All is Fair in Love and War

Chapter 16

“It seems there are a lot of people looking for him tonight.” The guard said with an annoyed look on his face. He pointed to a row of tents and told Papa to follow it to the far end. Will was in the 3rd tent from the end.

Papa thanked him and moved on. At this time of night most of the men were asleep, but there were a few that were still awake because they were nervous about what lay ahead.

They walked the horses single file between the tents and finally found the one they were looking for. There were already 3 horses staked outside. Papa quickly dismounted and handed his reins to Pastor Oliver. "I will be just a minute" He said to the Pastor. He walked around the other side of the tent. When he came back he was followed by not only Will, but his brother Zeb, and Mr. Glassman.

They all walked up to the group standing with the horses. “Did they explain to you why we came out here tonight Will?” Papa questioned him. “Yes Sir, they did. I am ready.” Will looked him in the eye and stood tall. Papa turned to Zeb and Mr. Glassman “And how about you two? Are you both ready?” Mr. Glassman stepped forward and took Alene’s hand with a smile “Yes I am ready.” Zeb stepped forward and with a shy look at Alice said “I said I was ready when you explained it to my father and I. Nothing has changed Sir.” Alice and Alene looked at each other with confused looks on their faces.

Pastor Oliver stepped forward. "Now that we have heard from the gentleman. Are the young ladies ready?" He turned to all 3 girls in turn.

"I am ready." Said Seline. Then she looked at her sisters "They may need to have all this explained. They are in the dark about the plan." The two girls looked at Seline and then at Papa. “I was led to believe that all parties in this matter knew and were agreeable to this.” Pastor Oliver looked at Papa growing annoyed and angry now. “If these young women have not agreed to this then I will not perform the ceremonies." Alene and Alice starting to catch on looked at each other and then at Papa and Seline. “Are you both proposing that we get married tonight?” Alene burst out. Alice covered her mouth to hide her gasp. Will looked to his brother who looked worried now. Mr. Glassman stepped forward and took Alene’s hand. “You know where my heart has been since the day that I met you, and I wish that all this had not befallen your family simply because you brought me a birthday present out of the kindness of your heart.” He said this more to the other two girls than to Alene. “I have promised your father that I will take good care of you and that I will always be by your side. I know this is sooner than what we agreed upon and we did not even have a proper betrothal, but if you can see past that I hope that you will take me as your husband.” He now grasped her hand in both of his. Alene had tears running down her face and a smile spread across her lips as she nodded. She lept forward off of her horse and into his waiting arms. Alene wrapped her arms around him with a huge smile, and then just as quickly stepped back, dropping her arms in embarrassment at her impulsiveness.

Zeb being the most shy of the three hesitantly stepped forward to Alice. “I don’t know how I can compete with that. I am no scholar or poet, but I do know that your are the most beautiful girl I have ever seen and the kindest person I know. It would be my honor to spend the rest of my life with you.” Zeb turned to face Papa now. “Sir, I will treat your daughter right, protect her and take care of her for the rest of my life. I will make a home with her and do what is in my power to make it a happy one and to make her as happy as she has made me by becoming my wife.” He then stepped back. Alice smiled down at him from the on top of the horse.

Pastor Oliver then spoke looking at the two girls. “Well I guess we all know where you stand my dear," He said with a smile looking at Alene. "but how about your sister. Alice, do you agree to marry Zeb?” All eyes turned to tiny Alice. Suddenly she too slid off the horse and stood tall and exclaimed as bold as brass “Of course I do. I’ve been waiting years for him to grow up so I could.” Everyone laughed releasing the tension. The relief in Zeb's eyes was clear. Pastor Oliver then moved in front of the group while Papa, one by one took each girls’ hand and gave it to the man that they were marrying. All three girls were standing by the man that was about to become their husband. Pastor Oliver performed all three ceremonies simultaneously. They did not have their older sisters, or their mother, but time would not have allowed it. Nor would their mother have allowed them all to be married in the middle of the night by the local pastor in a field full of army tents with no announcement or celebration. Seline and Papa had decided that keeping them in the dark until after it was done was better, and then explain why and tell her that she could have a grand ball after the war was over to celebrate. After the ceremony was over. Zeb and Alice rode together back to his farm and Alene and Mr. Glassman back to his room in the barn. It was decided that they would spend their wedding nights with their new husbands. They would come home the next day to tell their mother and their older sisters and to get their things as they would be moving to their new homes.