Providence Read Online Free Page B

of his head at the frightened girl, he
called out as he made his way toward the open door, “I’m sorry, ma’am, I must
have knocked these from the table. I am such a clumsy oaf. I hope you can forgive
me.”
    The rest of the conversation was
lost to the grateful girl’s ears as Luke disappeared into the kitchen. He
emerged a short time later, somewhat cleaner, and very hungry. Sarah’s mother
had indeed forgiven him, and provided him a towel, soap and wash basin. Sarah
stared openly at her sometime savior, wondering how on earth he had charmed her
stern mother into those niceties, then hurried to find him a seat and provide
him with a well-deserved meal.
    The steaming stew wafted a rich
meaty aroma; the bread was soft and fresh, the butter creamy. Luke was certain
that heaven couldn’t be any sweeter than this. He ate heartily and well, being
constantly attended by the grateful Sarah.
    ***
    The hotel door opened; Luke
looked up expectantly as Joseph entered the lobby. His warm smile of welcome
faded slowly to be replaced by a frown of concern as Joe made his way to the
table.
    “Joe, what is it?” Luke asked.
     Joe laid a small stack of
papers on the table before his friend. One was the pay envelope containing their
wages for the past month, nothing unusual there. Another was a letter from
Zora, Joe’s wife back in Rush Springs; it was dated March 1, 1897, and hadn’t
yet been opened. The last letter was opened, and crumpled. Luke picked it up
and began reading.
    “March 28 th , 1897. It
is with great despair that I must write to inform you that your wife Zora and
your young son, Samuel, were both taken from this world on the 25 th of March. They suffered only briefly with the cholera that has become epidemic
in this region. Burial will be made without delay. Please come as soon as you
can. Your loving sister, Annie.”
    Luke felt as though a hot knife
had been thrust into the depths of his heart. Zora was a vibrant, black-haired
beauty, so full of life. She and Joe truly loved one another with the carefree
spirit that youthful love engenders. And Sam, that bright star their love had
created. A charming boy with his father’s open, adventurous spirit, but his
mother’s dark good looks. How was it possible that they were gone?
    He put the paper down on the
rough wooden table and smoothed the wrinkles mechanically with his fingers.
“Joe, I don’t....” He swallowed hard, the words sticking painfully in his
throat.
     “I’ll be leaving at first
light. I’d be grateful if you’d see to it the men are paid.” Joe stated
woodenly.
    “I’m going with you.”
    “No, I couldn’t ask you to do
that.”
    “No one’s asking, I’m going.”
Luke stated firmly. He gathered the papers, placed a dollar on the table,
walked over to the man at the desk and paid for a room in advance. Striding
across the lobby, he called, “Sarah.”
    “Yes, sir?” She appeared promptly
at the kitchen door.
    “See that my friend there gets a
good meal, then take him up to our room.” He handed her a key and two dollars.
    “That I will, but this is too
much...” she began. He held up his hand. The look in his eyes told her that he
would accept no protest, and that this was a most serious task he had set her
to do. “Yes, sir.”
    ***
    Assured that Joe would be in good
hands until his return, he left the hotel quickly and headed toward the livery
where he knew he’d find the rest of the boys. The sun was sinking rapidly in
the west painting the heavens with vibrant shades of pink, purple and red, the
azure sky darkening towards the deep violet of night. A few bright stars
already shone like diamonds against the varicolored background. An early group
of revelers sang drunkenly on the wooden plank sidewalk in front of the largest
saloon. Shopkeepers were busily closing up for the night in anticipation of returning
home to hearth and family. The everyday sights and sounds struck a note of
discord in Luke.
    Entering the livery