Blessed are the Merciful Read Online Free Page B

heartwarming stories of men returning from the war. Some were missing limbs or had suffered other serious wounds but were happily back with their families. These stories intensified their longing for Gordon’s return and made each day without him harder to bear.
    “There he is, Mama!” Laura said.
    All rose to their feet as the buggy turned into the wide circledrive, the horse’s hooves beating out a steady clip-clop on the hard-packed earth.
    “Everybody hungry?” Sidney asked as he pulled the buggy to a halt.
    “We sure are, Uncle Sidney,” Adam said, taking his mother by the hand to help her into the buggy. “What’s Maggie got fixed for us?”
    “Oh, I’m not supposed to tell you, Adam. Darlene and Maggie want it to be a surprise.”
    When all were aboard, Sidney clucked to the horse and put the buggy in motion. As they headed for the street, Sidney glanced at his sister-in-law. “Liz, you look worried. Something troubling you?”
    Elizabeth looked away for a moment, then said, “I read in the papers every day about soldiers coming home to their families, and I ask myself why it’s taking so long for Gordon to come home. The children are on edge about it, too.”
    “That’s understandable. But remember what President Lincoln said about that … that it might take as long as two months for all the men to return to their homes.”
    “I know, Sidney, but with every day that passes, it gets more difficult to be patient. He’s been gone for over four years. We so desperately want him home.”
    “Well, he’s being detained for some good reason, I’m sure.”
    “Even if he can’t get away from wherever they have him posted, he could at least send a wire. He has to know that we’re anxious.”
    “Maybe wherever he is doesn’t have access to wire service. But he might have already sent a letter and it’s just taking time to get here.”
    Elizabeth was quiet for a moment, then said, “Yes, that’s possible.”
    “Tell you what. If he doesn’t come home in another week, I’ll see what I can do to trace him.”
    “Oh, would you, Sidney?”
    “Of course.” He patted her arm. “Old Uncle Sidney has a few strings he can pull.”
    Elizabeth smiled at her brother-in-law. “Okay, we’ll give it another week. Maybe he’ll be home by then.”

    As the days passed, Elizabeth and her children spent most of their time after dinner sitting on the porch, watching each carriage or buggy or pedestrian that came along.
    Every evening, as the sky darkened, Elizabeth gathered her children to her, hugged and kissed them, and spoke encouraging words, even though her heart was troubled and more than a little perplexed.
    On Monday evening, May 22, Elizabeth went to the kitchen where Cleora and Jason were eating their supper and asked Jason if he would hitch the mare to the buggy as soon as he had finished his meal.
    While the children stayed with Cleora, Elizabeth rode with Jason through the darkening streets of Beacon Hill. When they arrived at the Sidney Burke home, Darlene answered the knock at the door and welcomed Elizabeth and Jason in.
    “Is something wrong, Liz?” she asked.
    “Only that Gordon isn’t home yet. Sidney said a week ago that if we hadn’t seen or heard from Gordon by now, he would pull some strings. I think it’s time for that.”
    “I agree. Sidney’s in the library; I’ll take you there.”
    “I’ll wait here, ma’am,” Jason said to Elizabeth.
    When Darlene opened the library door, Sidney was seated at his desk with a small stack of papers on one side and several sheets spread before him. When he saw Elizabeth he rose to his feet.
    “Hello, Liz. I think I can guess why you’re here. Sorry I haven’t gotten to you yet today, but I’ve had some paperwork here that has to be done by morning.”
    “I understand, Sidney. It’s just that I … well, I think it’s time to ask you to investigate Gordon’s whereabouts.”
    Sidney nodded. “You’re right, and in fact I’ve