Page 10 - MailOrderBrideFlipBook

check passports, papers, and such.” With that, Whitman headed on over to the freight dock, leaving a discouraged Eli slumped on an old crate. Jim stood and kindly walked over and patted Eli on the shoulder. “Son, you know, it’s none of my business and all, but do you think there is any way that Molly would let you down?” A little bit of life returned to Eli as he shook his head. “No. I remember the night before I left. It was a clear evening in late May, almost exactly two years ago. A cool breeze was blowing, and the stars shone overhead. In the moonlight, I had taken her in his arms, and she had promised to wait for me until I could send for her. I can still almost feel her in my arms as if it was yesterday.” Eli’s voice wandered off as he dreamily though of Molly. Jim continued to try and buoy up Eli’s spirits, but was interrupted by Whitman coming down the dock with a burly man. The man stood a head taller than Whitman, who was no slouch himself. The man was wearing a captain’s hat and a blue, double-breasted wool coat. He had a rough beard and a stern expression. A pipe hung loosely between his teeth. Whitman pointed toward Eli as they approached. “This is the man you’re looking for.” The man came over to Eli and glared down at him from his towering height. He eyed Eli with a disapproving scowl, pulling the pipe from his mouth. “So, you the man who ordered package. You look like decent enough fellow. Just as I figured.” “What are you talking about?” Eli asked. “I didn’t order a package.” “Oh, don’t try play innocent with me!” the captain’s 7