Ada's Secret by Nonnie Frasier Read Free Book Online Page A

office’s slot. Patrick watched curiously as the letter disappeared. Being a gentleman, he didn’t question me. I fought back tears thinking of the pain I must have caused everyone back in Denver.
    They probably think I went to the ranch for the weekend. They may not even have known yet that I am missing .
    I mentally reviewed the contents of my letter to my family. I hoped it would explain my situation and help them understand.
    Dear Ma, Aunt Lettie, Sarah, and Jeremiah,
    I love you all so much, but I can’t face a life of petticoats and corsets. Please, don’t look for me because my husband must never know the circumstances of my life. I know there is nothing in my past to be ashamed of, but other people are not as understanding.
    I can’t chance that he would abandon me, or worse yet, be humiliated by where I was raised. He is a fine man, and I am extremely happy. I will write if I can. Please always remember, I will love you forever.
    Ada
    After hearing Patrick and Frank’s conversation yesterday, I knew this would probably be the last communication I could ever have with them. I dabbed at the corners of my eyes with my handkerchief as I nodded for him to continue on to church.
    The Sunday congregation was joyous. Every voice could be heard as the deacon led the congregation in the Lord’s Prayer. As the first hymn of devotion began, a cacophony of men and women’s voices resounded from within the small wooden church. However, fear gripped me as I watched the prostitutes, about whom Patrick had been gossiping back at the ranch, enter the back of the church. Just as they had always done in Denver, they settled quickly in the back pew, allowing the last notes of the hymn to cover their entrance. Quickly I looked back, and was thankful not to be able to recognize any of them. A felt a sigh of relief softly escape my lips.
    ***
    M emories of my childhood church attendance resurfaced as the familiar rituals of the service continued. I recalled how, while sitting with Jeremiah and his family, I would secretly watch the ladies from the Silver Dove arrive at church. The so-called upstanding members of the church always made sure the back pews were conspicuously unoccupied for these less desirable attendees. Soiled doves were allowed in church, but had to follow more rules than the rest of the congregation. In order for their attendance to go unnoticed, they were expected to arrive late, preferably during the first hymn, sit quietly for the service, and then leave during the last hymn. This way the more respectable members of the congregation could pretend they were never there.
    The Ladies of the Evening understood their place in society, but society never understood how much the wages of sin provided for their church. When the collection plate was passed, the smatterings of coins from the fine upstanding members of the church were always hidden under stacks of silver dollars tendered by the ladies. It seemed that not much was different here.
    ***
    J ohn Burns, pastor of the First Congregational Church of Fort Collins, knew that feelings ran high against the new bordello, which had come to his community. As a God-fearing pastor he understood his job was to preach against sin, but he also had been given a burning desire to preach God’s love and forgiveness for the sinner. John also was painfully aware that without the added collection, from the ladies of ill repute, his small congregation could never support a young preacher or his family, or the church’s ministries. As the young pastor walked to the pulpit, he closed his eyes and beseeched Jesus to give him an easier sermon, but God in his wisdom only increased the conviction to deliver His message.
    “Please open your Bibles to Luke 7:36 and follow along as I read.” Pastor Burns’ strong baritone voice briefly faltered, then gathered strength.
    36 And one of the Pharisees desired him that he would eat with him. And he went into the Pharisee's house, and sat down