-=*=- Prelude to Austria -=*=-
Chapter XII
Standing on front porch of the Huddleston residence Neil felt sudden butterflies in his stomach. Ignoring the pesky "insects" contained within, he knocked triumphantly upon the door. In the few days which he had been at his cabin in the Cove, Neil had found little use for personal necessities-shaving, combing his hair, etc. for he saw no need when he was all alone in the cabin and he had not really thought about his appearance for he had a headstrong determination to travel to Asheville.
The maid answered. "May I help you?" She asked hesitantly, looking Neil over from head to toe, rather suspiciously. Wondering what *he* could possibly want here.
"My name is Neil MacNeill. I've come to see Miss Huddleston."
"I'm sorry, 'sir'. But Miss Huddleston is not at home." she attempted to close the door in Neil's face.
Neil stopped the door. "Wait! Please! Is Mr. Huddleston here then?"
"No, he isn't here either. Please excuse me." She pushed the door harder.
"Wait please!" Neil called trying to keep the door from closing on him, but he didn't want to be rude and overpower the poor girl either.
Closing the door soundly she locked it immediately.
George heard the scuffle and came to investigate. "What seems to be the problem?"
"It's a vagrant. He wanted to see Miss Christy of all people!! I told him she's not here. Then he wanted to speak to Mr. Huddleston!" Neil began knocking on the door again. "There he goes again!" She said with disgust.
"I'll handle it this time." George said as he headed for the door. He swung the door open quickly announcing instantly, "Look here, we don't give hand outs to vagrants!" A shocked expression found his face as he spied Neil looking back at him. Quickly lowering the finger he was holding up to Neil's face, George immediately colored.
"I'm glad to hear that George." Neil smiled. "But I honestly haven't seen any vagrants while I've been out here!" He chuckled softly.
"I'm so sorry Neil! I was told you were a vagrant!"
"I suppose I do look a bit disheveled after my train trip, but I didn't think I looked *that* bad!" He brushed his chin with his hand. "Maybe I did forget to shave this morning--maybe even yesterday--perhaps three days... I've had too much on my mind to remember such trivial things!"
"Well, I'm please to see you again, regardless of your appearance. Neil, you are a sight for sore eyes! How are you doing? What are you doing here?" George said as he motioned for Neil to enter.
"I've come to speak with Christy. Is she about or was the maid telling me the truth?"
"I'm afraid she was telling you the truth, Neil. Let's sit down in here." George motioned toward the parlor as he took Neil's bag from him. He proceeded to relay to Neil all that was happening and Neil reciprocated.
"Christy's in Boston, Neil. She's been enrolled in the Perkins Institute. I believe you said you had heard of it before, haven't you?"
"Yes, I have. In fact I wrote some letters trying and pull a few stings to help her get admitted. I shouldn't be surprised that she's there."
"Mother and Father took her. They're due back midday tomorrow."
"Might I remain here until they return?" Neil asked.
"Of course Neil! You're welcome here anytime!" George said. "You're family, even if you and Christy didn't get married--perhaps you will think me foolish, but I believe you will one day."
"That's what I'm praying for George." Neil admitted. "I received this." Neil said handing George the envelope which was by now becoming worn from repeated re-readings.
George read the letter carefully. "Neil, isn't this the doctor Christy said you always wanted to be associated with?"
"Yes it is, George. I'm going to accept. I have no doubt about that. But my problem is, I don't want to go alone. I wanted to come here and convince Christy to come with me--as my wife, of course. I'll be gone for at least a year, most likely two--possibly longer. I can't bear the thought of going alone, but I can *not* allow this opportunity to slip through my fingers. It's difficult enough practicing in Cutter Gap, let alone trying to make a difference."
George smiled. "I can't answer whether or not Christy will accept your proposal again. But I can tell you that she's confided in me a bit. She misses you something awful, but mother and father have forbidden us from contacting you. They don't want Christy to be hurt anymore."
"I don't understand. I never hurt Christy! I didn't cause this accident. I would never hurt her! In fact, truth be known, I only kissed your sister once the entire time we were together, courting or engaged! Does that sound like a man who would hurt someone?"
"I know you wouldn't hurt Christy. Mother and Father know that too. They don't want Christy to think about "what might have been"." They want her to concentrate on learning to deal with life again from this new perspective."
"I suppose I've known that all along. I just didn't want to admit it." Neil paused. "George, I think I should go home. I'll have to catch a ship across the ocean which will most likely leave from Boston or New York. I could visit Christy then."
"Neil… Stay." George said. "I think you should remain here until you've asked Mother and Father for permission… It's the right thing to do."
Neil thought for a moment. He had hoped to convince Christy before he had to face her parents, but that was obviously not to be. "I realize that George, but what are my chances of talking them into allowing me to marry Christy now?"
"I have no idea, Neil. All I know is they agreed to allow you to be married before Christy's accident disrupted your plans… Who knows what they may say this time?"
Neil took a deep breath and sighed. William and Julia *had* agreed before. All he could do was hope… and most importantly, *pray* that he would find favor in their eyes once again.
"When are your parents due to return George?"
"Midday tomorrow, around Eleven I think."
"Well, I suppose it's not that long to wait. Pray for me George! I'll need strength and favor when I speak to them."
"I'll pray as hard as ever I can Neil. I promise. I won't let you down. I'll be right behind you all the way. Both spiritually and physically."
"I appreciate that George." Neil said just before he yawned.
"I best show you to your room and let you rest up and refresh yourself from your trip." George said. "You've had a long day. After you've rested we can talk some more."
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That evening after Neil had slept a few hours, he and George visited into the wee hours of the morning. As they ascended the stairs each going to his respective room, George assured Neil again that he would be behind him one hundred percent. Neil thanked him once more as he went to his room.
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The following morning Neil didn't come down for Breakfast, he knelt beside his bed in fervent prayer over the task set before him.
William and Julia arrived home at eleven. Surprised to find Neil visiting. George told his parents Neil had something important to speak with them about.
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After they were freshened up and had some time to relax, William and Julia sat with Neil and George in the Parlor.
Neil handed William his letter from Professor Kinnigan. "This is a once in a lifetime opportunity, sir. I cannot turn it down. But there's another once in a lifetime opportunity I need your permission to do."
William and Julia looked at him with question in their eyes.
"I want to ask Christy to marry me again. I want her to go to Austria with me. Now, before you say no, I want to remind you what Dr. Wagner said about Christy's chances if we could get her to Austria. Remember that?"
They both nodded. But Julia interjected. "What if the Doctor's in Austria find out they can do nothing for her? What will you do then? I do not wish for Christy to be disappointed further."
"I've thought it over. I'll take a job in the city. I'm fairly certain I can get a position at a hospital in Knoxville. I've been taking patients to the temporary eye hospital in Lyleton for Trachoma surgery for years. I can be of more use to the Cove in Knoxville using what I learn in Austria to further my Trachoma research *and surgery*, then if I returned to Cutter Gap. I would have a physician or two attending to the basic needs in the Cove itself.
"Christy could continue to go to school and possibly teach again. I won't allow her to sit at home and vegetate, but I also won't expect too much of her either."
"What about children, Neil? Have you given that any thought?" William asked.
"Of course I've thought about it. But I have no idea how Christy feels about the idea." He paused. "I love your daughter. I've never stopped loving her! I would do everything in my power to help her and guide her. I left here eight weeks ago because Christy wanted me to, but I can't live without her! I cannot bear to travel to Austria alone!"
"I'm not sure this is such a good idea." Julia began. "After all Christy's just twenty years old. She lost her eyesight only eight weeks ago. What if she can't handle living in Austria? She'll have to travel by ship! What if she…" Julia's voice caught in her throat.
Neil looked at her with compassion. "Julia. I love your daughter with all my heart. There is an empty place inside of me that only she can fill. If I take her to Austria as my bride I would *not* leave her out of my sight for a moment! I would never expect her to remain at home alone. We would find a competent person to be her companion and to help out around the house. I would make sure that she finishes her schooling in Austria."
There was silence for the longest time as everyone studied each other and the floor around them.
"Give us time to think this through. We'll give you our answer tomorrow, Neil. We should spend time in prayer about this and I suggest you do the same. We need to discuss this in private." William said.
"I will do that William." Neil answered. "But I have to admit, tomorrow seems like it's a long way off!"
They all chuckled.
Neil spent much of the day in Christy's room, praying and just feeling as though he were near her again. Everything smelled of her Lavender soap and Rosewater. It seemed an eternity since he had spoken to her and been near her. This was the closest he had been in eight weeks and she wasn't even here, but in Boston!
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End of Chapter 12.
Chapter 13 Coming Soon!!