Elizabeth Warbeck sat at her desk, writing in a notebook. She was writing frantically. When she heard a knock on her door, she closed her notebook and sat up. The maid came in to tell her some news.
"Miss Elizabeth, Mr. Giles is downstairs," the maid announced.
"Thank you, Betsy," Elizabeth said.
Betsy curtsied and left the room. Elizabeth went over to her mirror to check her appearance and sighed. She did not want to see Tom. They've been seeing each other for about three months. Ever since her society entrance, he'd be calling. Her father loves the situation. If he proposes, she'll be well taken care of.
Elizabeth exited her room, and walked down the hall. When she was walking down the stairs, she saw Tom waiting just outside the parlor. He looked up and smiled when he saw her coming down. He walked over and greeted her with a bob of the head.
"Elizabeth, how are you today?" he asked politely.
"Very well. Thank you for asking, Tom," she replied.
He held out his arm and she linked hers to his. He smiled at her as they started off. They always went for a walk on the grounds. Elizabeth was sick and tired of it, but she couldn't get herself to tell him that. She couldn't get herself to tell him that she wasn't interested in him, or the fact that she wasn't happy.
When she turned 14, she went to her father and mother and told them that she wanted to become a writer. She loved writing stories and hoped to become a writer one-day. When her father heard her say that, he just laughed and told her nonsense. She asked why, and he told her that wasn't going to happen. She asked why again. He told her that when she was going to turn 17, she was going to have a party, and that night choose a man to become her husband. She screamed at him, telling him no. It didn't help, and she was dreading the day of her seventeenth birthday.
Her seventeenth birthday came and went. She waited for the news from her father that sometime she'll have her debutante party. After six months of waiting, she calmed down, but then a month after, he told her. For about two weeks everything was hectic. Her mother took her into London for her dress, took her to the flower shop to pick out the flowers. By the time of the party, she was too tired to do anything.
The night of the party, she was surrounded by all these men that ranged from the ages of 18 to 26. Her dance card was filled till the last dance. She never had a break. By the night's end she was tired, and was ready to sleep. However, Tom was the last to stay and they talked for a bit. The next day he came calling. As the first weeks went on she did like his company, but that changed when he snapped at a under privilege boy for running into him.
Now a month and a half later, she couldn't tell him that she didn't want to see him anymore. Her father liked the boy and if he proposed she had no argument what so ever. She wanted to run away, leave this dreadful life she's been cast into. However, she can't get herself to do it. Oh how she was depressed about it.
"What are you thinking?" Tom asked.
"Oh nothing," she replied.
Tom said, "Oh I don't think so Elizabeth. You seem so pensive."
Elizabeth didn't say anything. She smiled at him and then looked away.
"What?"
"Nothing," she insisted.
Tom didn't push any further. They walked around a bit and finally stopped near a tree. Tom leaned against it and Elizabeth stood near by. They watched as the workers at the stable went about their business.
"Elizabeth as you know I'm leaving for two weeks to Paris for business," Tom started to say, "In these two weeks that I am gone I want you to think about saying yes to marrying me."
Elizabeth's heart took a big leap. Her face was turned away from Tom's, so he couldn't see her expression. She knew this was going to happen sooner or later. "Does my father know that you are asking me?" she asked, praying he didn't.
"No, not yet. I won't tell him till you say yes for sure," he replied, "but I am hoping you say yes. I want to marry you Elizabeth."
Elizabeth wasn't sure what she should do. She was happy her father didn't know yet. That could buy her time to get the courage to runaway. Tom's hand appeared beside her. A ring was in it.
"I want you to have this. You don’t have to wear it," he told her, "just keep it safe and think about it."
Tom took her hand and placed the ring into her palm. Three months and already he was asking. Elizabeth looked at the ring. It was so small, just like how she always wanted her engagement ring to be, but she never dreamt a proposal after three months. They still didn't know one another that well.
"Please think about it," Tom said.
"I will," she said, placing the ring into her small purse.
Tom turned her toward him. He placed a hand on her cheek, and leaned forward. Elizabeth didn't react to the kiss. She felt no electricity like she's suppose to. She just stood there, arms by her side not wrapping them around him. After a few seconds he let go of her.
"Shall we go back?" he asked.
Elizabeth nodded and they headed back. They were quiet, but once in a while they talked before finally getting back to the house. Tom told her he'll be seeing her in two weeks, and when she went in he left. Elizabeth headed straight to her room. She closed her bedroom door behind her, and leaned against it. Looking at her purse she flung it onto her bed. "I will not be pushed," she said to herself, "into a marriage."
She walked over to her desk and flipped her notebook open to the spot she ended at earlier. "A Sweet Rose," was the title of her newest story. It was about a girl who moves away from her love because she is forced to marry someone her parents arranged her with. As the months go on, she writes love letters and she gets some back. Her husband finds out, but Elizabeth doesn't know how to end it. When the time comes she'll know, just like her situation.
Elizabeth and her mother, Joan, were sitting in their carriage quietly. They were going to a family friend’s house for tea. Ten days have passed since Tom's proposal. Elizabeth told no one about it, of course she wouldn't tell. She was not sure about what she should do. Tom would be back in three days. If only she had a sign.
Finally the carriage stopped outside a private home. Elizabeth looked at it again. To her the house was much bigger than their house. The family had more land to roam on. Bet Mary doesn't get bored with the same scenery, she thought. Joan cleared her throat and the two headed up the front steps to the door.
The Henslowes greeted them in the foyer with another family friend of theirs. Everybody hugged one another. Mary took Elizabeth aside to tell her something. Mary Henslowe was the same age, but looked about a year younger than she really was. She was dating a man by the name of William Grant. He was well off and handsome. All the girls had a thing for him, even Elizabeth.
"What is it, Mary?" Elizabeth whispered.
"After lunch, we're going riding," she replied quietly. "I have something to tell you."
Elizabeth was like ok, and all five adults went off to have lunch. Mrs. Henslowe, Joan, and Mrs. Hardy talked about boring things, but Mrs. Henslowe made an announcement after twenty minutes. William proposed to Mary a couple of weeks earlier. Elizabeth looked over at Mary and smiled. Was this the big news Mary wanted to tell her? Well, if it was they need not have to go riding after all.
After an hour, Mary excused herself and Elizabeth. She told the ladies they were going for a walk. Mary linked her arm to Elizabeth's. They were close friends. They told each other everything. Both kept each other’s secrets tighter than a lid on a pickle jar.
"Was that what you wanted to tell me, Mary?" Elizabeth asked.
"Oh no, something else. My mum wanted to tell you that, not me," she replied.
Elizabeth nodded. "So what is it?"
"We have some gypsies camped out near the edge of the estate. There's a renowned clairvoyant. Malcolm says she's very nice, and very good," Mary told her.
"What? Are you telling me, we're going to go see her?" Elizabeth asked.
"Yes," Mary replied. "Oh please Elizabeth. I want to now about my future."
Elizabeth wasn't going to say no. This was her chance to find out if she should marry Tom or not. "It sounds like fun. Let's go."
Mary clapped her hands and smiled in glee. They walked over to the stable and the horses were already ready. As the two left they talked while heading toward the camp. It took about twenty minutes. When they got there, they could see smoke rising from several small fires.
A group of men, women, and children sat around them. When the two girls came up they looked at them. They were curious about the two fine ladies that were riding up. When Mary and Elizabeth got down from their horses, a woman came up to them.
"You're here to see Madame Katrina them?" she asked in a foreign accent. Mary nodded. The lady walked over to a caravan and knocked on the door. Stepping in for a second, but exiting after that. She came back. "She'll see one of you first now."
Elizabeth looked at Mary. "You first," she said, "you wanted to go first anyway."
Mary followed the gypsy woman to the caravan. Elizabeth held both reins as she watched the gypsies. They were watching her at the same time. She felt a little self-conscious all of a sudden, so she looked away. After a few seconds she looked over at two gypsy teenagers. They were sitting by another caravan talking, not caring about how they looked to their families.
Elizabeth's attention suddenly went back to the caravan that held the gypsy that saw futures. The door opened and stepped out a beaming Mary. Sign of good news. "So?" She asked.
Mary gushed, "Elizabeth, she's good. She described William so perfectly. She told the basic stuff on how our life will be married." Elizabeth smiled. It had to be true. Mary held out a coin for her to take and she did. Elizabeth climbed the steps and entered the caravan. It was pretty dark and smelled musty. A table faces her to the right with a chair and across from the table sat Madame Katrina. An object was in the middle of the table hidden by a cloth.
"Please be seated. I am Madame Katrina," she said, "What is your name?"
"Elizabeth."
Madame Katrina's hand reached out and Elizabeth placed the coin into the palm. She raised the cloth from the table to reveal a crystal ball. She rubbed the ball and stared into it.
"I see a fork in the road for you. You must decide very quickly. One, head into the direction you are going into now, or two, choose your path. I see writing, newspapers."
Elizabeth looked at the lady in awe. She couldn't be telling the truth, could she?
"The first reason isn't very bright," she continued, "I see sadness. The fork in the road can only be made once, and the time is now."
Elizabeth leaned forward.
"I can see no more." Madame Katrina looked up at Elizabeth. "That is all."
"Thank you," Elizabeth responded, and got up to leave.
Elizabeth stepped out of the caravan and back into the light. She was happy she came after all. Mary handed her the rein to her horseback and got up. Elizabeth looked back at the caravan, the gypsy stood in the doorway hidden, but she knew she was there.
"So what did she say?" Mary asked.
"I'll tell you later. Back at the house," Elizabeth said.
The two rode off. All the gypsies were watching them. Madame Katrina stood in her caravan. All she had said was true and she hopes the young lady picks reason number two. "Choose wisely Pen," she whispered to herself. She closed the door and went back to her work.
"So what did she say?" Mary asked.
Elizabeth handed her reins over to the stable hand and looked over at Mary. "There's a fork in the road. She said to choose wisely."
"What does that mean?" Mary asked.
"I think... Mary if I tell you something you promise on your grandmum's grave you will not tell a living soul?" Elizabeth asked.
Mary raised her hand. "I promise. If I tell, may William be... bald and gray by the time he turns 30."
Elizabeth smiled. "I'm thinking of running." Mary opened her mouth. "Wait till I tell you why. Madame Katrina said to me to choose wisely because I have two choices. Marry Tom and be sad or run off and become a writer. I've always wanted to be a writer. This is my chance. To be free."
Mary looked at Elizabeth. "Yeah, but if you do who will be my maid of honor?"
Elizabeth looked at her friend. She knew ever since they were ten, they planned their future. A handsome husband, three or five children, wealthy, and happy. Their weddings would be eloquent. They'd stand up for each other. "Mary you know how much I want to become a writer."
"I know."
"Well, if I accept Tom's proposal in three days that means I'm stuck here forever."
"Wait, Tom asked you to marry him?"
"Yes, he did."
"Don't you love him though?" she asked again.
"Well, lately I've been having different feelings. I get palled with him so easily these days. The day before he left he kissed me and I felt nothing," Elizabeth told her.
Mary looked ahead at the house. "Whatever you decide, I'm with you. You do what you want to do. I ask you just one thing, write to me."
"Mary, you know I will," Elizabeth replied as they started to climb the steps.
Elizabeth entered her house after she went horseback riding. Her hair was wind blown. She had come up with a plan three days before after she visited the gypsy camp. On Saturday night, which was in two days, she'd run after her parents went go out for a party. It was a good plan. She had some of her things in a bag already. Heading toward the stairs she heard soft murmurs coming from the den.
"Elizabeth could you come here for a second?" her father's voice spoke up.
Elizabeth wondered how he knew she was there. When she entered the den, she saw her father sitting behind his desk. Her mother sitting in a chair close to him, and another body was sitting in the chair facing him. She smiled at both her parents. "You called daddy?"
The person sitting in the chair turned around. It was Tom, and he was smiling. He got up, and walked over to her. He took her into his arms and gave her a big hug. When he pulled back, he leaned forward and kissed her. The kiss was just a peck.
"My dear, Elizabeth. Your hair is so messy. Was the ride pleasant?" her mother asked.
"Oh. I best go upstairs and make myself presentable then," Elizabeth tried to excuse herself.
"Wait, Elizabeth. We have some serious talking to do," her father intercepted.
Elizabeth looked at him. She shoved her hair out of her face. "What do we need to talk about?"
"About this," her father lifted the engagement ring up.
"Where did you find that?"
"Betsy found it in one of your drawers," he told her.
Joan asked, "Why didn't you tell us you were engaged?"
"Mum, daddy it wasn't official," she replied.
"Nonsense!" her father's voice boomed.
"It wasn't! Tell them Tom," she looked over at Tom.
Tom said, "We weren't going to tell you till today that is. We wanted to wait till I got back."
"Tom, I never said yes," Elizabeth said.
"Well, it's official," her father said, "You two are engaged." Mr. Warbeck smiled.
"When is it your right to make my decisions?" Elizabeth asked.
Mr. Warbeck was really red. "Don't you ever say that it is not my right. I have to look out for you. I make the right decisions for you. If I didn't you'd be dead by now. You will marry Tom."
"I don't love him. I can not marry someone that I don't love," Elizabeth replied.
Joan said, "Elizabeth you do love him."
"No, I don't mum," Elizabeth said as she turned to her.
"Well, as time goes on, you will learn," Mr. Warbeck said.
"I feel like I'm Juliet. Her father gave her hand in marriage to Paris. She never loved him!" Elizabeth yelled.
"But she did marry and she did kill herself after that," Tom replied.
"To Romeo," her mother added.
"Is there someone else, Elizabeth? If there is you are banded from your friends and horseback riding," her father stated.
Elizabeth looked at her father. "No there is not anyone else. How the bloody hell am I suppose to know someone if I've been chained up here all my life?!" She yelled, "You never let me go to parties when I was asked to go. My only true friend is Molly. Molly is happy. She's free to do whatever she wants. Me, oh no Elizabeth, you can't have this, you can't have that, but you can have what we give you! You never let me have what I wanted. I am so sick and tired of this bloody house!"
Mr. Warbeck looked at his daughter. He was steaming red. "You will never speak to me ever again in that tone, ever again! You hear me? Ever! You will marry Tom and you will learn how to be happy! Now go to your room."
Elizabeth looked at her father with a hate glean. Thank God I'm leaving, she thought. "Fine," she said and turned to leave. I'm leaving tonight, she thought. She exited the room without a word said to her or to them. She was at the stairs when Tom came up and took her arm into his.
"Why didn't you tell me you didn't love me?" he asked whispering.
"I didn't know how to tell you."
"I feel awful."
"Why?"
Tom replied, "I came here mentioning to your parents about me asking you. I didn't know Betsy found the ring. If you had mentioned he was strict like that..."
Elizabeth held up her hand. "What is done is done. Can't go back and change it."
Tom asked, "Do you think you could learn to love me?"
"Who knows? We'll see," she replied.
"I'm going to go now. I will see you when I come in two days."
Elizabeth didn't say anything, but did nod her head. Tom brought her hand up and kissed it before he turned to leave. Brushing her hand off, she went off to her room. Sitting down at her desk, she started to write a letter.
Elizabeth looked at her reflection in the mirror. She smiled cause she couldn't have looked more perfect. She was wearing a plain, old dress that she got from Betsy, and a blue hat that wasn't fashionable. Her parents went to bed two hours ago and she was ready to run. She took out the letter to her parents and sat it down on her desk. Looking around her room for a moment, she said goodbye. After throwing her bag out the window, she followed it, climbing down the trellis.
In the stable she saddled up her horse and mounted. At first she didn't fully gallop. She didn't want to wake anybody up. Once far from the house, she started to gallop. Southampton was at least three hours away and she wanted to get to the docks before any ships leave.
"May I help you, miss?" the man selling tickets asked.
It was five o'clock in the morning. Elizabeth had been riding for four hours, instead of three. The extra heavy things she brought with her had slowed her horse down a little. "Yes, one ticket to New York, New York."
"Third class, right?"
"Why yes of course."
"Name?" he asked.
"Meg Williams," she replied.
The man wrote her name down, she handed him the money. Elizabeth looked at her ticket. The ship didn't leave till seven-thirty, but that's ok. She had enough money to buy a decent meal. She went over to the restaurant.
"Miss Elizabeth," Betsy called, "tine to get up." Betsy saw the bed clean and unused. She thought it was a little strange. She knows for sure Elizabeth didn't go to Molly's or horseback riding. Betsy picked up Elizabeth's clothes from the floor and went over by her bathroom door. She knocked once and waited for a reply. She didn't get one. Betsy caught sight of the envelope on the desk.
For Mum and Dad, it read. Betsy picked it up and left the room to find Joan. Joan was in her bedroom sleeping still. Betsy cringed a little. She hated to wake her. "Mrs. Warbeck, ma'am."
Joan stirred and woke up. When she saw Betsy standing in front of her she asked, "Yes, Betsy?"
"Elizabeth left an envelope on her writing desk."
"Thank you," Joan replied, taking it.
Betsy curtsied and left the room. Reading over the letters, Joan's eyes got huge. She flew the covers off of her and ran over to the door. She knew she was in her nightgown, but this was important. Joan didn't knock on the den door. "Harold!"
"Joan, what is it?" he asked.
"Elizabeth ran away," she said.
"What?"
Joan handed him the letter.
"Dear Mother and Father, it has finally come down to this. I'm running away from this God-awful place. I'm only doing this for my own good. I was told if I didn't do it now, I'd be a sitting duck. Do not try to find me. I'm going somewhere, where I can be free. Elizabeth."
Harold looked up at his wife. He crumpled Elizabeth's letter and was about to throw it on his desk. He sat down in his chair, and leaned into his right hand. Joan went over to him and hugged him. Both stayed like that for awhile.
Elizabeth stepped off of the ship onto pier 17 and headed into the city. The crowded streets made it very hard to walk through. Elizabeth stopped on a corner and couldn’t find the name of the street. That scared her. Looking around she started heading in one direction, but quickly changed her mind and headed in a different direction.
After about an hour, she found herself looking at a bridge. Slumping against the rail she looked around, watching the people pass by. The sun was slowly going down, and night was soon to be called upon. As far as she was concerned, if she didn’t get directions to a lodging house, she’ll have to sleep in the streets for the night. Picking up her bag, she turned to head back into Manhattan, but ran into someone.
“Oh sorry,” she said stepping to the side.
“That’s awlright,” the boy said in a Texan accent.
Elizabeth looked over at the boy. He was around fifteen, with sandy brown hair, almost six feet, pretty tall for his age. When Elizabeth looked into his eyes, they were very bright. His smile was really sweet. “Do you know where there’s a lodging house I could stay at?”
“Yeah, but it’s for the newsies,” he replied, “I don’t know anyplace else that holds the newsies only.”
“Well, thank you anyway.” Elizabeth started walking away, but the kid called out.
“What’s your name?”
“Elizabeth,” she said.
“Well, tell ya what Elizabeth. What if I take you to the Mott Haven Bronx newsgoyls house, and you can stay the night.”
“What’s your name?” Elizabeth asked.
“Cowpoke,” Cowpoke replied, “I’m from Texas.”
Elizabeth thought about it and decided it was a good idea for the night. In the morning she could find a place to stay. “Sure.”
Elizabeth followed Cowpoke across the bridge into the Bronx. They talked about certain things along the way. Cowpoke was coming back from Chelsea. He was visiting his girlfriend that lived there. How long he’s been a newsie, how long he’s lived in New York. Finally they got to the lodging house.
When they entered Jeanie was standing at the front desk writing a few notes. She looked up and smiled at Cowpoke. “Why hello Cowpoke. How are you doing?”
“Jeanie this is Elizabeth. She needs a place to stay for the night,” Cowpoke told her.
Jeanie asked, “Only a night.”
“Yep.”
“Ok. Head on up. Everybody is up there.” Cowpoke looked at Elizabeth and started heading up the stairs. Everybody who lived there and the newsboys were hanging around. When Cowpoke entered they said their hellos. Harmony was the first to say hi to Elizabeth. “Hi.”
“Hi.”
Lazybones asked, “So Cowpoke who’s da goyl?”
“Elizabeth. She needs a place to stay for the night,” he told her.
“Only da night?” Lazybones asked, “K. We have an empty bunk for ya, Elizabeth.”
“Thank you.”
“You’se from England?” Spacey asked.
“Yes I am.”
“Just got off a da boat?” Action asked.
Elizabeth nodded her head. She was looking around the room when she saw two guys come through the door. One of the guys caught her attention. He was tall, with brown hair, and dark cyan eyes. He noticed her, too.
Lazybones started to do the roll call to Elizabeth. She introduced all the newsies. The guy that caught her attention was called Tracker. He said hello and when she said it back, his eyes grew wide. It was the fact that she was from England that caught his attention some more.
Later that night when everybody was asleep, Dare and Truth snuck over to Elizabeth. They weren’t going to wake her, all they wanted to do was look in her bag. Which when they did they found a whole lot of stuff. Dare started reading one of her stories.
The next morning when all the girls were getting ready, Elizabeth was watching the ruckus. She couldn’t believe that they get up so early in the morning just to sell papes. Lazybones was having a hard time waking up, and she watched as Jeanie tried calling to her. Dare came up to Elizabeth and started talking to her while she put on her boot. She asked all kinds of questions. One was about the story she had read the night before.
“You read my stories?”
“Only that one. I was really interested in knowin’ who ya were and why ya were travelin’. That’s why I went through yer stuff. Sorry.”
“That’s ok. Did you like my story?”
“Yeah. It was really good. I told Venus ‘bout it.”
Venus came up and told her, “It was. You should be writer.”
“What was good?” a now awake Lazybones came over.
“A story I wrote. Dare was feeling sneaky last night and she read a story in my bag,” Elizabeth replied.
Lazybones nodded her head. “Do you have any other place to stay, Elizabeth?”
“Not really. I was hoping today I’d find a non-newsie lodge and stay there while looking for a job,” Elizabeth explained to the girls.
“Tell ya what. Why don’t you’se stay here for a while? Become a newsgoyl, and if you don’t like it, you can leave. Deal?” Lazybones told her.
Elizabeth didn’t know. It was a good offer. Why not? She could write a letter to Molly and tell her she found a place to stay for a while. “Deal.”
“You won’t regret it. We need more girls. And Elizabeth if ya don’t like it, ya can leave anytime ya want.”
Elizabeth smiled at Lazy as she went off to get ready. “Get ready. Ya can learn how ta sell papes today.”
Elizabeth looked around the room. Home sweet home. At least she found a place to stay and not the streets. She smiled as she headed out the door with her new family.
the end
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