Monday, August 13, 2012

Rose Buds in the Bush - God Will Provide, by Lauren: Part 3

Darcie and Charlotte laid their father to rest exactly one week after they arrived. The scenery around the town which at first seemed friendly, now was cold, lonely and empty.

The sister's walked back home silent, each absorbed in her own thoughts, when Darcie interrupted the quietness.

"Charlotte, what will we do? We have very little money and no provisions, you know we can't take over Papa's job, and we have no property to farm."

"God will provide," Charlotte replied more confidently then she felt.

The next day was the Sabbath so they couldn't work. Darcie cooked the last of the provisions, while Charlotte, trying to concentrate on the Holy Word, fretted. They had no peace of mind that night.

The next morning a handsome stranger appeared on the doorstep. He was in his early twenties, with the rough, weathered appreance of a hard worker with kind hazel eyes and dark curly hair. He introduced himself as Darrell Adams.

Darcie welcomed him in and listened to the reason of his visit. "Probably to give his condolences," she thought.

"Ma'am, I am sorry about your loss and I give my condolences to you and your sister," he started as he got quickly to the point, "As a God-fearing man, I believe it is the duty of a congration to support their pastor, and the duty of the men to take care of his daughters. I have come to offer my help and service."

"Thank you," was all Charlotte could manage as Darcie stood speechless.

"Charlotte was right," she mused, "God has provided."  

Charlotte went to bed that night with a thankful heart, Darrell had given them enough food to last weeks, and she was no longer afraid of winter.

Darcie, however, could only think of the young man's kindness and the tender look in the eye he gave her.

Wednesday, August 8, 2012

Rose Buds in The Bush - The Price of Peace, by Lauren: Part 2

"I declare, this sun will spoil my skin and produce freckles on my nose," remarked Darcie.

"Well, at least we'll hardly have to worry about frost-bite in winter," replied Charlotte.

"Still we have to make the best of it since father had to be the preacher of the district, and the worst possible thing would be for us to separate."

"Yes, we need father and he needs us especially since mother,... mother...,"

"Died," whispered Darcie.

"She would have wanted us to stay together," replied Charlotte.

After working on their little homestead, Mr Rose announced that he would take a look at the church building and see what repairs were needed. Darcie was to stay at the homestead to clean and do what-ever was necessary to turn the run-down building into a liveable home. Charlotte wanted to help her father with the church's building, so she walked along the road, hand-in-hand with the pastor and father she loved.

After deciding what needed to be done, and tidying up the place, an urgent messenger arrived.

"Sir," he said holding his hat, "we have no sheriff in this town, and two men have held up the banker, and that banker, sir, is as stubborn as a mule and as stupid as an goose, he won't give the men that they want."

"What can I do about it?"

"Can you kinda smooth things over?"

Mr Rose pondered, bowed his head, and nodded.

"Yes I'll come in a minute, Charlotte you must go back home to Darcie, this is an order, you mustn't be involved."

Charlotte obeyed and started off on the lonely walk home. An uncomfortable prickly feeling soon got the better of her, and before she knew it, her legs were running back towards the town.

"Imagine what Darcie would think of me running" she thought.

Charlotte had little time to think much more about the matter, for at that moment was a gun shot; a horrible cry; and nothing more.

Unable to think of anything more then her father's safety, Charlotte ran inside the bank.

Mr Rose was slumped against the wall, dead.

Saturday, August 4, 2012

Rose Buds in the Bush - Coolanna's Grave, by Lauren: Part 1

On a hot summer's afternoon, a stranger stepped out of the Cob & Co stagecoach and into the tiny town of Coolanna in the Australian outback. After circling the area he was dropped off at, just to check his Grandmother was not there, he took a walk around the town.

For some strange reason or another, Craig felt an urge to walk through the church's cemetery. Out of the many memorial places, one stood out from the rest, and written on the stone were the words...

'Rose Buds in the Bush'
Darcie and Charlotte Rose
1804-1895   1805-1895
Died during service
R.I.P

"I thought you wouldn't have wanted to wait for me, and go wandering" Said the gruff voice of Mrs A. Jonson, Craig's grandmother.  "Though I never would have guessed you'd wander here."

"Sorry Grandmother,' Craig replied, "but who were they?" Guestering towards the gravestone. 

"The Rose sisters?" The old lady said with a hint of emotion in her voice.

Craig nodded. 

"Well then, it's a long drive to my place, so I'll tell you on the way. 

'It was a summer much like this one in 1820. Two English Sisters and their father arrived in Coolanner.

Darcie was a handsome, tall young lady of sixteen with a slim figure, dark eyes and long, brown hair. Her younger sister Charlotte, was shorter and rounder, but had pretty blue eyes, blond curly hair and fair skin. Personality wise they were also different. Charlotte loved laughing heartily, while Darcie was very ladylike and graceful. However no one denied their special sisterly bond. They loved each other and their father very much...'  


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This story was co-authored by my friend Ebony, please visit her blog, she is a creative genius with many talents, one of which is photography.