Yankee Mail Order Bride Read Free Page B

in all of Plymouth County. You could continue that life with Mr Throckmorton. You have no idea what fate awaits you in Wyoming. I just wish you would put this foolishness from your head and accept what your father is trying to do for you.”
     
    “For me? He isn’t trying to do this for me. He’s trying to further his empire. I can’t believe you’re talking this way, Mother. I thought you were on my side.”
     
    “I only want what’s best for you, dear. If you were to go to Wyoming, I would likely never see you again. I couldn’t bear that. I can tolerate your father as long as I have you,” her mother said.
     
    “Well, if Father has his way, you still wouldn’t have me,” replied a teary Anna.
     
    “Yes, true, you wouldn’t be here, but you wouldn’t be more than three or four miles away,” her mother said.
     
    Later that same day…
     
    Anna had stayed after the meeting in order to speak with Mrs Barnhurst and finally it was her turn. “I have some urgency in my situation,” she began. “My father is trying to arrange a marriage for me with an older man for financial reasons. The man is as old as my father. I want no part of it, I would like to remove myself from his control. Can you help me?”
     
    “How old are you, my dear?” asked Mrs Barnhurst.
     
    “I am nineteen,” answered Anna.
     
    “How is it you were not betrothed already?” Mrs Barnhurst asked.
     
    “There are not very many young single men in Plymouth,” said Anna.
     
    “Judging from your attire, you are from a family of above average means, am I correct?” Mrs Barnhurst asked.
     
    “Well, yes ma’am. I guess I am, however, that doesn’t lessen the impact of my situation. If anything, it makes it worse,” Anna said.
     
    “I’m sorry, dear, I think you misunderstood. Life on the frontier is harsh and is especially difficult for a woman. It would be even more so for someone from your background.”
     
    “Mrs Barnhurst, I am desperate. I will do anything to avoid the future my father has laid out for me,” Anna pleaded.
     
    “I will see what I can do for you Miss Taylor. Please don’t hold out much hope. It takes time. Due to the distances involved, communications are slow. I will contact you after I make some inquiries. I am afraid that is the best I can do for you at this time,” Mrs Barnhurst said in a tone suggesting the meeting was over.
     
    “Thank you for your time,” Anna said and left the building to begin the trudge home.
     
    As she walked down the street, she passed the Plymouth office of the Boston Herald. She looked at the copies of the paper posted for the public on a board, by the door. A headline caught her eye. It read, “Brides Wanted”. Intrigued, she read the article, about men from Cheyenne who had placed ads in a paper called The Matrimonial News from St. Louis, Missouri in search of brides.. She went inside the building and purchased a copy of the paper to read later that evening. Her mood lightened as she walked home. There was a glimmer of hope, however faint. First, however, she had to endure the dinner with Mr Throckmorton.
     
    “Margaret, would you convey to Anna she is to dress appropriately for dinner and to meet her fiance,” Caleb said to his wife.
     
    “As you wish, I still think you are making a terrible mistake. I don’t know what she is going to do, but she will not go along with this sham,” said Margaret.
     
    “You are wrong, my dear. She will realize it is in her best interest, and ensures her a life of comfort. She is my daughter after all, and is not stupid. She will see the wisdom behind it,” Caleb replied.
     
    At the designated time, The stunningly beautiful. Anna came downstairs for dinner, dressed in a long blue dress that accentuated her blond hair and blue eyes. Her father made the introductions. “Anna, this is Horace Throckmorton, owner of Throckmorton Industries. He is joining us for dinner. Horace, this is our daughter, Anna.”
     
    Before