AFTER STARTING ANEW
Chapter Thirteen
Excerpts from Ruth’s Journal
January 1, 1915
“I must pinch myself as I write this to be
sure it is all real. Never did I expect anything like this to happen to me,
though secretly I had hoped it might. I am to marry Arthur! Last night he
proposed to me! A new life, a new husband and a new year. All these wonderful
things await me. It still is almost unbelievable.
After his romantic proposal, he took me on a
tour of his home. It is quite grand, but I suspect that we will only use
several rooms, the delightful little sunroom, our bedroom and the upstairs
sitting room. We really don’t need all that space. It was his family’s home and
he wants to keep it. So we will continue to maintain it for some future
generations. He is also very eager for the children to come and visit as often
as possible. I know I will enjoy that. He does not seem at all concerned that
they might be wild and noisy. Last night the twins were quite taken with him,
so I suspect this will be to everyone’s mutual benefit.
He took me into the kitchen and introduced me
to a charming couple, Luis and Maria Lopez. He called them his friends that
look after him. They insisted that we sit down in the kitchen and have some
refreshments with them. Arthur acted as if this were something he did everyday
and I believe that it easily could be. He is such a democratic type of person.
He gets along with and is interested in everyone. That is another one of the
things that I love about him. I want to be able to help him in his charity
works. Little by little, I will understand how he makes these wonderful things
happen. I want so much to be a big part of that aspect of his life.
Years ago, I never could have imagined eating
and drinking with the servants. Now, of course, I know better and I understand.
People are people and you can learn from each other. And thank goodness. I feel
that Maria will be someone I could confide in. I know that she will also help
me with the menus and other issues involved in running that house. I don’t want
to make any mistakes. I can see us talking about things over a cup of tea. At
least that is what I would like. Luis appears to be almost an adviser to Arthur
in many ways. It is Luis who always seems to know when some charity is in need
or a family is down on their luck. Then Arthur steps in and performs his magic.
What an extraordinary man!
I invited them and their families to the
wedding. Apparently Maria’s niece comes in to help clean and Luis’ brother is
the gardener. I was so impressed with the delicacies that Maria placed before
us on the table, that I asked her to prepare the food for the wedding. I wish I
could describe the look of pride in her eyes at that moment. Perhaps I am off to
the right start this time.
We chatted for thirty minutes or so and then
we were off to share our news with Jack and Rose. I felt a little embarrassed
when we arrived, as Jack’s hair was a bit mussed and Rose was twisting around a
bit buttoning her top buttons. It is wonderful to see that they are still as
much in love as ever. They took it all in stride and graciously invited us in
and I must say that they were very, very happy for us. They made coffee and
found some cookies left over from the holidays. I know they live on a
shoestring, but when company arrives, their hospitality is more than generous.
Jack shook hands with Arthur, welcoming him
to the family. Since the two men had already met, things were much less awkward
and in fact, it was a bit humorous when Arthur recalled how he had declared his
love for me in front of Jack and Mr. Thompson, not knowing who Jack was. When I
asked Jack to walk me down the aisle, he was almost overcome, poor boy. He came
around to my chair at the table and gave me yet another hug and took my hand
and kissed it. Jack is charming and so sincere. It is easy to see why Rose
chose him. How stupid I was then and how blind. I refuse to look back except to
say that I am proud to see how far I have come. I have learned some valuable
lessons in my life and I am determined never to fall back on my old ways.
Somehow with Rose, Jack and Arthur around me, I think this will never happen.
Rose was so excited all through our visit.
She kissed me and embraced me tightly. There were tears of happiness in her
eyes as she hugged me. She is thrilled to be the matron of honor and cannot
wait to help me choose the dresses, the flowers and the decorations for the
wedding. Her only worry is that the girls will behave. I am convinced that they
will rise to the occasion and all will be well.
We toasted in the New Year with a bottle of
wine that Arthur brought along. Jack proposed a toast to us, the newly engaged
couple and then one to all of us as a family. As we sat there in Rose and
Jack’s little parlor, I was so overwhelmed with the wonderful feelings in that
room. Jack and Rose’s deep abiding love for one another, the pride when they
talk about their children and now tonight, the honest and true affection and
respect between Arthur and myself. Not to mention of course, my feelings for
Rose, Jack and the children. I have never experienced anything like it.
Just before we left, we heard thumping
overhead. Jack gave a slight groan and Rose put her hand to her head and
sighed. All of our commotion must have awakened the children. We turned and saw
the twins peeking through the stairway. Despite the fact that they should have
been asleep, Rose and Jack were not angry. They merely opened their arms and
the girls ran to their parents. A few minutes later, we could hear Frank
crying. Rose got up to go to him and handed Molly to Arthur. The little girl
cuddled up against him and gave him a peck on the cheek. Soon Edy was in his
lap as well. He was thrilled that the girls took to him instantly. A wonderful omen
for our life ahead. I know he hopes that he can be a real grandfather figure to
them. What a blessing that would be.
Arthur will be here to pick me up in several
hours. Today we are going on a sleigh ride. I really don’t know where he finds
the energy to plan all these things. He treats each day as a new adventure.
Life with him will never be boring. Later we have asked Rose and Jack and the
children to come to his home for cake and ice cream. That old place may never
be the same.
I have much to do these next few weeks. I
want to write to Molly and be sure that she can attend the wedding. Since she
really is the one responsible for me ending up here, in Denver, it is only
right that she be here to witness this great event.
I am grateful and thankful for this turn of
events in my life. Again I have been given another chance, one that I will not
waste. Being married to Arthur will be the most exciting and wonderful journey
of my life. I can’t wait for it to begin."