Heritage of Lancaster County 02 The Confession Read Online Free PDF Page B

My, oh my, had it been nearly one week now already.., since Katie had gone to stay at Lydia Miller's house?
    Rebecca refolded the kitchen towel and went to sit in the front room. Katie was on her mind a lot, it seemed. And she missed her. Missed her like a cripple might pine for an amputated arm or leg.
    Himmel, life had changed so terrible much, she thought. Reaching for her hand sewing, Rebecca wondered if she oughtn't to stop by and visit her Mennonite cousin. A quick visit wouldn't hurt none, especially this close to Christmas. And maybe, just maybe, she'd catch a glimpse of her dear girl at the same time. That is, if Katie hadn't already up and gone to New York.
    Rebecca teetered a bit on her hickory rocker before resuming the embroidery work. No, she couldn't do it. Samuel--the bishop, too--would disapprove. Besides, it might be too soon to visit thataway. She must wait out die Meinding, hoping and praying that the harshness of the shunning might bring Katie back to the church and to God.
    Yet if the truth be known, she herself was suffering from a wicked sin--jealousy. And not just a twinge of it, neither. Ach, she'd had a greislich time of it, trying ever
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    so hard to turn her thoughts away from Katie and her stubborn desire to search for the "English" woman named Laura Mayfield-Bennett. Such a fancy, modern lady she must be.
    Rebecca's mind raced near out of control at the possibility of her precious girl taking up with the likes of a worldly woman. Sometimes she thought her mind might be slipping, and she tried desperately to hide her ongoing obsession with Katie's satin baby gown.
    But if she could just touch it, hold it and stroke its gentle folds, then and only then could the past catch up with the present and things go on as always--before Katie got herself shunned and left the Amish community.
    Here lately, the haunting cries of an infant had caused her to get up and rush down the hall to Katie's old room. Some nights she sat beside the empty bed long into the wee hours, holding the baby dress next to her bosom. She'd even quit praying in German and told the Lord God heavenly Father that she wished He'd never created her. That she herself had never been born.
    Jah, it might've been better thataway....
    Immediately following breakfast, Theodore hurried to the limo garage behind the estate. He opened the door and, much to his displeasure, discovered the black car was gone, apparently in use. This agitated him considerably, and he walked back and forth on the snow-packed walk, thinking what to do.
    Mrs. Bennett was counting on him. He must not let the mistress down, especially not out of pure carelessness-- putting that important document in a locked glove compartment. He should have retrieved it at the earliest op
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    portunity and put it elsewhere for safekeeping, as he'd promised.
    Back inside, he hung his overcoat and hat in the large utility room near the kitchen. Several housegirls were cleaning counters and sweeping the floor as he came scuffling inside, still wearing his boots.
    Garrett Smith, his nephew and head steward, stood in the pantry doorway, consulting in hushed tones with Fulton Taylor, the impeccable butler--Rosie's husband.
    But it was Selig, the assistant cook, brewing a fresh pot of coffee, who caught Theodore's attention. "Looks like you could be usin' a strong cup of coffee, my man. Here, try this. It's plenty hot--and black."
    Theodore accepted the steaming mug gratefully and seated himself next to the bay window. Such a thoughtless deed 1're done, he fumed, kicking himself mentally. What if the junior chauffeur needed something from the glove compartment? Why hadn't he taken the unsealed envelope along with him to his room last night?
    "Two cubes?" Selig asked, waiting with sugar prongs poised.
    Theodore nodded. "The usual, thank you." Lost in his thoughts, he stirred, then sipped the dark, sweet brew.
    Moments later, Selig came back to the table, pulled out a chair, and settled into