The Secret of Fair Hill: A Refuge in Fair Hill Book 2

by Faith Cummings

  "There isn't anything with which I need thy help," Betsy insisted. "And I don't care to discuss this any further with thee or with anyone else from the Meeting."

  Molly went then to talk to Jared Johnson, asking that he go and speak with Sean about his treatment of his wife. Jared surprised her by saying that he had already spoken to Sean weeks before about this very thing and had gotten no results.

  "What does thee think should be done then?" She asked, full of concern.

  "I don't know what more we can do. We can't separate them if they don't want to be apart. If Betsy leaves him, we can help her. But if she doesn't, there's nothing we can do." He was evidently saddened by this.

  Molly told him then of her fear that Paul would go to the Murphy farm. "He might even take Betsy away in spite of her wishes."

  Jared assured her he would urge Paul not to interfere.

  Jared chose the following morning after Meeting to have a few words with Paul in the Meetinghouse library.

  "I hear from Molly O'Connor thee is troubled about Betsy and Sean Murphy," he said coming directly to the point as was his usual manner.

  "I am concerned for Betsy's safety," Paul said earnestly. "Hasn't thee heard why?" "Yes, Molly told me she talked to Betsy and saw the bruises for herself. But Betsy refused her counsel. She said it was not a matter for the Meeting to concern itself with." "Does thee agree with that?" Paul asked in surprise.

  "Neither Molly nor I agree with what she says, Paul. But there is nothing else we can do except read them out of Meeting. If she refuses our help, what can we do?"

  "Will thee speak to Sean about it? Will thee remind him the Bible teaches us we should love our wives as Christ loved the Church? Will thee remind him that violence is not the Friends' way whether it is to a family member or not?" Paul was evidently angered by their lack of action.

  "I will talk to him and remind him of those things," Jared said firmly. "But thee must not go to his farm either to see Betsy or to talk to Sean. Thee knows better than to put thyself in that situation, doesn't thee?"

  "I will not go to them myself, Friend. But I do ask most urgently that something be done and soon before worse happens to her or to the child." Jared promised he would go that very afternoon to the Murphy farm and talk to the young couple.

  Paul informed his family of what was taking place over dinner.

  "What does thee think will happen now?" Amy asked, her usually placid face full of concern and love for Betsy.

  "I know Jared plans to go and talk to them, but beyond that, I'm not sure. I imagine Sean will not be any too happy about interference from the elders. I only pray he doesn't take it out on Betsy if he gets angry." Paul was still unable to remain calm.

  "But thee will not go to them thyself?" Andrew asked.

  "No, Father, though it is the hardest thing I have ever had to do, I will refrain from going and bringing her here to safety."

  Andrew smiled, unable to hide his relief. "I know what thee would like to do and I understand. Thee loves her and it's hard to see her mistreated. It would be difficult to see someone treated like this even if thee didn't love her as much as thee loves Betsy. But she is another man's wife and thee must abide by her decision."

  "I only hope Jared can make her understand what danger she and the child are in." Paul said, fear evident in his voice. "I wonder if it would help for me to go and talk to Betsy," I put in from beside him. "I could try and explain the medical aspects of the situation,"

  "Somehow I don't think she'd listen to thee," Paul said sadly. "But thank thee for suggesting it. I appreciate thy wanting to help."

  Jared reported to us. Betsy and Sean would not talk to him. He said he thought Betsy would have spoken with him if Sean had allowed her to do so, but they were never left alone and Betsy obeyed her husband's wishes. "I don't think she is happy there," Jared told us. "I'm going to keep a close eye on them and try to catch her alone. When I do, I'll offer her the shelter of the Meetinghouse if necessary or take her to Molly O'Connor if she wishes to leave him. Then, once we get them separated for a time, I'll counsel Sean." Paul thanked him for his efforts.

  Summer ended without any change in the Murphys' situation. With September came the apple harvest and preparations for the coming cold winter. On a rather cool day in late September, Doc Wilson again came to the Becker farm. This time, he was hurrying and simply told Andrew who came to the gate to greet him, to send Paul and me to the Murphy farm as fast as possible. He was off then, his bag of medical instruments strapped to his horse.

  "I think something's wrong at the Murphys," Andrew told Paul when he found him in the apple orchard.

  "How does thee know?" Paul asked anxiously.

  "Doc just rode by to ask me to send thee there as quickly as possible. He had his bag with him and didn't stop to explain. He wants Barbara to go with thee."

  "We'll be back later then," Paul said and ran to get our horses

  Paul found me in the kitchen, helping Amy prepare dinner. "Doc just came by and asked thee and me to go to the Murphy farm. It's an emergency," he said, taking the dishes from my hand. "Come on, I have a horse ready for thee to ride with me."

  I followed him from the house and we mounted the two waiting horses. "What happened, Paul?" I asked as we rode toward the Murphy farm.

  "I don't know. Doc didn't tell Father. He just said to hurry."

  "It's too early for Betsy's baby," I said fearfully. "I hope she's all right."

  When we got to the Murphy farm, we found it deserted. there was no wagon near the house. we only saw Doc's lathered horse and another that we knew belonged to Daniel Olsen. we entered the house and found Daniel sitting alone and stony faced in the kitchen. Daniel made no response when I spoke to him, only pointed silently to the stairs leading up to the second floor. we followed his direction and went up the stairs, two at a time. we found Doc just emerging from the bedroom. "Did you bring your Bible?" He asked.

  "Yes, I have it, but why? What's happened, Doc?"

  "You'd better hurry. Go and talk to her while you still can. She's asking for you."

  we entered the room to find Betsy still and white, lying in an old, disheveled bed. She saw Paul standing at its foot and put out a small shaking hand to him.

  "Paul, thee has come. Thee must sit with me a moment. I must talk to thee while there is still time." She pleaded.

  Paul went to her and seated himself on the bed. She grasped his hand for a moment. Then, Paul was holding her trembling body in his arms. She sobbed on his shoulder. "Paul, thee must forgive me!" She cried evidently struggling to form the words. "I must know that thee doesn't hate me for what I did to thee," she pleaded.

  Paul held her in one arm and drew the moist curls of her hair from her tired face. "I forgive thee, Betsy," he said simply. "What has happened to thee? Why is thee like this?" he asked, his tears mingling with hers.

  "I tried to go to Molly O'Connor for help last night," she began. "Sean found out where I had gone and came to bring me home."

  "Where is he now?" Paul asked.

  "He has gone. He was very angry with me when he brought me home and he, . . . I am going to have the baby early. Doc is not sure I will make it either. He hasn't said so, but I know. I had to see thee before I. . .."

  "Bets, thee will be all right," Paul insisted. "Doc will take care of thee and then thee will settle things with Sean."

  "No, Sean is not coming back," she said with certainty. "I think he believed I was dead when he left the farm. He's probably going out west somewhere beyond the law." Paul smoothed her hair with a gentle hand. "Thee mustn't worry about that now. Thee must get well first. Then everything else will take care of itself."

  "I'm very tired," she said. He laid her gently back on the bed, then sat beside her holding her hand.

  "Thee must rest. I'll sit with thee until thee sleeps," Paul told her.

  "Then thee really isn't angry with me, Paul?"

  "No, Betsy, I'm not angry with thee. Just rest now and
we'll talk later when thee is stronger." Her eyes closed then but she spoke softly.

  "Barbara, thee is here too, that's good. Paul will need thee now. Thee will be with him, won't thee?" She asked, drawing me to the bed with a shaky hand.

  "I'll be with him, Betsy but thee must rest and grow strong for thy baby's sake," I urged, holding Betsy's hand tightly and willing her to fight. "Thee must not give up. Thy baby will need thee. Thee must not think of Paul now but of thyself and thy child. Paul will bee all right. But thee must live for thy baby."

  "I don't think so, Barbara," Betsy managed. "I will leave the baby's well being in the hands of the Lord. “She was silent then, becoming too weary to speak. Paul sat with her there for a time in silence, praying that God would restore her to health. Perhaps even yet, they could make a life together. Doc entered a few minutes later and looked down at the still form.

  "How much did she tell you?" He asked us as he turned away.

  "She told us Sean got angry with her for going to Molly O'Connor for help. I gathered she was beaten. She said she was going to deliver the child early."

  "Yes, I don't know if we can save the baby," Doc agreed, taking a chair. Betsy has lost much blood and is not doing well. I'm not sure I can save her either. If, by some chance she does live through this, there can be no more children for her. She was hurt internally this time. : "She said he thought she was dead when he left her." "She practically was," Doc said simply. "You'd better hope for another miracle like the one at the Emerson farm," he added rising to tend Betsy.

  "What about her father?" Paul asked after a pause. "Does he know it's that serious?" "I just came from telling him. He didn't answer me when I spoke to him, but he understands." Doc said. "I think he's feeling rather guilty right now."

  While Doc and I tended Betsy, Paul went downstairs to get her father. "I think thee should be with her," Paul said to the older man as he entered the kitchen.

  Daniel stared down at the floor. "If I had listened to thee and the rest of the Meeting, none of this would have happened," he said somberly.

  "This is not the time for thinking about what might or might not have happened," Paul said drawing the man to his feet. "Thy daughter needs thee now. She might be dying. Thee must ask her forgiveness if thee thinks thee has wronged her."

  "I don't deserve it," he answered.

  "Perhaps God will give her enough grace to forgive thee, " Paul said firmly and drew him toward the stairs.

  "I can't face her," Daniel said drawing back.

  "Thee owes her that much," Paul was adamant. Daniel followed him in silence.

  Betsy was awake when they reached her room but Paul could tell she had weakened noticeably since his talk with her.

  "I advise no excitement or anger on your part, Daniel," Doc said as the other man approached the bed.

  "I haven't come for anger's sake," Daniel said taking his daughter's thin hand.

  She looked up at him and smiled briefly. "Father thee needn't worry about me," she said tiredly. "I'll be fine."

  "Betsy I've come to ask thy forgiveness for what has happened," he managed.

  "I forgive thee with the help of God's grace," she answered slowly. "Now we will put all this behind us and not mention it anymore." He said nothing. "I want a word with Paul if the three of thee don't mind," she said after a pause.

  "We'll be right outside," Doc said beckoning Daniel away. When we had closed the door, Betsy continued. "I don't expect Sean will ever return to Fair Hill," she said getting to the point. It was an effort for her to speak now but still she continued, taking Paul's hand and making sure that he was looking at her before she spoke. "Forget me," she insisted. "If I live . . . doubtful now. Nothing between us. I am Sean Murphys' wife and will be until I am dead. Does thee understand?"

  "If he never returns to Fair Hill," Paul began.

  Betsy squeezed his hand feebly and he was silenced. "Paul I will not be here, whether Sean is or not. Thee must find someone else and marry her. Thee needs a wife and family. Thee should have thy own farm someday and someone to love thee and care for thee."The perfect person is already here. Thee brought her back thyself. Turn to Barbara now. She loves thee already. She's just waiting for thee."

  "I can't think about that now, Bets," Paul admitted.

  "I know. It's not easy for me to think about it either. But thee must come to a point some day when thee can.

  "I'll remember if the occasion ever arises," he promised. "Now let's not discuss it further. Can I do anything else for thee, Betsy?"

  She paused for a moment then continued in more subdued tones. "If I don't make it and the baby lives, I'd like thee to take the baby, Paul." He couldn't hide the disbelief from his face. "I'm certain Sean won't be back but even if he does return, I don't want him to raise the child. Will thee take it and raise it for me?"

  Paul was silent for a few moments then softly promised that he would take the child back to the Becker farm if anything happened to her. A smile lit her tired face. She was immediately caught up again in the labor of giving birth to the child. Paul rose slowly and went to get Doc, worried by Betsy's weak condition.Doc and I reentered the room at Paul's urgent summons. I assisted him as he helped the weary Betsy to give birth. The baby was small but Doc said he thought she might live after all. When he was sure the baby was breathing normally, he handed her to me so he could take care of Betsy. I washed the small baby in the warm water that Daniel brought. Then dressed her warmly and wrapped her in a blanket. All Doc's efforts to save Betsy proved fruitless. She rallied briefly and asked to see the baby. I seated myself on the bed and laid the child against Betsy's body. She touched the small head for a moment and smiled tiredly. "I hoped for a daughter," she said quietly.

  "And thee got a daughter," Paul said touching her hand lightly. "She's beautiful." "What will thee call her?" She asked softly.

  "I don't know. Is there some certain name thee would like her to have?"

  "No, I hadn't selected a name yet, thee can choose one for her later. She then turned to her father who stood on the other side of the bed. "I have asked Paul to take the baby, Father. He has promised to do so. I know she will be in good hands. Thee understands?" "Yes, Betsy, I understand," her father answered. Betsy turned again then to Paul. Seeing her growing weaker, he took the baby. "Read me the Twenty-third Psalm," she whispered. He held the small child in one arm, opened his Bible with the other hand and began to read. "The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want." When Paul had finished the familiar and comforting passage, Betsy died and awoke in the arms of God.

  The room fell silent. Paul sat for a moment looking at her peaceful face then rose slowly and left the room with the sleeping baby in his arms.

  "I'll make a coffin for her and take her back to my farm," Daniel said as Paul started down the hall toward the stairs. "The Meeting for Burial will be there. Doc I hope Paul will come."

  "He'll come," Doc said but right now, while you go to your farm and make the coffin, I'll dress her and prepare her for burial." As Paul started down the stairs, dazed and numb with grief, he felt someone beside him. A voice spoke as if from a distance. "It's going to be all right, Paul," it said. Paul turned his eyes from the sleeping face of the child to see me descending the stairs beside him. "Amy will help and we'll all be there with thee," I was saying. "Paul, does thee hear me?" I asked touching his arm as we stopped at the bottom. "Is thee all right?"

  Paul handed me the child. "I now understand how thee felt when thee first arrived in Fair Hill," he told me numbly. "I now understand why thee questioned whether there was a God. Perhaps thee was right and there isn't. Perhaps all I've been taught and all I preached to thee is a lie!"

  I grasped his hand firmly and spoke sharply. "NO, Paul, thee must not think like that. Betsy is with God now as are my folks. Thee must go on believing! Thee can't lose thy faith because of this."

  "Then explain it to me, Barbara, please tell me why she was taken! A God who loves us would not do such a thing!" I took
his hand and drew him from the house toward our waiting horses. I untied them and mounted mine, still holding the sleeping baby. "Come on, let's go home," I said as Paul remained standing beside his waiting horse. "It will all make sense once thee has time to heal," I urged more gently. "Come now." Paul mounted the horse woodenly and followed me from the farm.

  "Is he all right?" Doc asked as he caught up to us.

  "He will be," I said waving to him. "But thee might want to tell Molly or Jared that he could use some ministry right now."

  "I don't want to see the elders," Paul shot back angrily. "I'm not up for sermons about faith and grace and all that."

  "I'll tell them," Doc said to me and he left us.

  "I'll take care of the baby until thee is more up to doing it," I told him as we alighted at the Becker farm. "Go now and put the horses away. "I'll tell Amy and Andrew what has happened." I went toward the house and he took the horses to the pasture.

  When Paul reentered the house a little while later, Amy and Andrew sat near a cradle in which the child slept. Lisbeth and Jeremy too were there and I was pouring some tea. "Come and drink this," I told him firmly. "I've told everyone what happened. Thee need not explain anything."

  Paul took the cup from my hand. "Thank thee, Barbara, "I am very glad thee is here," Paul said. "Mother, Betsy asked me to take the baby,"

  "I know, dear, Barbara has told us all about it. "We'll all be here to help thee."

  The meeting for burial took place two days later at the Olsen farm. Everyone in the Meeting was there except the Murphy family. Paul sat gazing at the closed pine box while the Meeting took place about him. I knew he was thinking back to another time only a short few months before when he had counseled me about God and about why God took loved ones in death. I knew Paul remembered my uncertainty and now knew all too well why I had felt as I had. Paul now understood all too clearly my doubts and fears. How was it that someone like Betsy deserved to die such a death and Sean not have to face any consequences? Why was it that the child who had not sinned was left motherless and its father still allowed to live to hurt someone else? It didn't make sense. What did God mean by this?