The Dawn of a Dream by Ann Shorey Read Free Book Online Page A

She didn’t look back.

    Weary, dusty, and stiff-limbed, Luellen stepped onto the train platform in Allenwood. Setting sun threw orange light over the bustling depot. While she waited for her trunk, Luellen studied her surroundings. Three omnibuses waited for passengers. Looking beyond them into town, she saw a large shopping district bounded by wooden sidewalks and the gabled roofs of homes spread as far as she could see.
    A freight wagon rumbled past. In spite of herself, Luellen turned, following the driver with her eyes. An older man in a slouch hat. Not Brendan.
    “Miss?”
    She jumped when one of the omnibus drivers spoke. “Do you require transportation?”
    “Yes.”
    “Where are you going?”
    “Allenwood Normal School.” She studied the crumpled paper in her hand. “But now I need to find Mrs. Hawks’s boardinghouse.”
    The driver touched the brim of his cap. “Miz Hawks’s place is on College Avenue—not far from the school. It’s on my route.” He pointed at the first of the three omnibuses. “Please seat yourself.”
    “Thank you. My trunk is over there. Could you fetch it for me?”
    “Be happy to. As soon as I have a few more passengers, we’ll be on our way.”
    She settled in one of the empty seats below the driver’s bench. Another woman sat alone at the back, and an older man who reminded her of Uncle Arthur sat near the middle. She heard a thud overhead and assumed the driver had dropped her trunk next to the other baggage stowed between iron rails on the roof. Luellen stared straight ahead, trying to look like she rode public transportation every day. The men and women who passed by on the street paid no attention to the buses or the departing train. In Beldon Grove, this much activity would have drawn a crowd.
    She’d had a skimpy meal earlier at a relay station, and now her stomach grumbled with hunger. Maybe there’d be a late supper available at the boardinghouse.
    After a half dozen more people boarded the bus, the driver took his seat outside and shook the reins over the horses’ backs. They rumbled through the center of town, passing more shops than Luellen had ever seen in one place before. One side of the street was lined with a dry goods store, a butcher shop, a boot maker, and a bookstore. The other side boasted a hotel, a jeweler, a barber, a dressmaker, and a milliner. The bus stopped in front of the hotel and most of the passengers disembarked. Once the driver carried their luggage inside, he climbed back onto his seat and drove past more businesses into a residential area.
    “This here’s College Avenue,” he called down. “The Normal School is at the corner of College and Chestnut—about a half mile on.” He slowed the wagon and stopped in front of a modest frame house. “Miz Hawks’s place.” The omnibus jounced as he climbed off his perch outside and opened the rear door. “This is your stop, miss,” he said to the woman sitting in the back.
    Glad for a companion, Luellen turned and smiled at her. “Did you just arrive in Allenwood too?”
    “Yes.” Her fair skin looked flushed. When she stood, her dress snagged on the arm of the seat. Luellen heard cloth tear as she jerked it free. “Drat these hoops anyway!” The woman stomped down the steps and stood tapping her foot while the driver climbed back up to retrieve the baggage.
    Luellen descended and stood beside her. “I hope your dress isn’t too badly torn.”
    “No. I can mend it.” She turned round blue eyes on Luellen. “My mama insisted I dress properly for the trip.” She glanced at Luellen’s skirt and put her fingers to her lips. “Oh! I’m sorry! I don’t mean to imply you’re not—”
    “Don’t apologize. I despise hoops and won’t wear them. My mama gave up a long time ago.”
    The other woman, who looked to be not more than sixteen, extended a lace-gloved hand. “I’m Liberty Belle Brownlee. Isn’t that the most dreadful name? Please call me Belle.”
    “I’m happy to