The stallholders were shouting enticements over the sounds of the peddlers carrying their trinkets, and the clucking of chickens in their wicker cages. Beggars skulked on the edges of the market, plucking at gowns, calling for charity with desperation. A boy weaved past her, balancing a tray on top of his head, and the smell that drifted from it made her sniff appreciatively. “Hot pies! Hot pies!” He cried, but one could hardly hear him in the hubbub of conversation. It was always like this on market days.
Lori was struggling through the dense crowd, clutching at her gown with one hand and the other clasped tightly around her small, hand-woven purse, when her eyes rested upon a familiar figure thrusting her way through a group of women dragging their heavy bodies languidly across the stone pavement. Lori walked briskly ahead to catch a glimpse of the lady, and after one more glance, her guess was confirmed— Nora.
“Hey, Nora!” Lori shouted loudly towards her, past a heavy mob, and Nora looked back at her disapprovingly, much to Lori’s surprise. “Over here!” she added, waving her hand towards her, gesturing her to approach her. After much struggles and bumping here and there with people who knocked out elbows in the air which, Lori suspected might have inflicted quite a many wounds, Nora was beside her, looking at her once again with displeasure. Her evident dissatisfaction greatly surprised Lori who could not understand its reason and after being unable to suppress her curiosity any longer as her friend continued to observe silence, she broke out helplessly,
“What in the world is wrong Nora? Is everything alright?”
“No, Lori, it’s not. Shouting at such a loud voice in a public place is the most horrible action that could possibly be done by a respectful lady. Can you please promise to act a little courteously the next time you find yourself in a place, so crowded, as this?” She looked at her with an imploring look, her tone awfully polite. That was the thing about Nora that Lori fought very hard to ignore, but rather unsuccessfully, Nora’s humble words always getting the better of her, convincing her nevertheless.
“Dear God, you and your ladylike fusses!” she glanced annoyingly towards Nora, who gazed back with a hurtful look, and so moving was its intensity that Lori immediately stuttered, “okay sure, I promise to be a lady next time,” she rolled her eyes dramatically as if bored and quickly added with a chuckle, “if I can manage it.”
Nora shot her a mirthful glimpse and tugged at her shoulder gleefully.
“What if I promise to hear your daily whining only if I can spare the time?” She looked at her with a teasing smile and Lori, alarmed, cried out:
“God, that’s like creating a portal straight to death. I can barely survive without you and you know it, Miss who-wants-everyone-to-be-a-lady,” Lori flashed a jovial look towards her and Nora, catching the evident sarcasm in her words, once again thumped playfully at her arm and both of them broke into a mirthful laugh.
Lori pushed her head in her arms, drew her legs up to her chest, and began to ponder over the sickness that possessed her mind, much more intensely than before. She had been working very hard, sometimes extra hours as well, just with the mere hope of getting an increase in her salary but the very notion that one day she would come home elated due to an increment in her wage, seemed more than a dream- an impossibility. Living with her brother Marc and his wife, Nora, though they had been very generous to her, made her feel guilty of burdening them with her expenses considering the fact that Marc earned quite low and thus she had forced herself to get employed. However, the payment that she received was hardly anything at all and no matter how dedicatedly she worked, things just never seemed to change.
She had been working in that unpleasant factory since she was eight—no, six years old; her parents had been exceptionally poor and thus working, in order to bring home money, much or less, seemed inevitable. The immense noise pollution from the grinding of machines, clashing of metal and the awful job of intricately sewing rugs and cotton cloth had damaged her fingers horribly, the mere sight of them made her flinch. The pollution from the nearby industries, from which poisonous gases poured out like rain, had heavily harmed her health.
Though, everyday, she had helplessly tried to conceal her depression and agony from Marc and Nora, who were already doing a lot for her by providing her shelter. It seemed that this protective wall she had built around her was crumbling and that she could hide it no longer. Just as this terrible thought passed her mind, a concerned, familiar voice ripped through thin air,
“Lori, are you alright? You look quite pale.” As Nora’s anxious tone brushed against her ears, Lori, startled, felt herself withdraw her head from her arms and looked uncertainly at her.
Should I really tell her? Lori asked herself. Would she agree to help me? What if she won’t… no, that’s preposterous, Nora’s always helped you, idiot. Okay, then, here goes nothing…
“Nora, I wish to marry,” Lori blurted out and, as soon as the words escaped her mouth, a sea of regret passed over her and her hand went immediately to her lips, hindering the flow of any more words.
“What?” Nora asked, a mixture of surprise and confusion etched across her face. She had been holding an empty silver tray in her hands and as soon as Lori’s words had reached her ears, her grip had loosened and it had dramatically hit the floor.
“Nora, I wish to marry—”
“Yeah, I heard that,” Nora cut her off in between, “but why? Why the sudden change of opinion?” She asked, casting an incredulous look towards her.
“Nora,” she began cautiously, her eyes fixed on her whitened knuckles, feeling the heat of her brother’s wife’s intense gaze upon her.
“…it’s been fifteen years since I started working in the cotton factory and- I’ve never complained about it; it has not been easy, and time and again I felt myself living under a shadow of depression when my wages never increased and conditions just continued to worsen. But now-,” she raised her head to meet Nora’s soft brown eyes and said firmly, “I’ve had enough and I no longer want to burden you and Marc with my expenses. You people have been very generous and have done more than enough for me, but not anymore. Nora, I wish to become a mail order bride so that a nice gentleman can choose me and I can finally settle down and have a proper family. Just like you and Marc,” she added, smiling pleasantly towards her.
Nora stood rooted on the spot as soon as Lori finished speaking; the expression painted across her face was unreadable. Five minutes elapsed and no words were exchanged. Aware of Lori’s head directed towards her, evidently waiting for a reply, Nora spoke, clearing her throat, her voice clear and slow, “Well, Lori, I was just a bit shocked in the beginning to hear that, maybe because I didn’t quite expect you to marry and leave us but really, I shouldn’t be so selfish. Yes, I believe that it’s a spectacular idea to list you in a good catalog and be selected by a perfect gentleman. So, why don’t we start working?”
“But, Nora— you’re forgetting a very crucial point: how shall I correspond with him when I don’t even know how to read and write? I’ve never received even a trifle of education.” Lori faced her with utter despair sleeping in her charcoal grey eyes. Nora, however, continued to remain absolutely calm and replied,
“I will help you, Lori. I shall write your letters just as the same way you tell me to. Do not be alarmed,” she stared deeply into Lori’s eyes, “we shall do this together.”
Lori, quite surprised by Nora’s unbounded kindness, was unable to hide the sea of elation that crossed her face and immediately realizing that, felt her face flush. Happily, she wrapped her arms around Nora’s shoulders, hugging her tightly; she could not understand how in the world she would ever survive without Nora. Nora was everything to her.
“Thank you, dear Nora. Thank you. You have once again saved the day.”
As Lori looked at her merrily, Nora smiled pleasantly towards her— she just wanted Lori to be happy now, she had already suffered quite a lot.
THREE
A huge stack of newspapers crowded
around Lori and Nora on the carpet the next day, as they continued to search for a good prospect who could serve as a nice match for Lori. Three hours had passed and much to Nora’s disappointment, they had found not even a single person with a suitable profile. However, she knew that there was nothing to be distressed about as she had often heard that it takes quite a time and effort of looking through the Matrimonial news section in each and every newspaper. They had sent Lori’s description to a newspaper to the Post office in the morning and were now, running their eyes up and down huge sheets of newspapers.
They had come across a number of mechanics and department store managers but Lori had showed little interest in them and had asked Nora to move on; she had eyes for a person who lived towards the countryside, after all, she had always been a nature lover. Nora, obviously understanding her opinion, had instantly commenced searching various magazines for countryside men but all had been in vain. Eventually, tired, they left the newspapers lying here and there and stretched out their legs, with their backs resting against the front of the sofa.
“Nora, I have a feeling that this is going to be harder than I imagined. In fact, you know what, this is impossible!” ejaculated Lori, evidently out of boredom.
“Oh, come on Lori; don’t give up hope so soon. We will continue to search and I promise you that we shall certainly find someone that meets your desires,” she added with a smile.
“I really hope so…,” replied Lori, completely lost in her own thoughts. Presently, there was an evident unhappiness stretched across her face however, a second later, when Marc entered the room with the day’s newspaper, settled tightly in between in his arm, and Nora gave out a weak gasp as her eyes fell on the title of ‘MATRIMONIAL NEWS— exclusive section,’ she looked up, surprised.
Immediately, Nora grabbed the newspaper from Marc, leaving him extremely confused, and began reading it quite fast as if absorbing each and every word of it, her pupils running swiftly across the paper like leopard’s. During this time, Marc and Lori both, were completely out of words and just stared at Nora with fierce intensity. A couple of minutes elapsed and the silence continued to persist. And, then, Nora broke out, excitedly, “Lori, I have found it! A rancher, just as you desired! Dear God, Lori, come here!”
Promptly, Lori got up hurriedly, gathering her skirt and motioned towards Nora who sat gleefully, clutching the newspaper tightly; Marc still continued to look confused as he passed his gaze from one to the other.
As soon as Lori looked at the description provided, she was amazed. This was just it! Exactly the person she had wished to find! She was quite fortunate to have Nora; she realized and pressed her hand softly.
“Well…should we write to him?” She asked.
“Yes, of course—”
“Write to whom?” Marc’s loud, questionable voice cut Nora in between and both of them looked at Marc, completely bewildered, as if he had just dropped down from the sky.
“Uh—,” said Lori, clearly feeling a little awkward to tell her own brother that she had decided to become a mail-order bride. However, Nora was quick to the rescue as usual.
“Marc, Lori wishes to marry a respectable countryman and settle down and have a family. We have been searching the matrimonial section in newspapers in order to find the desired match and as it seems, we have finally done so. Dylan Owens is aged twenty-seven and is a rancher in the west, specifically Kansas. He has posted an ad in the newspaper looking for a bride. We have decided to start corresponding with him.”
Nora had been so formal and clear in her explanation of the entire matter that Lori’s awkwardness vanished in a whiplash and Marc seemed quite satisfied too.
“Lori, that’s wonderful! I hope this gentleman turns out to be the most perfect person for my young sis,” he smiled towards her proudly.
“Thank you, Marc. I really hope he does,” replied Lori.
After some time, Marc left to have a nap while Lori and Nora commenced writing a letter to the rancher.
“Well, so what do you want me write, Lori? Any hints?” Nora asked.
“I think initially, we should keep it subtle and provide very slight details about me, just an introduction. If he continues to respond, then we shall certainly write more about my character,” Lori said.
“I believe you are right. Well, I shall start writing instantly.”
Keeping in mind that this would be the first letter that would make them acquainted, Nora began writing the letter, keeping the tone formal and included only a brief introduction. Once she was done, she sealed the letter and accompanied by Lori, she walked to the Post Office in the morning and posted the letter, crossing her fingers, hoping that he shall respond soon.
FOUR
It was growing dark as Lori hurriedly walked across the stony pavement towards her home. The factory owner had dismissed her late promising to increase her wage though Lori knew that was hardly going to happen, this was not the first time he had said that. But, still she had hoped that this time it would be true and had stayed. Now, she was quite worried about the fact that Marc and Nora might be anxious about where she was, as she had obviously not informed them considering the sudden change of conditions.
As soon as Lori knocked at the door, the door immediately opened, and Nora stood in the doorway, a mysterious expression etched across her face.
“Are you going to ever let me in or you’re just going to stare at me creepily all night?” Lori asked, confused by Nora’s weird expression.
Instantly, Nora began to smile gleefully and allowing Lori in, she began,
“Lori, he replied! I received the letter today but I have not opened it yet because I have been waiting for you. Please do so immediately or else I shall die out of unintentional curiosity.”
At first, Lori was confused as to whom she was referring but then, it clicked. Oh, of course…Mr. Owens!
Promptly, she took the letter from Nora’s hands and tore the seal open and handed it back to her again. It had been written in simple words and he spoke about how immense pleasure he had felt when he received her letter. Lori noticed that he had referred to her quite often of being such a mannered lady and it surprised her to hear that as nothing of the sort had been mentioned in the letter she had sent however, she ignored it and once Nora was done reading, she said,
“Well, he seems a nice man, doesn’t he, Nora?”
“Oh yes. I think that you should continue corresponding with him, in this way you will be able to find more and more about his character and can thus, eventually decide whether to meet him or not,” Nora replied, her expression thoughtful as if something occupied her mind. Lori, noticing her expression, asked,
“Nora, what is it? Is something bothering you?”
“No, Lori. I am completely fine,” she replied, immediately recovering herself.
Two months had passed since Lori first corresponded with Mr. Owens. During this time, Nora had continued to write more letters quite happily due to Lori’s request and Mr. Owens had continued to respond pleasantly. As time passed, Lori felt an attachment growing between her and Mr. Owens and so, one evening when she was back from work, she expressed her emotions to Nora who seemed quite excited to hear this.
“Lori, I think he is the most perfect match for you. He is so genial and smart and his words drip with a tint of sarcasm that is quite fascinating to read. I think it is necessary that you two should meet now and converse face to face so that things can move to the next level. However—”
Nora was cut off, when Marc came into the room carrying a letter. He passed it to Lori who gave it to Nora, as she could not read it. Intently, she watched Nora tear open the seal and as she was done reading silently, she exclaimed,
“Oh, Lori, this must be a dream! He has asked you to meet him in Caldwell on the coming Sunday, 5 ‘o’ clock in the evening. Furthermore, he wishes to have a wedding soon!”
“That is the most wonderful news that has reached my ears! Nora, I am so excited to meet him! But— wha
t if he does not turn out the person we are expecting?” She asked, her voice dripping with uncertainty and doubt.
“Oh, Lori, he’ll be just fine. I’m perfectly sure he’ll be the exact person as we have hoped. But, promise me that you will act like a perfect lady in front of him because Lori,” she said softly, noticing the immediate disdain that had passed across her husband’s sister’s face, “ you have to understand that men are only attracted to ladylike women, the ones who have graceful manners and gait.”
“Then, I hold no respect for such men who are so shallow that they do not understand a woman’s character but are rather allured by her appearance. I hope that Mr. Owens does not disappoint me by turning out quite the same.” Lori replied firmly; she was truly a strong-willed girl, never scared to speak her mind.
Nora said nothing but shook her head sadly; she was obviously accustomed to Lori’s adamant nature.
FIVE
“Lori! Wake up! You have a very long day ahead of you!”
A familiar loud voice echoed in Lori’s ears as she rubbed her ears, stretched her limbs out of fierce tiredness and wondered angrily who the devil would be waking her up this early on her only day off from that monstrous factory. As she opened her eyes, focusing her vision, she noticed a slim figure cowering over her head, dark hair falling at her shoulders and a concerned expression etched across it—Nora.
“Nora! What are you talking about? Why would you wake me up so early? You know, my head is throbbing so can you please go and allow me to rest in peace?” Lori looked at her with a mixture of frustration and confusion; Nora continued to stand however, her expression amazed.
Mail Order Bride: JUMBO Mail Order Bride 20 Book Box Set Page 75