Seline woke in the early morning to intermittent taps on her window. She had fallen asleep in her clothes instead of laying them out by the fire and she did not brush and braid her hair so it was sticking up in all directions. In short, she was a mess. Another tap at the window brought her back to her senses, and she sat up and looked out the window.It was Will standing below. He saw her in the window and waved for her to come down. Seline bounced out of bed ran a brush through her thick hair as quick as she could and smoothed her dress. She opened the door to her room and snuck very quietly down stairs. She reached the back door and very quietly went out. She took the egg collecting basket with her when she went. Will was waiting for her when she came out. She put her finger to her lips and grabbed his arm and dragged him to the chicken coop with a rather confused and surprised look on his face. Once inside Seline whirled around and asked “What are you doing here so early? You can’
Seline went to the Ladies’ study after breakfast as usual, but her mother came in and told her there would be no lessons today since they had so much to do. Her mother asked her to help Henni in the kitchen while she went to her younger sisters room to find out why they were not down stairs yet. Seline figured that they were sleeping in because they were probably up all night talking. Alene must be very excited. After all it was the match that she wanted. When her mother came to the kitchen 20 minutes later she seemed frazzled. “Seline dear, your sister is not feeling well, and would like to talk to you. She is staying in bed for the day. Would you go up and see her.” Seline thought this was odd, but maybe it was Alice that wanted to see her as she would be the sister who thinks that she is being married off to the one man that all her sisters had always teased her about all her life and that they thought she would end up married to.Seline went upstairs to find the it was Alene in be
Seline sat on the edge of the bed staring. She could not believe what she was hearing. “Alene darling how can that be? What do you mean?” Seline put her hand on her sisters shoulder who was now sobbing even harder than before. Alene was sobbing and hiccuping, but looked at the wall next to the other side of the bed and said. I was seen by the old widower coming out of Mr. Glassman’s room in the hay barn in the early morning. I ran away as fast as I could but it seems that he knew who it was and assumed the worst. I was only there to surprise him with his favorite blueberry biscuits for his birthday.” Alene buried her head in the blankets once more and cried. “I know you must hate me now so leave. Just leave me. It’s all my fault that you and Alice have to marry the wrong people and I get exactly what I want I don’t deserve it.” Came the muffled cry from the blankets. Seline looked at her anguished sister and leaned over and gave her a kiss on the back of her head and embraced her. “I
Rose and Heather were crying and Mama, Henni, and Alice were all questioning Papa furiously at the same time. Seline did not know what had happened but what ever it was it had to be serious. Seline stepped to the side of the raucous and grabbed Rose’s forearm, “What is it Rosie? Why is everyone so upset?” Rose lifted her face with tears cascading down it and said “WAR! They have gone to war and they conscripted all the men under 35 this morning. They are all to meet at the town square this evening to head to camp.” Seline felt her legs start to give way and sat herself on the bench next to her. All the men under 35 would be just about every man in the entire county. When they have gone off to war before they never asked for men over the age of 25 except for officers. Why so many this time?“Papa, will they be making Mr. Glassman go too?” Alene had come down the stairs after hearing the noise in the kitchen. “Yes my dear. He is under 35 also. I am afraid the betrothal and weddings will
Seline watched Heinz ride away. She did not want to see all the men go. Only now that Heinz was leaving it dawned on her that with all the men gone, all the work will be left to the very old or the very young men, and the women. Men under the age of 15 do not have to fight, but if the war goes on for a long time, even the ones who are staying safely at home now will grow to be old enough to go off and fight. Seline looked back at the house. They were all still too upset to have noticed that she was gone. She decided to walk down the road and go to see Will before he and his older brother leave. She should have asked Heinz if she could ride double with him. He would have to ride by the road to Will’s father’s farm. It would have saved her some time. Seline walked as fast as she could. He bulky skirts did not allow for too swift a movement, but she kept a steady pace. She was hoping that maybe they had not heard the news yet, but knew that Will’s older brother went into town to make d
Seline pulled back first and began to speak, but never got an intelligent word out as Will’s mouth was suddenly on hers. She surrendered to him immediately. It was all she had thought about since he had disappeared from the chicken coop. His arms had pulled her into him so tight it was as if they would melt into one being. The kiss was not tender or gentle. It spoke of desperation, of loss to come, and of last chances. They feverishly moved against each other and before she knew it his coat and her shawl were off and thrown onto the hay. Will guided her body down with him and leaning over the top of her. He was kissing down her neck small but firm kisses that sent zings of energy rippling through her. His hands were in her hair and pushing her head aside to expose more of her neck. Seline gasped as he brushed his hand over the top of her bodice, grazing the top of her breast. She found her hands trying to pull his shirt up but it would not untuck. She realized that he was wearing brac
Seline hugged the stout little bay mare. Will came and put his arms around Seline. He held her for a long time. Finally Will released his grip "It's time you head home. Let them know about Heinz and where his body is. They will send some men to fetch him so he can be burried." Will brushed her hair back from her face and kissed her forehead as they embraced one more time. Will backed away and turned to go. Seline looked at him from behind as he walked off toward town. She could not let him go without telling him. "Will wait!" Will stopped mid stride. Seline ran up to him mare in tow and wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him. She tried to put every bit of emotion behind that kiss. Will's surprise turned to welcome and then delight. He embraced her back and picked her up off her feet. As he set her down and looked into her face with a smile that melted her heart, she knew that he had to come back to her. He had to come back and he had to be hers. "Well now boy, this is not wh
When Seline rode up the drive, it was clear that her absence had been noticed. Her mother was standing outside with her hands on her hips looking very upset. She did not say a word but pointed to the barn. Seline dismounted and turned to her mother. "Mama Heinz is dead. He must have fallen from the horse and was killed. he is in the woods on the far side of the road going to town after the Evan's farm drive." Mama covered her mouth with her hand and looked at Seline in disbelief. She began to cry. Mama put her head down and sucked in a deep breath. "Alright. I will tell your father. I do not know who they will send out to get him as all the men have been called out to fight. Mr. Dells is here and I need you to go in through the kitchen and straight up to your room. The water in the basin on your wash stand was warm a few hours ago but you will have to do with cold now. wash up there is some rose and lavendar water that Henni made for you. Put it on after you wash and then I will be up