings soared above various well-dressed people. There were winged statue candelabras taller than myself. Don’t forget, at that time, aah hadn’t traveled that far away from Charleston, and Chicago was very different. It was bigger, faster, and so alive.

      “An attractive lady around twenty-five years of age came up to Charlotte in the hotel lobby and complimented her scarf. She was slender with blond hair and hazel eyes. She reminded me of a picture of a French lady aah had seen as a boy. Her eyebrows so perfectly arched they might as well have been drawn by hand. Her high cheekbones sat on either side of her small upturned nose. Her coat and hat were burgundy, and her gloves and scarf deep purple. For some reason, aah still remember the pin in her coat lapel. It was a dragonfly with ruby stones. She turned toward Charlotte and enthusiastically exclaimed ‘That emerald-green color is very becoming on you! Isn’t the Palmer House just divine? Is this your first time in Chicago?’

      “‘Yes, it is. I’m Charlotte,” she replies with an outstretched hand. The two women look pretty as they stand side by side. Farah, a classic beauty, and my Charlotte, her fiery green eyes giving away her adventurous spirit, try as she might to play the part of a Southern damsel.

      “‘Hi, Charlotte, I’m Farah. Have you heard that the World’s Fair will return to Chicago in April of 1925?’

      “‘No, I haven’t. I remember some talk between my parents and their friends about the last World’s Fair. I think it was in 1892 or 1893…’

      “‘Well, this time, they are going to call it the Women’s World Fair to celebrate our right to vote and how different the world has become for women. I was just a little girl then, but I still remember going with my family on July 4, and there were absolutely no female speakers. The world is changing, thank goodness. I would like to become involved in the planning and organizing of our Women’s Fair, and you have to come back for it!’

      “‘It sounds fantastic. Actually, I came here with my friends, and we are planning on СКАЧАТЬ