“I have only twenty dollars,” Margaret replied. It’s all she would spend on a dress, anyway. Her own money was for survival.
The lady nodded and left the room. Margaret waited patiently, not knowing what else to do. Finally, after a long three minutes, the woman returned with an armload of dresses and female equipment. “I help you change,” the woman offered. “Take off dress, please.”
Margaret blushed. She was very uncomfortable changing in front of a stranger, even if it was another woman. Slowly, she reached for her buttons.
“I not see you,” the dressmaker spoke kindly. “You have on petticoat? I am Francine, I do this all day.”
Margaret removed her brown dress and allowed Francine to fit the corset.
“Tighten your stomach,” Francine instructed softly. She pulled the stays tighter. “Too tight? Can you breathe?”
“I can breathe, a little,” Margaret replied. Francine adjusted once more. “Better.”
“Good. Now which dress you like?” Francine asked.
Placing a finger to her lips, Margaret reviewed her choices. There was a beautiful yellow and white dress, trimmed with ribbons and lace. There were also dresses in peach, baby blue and lilac. Each one was trimmed with varying décor: braid, lace, beads, etc.
“How about the yellow one?” Margaret suggested.
Francine lifted the beautiful dress from the pile. It was a pretty daffodil yellow which fastened down the front with white lace bows. Lace trim outlined the front seams from shoulder to floor. Lace was also sewn along the bottom of the dress, all the way around the billowing train. “Pillow first,” Francine then stated. She grabbed what looked like a foot-long pillow and secured it at the small of Margaret’s back, just over her rear. “Affordable bustle,” she winked. “It makes dress puff out in back. Very pretty. Very stylish.”
With Francine’s help, Margaret pulled on the dress and fastened the hooks beneath the lace bows. Francine took her to a large mirror. The yellow princess dress fit perfectly. Margaret could hardly believe how shapely she looked or how beautiful.
“You like?” Francine asked with a satisfied smile.
Margaret could do nothing to hide her enormous grin. “It’s beautiful!” she complimented. “Wonderful…” Margaret pivoted around on her feet, swishing the skirt and admiring herself for the first time ever. Then and there she made up her mind not to try on any of the other dresses. It would only make her want them too. She could only afford one, so she turned to Francine. “I’ll take it!”
“Want to wear now?” the woman asked.
Margaret shook her head. “Oh, no. It would get dirty.”
“I box it for you.”
“How much will it be?” Margaret worried.
Francine calculated the figure in her head. “Dress and corset, and bustle, is twenty-two dollars.”
Margaret nodded. It put her two dollars over-budget, but what was two dollars when this was the outcome? It was well worth it. She could certainly throw in some of her own money to make a good first impression on Mister Chadwick. Margaret left the store ten minutes later feeling like a brand new woman.
It was late in the day now. Margaret returned to her room very weary from all the walking she had done. She sat comfortably in a big chair, eating some of the food she had purchased in the market. Quickly, she grew tired and decided to go to bed early. She wanted a good night’s sleep before the big day. She changed into her comfortable nightgown, and after praying, climbed into the soft bed eager to dream about her future.
It was a restless night. Margaret tossed and turned, unable to stop thinking about Russell Chadwick. Her mind spun with questions. What would he look like? What would he be like? What would his home look like? What would the land be like? What kind of animals did he have? How would he treat her? Would he love her? That last one concerned her the most. It was her greatest need.
When morning finally arrived, Margaret was both upset and grateful. She was upset with herself for getting so little sleep, but glad the day was here so she could get up and stop fretting about the unknown. With tired body and sleepy eyes, she dressed in the lovely yellow gown. It took several tries to lace up the corset correctly, but she managed. She brushed out her long tresses and wound them into a large bun at the back of her head. After splashing a little water on her face, she ate some fruit. It was all her stomach could handle this morning. Margaret packed her bag quickly and left for the station with nervous energy.
Mister Simon was waiting for her as arranged. She walked up to him and waited. He looked at her, tipped his hat, then looked past her down the street.
“Mister Simon, it’s me, Miss Roe,” she spoke gently.
Simon’s eyes nearly popped out. He took a step back and gave her the once over. “I say, Miss Roe, you look lovely. I didn’t recognize you in that pretty yellow dress.”
Margaret smiled. It was the first compliment she had ever received from a man. “Thank you, sir.”
“Mister Chadwick is a lucky man,” he said under his breath. He regained his composure and reached for something in his pocket. “I have your ticket here. The train will take you to Davenport, then on to Iowa City. Mister Braun wired ahead yesterday. Russell Chadwick is expecting you,” he explained.
Margaret took the ticket, feeling very good about herself. Yes, this had been the right thing to do. She had no regrets.
Mister Simon continued. “The trip should take most of the day. Seven hours travel time, plus stops. That will put you in to Iowa City about five o’clock in the evening.” He paused briefly. “Can I take your bag?”
“Oh, yes, please,” she stated. Margaret stood on the wooden platform and watched as he handed her bag to a crewman. It was placed inside one of the cars. Mister Simon then returned.
“You have fifteen minutes before the train pulls out. Would you like to board now, or stay and chat?” he asked. He hoped she would stay and chat. He was not the only man who had noticed the healthy red-haired beauty. Yesterday, she had been plain, but today, not at all.
“I think I will board,” Margaret replied. She was excited about the whole idea and ready to get on the train. “Thank you for everything sir,” she spoke, offering Mister Simon a handshake.
He eagerly took it, but instead of shaking it, bent forward and placed a gentle kiss on the warm skin.
Margaret felt a warm blush fill her cheeks.
“Thank you, Miss Roe and good luck,” he spoke sincerely. “And if you ever need anything, please feel free to contact me. I am at your service.”
Margaret didn’t quite know how to take his attentions. “I will remember,” she promised. “Thank you for the offer.” She pulled her hand away before anyone else turned to watch them. As her foot took the first step onto the train, she hesitated. There was no going back now. This journey would seal her future. Bravely, she went inside. After that first step, the rest were easy. Margaret found a good seat near the window. Today’s trip would be a journey full of daydreams.
As the train pulled into the station at Iowa City, Margaret strained to see the people waiting at the depot. Would she see him first and figure out who he was? There were quite a few men standing around. Some were too old, others too young. Only a handful were possibly twenty-two. Margaret jumped in fright as the train whistle blew overhead. The iron horse slowed to stop. Margaret’s heart beat wildly. Her throat was dry…
The passengers began to exit the train. Margaret walked slowly toward the steps. Standing in the doorway, she took a deep breath and closed her eyes.
“Please, love me,” she whispered, then