Page 12 - MailOrderBrideFlipBook

back away from him. “Okay,” he said. “Give me the package.” The captain let out an exasperated gasp and threw his arms in the air. Jim began to understand what the captain was saying and walked over to Eli, placing his hand on his shoulder. “No, Eli. I think the captain is saying the girl is the package.” For an instant, Eli looked confused. Then, suddenly, his face lit up. He turned to the girl. “Molly? Molly!” He took another step toward her, and she took a step back. “Why, Molly,” he continued, not seeming to notice her timidness, “in all those old clothes I didn’t recognize you. And I didn’t expect you to come in on a cattle boat. It’s been so many years. Let me look at you.” Eli reached up and swiftly pulled the veil from her face, as she shrank fearfully away from him. He looked at her and then back at the men, shock written all over his face. Then he turned back to look at the girl cowering before him. He was bewildered as he turned again to the men. “There’s got to be some mistake. This isn’t Molly!” Whitman stepped forward to get a better look at her. “What do you mean this isn’t Molly? The captain said she was sent to you.” “Don’t you think I would know my own fiancée when I see her?” Jim snickered. “It has been two years.” Frustration sounded in Eli’s voice. “This isn’t Molly!” Whitman walked all around the girl, looking her over. “Well, if this isn’t Molly, who is she?” 9