Abram's Daughters 05 The Revelation (28 page)

/ 'hanks be to God, she prayed silently, thankful to be alive.

She lay whimpering in the road, catching her breath. Then, lit-

ilr by little, she cautiously inched up to stand and saw that her

ilrtiNN iind apron were tattered and filthy. Instantly she was terribly

iware <>l a sharp, shooting pain in her rib cage, and she held her

kIc.

Hobbling up to the sweating and panting horse, she spoke softly in him, hoping to keep him still. Then she reached for the bridle ,111(1 slowly led the animal off the road and tied him to a tree trunk. / uin'/ let this horse go wild again!

I 'liming, she crept to the buggy and gingerly climbed inside to

I in It on the man, who was clearly dazed and still limp in his seat. You all right?" she asked.

I I e muttered something she couldn't make out, and as he raised Ins head, the glazed look in his eyes suggested he might be intoxi> .iled. She gasped. "Why, you're Cousin . . . Peter Mast, aren'tYOU!

The man nodded slowly, trying to sit up straight now. "Jah, I'm I'i'ter. Who might you be?"

What with the ongoing ill will between this man and her family,

In1 didn't know whether she should say. But just when she gathered

nough courage to do just that, Cousin Peter's eyelids drooped

losed once again. *

Surely he's drunk. She'd heard something of Peter's weakness for I rung drink from Jonas, and a whiff of the man's breath confirmed her suspicions. Quickly she pinched her nose at the reeking odor.

Leah took another long look at Peter, who'd caused so much tumble for herself and her family, and knew there was only one I >I.ice to take him. Dat will know what to do, she decided, taking < lunge of both reins while Peter leaned like a sack of potatoes toward the right side of the buggy.

She got down and untied the horse and then returned to the cari i.igc. She slapped the reins against the horse's haunches and man.il'.ed to get it turned around and headed back toward the Ebersol

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Cottage. All the while Leah prayed she might not pass out from the sharp pain in her throbbing left side.

It'll never do to have two of us fainted away as if dead not with this horse!

Mary Ruth delighted in the fellowship around her and Robert's table as their guests lingered long after the Easter feasi was finished. Along with Robert's parents, they had included Dan and Dottie Nolt and their jovial Carl. And although she would have loved to have her entire family there, as well, Mary Ruth un derstood how important the Amish Preaching service and common meal following was to Dat and Leah and the family especially 01 \ this most important day, when it was expected Jonas would be rein stated.

"The meal was absolutely delicious," Robert whispered to her. In her opinion, however, it was not so much the tenderness or tinflavor of the roast leg of lamb and springtime vegetables that mat tered, but the lively table discussion regarding today's sermon. To her amazement and delight, even her father-in-law, who in the past had shown no interest in Scripture or sermons, spoke up about the disciples' renewed zeal in spreading the Gospel following the death and resurrection of Christ.

But it was the profound comment made just now by her dear Robert that stood out most to her. "The power that brought Jesus Christ back from the grave is the same power that today can meei our every need body, mind, and spirit."

Lorraine was nodding her head and smiling. "Yes, and I don'i believe the Lord ever calls us to accomplish tasks greater than thai very power."

Mary Ruth wanted to say something, but she held back, listening now as Carl spoke up. "I say it's our purpose as Christians to useGod's strength to extend His love to others to everyone we meet."

They talked awhile longer, Robert taking out his Bible to look up several verses as Mary Ruth poured more coffee for everyone.

At one point Dottie clasped her hands together, glancing around the room. "God is at work in so many hearts."

Mary Ruth knew exactly what she meant, and, later in the

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kitchen, she whispered as much to Dottie. "It excites me to see hungry souls being drawn to God's saving grace. To have my father-inLiw .11 church . . . what a blessed Easter!"

If only there was some slight indication on Hannah's part of yearning Id ward the Lord, Mary Ruth thought. Still, it wasn't necessary for .iiiyonc but God to know the condition of her sister's spirit, for He iilonc was the discerner of heart and intention. Mary Ruth knew she must continually put her faith and trust in that.

By the time Leah arrived home with Peter and his horse and cari iiigc, she could scarcely get out of the buggy for the pain. She i nihcd her way out, very aware of the snoring gray-haired man lunched in the front seat.

Teetering up the walkway, she reached for the back door, I Killing it open with all her might. Once she'd caught her breath, i uch one an agony, she called as loudly as she could. "Dat! Aunt I ,izzie! Somebody help!"

Immediately Dat came running out. "What's a-matter, Leah?" Hut one glance at her and he was hollering for Lizzie. "Come right juick!" Then to Leah, he said, "Daughter, you're awful hurt!"

"I'll manage," she said, pointing toward the carriage. "There. (lousin Peter's out cold."

Dat rushed over to have a look-see.

By then Aunt Lizzie and Lydiann were outside, as well, looking worried sick. "Off, honey-girl, you're all skun up ... what happened id ya?" Aunt Lizzie asked.

"I. tried to stop Cousin Peter's runaway horse. Wasn't so easy."

"Well, for goodness' sake!" Aunt Lizzie motioned wide-eyed Lytliann to support Leah's other side, and they helped her into the house before Lydiann ran to find Abe.

Meanwhile, Dat stayed in the carriage with Peter, trying to get him to come to, no doubt. Leah could hear him talking rather loudly i veil from where she stood in the kitchen. Cautiously she eased her ( II down, settling onto the wood bench with some assistance.

She tried not to cry, but she just hurt so badly. "Someone needs lo go 'n' get the pony and cart," she gasped. "Left 'em out on the road a bit east of here. The pony's tied to a tree."

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"Ach, don't worry yourself," Aunt Lizzie chided, dabbing Leah's face with a cool rag and calling for Sadie, who was in the Dawdi Haus.

"What the world?" Sadie exclaimed, joining them in the kitchen. When she was told what had happened, she said, "We best be gettin' Leah off to Dr. Schwartz."

"No . . . no, I'll be all right," Leah whispered, but she wasn't so sure.

" 'Tis for your own gut," Sadie insisted.

About that time Dat came into the kitchen nearly carrying Peter, who remained in a stupor. "Here's a man in dire need of a warm bed and a good night's sleep," Dat grunted.

Sadie gawked at Peter and looked back at Leah. "Where'd ya find him like this, and on Easter Sunday yet?"

"Does seem just awful. . . what a thing to be doin' on such ;i blessed day!" Lizzie whispered.

Lydiann returned with Abe now, who soon was helping Dat to navigate Peter to the downstairs bedroom. In short order Leah heard them easing him onto Abe's bed, both shoes clunking to the floor, and she imagined Dat's frustration at having their drunk and badtempered cousin here in this peaceful haven of a house.

But when he returned to the kitchen, Dat appeared not at all angry but thanked Abe for a "strong set of arms" before sending him off to bring back the pony and cart.

"Maybe Abe should go 'n' let Fannie know Peter's stayin' the night here," suggested Aunt Lizzie.

Dat agreed. "Jah, Abe, do just that, but first get the pony and cart home and then take one of my drivin' horses and a regular carriage, since it's makin' down rain now. 'Course, maybe this means Fannie'll actually let you in."

An unspoken message passed between the two, and Leah thought Dat must be wondering if Fannie would agree to hear what Abe had to say about her husband's situation.

Abe went out the back door, and Dat said to Lizzie, "When Peter awakens in the mornin', I want Leah nearby." He went and sat beside Leah, touching her bruised face in several places. "It pains me to see ya like this."

"I'll be all right," she said. i

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1 )ai looked directly at Aunt Lizzie. "Our daughter's a brave one,

ilie* is." He sighed too loudly. "Riskin' her life to save the old

man's . . ." He might well have said "the old scoundrel's," but there

vas no resentment in his voice. "You women look after Peter, here

c that he doesn't roll out of bed and hit his noggin."

More caringly, Dat said to Leah, "You and I are goin' to go 'n' ' f il anything's broken. There'll be no puttin' up a fuss."

With the stinging pain in her side growing ever worse, Leah went willingly.

'" 1 his here horse's gonna get himself a mighty gut work-out toniglu," Dat declared as he and Lizzie helped Leah into the Mast l,4!nily buggy, its being already hitched up and ready to go.

"Be ever so careful, Abram," said Lizzie.

" I 11 take care of her . . . and so will Dr. Schwartz," reassured Dat.

Aunt Lizzie waved as the horse turned at the top of the lane and I muled back toward the road.

"I hope they won't fret over me," Leah said, trembling now.

"Well, sure they will." Dat glanced at her and adjusted his black I tat. He grunted. "Just think. We get Jonas voted back in, and someiliin' like this happens."

Leah held herself together around the ribs, unable to quiet her '.linking. She fought to steady herself on the ride up the road to the < linic, already pained at the buggy's jostling. Dear Lord, help me bear this in silence.

Lizzie and Sadie sat with Lydiann near the wood stove, leaning ,m car toward the downstairs bedroom, but all they heard was the sound of loud snoring. "He'll sleep it off and not know where he is, i dine mornin'," Lizzie said.

"It's kinda funny Peter Mast should awaken here, ain't so?" Lydiann squelched a giggle as she opened the family Bible. Since ati ending Mennonite meetings, she liked to read first in German and i ken in English.

"Well, Mamma should be smilin' above, don't ya think?" Sadie mid.

"I should say so." Lizzie rose to pour herself another cup of hot i offee. "Care for more?"

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Beverly Lewis 3

Sadie shook her head. "I've had my fill."

They worried aloud over Leah all brush-burned and scraped up yet marveled how she had been spared dire injury and even death. "The Lord was with her, that's for sure," said Lizzie.

"Ain't that the truth," agreed Sadie, a tear in her eye.

After a time, they began to recount the Preaching service and the members' meeting in soft tones, careful not to mention anything that shouldn't be discussed before Lydiann, as she had not yet joined church. But Leah and Jonas were foremost on Lizzie's mind. "Our girl's gonna have herself a weddin', seems to me," she declared.

" 'Bout time," Lydiann spoke up, eyes bright and a smile on her face.

"Too bad November's seven months away yet," Sadie said.

Lizzie nodded, wishing it weren't so. "But there's plenty of farm work to be done . . . sowing and reapin' come first round here. The time of celebration will arrive soon enough." She sighed, thinking ahead to the smile of sweet bliss on Leah's face as she stood next to her Jonas. "A mighty happy day for us all."

Sadie was nodding. "Happiest ever."

Would be even more so if the Masts gave us the time of day, thought Lizzie.

i

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4,1,

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I rustrated. to be stuck in the corner of the kitchen, away from the

1 ookstove, Leah twiddled her thumbs while Sadie and Lizzie made breakfast. Dr. Schwartz's X-rays last evening had shown a fractured lib, and he'd ordered her to take it easy. Leah was trying her best to

111Ilow through on his advice, and she felt terribly confined at being wrapped securely around the middle. There was no way for her to help much with spring housecleaning now, either at home or the Si hwartzes'.

Aunt Lizzie poured coffee and brought her a full cup with a heaping teaspoon *bf sugar and a few drops of rich cream already added. "Who can know what a day will bring, jah?"

"Jah, for sure," whispered Leah, breathing carefully, glad for the Jelicious coffee something hot to sip on a rainy day. H Lizzie stood near. "I'm awful sorry you're hurt, honey-girl." H "Ach, I should be much better in six or seven weeks, Dr. ifehwartz says."

"Till you're mended, I'll tend to all of your chores," Aunt Lizzieinsisted.

"Oh, you mustn't fuss. I'll be bakin' and cleanin' in no time,

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you II see.

"1 say you let yourself heal first."

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Leah smiled despite the painful spasms in her chest. Dear Amu Lizzie, always looking out for everyone else. Just listening to the lull of Lizzie's gentle chatter made her relax some that and the pills Dr. Schwartz had given, urging her not to wait until the pain crept up again before taking more.

She was thankful that other than the broken rib she had been merely bruised and scraped up on her arms, since, according to the doctor, there would be no scarring.

Aunt Lizzie kept glancing at her with pity.

"You're too worried 'bout me," Leah chided.

"Oh, now . . . I'll worry if I want to."

Just then, breaking the stillness, Dat rushed into the kitchen. "Peter's wakin' up," he announced in a hushed tone. "Come with me, daughter," he said to Leah, helping her up.

She did as she was told, slipping her arm through the crook of his as they made their way to Abe's bedroom.

They found Cousin Peter sitting up in bed, still fully dressed in wrinkled clothes, his hair standing on end.

"Gude Mariye!" Dat leaned over to offer a handshake.

Peter ignored Dat's good morning and his extended hand. He looked first at Leah and then at Dat. "What am I doin' here!" he growled.

Dat paused, inhaling slowly. "Sleepin' off your drunken stupor, looks like to me."

"Inyour house?" Peter's face turned red as he swung his long legs over the side of the bed.