Mail Order Celeste

who had not strayed from her own room.
I know she wasn't crying because I would have heard that. In fact she wasn't even crying when I walked in--she was stunned silent. And clearly terrified, backing away as quickly as she could once she was released!
All of this is to explain to you why I felt I must leave immediately before she did further harm to Samantha. Oh, Miranda, how I wish you had been there to offer advice! As it was, I removed the train ticket and voucher from your envelope, enclosed herewith, and packed our things.
Henry assisted me in getting the trunk to the station and promised to help me leave without being seen. I am sorry not to be able to wish Papa farewell, but do not wish to chance running into his new wife again. Frankly, she terrifies me.
I strongly suggest you manage to get out of there as quickly as possible. I know you have some money saved up on your own, and I will replace what I have taken as soon as I can get a job, but please try to be on the next train out as I truly fear you are in danger in that house. I only hope Papa is not, once we have left. She does seem genuinely to dote on him. Perhaps it is just that you look so much like our dear Mother that it makes me feel the comparison more strongly.
Your loving sister,
Celeste
P.S. I did liberate my own few dollars that shrew stole from me, less $5 to cover any possible costs for the food she begrudged me. I’ve certainly been working my keep while here, but Mama would expect me to tip the staff. (Forgive me, Mama! I do know better.) I am sorry to leave you in the lurch. Please come as quickly as you can!
~~~
A brief snort of laughter escaped at her sister’s jibe at their stepmother. Well deserved, but she, too, knew better, and cast a silent plea heavenward for forgiveness and the forbearance with which to cope with the woman until she, too, left.
Gently massaging her forehead trying to stave off the incipient headache she felt forming there, Miranda pulled open the next letter.
“My dear Miranda,” read the neatly penned missive,
I very much look forward to meeting in person the charming woman I have gotten to know through our letters. I enclose a train ticket and some pocket money for your meals and expenses. Please wire to let me know on which train you will arrive, and I will meet you at the station. I am on the tall side and clean-shaven, and will wear a red shirt to make me easy to find.
~~~
Miranda had begun the correspondence with Mr. Charles Patrick Hardwick several months earlier. He was desirous of a housekeeper above all, but looked forward to a family and a companion with whom he could share his thoughts. Miranda rather liked his wit and had enjoyed their correspondence. She only hoped a sawmill provided adequate mental stimulation for what she perceived to be a fine mind.
For that matter, she was praying there were options for her own mind beyond housekeeping and childrearing. She had put her own education on hold when her mother became ill, and had used all the medical knowledge she had acquired, caring for her.
Although still nursing her infant daughter, Celeste had spent hours helping, too, and the baby had proved a godsend in keeping their mother’s spirits up as her health slipped away.

Safety
Both Celeste and her sister Miranda had gotten in the habit of carrying a small derringer in their reticules years earlier. With so many brothers and cousins, their friend Bridget had learned how to shoot at a young age. When they found out, both sisters became insistent that they, too, be taught.
Bridget thought it was a great lark, as did her brothers, who proceeded to teach the young ladies, with great attention to detail, how to fire and care for a pistol. When they had succeeded in learning to shoot accurately and demonstrated the same proficiency as any of the other Flanagan siblings, the Belden girls were each presented with their very own derringers and warned of the need for absolute safety in all procedures relating to the guns.
Henry, when he learned of their new prowess with weaponry, took it upon himself to back up their skills with close up personal defense.
“For one doesn’t always have an opportunity to reach for a weapon when a person of low morals chooses to misbehave,” he’d admonished.
One of the first things he’d taught them was how to scream. For that lesson they had gone riding out of town to a secluded area.
“It is funny how frequently one doesn’t think of screaming as a weapon, but it can be very effective. If someone is offering harm, he or she has no wish to be discovered. Yelling loudly, ‘Thief,’ or even simply, ‘Help!’ can send an attacker running. But if you can learn to make a large volume of noise and then direct it into the ear of your assailant, you may even stun him long enough to escape.”
By the end of the lesson both girls had sore throats, although he had taught them some techniques to relax their vocal chords to produce even larger sounds with less stress, but they’d had a wonderful time. Henry had enjoyed himself, too, despite the massive headache he now suffered.
He’d also explained the areas of physical vulnerability of all humans, but especially of men. For these lessons he sensibly used a straw dummy. Periodically the girls would disappear into the stable to practice their skills, with Henry’s full approval.


Secrets
Without ever enquiring into their father’s business affairs, they had become aware over the years that what he did was secret, probably dangerous, and, after the war, frequently