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January 1892
Dear future wife,
These letters need to end for a while. I will resume them when I am able to.
Sincerely,
Otis
***
The next morning, Mabel brought some of the letters from Douglas over. She handed them to Otis without a word and without looking at him.
“Are you sure you want me to read these?” Otis asked.
She nodded. With obvious effort she lifted her head to look at him. “I’m sure. You need to know.”
Otis took the letters and set his jaw. “Thank you. I will look them over.”
She scurried to the kitchen, and he watched her go. He had never seen her so nervous and skittish. Of course, he had been actively trying not to notice much about her recently. He turned away and went to sit at his desk. He finally had a few minutes alone and would use them to start reading the letters. He started with the one dated a week after her arrival.
My dearest Mabel,
You are always in my thoughts. The way we left each other haunts me every day. I cannot believe I struck you. I don’t know what came over me. I put the ring on my dresser, and I see it every morning as I wake up. It reminds me of how many shortcomings I have.
I know you probably never wish to hear from me or see me again, but I love you, my darling. You are my heart’s desire, and I must try to find a way to win you over again. Please let me see you just one more time?
Your love,
Douglas
Hm. So in that letter he almost sounds repentant, Otis thought. Almost, but not quite. He opened the next one, dated two weeks later.
My fair and lovely Mabel,
Why have you not written? I have tried to be patient, but it is wearing thin. I want you back, my dearest Mabel. You are everything to me. I would sell all I own if it meant I could have you back. I need you back. I am lost without you.
Father has told me I need to move on, but I cannot. I had to move the ring. I am afraid one of the maids will take it into her head to steal it. Or that Father will take it so I cannot wallow in my misery (his words) any longer.
I am trying to get back to work. Our wedding date has come and gone. The day the wedding was supposed to be, I went to the church and sat there all day, waiting just in case you changed your mind and showed up anyway.
What was your dress like? Was it white and covered in lace? Did it have pearl buttons? Did you have a veil to match the lace? I have so many questions and no answers.
Why did you run away instead of staying here? I am so confused. I know I scared you, but surely you know that is not who I really am. I did not mean to scare you. Please come back.
Your loving fiancé,
Douglas
Otis sat back and sighed. No actual threats yet, so he couldn’t see any problems. But the man definitely had a pride issue. And he certainly seemed to like Mabel. A lot. He looked around. No one had come in yet, so he decided to read the next one.
My darling Mabel,
I was so happy to receive your letter. Until I actually read it. How could you dismiss your love for me so lightly? I know you loved me not that long ago. I want you. I need you. I won’t lose you. If I have to, I’ll come out there and convince you that I still love you. No matter what it takes, I want you to always be part of my life.
My life is falling apart here without you. I cannot concentrate on anything. Father is threatening me more and more, and I can’t handle it. I have a few ideas, but they are all so drastic, I am not sure I can do it. But for you I would do anything.
Your beloved,
Douglas
Otis set the letter down. That one was a bit more threatening, but not enough to cause undue concern. Did he snap in the next few weeks waiting for a response?
Mabel,
You are beginning to annoy me. I need to do something and soon. I have plans in place. I know what I can do legally and what I cannot. To be with you, though, I am willing to break the law at least a little. I have heard plenty about unscrupulous men out West even more so than here. I will get what I want.
Your brother can do nothing to stop it. I know what I need to do, I just need to put all the pieces in place. Just remember, everything I do is for your own good. You may not realize it at the time, but it is.
Yours truly,
Douglas
Otis shot up in his chair. That one definitely held a graphic threat. This must have been the letter that caused Tyrel and Mabel to be so concerned. He snatched the last letter out of the envelope and read it.
Mabel-dear,
You can run, but you cannot hide. I know how much you love me and how much I love you and I know we will make a perfect couple if you will but let me prove it to you. I have everything in order here and will soon be able to come to you to prove it all.
I know I take a risk telling you all of this, but I’m willing to go anywhere, do anything to find you even if you do try to run away again.
You are my everything, my dearest Mabel. You are what I have always wanted in a wife. I must find a way to prove myself to you. I have a few weeks to figure it out. Months, possibly depending on how things go here. I will figure something out and then I will come.
Yours,
Douglas
The letter slipped out of his hand and drifted to the floor. “God, I know I need to help somehow, but is marriage the way You want this to go?”
The door opened and Otis looked up. “Can I help you?” he asked as he stood up and hurried over.
“I think I broke my arm,” the man said.
The prayer and decisions would have to wait. He fixed up the man’s arm—it was sprained—and sent him on his way. After the man left, Otis picked up the letters, returned them to their envelopes, and went to find Mabel.
He found her in the kitchen with Olive. “Thank you for the letters. I will think and pray more about it.”
Mabel took them and nodded. “You’re welcome and thank you.”
As he left, he heard Olive ask, “What is he praying about?”
Mabel had a quiet voice, and Otis stepped away too quickly to hear the answer anyway. God, lead me where You want me to go.