Abram's Daughters 03 The Sacrifice by Unknown Read Free Book Online

shook out her hair, untangling it with her fingers lid going over and over the length.
    I As she began to brush her hair vigorously, she recalled the hiuny times she had brushed or combed Sadie's beautiful him id locks. Often the two of them had taken turns doing so
    in day's end.
    I When she was satisfied all the snarls were out, she rose Inn I walked to the bed the one she and Sadie had shared
    I1 on i the time they were but tiny girls, once Leah was able to fclrcp in a bed and not roll out.
    I Do you miss me, sister, as sorrowfully as I miss you?I She felt the strength drain from her legs, and she was in impelled to lie down. A short rest might rejuvenate her for the long night ahead. Almost immediately her muscles pelnxcd as she stretched out on the bed. Sadie's plump pillow
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    was a constant reminder of their many late-night talks, sharing dreams of the future as schoolgirls and on into the early teen years .. . and finally rumschpringe. They had always talked of living neighbors to each other as married women. "Our babies will grow up together just like brothers and sisters," Sadie had promised in the fading light.
    Leah couldn't bear to think of the children Sadie would
    give birth to. Such things were too painful still. Reaching over, she slid her hand beneath her sister's pillow, aware of its utter coolness to the touch. Will 1 ever see you again? she wondered. The thought left her torn, and tears came all too fast . . . missing Sadie yet not wanting to truly know about her life as Jonas's wife. No, 'tis best you stay wherever you
    are. ......,.
    -#-
    When it came time to go out and hitch his horse to the courting buggy, Gid simply told his mother he had "some business in town." It was a common phrase used among the young men in the community on a Saturday night before the no-church Sunday. This, to explain the reason for having cleaned up, put unruly hair to order with a comb, and dressed around in clean black trousers and colorful shirts, though Plain parents all over Lancaster County were mindful it was courting night.
    "Oh?" his mamma said, her face shining her delight. "Well, have yourself a good time, hear?"
    Pop nodded slowly, smiling faintly before recovering his solemn look. Gid was downright certain his father had at least
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    acrifice
    l|n inkling Leah would also be going along "to tend to busilnens."
    I "We won't be waitin' up for you, son," Mamma said, a Itwlnkle in her eyes.
    I Pop agreed they'd be "goin' to bed with the chickens," so |Oid felt assured of their trust, just as all young Amishmen did Ion such a night. Though he knew they would not interfere With his choice of a girlfriend, he would attempt to guard his ifeliil ionship with Leah, whatever it was to be, from the eyes lind ears of the People as a whole for as long as possible. In Ifutt, he must remind Adah once again to keep quiet about ll.t'ah going along with them tonight, just as he wouldn't think Inl breathing a word that Leah's cousin Sam was seriously |( onrting Adah and, more than likely, soon to marry her. The liK^-old custom of secrecy was so ingrained into the ritual of Ipourtship, Gid felt sure no one would guess whom he was lengaged to when the time finally did come. No, he must woo hnd win Leah's heart and require his sister to vow absolute jlecrecy. ' ,'
    I Nothing must gonvrong, he thought. I must dg things the
    I -* : ': '.' :i' ; ;.'
    Respectable and right way. Beginning tonight. ;
    Locusts sang a percussive song as Smithy Gid's best horse pulled the open buggy west from Gobbler's Knob, past the dense woods on the north, heading toward the town of Strashtirg. Gid's sister pointed out how pretty the sky was, and Sam Ebersol said he wouldn't be surprised if there was a downright beautiful sunset tonight. ';
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    To Gid's left, Leah sat straight and stiff in the seat, as if she wasn't wholly committed to being there. Or, more than likely, she was uneasy with double courting, what with Adah