Chapter Four

October 1913 - "You are the ideal of my dreams."

Evelyn to Fred

Thorold, Ont.

Oct. 1, 1913

My dear Fred,

...So often, you ask me what I have done that I am thinking of sending you daily schedules like this;

Now isn't that a pretty good timetable?

... So you are afraid you'll get to a point from which you cannot move. Oh, I've thought about that. You can't see people who have been married for years and not think about it. That doesn't make me like it any more. Don't you know, dearest, I asked you if you weren't afraid that a time would come when you wouldn't want to kiss me any more. Now my father rarely kisses my mother, yet I know they love each other. I suppose, at least I've read, that growing old has its compensations. As yet, I've failed to see them. Perhaps because I haven't grown old. I wonder if what you and I both fear is Shelley's "love's sad satiety" which he speaks of in "The Skylark."

I'm afraid you're going to be disappointed in me if you expect me to be a "mental stimulant" like Elizabeth. That's what I want you for. I've got very stupid this last year. And this coming year, I'll have less time than ever for reading. But the year after, we can read together. It's really so unsatisfactory reading alone. I'm going to read some of George Meredith to you - I don't know when I've wanted an audience so much as when I was reading The Egoist. Little hidden puns, humorous, unexpected twists of expression, so many things called loudly for appreciation. And singular appreciation is a poor thing.

So Elizabeth never saw a good Rugby game in Toronto! What was Fritz doing all the time? I guess I was fortunate, I missed one Inter collegiate game and I was even offered tickets for that, but I sent them back because my escort couldn't go with me.

I was thinking to-day about a spree in my second year. In the middle of exams, Marion Pettit, Zim,⁽¹⁾ Eldridge⁽²⁾ and I went to the Island to a baseball match. We took a notion to walk home from Queen St, with the result that we reached home long after. Miss Addison met us and told us she wished we'd tell the gentlemen to get us in earlier. We explained to her where we had been. Then she asked what we were going to do about dinner. We told her we were going to eat oranges. "Oranges," she exclaimed indignantly, "there's a lot of nourishment in them. Go in and get some rice-pudding." "But I don't want rice-pudding," I complained. I hated the kind we had there. It had eggs in it and they served it hot with cream to put on it. "Well then," she said, "Go and get some bread and milk." so we marched obediently into the pantry and soon could be seen, sitting at the table eating bread and milk - a rather ignominious ending for a base-ball match. Marion was what might be termed "A good sport." I liked nothing better than to hear her spar with Eldridge. They were both as sharp as needles and enjoyed a chance at each other.

Zim otherwise Mr Zimmerman, had a great crush on Marion during our first and second years, and he was a little slow. He used to get rather sore when Marion and Eldridge got started together. I guess he wasn't as appreciative an audience as I was, being too deeply interested in one of the entertainers.

Speaking of Eldridge, I had a letter from Dell [Flatt] concerning him some time ago. Did I tell you that I had heard something dishonest in connection with "Varsity" attributed to him? She wrote to tell me it was false, that all the money that should have been there, was in the bank. About six months ago, he left home, saying he was going to New York, and that he would write. No one has heard from him since. His motherís health is very poor, and this must worry her dreadfully. I cannot understand how he can treat her so if he is in a position where he can relieve her anxiety. Of course they do not know that I know this, and there is no need that they should know.

...We expect Dell to recite for us the Friday before Christmas at our choir concert. Also we are to have the Epworth League Convention here this month - the twenty-third and twenty-fourth. Getting ready for that will mean some work.

Oh yes, I got your second Beamsville letter on Tuesday night, and the first one Saturday I think, but I’m not sure. I hope the office-boy enjoyed the seals on my next to last letter. My ring is all right - I don’t know what people think - I nearly always have my gloves on when I see anybody. You see, we don’t have many visitors here, and we don’t visit much. Ah, I don’t want people here to see it yet. Let them get Ora done before they start on me. You know, there are such things as gossips. I’m telling my real friends but these watchers - no thanks. Do you mind that?

I'll admit I was a little surprised when I found that Elizabeth liked to rub cheeks. It's not a suitable employment for a man and woman because he can't feel through his beard and she feels too much.

Here is dad home from prayer-meeting and mother came in some little time ago. I wonder what you're doing. It's 9:15 here. You may rest assured that I do think of you. Every day? Oh no, every hour, almost all the time.

Your Elnora.

Evelyn to Fred

Thorold, Ont.,

Oct. 2, 1913

My Dear Fred,

Mother and I have been sitting sewing away, keeping up a sort of conversation. Ora is upstairs, writing or reading, and I have been thinking that this is the way it will be after Christmas, and then after a time, mother will be all alone. I can't bear to think of the evenings she'll have to spend all alone - about four out of a week.

Before I started to sew I finished a little story “Cousin Phillis” by Mrs Gaskell. There’s not much to it, just a simple story of a girl who loved a man who went away to Canada and married a French girl. It is strange how fascinating her stories are. I wonder if it isn’t partly their monotony that attracts, and in consequence of the uneventful character of the lives of her people, any incident that occurs is given double predominance. I remember reading Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen in my last year (I had to) and I got in bed, pulled my light around, and finished the book about two o’clock.

If there's one thing I love, it's to get a book that fascinates me, and get in bed and read till I finish it. I can't do it at home, and I didn't do it very often at college. I didn't have time for novels except those on the curriculum which were very few. And I didn't read nearly all them. In our first year we had The Mill on the Floss - I had started it several times but didn't like it and so never finished it. On exam the question was given to compare the second part of the book with the first, in regard to its workmanship or novelistic value, something or other. Having never read the second part, I said it kept up the high standard set by the first and gave my reasons for my belief. On my way home from the exam I was informed that it was considered very inferior to the first part. Nevertheless I got first class in that subject. Probably the courage of my conviction impressed the examiner. ...

Do you know, I remember the first essay that I really thought out? And it gave me such a glow of mental exhilaration. It was in my third year, and dealt with the Scotch and their reason for wishing the return of James or else for giving up their allegiance to Charles. Before that, I had read things, rearranged them and handed them in. But this thing I read about, thought about and reached a conclusion. You can imagine my delight when Mr. Bell said after I had read it, “You have put some thought in that, haven’t you?” He was a delightful little chap - just here for two years, and we had him for lectures and tutorial history in our third year. I am so anxious to get at some sort of mental work, I feel my brain growing soft from lack of exercise. ...

I have been almost fearing to get your Sunday letter, because I knew you wouldn't get one from me on Saturday. ... Evidently the football game was too much for you and you didn't write Friday. Letters take one day longer than they used to, because I used to get your Sunday letters Thursday night. I didn't write last Saturday because the letter wouldn't have gone out till Monday anyway. Ah, I know, you were expecting a letter from me tonight, and I one from you. And we're both disappointed. Ora is just reading an extract from Art’s epistle re work in the hospital.

...I'm afraid, sweetheart, you will be disappointed about our wedding, for the chapel won't be the place. I suggested it to mother and she seemed hurt that I could think of having it any place than at home. And so dearest, you'll have to give up your fond hopes. I'm sorry, very sorry, but we couldn't do it when she feels the way she does about it.

The leaves have turned in the last two or three days and are very beautiful. One tree at the entrance to the house across the way is particularly lovely, a brownish red at the top, shading into yellow on the lower boughs. We had a thunder storm and it has been dull and damp all day. I made pickles and read a little, played the piano a little, and went down town with mother when she went to Missionary meeting. I went to the post-office, and came home in the rain, without a hat or umbrella or my rain-coat. See how I lost my wits over going to the post-office, and for nothing too.

Mr. Myer has instigated his board to sue five corporations for school taxes $9,000 in all. They have won three times, and the companies have only one chance yet - the Supreme Court I guess it is - he feels very jubilant. The public high schools are together, and he wants the public school in a house of its own, and the high school to become a collegiate. Ora said he stopped her in the street to tell her the good news.

There are three months left in this year, there are five months in next year - and then. Well, I hope I won’t be writing to you. Won’t you read to me, once in a while?

Your scouting in the field of my gastronomical tastes has awakened a mild curiosity to know whether you are putting first things first or are tentatively feeling me out. I notice our questions thus far have been entirely of condiments and spices. You have expressed a disbelief in the “Love in a Cottage” diet for everyday consumption! You don’t expect to substitute a ration of relishes and spices do you? You don’t mind a wee bit of “jollying” do you dearie? I’ll like what you make for two reasons : because they’ll be good - and because they’ll be made by you. Don’t think, Kiddie, because I don’t often mention it that I’m not interested in what you are doing and making every day - not expecting even embroidery. I like to hear about your work - only I’m afraid from what you say that you are doing too much. It looks to me as if you were “bossing the ranch” and not only managing, but doing most of the work. Isn’t that so.

So you are just as foolish as I am and you've actually kissed my picture. I've done it to yours lots and lots of times. I keep it facing me on the dresser so that yours is the last face I see before turning off the light, and then I still see you in the dark and I take you in my arms and kiss you goodnight, And you are afraid that after we're married a while I'll not want to kiss you. Well, I'm not worrying very much about that time. I don't think I'm in much danger of reaching that stage of placidity - if present feelings are any indication.

I'm not going to make any promises for the future, but if my desires outrun my expectations there as much as they have in the past two months, I don't think you'll have cause to complain because of any lack of affection on my part. I know this, that I love you more dearly; if that is possible, every day. Oh, my dear, dear girlie, I can't tell you how much I love you - neither can I show you by caresses. I just want to live my love so that its atmosphere will be the very breath of life to you.

Last evening Miss Ferguson, Edmanson and I called in to see Patterson and his wife. It's the first time any of us have been to see them in their own house. Naturally we "reminisced" a good deal and my thoughts went back to a year ago. What changes one short year has brought. Ford, Brownlee, Fritz and "Pat" all married and in houses of their own. Even Miss Ferguson will be married next month and then I'll be the only one left of all our first household. But it has been worth while waiting to get the best girl of the whole lot. I remember once, when I was a boy having one of my mother's cousins tell how she had waited five years for her husband and it seemed such a long time. But you know how long I have waited for you dearest? Over ten years. How long I wonder have you been waiting for me?

Do you know there was one unconscious revelation in your letter that made me happy? Speaking of the Wrights, you said you had been worrying before I went home lest we shouldn't agree upon that subject. If you didn't love me and really respect me in your heart of hearts, why should you have cared? You did really love me before this summer, didn't you dearest? But whether you did or didn't doesn't matter since I know you love me now and, even at this hour in slumber land, are clasping to your heart one who loves you more than all the world.

Evelyn to Fred

Thorold, Ont.,

Oct. 10, 1913

My dear Fred,

Ora saw my last letter, and she said she'd be ashamed to send such a looking thing as that - the inside she meant. I was sort of too, I know I write very badly indeed, especially when I write fast. I never could write decently, and that capped with four years of writing notes certainly does make an unsightly mess. It's half-past five but I don't need to get supper for a while, as dad is away and Ora won't be home until half-past six.

Dad has gone out into the country. He said he didn’t know whether he’d get any supper though, because the people where he is going never ask him to stay. One time he went there and the old lady who lives with her married daughter went to get five dollars which she had subscribed. While she was away the mistress of the house thought it a fitting opportunity to remark that preachers were always after money. Her mother heard her and turned and went to her room and brought him five dollars more. People don’t very often say mean things to him, but wasn’t that small?

I was going to write last night but some people came in and stayed late. These people always do, because I guess we like each other. Mrs. Clarke, the choir leader’s wife, with her cousin to protect her came over to see mother on business, and then he came over after her. It’s getting unsafe for women to be out alone late, at least the policeman said so. There have been several men held up and robbed lately. ...

...I've had a debate all day whether to be cross or good-natured. I made gingerbread and it burned and wasn't a very great success. Then I washed my hair, and it always irritates me to try to get work done when horrible straight ends persist in sticking in my eyes. So when I had finished my work I went and had a little rest, and so the good-nature won out. Some nights I don't rest one bit, when I wake up I am tired out, my muscles even, as well as my nerves, are tense. ... When I feel tired I get so disgusted with myself, I think it is very foolish of me to think of marrying you. I hate to run at half-speed, but I have to do that or else stop for a while.

Ora and I expect to go over to Toronto tomorrow if it keeps nice. This week has been like an ideal September. The leaves are off some of the trees, but we are wearing summer dresses without coats. The sky is beautifully clear and blue and so high up. But all the same, I don’t want to go to Toronto, I’m afraid again.

Ora is going to get her furs and she wants someone to advise her.

Now I must get something to eat for my hard working sister. Last night I got a big bunch of verbenas, and two dahlias from the plant you tied up. Your good deeds follow you.

Good-bye for the present.

Elnora.

Evelyn to Fred

Thorold, Ont.,

Oct. 12, 1913

My dear Fred,

I’ve just come in from a brisk walk in the wind. Do you know what would suit me best of all just now? You and a fire and a book. Sometimes on Sunday nights we’ll have “lap suppers” and we’ll make toast over the fire. ...

... We had a good trip over to Toronto yesterday morning, but after we had got to the store for Ora's furs it started to rain, and I guess it rained all the time we were there. We didn't have to go out much, except from the fur store up to Simpson's. The other times we had to go out our friends, who met us there, lent us their umbrellas. Ora got beaver furs, and they are simply lovely, so silky and rich looking. The man from whom we got them married an old time friend of ours. I thought beavers were big animals, but he showed us whole skins, baby beavers or kittens, as they call them are about the size of a big cat, while the full grown ones are like collie dogs. The fur as it comes from the animal is long, shiny and coarse. That long hair is all plucked out, leaving the soft thick short fur underneath.

I didn't spend all my money, but I got a lot of things. I got a pair of five dollar Queen Quality shoes for two dollars and forty five cents. No, I'm not a bargain hunter but I got one when I didn't hunt.

Mae Finch came down to see me, and I was so glad to see her. Oh, I feel so sorry for her. I told you about her before. It seems that this boy’s parents have persuaded him that he didn’t love her enough to marry her. What Mae does not know, and what may be the reason they do not want him to marry her is that she was born too soon. Her father is a bad man. He left her mother who is his second wife, and lived with another woman in B.C. until her death, and I believe is re-married. But Mae is a good girl. Her mother has done her utmost to make up to Mae for the wrong she knows she did her. And it doesn’t seem fair that her life should be spoiled on account of her father’s wrongs. But it often is so, I do not know what to say to her. there is absolutely nothing I can say or do that will help her.

... It was raining when I got on board, so I had to sit out at the back on the lower deck. For the most of the time my only companion was a black haired man. The sunset was magnificent - the rain stopped in time for that. There were great broad banks of lemon and pink lines across the Western sky. The upper part of the sun was red, while the lower half was tinged with yellow. It was wonderful, and I wished you were with me. Other times I would have wished for somebody to enjoy it with me, but my Somebody has become You. As we got near home it got pretty rough, and every once in a while there'd be a thud and the water would dash up over the railing. I didn't get sick, pat me on the back, but I couldn't have stood any more.

Don't you go to church Sunday nights? You seem to have so much time on your hands then. And didn't you go last Sunday morning? If so, why didn't you shave before you went? There are some queries arising from your Sunday letter. I suppose it did appear rude not to go downstairs last Sunday night, but I don't blame you. If you didn't approve of the way the people were acting, I really see no just reason why you should make yourself one of their number.

My hand is stiff. It hasn't yet got warm since I came in from my walk. I've just thought of something that has puzzled me. Do you get the Globe? If so, how can you get it fresh? ? And how do they in London?

I saw the picture of Hon. Herbert Samuels the other day. He is evidently a Hebrew. For evidence? His face, and the fact that Mr. Rowell invited some Rabbis to his banquet. His speeches about the work Liberalism has done made me think of a book I consulted in my fourth year. It was quite new, and I take a great pride in the fact that I told Dr. Edgar about it, and that I afterwards found him with it in his possession. It is Dicey's Law and Opinion in England in the Nineteenth Century.

Have you read Hobson’s Liberalism? I have it, but it is in Toronto just now. And another of which I have read only part is Herbert Spencer’s The Man vs the State. It shows the change that has come over Liberalism since the time of Cobden and Bright, how that it has as its characteristic at present the making of restricting laws instead of the freeing of the individual. Dicey gives one an idea of the extent of these laws, particularly in factories. Factory owners, of some sorts - such as paint and glass factories have to provide bathrooms, soap, and towels for their men, and the men have to make use of them. ...

I have just been thinking we'll catalogue our library. So you see, I can be a librarian after all. Do you think you would like book cases built in the wall? I think I should like some that way. Aren't you going to get a furnished house for the first year? I don't care what we do. you know what is best in that respect. I've just been dreaming a living room. I don't want it first thing, it'll have to grow.

We’ll use the library first. But I don’t want a big rug on the living room floor, just little ones, and a fire-place of course, and brass, and gold things where possible, and reddish brown colours in the rugs. Then we can introduce a note of old olive. I’d like the dining-room tan and brown, and the library green and brown. But of course I may change my mind.

Oh, I saw some of the most beautiful Oriental rugs at that store on King Street East. They were having a big sale. ...

I didn’t get your letter yesterday but I knew it was the fault of the service of King George, not of Frederick the Great. It’s half past five so it’ll soon be morning when I know I’ll get one.

I'm cold so I'm going in to light the gas. Lucky man, you have a grate.

Your own little girl wrote this.

Evelyn to Fred

Thorold, Ont.,

Oct. 13, 1913

My dear Fred,

This is a clear, cold, windy day, but we have a fire going in our furnace, so are quite comfortable. Mother and I are alone. Father is at Springvale and Ora in Toronto. We had a very cosy time last night. We had tea in front of the gas stove in the back parlour. Then after we came home from church we sat down to read, but mother couldn’t find a book to suit her and so she went to sleep.

This morning, before daylight, I was so cold I went and got in bed with her ... , We didn't have any watch and we were surprised when we came downstairs to find that it was after nine o'clock. Then we got at the washing and hustled it, I tell you. ...

We had lunch outdoors in the sun, but we had to put on warm coats too. Then I went to the Post-Office and got three letters for myself, one from Grace Dempster and two from you, and as I was reading them on the way home I forgot to get the Globe.

This afternoon I copied out some music we are to sing at the Thanksgiving supper. It is a double quartette, all ladies. Our piece is "Love's Old Sweet Song" and our encore in "Comin' Thro' the Rye." Mr Clarke, our trainer, says he'll see that we get an encore. I have to sing second soprano and it's beastly hard because I want to sing the air all the time. The first is a pretty old piece. Likely you know it. I'll learn to play it by heart for you.

Mother went to the church to a meeting and I started to make an apron for her, but I got the pockets in way up above her waist and had to rip them off. She asked me what I was thinking of when I did it - I ought to know how to do them for I’ve made several, and I said I guessed I wasn’t thinking of what I was doing. She said, “No, you were thinking of the guy. I’ll soon begin to get cross at him.”

So Elizabeth has had her Reception! Did Fred [Fritz] put in an appearance in the evening? They were scrapping about it when they were home and we are rather anxious to know which won out. We said he wouldn't. You'd better make up your mind to bear your lot with patience. Not only are you going to have your dinner down town sometimes, but you have to take me too. When I get so tired of getting dinners I’m going to take a holiday, and you’ll have to come with me or starve or inflict yourself on your friends who have more submissive wives. ...

At League tonight we are going to have as the speaker the electrician of the St Lawrence Paper Mill. He spent two years with Dr Grenfell⁽⁶⁾ in Labrador, and he will speak of his experiences there. I suppose you have heard Dr. Grenfell. Did you ever see his views of the Labrador? The icebergs are most wonderful in their varied colours.

Don't you worry honey, about not mailing your letter. If I thought you weren't careful it would hurt me, but I know you are, so little slips don't matter. The thing about you that matters most is that you want to 'follow the gleam.' Oh, my dear, if you didn't want to.

Your sweetheart.

Evelyn to Fred

Thorold, Ont.,

Oct. 14, 1913

My Dear Fred,

Mother wants to know if you chaps have a sort of devotional hour after dinner when you all write to your girls. Then she wondered how Edmanson employed his time, and I said he studied law to get ready to support his. What an old sobersides you must think me if you think it necessary to ask if I mind a little “jollying.” It would be pretty hard on me living in this house if I did. And as for cooking, say, I made some “riz” biscuits tonight that did their duty. It seemed funny for Ora to come out in the kitchen and ask, “What are we going to have for supper? Are you going to make biscuits?” Pretty soon I’m going to start bread. ...

To-day, Tuesday, I got the letter you wrote Thursday. Contrary to your calculations, a Wednesday letter would not lie over Sunday in Toronto, but a Tuesday one might. And please don’t feel constrained to write to me every day if you don’t feel like it. I don’t write on Saturday principally because I know it wouldn’t go out till Monday morning, and besides I get lazy. Do you know just how easy it would be not to write to you, or how easy it is not to write - to my other friends. Just put it off a little too long.

Your letter meant very much to me. I am glad you spoke about the Wright's as you did. You know, don't you, that I don't want to be harsh or unkind, but also that opinions die hard?

You said also that you could not tell me how much you loved me, that you could only live your love. I don't know when, if ever before, you seemed so inexpressibly dear to me, I don't think I ever felt so much that way before but you seemed - yes, dear is the only word that expresses it, something that I need and want and value very highly. You ask me so often if I didn't love you before you came home. I don't now whether you'd call it love. I knew you were coming home to me. And I think always I've known that you were one man I could love, only I willed that I wouldn't love you. But nearly all this year, I have felt sure you loved me and as I told you in a recent letter, this spring I began to realize that you personified the things I sought. And I was so happy when I saw the light. Had you told me last summer what you did this, I don't know how it would have gone. But even then I was pretty sure you cared very much for me.

Do you remember that night we sat down by the water? I wondered just how much of what you said applied to you. But you were so self-contained that I turned my attention where it had been invited. When you went away last summer, didn't you look at the last? And your look told me something, even if you didn't mean it to. And the way you used to shake hands with me, and look at me when you said good-bye, all told me something, which I would not admit to myself until this spring.

A couple years ago, I was telling Annie Price about you, and I said, “Doesn’t it seem a pity that this rather peculiar friendship should sometime cease?”

I used to try to imagine you married to somebody but I couldn't. I didn't want anybody else to have you. I don't think you know how much you meant to me when I was growing up, how anxious I was to have you think well of me, and how pained when I knew you were displeased with me. When I lived at Beamsville I always considered you my best friend. The younger boys I knew were well enough, but they were very juvenile. And besides, that didn't have any ambition, any ideas, or any ideals. I was going to college, and I knew that in a few years I shouldn't enjoy their company. Yes, I guess I put rather too high an estimate on college, but just the same, I'm glad I wasn't with those boys as much as some of the other girls were.

Do you know, I was too proud to be with the ones that liked me? I didn’t want my name coupled with Ray Hewitt’s for instance, as some were coupled! He said “Aint,” and he said “learn” instead of “teach.” Do you think I am a snob in some respects? What way do you ask? Well, intellectually, for one way.

I've just had a little talk now about centre pieces. Ora is embroidering a pillow-case and mother is crocheting a buckle. We are going down for the mail and to the library now. ... Oh, I can't write any more, there is too much conversation about bride elects. Well, I'm glad I'm one, though the time is yet distant.

How many kisses do you want, old man?

Fred to Evelyn

Calgary,

Oct. 15/13

My dear Nora

I'm supposed to be working but I've inveigled a couple of the other men into doing what I should be working at and from the open door on my room I can see into the outer office where they are busily engaged while I snatch a few minutes for a little talk with you. It's ten o'clock and of course you are in bed and asleep, but you can hear me just the same, can't you dear?

I’ve just been down to the post office thinking there would be a nice long letter from you. This morning I received the one you wrote last Friday. Well I was disappointed tonight but I’m sure it’s not your fault. About and hour ago there was a fire at the Post Office and the employers have been busy straightening up after the fire that the mail from the East hasn’t been touched. Our old post office - built about 6 years ago - is far too small and the gov’t is going to build a fine new one. They haven’t started to tear down the old one yet but it has been vacated and temporary premises are being occupied. It is in these that the fire occurred. Luckily little damage was done and I believe no mail was destroyed.

Aren't you working too hard, dearest? It seemed to me your Friday letter sounded tired, and you said yourself you sometimes felt discouraged, and that often you arise in the morning unrested and unrefreshed. I've been thinking maybe this is partly due to our nightly talks. Don't you often lie awake after you are in bed -and don't you often think of me in your sleep? If one is to rest at sleep the mind should be perfectly easy and as nearly as possible a blank before going to sleep. Otherwise the rest is liable to be broken.

It’s awfully nice for us to be able to talk to each other while separated by half a continent, but I believe such thought transference or mutual telepathy must be a nervous strain. I don’t feel it so myself but perhaps you do, and if so, dearest, say so and we’ll do less of it. One reason why I believe these long distance communications are a mental strain is that I cannot talk to you when I don’t feel well.

In your last letter you said you couldn’t talk to me last Thursday or Wednesday night and you wondered what the matter was. Those nights I was suffering from a bad cold and I realized at the time that I couldn’t talk to you. I felt numb and lethargic and it seemed like reaching out against a stone wall and groping in blank space when I tried to touch you. Please, dearest, let me know if you find what I say is true. I’d much rather forego the pleasure of our communications now even if they all had to be stopped than to have you suffer because of them.

Do you want me to be really cross with you? If not, please don't say again you think it is foolish to think of marrying me. Do you think I am marrying you for the amount of work you can do and the number of dollars you can save me by cooking my meals and mending my socks and by keeping my house? You know that isn't true and yet it would be implied from your remark. I know dearest that you haven't the physical strength to do as much work as some other girls but I don't love you any less for that and I don't want you to think you must work after any other person's pace.

Every person must learn his or her own limitations of strength and endurance and should work accordingly. I love you because you are you - and perhaps if you were big and strong like an Irish washerwoman even with all your other qualities, I might not love you - at any rate - not so well.

Wouldn't it be a poor kind of love that didn't care for weaknesses as well as strength? Why, my dearie, I want to protect and shield and guard you. Doesn't the marriage ceremony say "love, cherish, and protect"? Oh my dearest can't you learn to know that's the way I love you? Can't you lean your dear head upon my breast and feel that I'll sympathize with you and care for you and keep you over life's rough places? I'm afraid you've been working as you have to please me and while I do appreciate your motive, love, please understand that nothing you can do can in the smallest degree add to the value of yourself. It's you I want and love - not the things you can accomplish.

On reading this over it sounds as if I were complaining and I don't mean it that way. You know that don't you, my darling? I don't want you to be afraid to tell me when you feel tired or out of sorts for fear I'll come back with a lecture about working too hard. If I've said anything, dearest, that would frighten you in any way into not telling me your troubles and sorrows as well as your victories and joys, believe me, I don't mean it that way. If we're to be truly mates and husband and wife there must be the fullest confidences and I want to know when you're downcast as well as when you are uplifted. Somehow I never was any good at cheering people, but I want to learn. Won't you be my teacher?

Please don't say anything about my handwriting. I sometimes wonder whether you can read mine at all or not. I know it must be difficult and my letters don't look attractive, but we'll not say anything more about this, the main thing is for us to hear from each other. As long as I get a letter from you I don't care how it longs or what the writing is like if it is yours.

Did you go to Toronto last Saturday? And did you have a smooth passage? Would you have been afraid, dearest, if I had been going along? Or did you dread the trip because you were afraid the memory of that one we took together would make you homesick for me? I'd like to think so. Is that selfish of me?

I’m going home now in a few minutes. Please excuse this paper once again. If I write very many more times at the office I’ll have to get some respectable paper here. At any rate I’ll give this an outward appearance of respectability by taking it home and of putting it in a decent envelope.

I hope, dearie, you are feeling better by the time you get this, but whether grave or gay, weary or fresh, ill or well, believe me I am always your own true lover.

Fred.

Evelyn to Fred

Thorold, Ont.,

Oct. 15, 1913

My Own Dear Esau,

... Oh, my dear, dear man, your Friday letter [missing] made me laugh, but it almost made me cry too. To think you have been worrying about your appearance. You didn't tell me anything I didn't know. Don't you think I have eyes, and don't you think I use them? And don't you know, my darling, that I love you, and that the warmth of your love has overcome what used to be a physical dislike? I don't understand it one bit, but when I used to look at your hands, I used to feel like being as obstinate and opposite as I possibly could. They looked so strong, and capable, and they made me want to be bad. But it's so different now. I guess it was because I wanted you to love me, and you wouldn't, so that made me want to outdo you in obstinacy. I suppose if I made you myself, I might make a few changes, but not many. I think I can honestly say that what you have told me, doesn't make any difference. My dear, I love you, not your shell. Don't you think you place almost too much value on eugenics, and not enough proportionally on ethics?

I cannot but smile at your ideals of pre-natal influence, for I think you place too much faith in it. However, we'll see. And I don't think you need to worry about the future generation. At any rate, they'll have pure blood, which is more than can be said of an appallingly large number of people.

But speaking of hairs, I wonder if you’ll think me immodest if I tell you something funny. Dell Flatt is the most inquisitive girl along some lines. She wanted to find out what caused them on the upper lips of women and she asked Heber [Moshier]. He tried to put her off, because the reason, I guess, isn’t one he wanted to explain to her. So when she got a chance, she got one of his books, and started to hunt it up. She’d just got the place when he came in and she had to close the book. So she is still in ignorance.

When I was at her place we were talking about having children. She told me she peeked through the key-hole when her sister’s last child was born. Her sister nearly died, and consequently Dell is frightened. Do you think it strange for me to tell you this. I think it was funny. I just have a picture of her looking. “Why.” I said, “You great big fool. What did you do that for?” And she answered, “I just wanted to see.” She loves to describe critical operations the Heber has performed. She got telling me about one one night, till I couldn’t stand it any more, and I made her stop. I can’t bear to hear about operations, it makes my flesh creep. It is well that she is the one who is going to marry the doctor, for I shouldn’t enjoy his recital of his surgical feats.

...I was out with Eva Laughlin, selling tickets this afternoon. We both hate it like everything, but our mothers got us in for it. I don’t believe in it one bit. If people want to come to our Thanksgiving supper, all right, if not don’t ask them for their money. So we didn’t go in places that were doubtful, we asked our own people and the ones that usually come. Eva said that last year she thought if she didn’t sell many they wouldn’t ask her again.

Ora was down at the Stamford Township School Fair, this afternoon, judging cakes, pies, bread, aprons, patching, and drawing. I was going with her, but decided I needed to get those tickets sold and some aprons made. ... The Department of Agriculture gives the prizes and in the spring gives the children seeds, bulbs, and eggs. ... I think this event, and preparation for it, will have a great influence on the girls and boys in awakening a pride in their work, and in the quality of it. ...

Now I’ll tell you a joke Ora read a few minutes ago. A little girl went over to play with a neighbour child, who was very stingy about her toys. The child told her mother about it when she went home and her mother said, “When I was a little girl, if I had gone to visit another little girl, and she had treated me like that, I’d have come home.” “Well,” responded her offspring, “Times have changed since you were a little girl. I slapped her face and stayed.”

Quite a number of houses have been taken by the canal, and there are very many new comers. Board is hard to get, nearly everybody has roomers or boarders. We are talking of renting our two back kitchens. Work has started on the new canal, at least, they are very busy getting houses built and tracks laid to bring in their materials. We are going to be flooded with foreigners. They say the hotels can be ordered closed if the contractors demand it. I should think they would. Imagine five thousand foreigners on the outskirts of a town this size, which already has a foreign population of several hundred.

I'm glad you're not gambling in oil. I really don't approve of taking such huge risks. I've been too lately a companion of Ruskin, not to think of unearned increment. I'm quite contented with your finances as they are. It is demoralizing to make money too easily. Honestly, I think it would be bad for me.

Now you are satisfied, aren't you sweetheart, that I love you. Even the parts that you consider blemished.

Evelyn to Fred

Thorold, Ont.,

Oct. 16, 1913

My Dear Fred,

Ora is embroidering, mother crocheting, and I have just finished a couple little bags which I stuffed with roseleaves, which, by the way, came from the roses you gave Ora and me. ...

I haven't done much to-day. Oh, yes, I accomplished quite a lot. I cleaned out a great big box we call "the coffin." I had a fine time. Mama says she likes to give me jobs of that sort as I always enjoy them so much. I trimmed a hat too. For the next week we'll be pretty busy. Mother's friend, Mrs. Sheppard, is coming tomorrow and my Aunt Pearl and the children tomorrow or Saturday, for over Thanksgiving. Monday night there is a big supper at the church. Thursday and Friday are the Convention days.

This afternoon mother and I went out calling but the first lady wasn’t home. We made another call and then went to see the girl whose mother had just died when you were here. ... When we came home it was nearly six and it was beginning to darken. There was a smell of burning leaves in the air, and it was just cold enough to make one want to walk briskly. I had to go back over town to get some bread, and coming home, I was just thinking about next year. Don’t you want me to come to meet you some nights, and walk home with you? Then we’ll go home together. Just think of that! As I got near the house I thought that I knew something of how you felt about having a home. And we’ll go in together, and I’ll have the dinner ready in a little while. Then after that we’ll sit by the fire, or we’ll sing. I felt so well tonight when I came home, I felt as if I could do anything.

It's just struck ten and Ora says, "Come on now and go to bed. You know I'm to keep my eye on you and see that you don't overwork yourself." ... Dad has just got home from his tour. I think he must have called on thirty or forty people since he went away Saturday. He gave a lecture at Springvale Monday night. ... They said they hadn't had anything worth attending since he left, that they were broken-hearted when he said he couldn't come, in fact, that he simply had to come.

Mother and Ora have gone to bed, and I'm going too. This is a short letter, but I don't feel like talking. I'd just like to sit with you in the big chair we're going to have and do absolutely nothing, just rest. Oh, it is lovely to have such a glorious future, isn't it my own? I'm so afraid something will happen to spoil it. It seems too good to be true.

Good-night, good-night.

Fred to Evelyn

Calgary, Alta.,

Oct 17/13

My own dear little girlie,

Two days isn't a very long time is it? And yet, how they can drag out when a fellow doesn't get a letter. Wednesday and yesterday were mere blanks, but this morning brought a nice one that started the day off right- the letter you wrote on Sunday. ...

I'll tell you what prevented my writing yesterday dearest, for I don't want to have any secrets between us, though at first I thought I wouldn't say anything about it, but would surprise you some day if the venture turned out all right. But don't breathe a word to anyone not even to your folks. Do you remember about a week ago I spoke of the strike of oil near here? Since that the company has been taking out crude oil and so pure is it that without any refining they are selling it in the city - like ordinary gasoline and it is being used to run automobiles. The like has never been heard of anywhere in the world before.

The only question that now remains is - how large is the flow? This one company - the Calgary Petroleum Products Co. Ltd. is one of two that have been drilling for about a year - and oil has been struck only in the one well as yet - and in it they have only touched the oil bearing rock. It is expected that as soon as they go deeper in this rock they'll strike a regular gusher. Whether they will or not only time will tell. But even at the present flow they are getting about 30 barrels a day. Well, the news of the Calgary Petroleum Co's strike has set Calgary on fire - and the excitement is rapidly spreading over two continents. You must before this have seen reports in the Eastern papers.

The local people have been very conservative in the reports they have sent out and I suppose Ontario people are very skeptical and think the whole thing is only a western boom. A boom it is sure enough and one that bids fair to outrival the greatest land boom this country has ever seen, but whether the oil strike will prove to be of oil in commercial quantity only the future can reveal.

The quality we have, and in the opinion of the experts, we have the geological formation over a great portion of Alberta adjacent to the mountains that should produce oil, and the news of the strike has awakened the interest of the big oil men of New York, Virginia, Pennsylvania, California, Texas and Mexico and capitalists in London, England. They are flocking in from all parts, and the hotels are already crowded and besieged with applications for reservations. Yesterday no fewer than 40 telegrams for reservations at the hotels were received from distant points in the States.

Many of the business men here are still skeptical but the general public is going wild. Owing to the tightness of money there can't be any extended speculation until outside money comes in, but people are doing the best (or worst) they can. The Act relating to petroleum and natural gas rights (a Dominion Act) is pernicious in the extreme and lends itself readily to speculation. Some tithes to land carry with them the mineral rights but the majority do not, and for the most part the rights to petroleum and natural gas are still in the Crown, while the surface rights are all privately owned.

According to the Dominion Lands Act any person may apply to the Minister of the Interior for a lease of the petroleum and natural gas rights from the Crown upon payment of an application fee of $5.00, together with a rental of 25 cents per acre for the first year and 50 cents per acre for each succeeding year, with the proviso that during the first year at least $5,000 must be spent in development. No one person may lease more than 3 square miles.

You can see what happens. People file applications investing nothing but $5 - the application fee. The rental money is payable within one month. For nearly a year, people have been filing, expecting oil to be struck within the month. They wouldn't pay the rental but allow their claims to lapse and either have the applications renewed by some other persons in their name or apply for different lands themselves. This has been going on for months and some few have already cleaned up a thousand or two on a $5 investment.

Now that the oil has really been struck of course people are paying up their rentals, or selling their claims to others who do - except where the claims are away off from the scene of the discovery, and in these cases people are still filing in the hope that they may unload if a real gusher is struck and the public goes entirely crazy A lot of this is gambling and wildcatting of the worst sort. I've already told you that the whole territory from the Bow River on the North to Pincher Creek on the south and from High River on the east to the mountains on the west has been filed on. Of course there is this much to be said. This whole territory is believed to be oil-bearing although of course it won't be struck in paying quantities everywhere. But no one knows and each person thinks his may be the lucky spot.

Most of the lands in what is considered by experts to be the oil area were taken up long ago, but I could have got claims very near to the present well a month ago. And I'm kicking myself now that I didn't - for I've believed for a long time that they'd strike oil and I knew pretty well what was going on. For $16 I could have got a lease for a year on 1 square mile and if I had done this last summer I might have sold out now for anywhere from $2,000 to $5,000 and then dearie we wouldn't need to worry about our trip to England. Well, I didn't and if it's any consolation, all the rest of my friends are in the same boat. Of course since the discovery a week ago, people are still filing but it's all on stuff that I think isn't worth anything. Perhaps some of it may be but it's a great gamble. For the most part, it'll be good only to unload on some sucker.

But to come back to the part I don't want you to tell. Adjoining Calgary and extending to within 20 miles of Discovery Well, is the Sarcee Indian Reserve - an unsurveyed territory. All of the filing so far has been on surveyed lands, but yesterday Patterson, who used to be in our house, was looking over the regulations and came to the conclusion it is possible to file on oil rights under this Reserve land. The only difference is, the applicant must not only file his application with the local Dominion Land Agent as in the case of surveyed lands, but must also locate his claim by staking out the ground as in the case of a gold mining claim.

Remember, we are not sure yet that the Reserve land can be filed on at all, and that's why I don't want anything said about it. I don't want people to know if nothing comes of it. Well it seems no one ever thought of the Reserve until the night before last when a party, including a local lawyer went out and staked during the night. I believe a couple more parties went out yesterday, but the idea is not generally known and yesterday afternoon, Patterson, Wilber Horner, Fritz and I determined to try the game.

We left here in Horner's car at 3.30, drove through the reserve for about 20 miles and then left the car and walked the rest of the way. It is necessary to put two stakes on each claim - the stakes to be at least 4 inches square and 4 feet above ground so we had to carry eight stakes, some smaller slabs, a couple axes, a hammer etc.

After we left the regular trail we three walked, while Mr Horner tried to drive the car across country to save us carrying the stakes etc. The country at this point is very hilly and covered with scrub. After going for about a mile, over some of the worst country imaginable - through 3 barbed wire fences, one of which we lifted up posts and all, so that the car went under, and the others - we pulled out the posts, laid the fences flat down and drove the car over after covering the barbed wire with out stakes and overcoats as a protection for the tires, we finally got stuck in the scrub and could take the car no farther, so we left it in the scrub and started on foot about 5:15.

From that time until 9: 45 we never stopped except to drive in our stakes and write out and post up our notices which we did by the light of a glorious moon aided by an electric dark lantern. It may not sound very romantic, but believe me, it was stern work.

The air was clear but frosty - the thermometer being about 15 degrees below freezing point. The ground was rough and broken, with bogs and hummocks, in places - and for the most part a succession of steep hills and valleys and all was covered with a rank growth of grass, on top of which was four or five inches of loose snow. To add to the difficulties of our pilgrimage, in many places there was a thick growth of scrub and small trees, as a deep scratch the length of my face bears witness today.

We had no supper, but pegged away as fast as we could the whole time, and in spite of the cold air, what with struggling up and down hills bundled as we were, dodging in and out among the bushes, and slipping sideways and backwards in the loose snow, long grass and hummocks we had no need of fires to warm us. My chief discomfort arose from a pair of wet legs.

About 6 o'clock I broke through apparently frozen ground into a pool of ice water up to my knees and about ten minutes later I again broke into a bog to the same depth. For the rest of the evening my lower limbs were encased in a congealed mass of frozen ice, mud and trousers. My feet kept fairly warm while on the march but got cold when we stopped to drive our stakes and put up our notices.

Lest you are anxious dearest, let me say, I haven't caught cold in spite of wet feet. The greatest damage is to my clothes - which for lack of time are the ones that I wore to the office yesterday. But in spite of the strenuousness of our march we all enjoyed it. The night was perfect and as we neared the foothills we could see the mountains standing - great walls of white - gleaming in the moonlight ahead of us. We started out to stake 4 claims but we soon saw we couldn't do it and return before 3 or 4 o'clock and we were afraid the auto would be froze.

You must remember we had to tramp a long distance from the car before we got to the land we wanted to stake. So after staking the two we turned homeward, intending to go out and complete tomorrow. Luckily we found the auto all right, and after getting it out through the wire fences into the road again we started on the 20 mile run home at 10.25. Horner drove fast, and though we had overcoats and robes, facing the wind caused by the car, our faces soon began to tingle. We had all been perspiring and now we began to get chilly.

We got home about 11.00 o'clock all cold as we wanted to be. I can tell you, I immediately took off my frozen clothes, got some supper consisting of toast, tomatoes and strawberries, took a hot bath and went to bed. I did intend to write you but I thought you'd forgive me if I didn't for I was afraid of catching cold unless I got into bed in short order. I got up at the usual hour this morning and felt all right except for the scratch on my face and sore eyes from facing the wind last night. Fritz and Horner have bad colds. So you see your man is about as tough as the rest, if he is small and fat. I must admit though I felt sleepy tonight and I lay down on the sofa and slept from 8 until 10.30.

It's now a few minutes past midnight. I want to write tomorrow but you'll understand dearest if I don't. We're going again in the afternoon and may not return until late. Oh, how I wish you could have seen the mountains last night in the moonlight. Some day you will see them with me, dearie - I’ll answer the questions in you last letter on Sunday.

I'm sorry I've taken up this whole letter with talk about oil and our trip, Do you know, last night whenever I felt tired or the way was particularly rough I said to myself "It's for my little sweetheart." Perhaps nothing will come of it. The most we expect to make is a few hundred dollars. I never wanted anything so much for myself, but oh my darling, I do want success for your dear sake.

Goodnight dearie.

Evelyn to Fred

Thorold, Ont.,

Oct. 17, 1913

My Dear Fred,

I’m not going to write a very long letter because you haven’t given me any ammunition. It’s Friday afternoon but your Sunday letter is still in cold storage. I was just re-reading your last letters, and I had a laugh out of them I hadn’t noticed before.

You were speaking about investing in oil lands and you said something like this, "You would rather live modestly than have me make a pile and lose all. Anyway, I'm not going to invest." You're going to be safe aren't you whether I advise you that way or not? ...

Do you really mean that Fritz and Elizabeth didn't love each other before they were married? You say "They were afraid to look beneath their external selves for fear of disappointment," I should think the wiser plan to look to prove that they were not disappointed. I used to think an engagement as sacred as marriage, but I've changed my mind to some extent. For people do not really know each other until they are engaged, and engagement seems to me a permission to know each other. If when they do know each other they find they are not suitable, there is only one thing to be done. But a broken engagement is to me a sorry thing, yet it isn't so terrible as it used to be.

I have read stories, I have known cases, no, I haven’t known cases to go quite this far, but I have read stories which seem quite true, where one or both of the parties found out the mistake, and afterwards it seemed as if the experience helped to a fuller appreciation of real love. ... It doesn’t seem that you are you. Don’t you think Margaret [Albright] would be surprised if she knew how often we wrote to each other, for she knows how lazy I am in this respect? ...

I think you Moyer's are a fussy lot. Some of you despise a manifestation of emotion as weak, and some are very free to express emotion. ... Sometimes I think of you as I know you now, and compare you with the man I knew a few months ago. It doesn't seem that you are you. ...

You seem anxious for me to realize that you have faults? Why? Do you imagine that I think you perfect? But I do believe you to be true, and a man who has his ideals. Can you imagine a man, or a boy, who at the beginning of his life confesses, "I have no ideals?" It seems incomprehensible, doesn't it, and yet there are such. ...

You say you want your boys to be what you are not. Aren't you going to allow any feminists in your family? Now I have planned just how I am going to educate my daughters. Of course they've all got to study music, early, and they're to study different instruments so that we can have an orchestra. Then of course, they'll all go to college, for they'll all be well enough. And after that they're to take a short course in Household Science. Then each one is to have complete charge of our home for six months. And we have to go abroad sometime too.

But I shouldn't know what to do with boys. I'd be afraid they'd want to drink or smoke cigarettes or marry some silly girl. Do you know I think it's the strangest thing that some children are one kind and some another, and it can't be decided by their parents which kind they'll be. And it's funny too, isn't it, that although people might want a child to be one kind, and it turns out the other, they like it just the same.

It’s rainy and dark this afternoon. Ora is at the Falls. We expect our company about seven o’clock. Ora’s going to have a Fashion Pageant. I told you about the one they saw at Eaton’s, didn’t I? She’s going to display several of her gowns, her hats, her suit, coat, and furs. You ought to see her furs, they’re so soft and velvety. Do you like to feel nice smooth things, like silk and velvet? Mother and Ora tease me about my delight in them. Mother says she won’t paint me a tea set because if she does you’ll be afraid to wipe them and so you’ll get out of helping me. But I said I’d teach you to be careful. Sometimes I feels almost sorry for you, you don’t know what a cul de sac you have run in to.

I have to go to choir practice tonight. We have a double quartette for Monday night. We were to have practised Monday night and three of the girls didn't come. I'm afraid we won't know it, and I can't learn my part all alone.

Good-afternoon. I hope you'll soon return my call.

Your Lady of Leisure.

Fred to Evelyn

Calgary, Alta.

Oct. 18/13

My own sweetheart,

... The story of the day is a comedy of errors. As I told you last night we decided to go out again today to finish staking our oil claims. It was agreed that we get an early start and though Saturday forenoon is always very busy, and this morning was particularly so, I hurried as much as I could hardly taking time to read your Monday letter, and left in the middle of several things that should have been attended to in order that I might not keep the others waiting. Patterson is out of town today and the party consisted of Wilber Horner, his brother Austin Horner, Fritz and myself. Wilber was to call for me at the house at 12:30.

I left the office at noon, caught an auto and was home with my clothes changed by 12:25. I ate some egg sandwiches standing, and was ready for the trip by 12:30, but no one came. I phoned Horner and he said he had been delayed. I waited until half past one before the Horners came. Something had gone wrong with the car. Then we called for Fritz and had got nicely started when we had to turn back for something he had forgotten. Thus we were carrying out our plan of getting an early start. But the day was lovely and we were in good spirits, and everything was going fine when suddenly about 7 miles from town, on the edge of the Reserve, the car stopped. A hasty examination revealed hot cylinders, and Wilber in a tone of pained surprise said the lubricating oil had run out. A nice predicament we were in. The nearest house was a mile away and it was by no means certain we should be able to get any oil there anyhow. But there was nothing to do but try.

Leaving Wilber with the car Austin, Fritz and I all set out in different directions to rustle some oil. I called at three places without success, and as there were no more houses in my direction for a long distance I turned back, after having tramped about 2 miles. When I got back near the scene of our discomfiture I saw Austin perspiring and irate, carrying a two gallon can at arm's length. But not another living thing could be seen as far as the eye could reach. Austin was - well - slightly ruffled, but being a good, Christian young man, the turbulence of his spirit wasn't manifested in words that could do justice to the occasion. I couldn't help laughing at him, hat, his clothes smeared with oil ...

But I must confess he had some justification for his frame of mind. He had run most of the way to the farmhouse where he got his oil, then hurried back holding the can at arm's length so the seeds from the long grass and weeds couldn't get in the oil - and his clothes were wet with perspiration, and oil too. When he reached what he thought was the place where the car had been left and saw nothing, he thought he had lost his way, remember he had never been out in this part before. So he ran up and down the road - across into the reserve - followed another trail and then came back again, where I ran across him. He thought he was lost and didn't know till I told him that the car was really gone.

And where was Fritz? We searched and finally found tracks showing the car had been turned around. So we guessed some other auto had come along and lent enough oil to start our car, and Wilber, thinking we'd not likely get any oil decided to run back to the city for it, and that he must have picked Fritz up on the way. It was now 3 o'clock, one whole hour having been consumed in searching for oil and as there seemed nothing else to do, we sat down to wait their return.

We had brought along our guns in the hope of bagging some prairie chicken, but guns, lunch, overcoats - everything was in the car. Austin was so warm, we walked for a while until he cooled off. Luckily, the afternoon was warm and the sun smiled on us. Still as time passed and no car came the situation began to look serious. There was no use getting cross so we watched the passers by, wished for our guns when a mink ran across the road in front of us, and again when a prairie chicken flew within range, gazed at the mountains gleaming through the surrounding haze, rolled over on the grass and kept up a desultory fire of small talk until half past four o'clock.

We were beginning to think seriously of jumping on the next auto that passed and going back to town, when Fritz and Wilber appeared with a livery team. It seems that after we had left, the engines cooled sufficiently for Wilber to get the car started as he struck for town, picking up Fritz on the way. After he got oil at the garage, the car stopped again and then he found that the overheating had caused one of the connecting rods to break. They would have stayed in but for us, so they got a livery rig and we decided we might as well spend the rest of the day with the prairie chicken. We had the best livery team I've ever ridden behind and soon we were about 8 miles in the Reserve.

Now we were violating the law in 2 particulars - We had no license and shooting on the Indian Reserve is forbidden. I hope you don't think we were terribly wicked. Oh, I almost forgot to say that on the way out the harness broke; the little strap holding the harness together broke and let the harness slide back over the horse's shoulder. As luck would have it this is a particularly fiery horse and he has run away on numerous occasions. However he stopped and stood quite still today. Our next problem was to mend the thing for the strap was lost. Finally we cut a strap of a borrowed gun case and with our patched equipment proceeded on our way.

We saw quite a lot of chicken but they were wild and we couldn't get near enough to do any execution. Austin bagged one - the only one. But if we didn't have luck with the chicken we had a glorious time tramping through the brush and over the brown turf. The mountains were magnificent. Several times I stopped and gazed until I almost forgot about the shooting, and oh, my dearest I wished you were with me to enjoy it too.

The west may lack a good many things but if you don't fall in love with the mountains, that is if there's enough left of you to fall in love with anything but your most worshipful servant - I am very much mistaken. We'll take rides and drives together, dearie, and you'll interpret the prairies and the mountains to me. Oh, I'm so anxious for the time when I can see everything through your eyes.

You said once the supreme test of my love will be to sit with you and listen to sublime music. I don't think dear I'll disappoint you in that way. I don't understand music - I wish I did - but I feel it, and when I hear really good music I just sit silent - I can't talk about it. And if I like your music, so I know, dearie, will you like my mountains and prairies. Oh, my darling, I know that we'll be truly one and that our companionship will be sweet and wonderful. How I long for the time when we can really be together - for ever. Do you realize, dearest, what that means? That instead of visiting each other as we have done in the past we'll live each in the other's life until we grow to be really one.

But to come back to our trip. To show you what kind of team we had, I'll tell you that we started for home at 10 minutes to six. We were then 10 or 11 miles from the outskirts of the city and we reached Fritz's house by twenty minutes to seven. And we just let the horses take their own gait. I never rode behind such a team before. So after all my hurrying this morning most of the afternoon was wasted waiting, first, here at the house and later out on the road, and we never went near the scene of our staking operations. However we are going out early Monday morning. Patterson will be with us then too.

How are you going to spend Thanksgiving Day, dearest? I wish I could be with you and I'd try to show why I have greater reason for being thankful to God this year than ever before, because somewhere in a little town in Ontario there's a dear little girl with eyes which she says aren't blue, but which are deep and pure and steadfast - and because with all their clarity of vision, those same dear eyes have been dimmed enough to prevent her looking beyond to a great and good man who is really worthy of her, but instead to fasten them on one who, if not good or wise, at least can and will always be your own true man.

Fred to Evelyn

Calgary, Alta.,

Oct. 19/13

My dearest,

I can see from your letter of last Sunday [Oct. 12] that you are a wee bit anxious about my church going. Well, I'm glad you are, I wouldn't care for you half so much if you were indifferent in such matters. But whatever else I may do or not do, I don't think you need worry much on that score. I've always prided myself on being regular in attendance at church services. Often, I wondered, and I still wonder - whether I would not do better to stay at home and improve my time by reading a good book, or taking a long walk in the fresh air, than to go and try to listen to a sermon that doesn't appeal to me in the least.

For the most part Mr. Marshall’s sermons are theologised drivel and meaningless repetition of stock pulpit phrases, and I often allow myself to wander on thought far from sermon and Calgary to distant places and entirely different themes - and in particular to a dear little girl whose whole life is a worship of God and a bright example of what it really means to be a servant of Christ. Do you remember sitting beside me in the Presbyterian church in Bala one Sunday night last year?

I thought then how beautiful it would be to have you always beside me in church, and many and many a time since I’ve pictured you as you looked then. I say it in all reverence - you seemed to me holy - a woman above and apart from the ordinary crowd - ennobled by a loftier purpose inspired by a purer and clearer vision, - a perfect blending of angel, madonna and woman. Oh my darling the man whom you couldn’t raise must be a poor thing indeed, and if for no other reason than for your dear sake - to try to measure up as best I can to your standard, I'd go to church. But I go for my own sake too. I’ve come to the conclusion, that whether the sermon on any particular occasion appeals to me or not is of far less importance than that I’ve found in the House of God - if only for the sake of example to others.

But to come back - though there’s no virtue in being less careless than someone else, while we were in our old house I was the most regular attendant at church of the whole lot, - Brownlee, Ford, Fritz and Pat put together. It was very seldom that I didn’t appear at both morning and evening service. Of late however, I’ve changed in this way.

I think one can spend too much time even in a church, and can make the Sunday services a burden rather than an uplift. From now on I don't expect to go very often more than once a day, and to Sunday School of course. I didn't go this morning , but spent the time in preparation of my Sunday School lesson. Two weeks ago when I wrote the letter that caused your enquiry was an exception, and I confess on that day I didn't go at all, but there were special reasons. I was pretty well tired out and I thought it would be better to stay home and rest all day which I did. That day was exceptional all around. I usually shave as soon as I get up.

You say I seem to have so much time on my hands. You don't know dearest how rushed I am through the week, and I haven't been indulging in any social events either. The days are one continuous rush from early morning until night - and the evenings should be devoted to reading law, for there's no time during the day, but usually about three nights a week there are executive meetings of some sort - and what with these and the time I spend writing letters, the evening study of law becomes almost a negligible quantity - and I haven't been going to bed very early either. General reading is something longed for but almost entirely crowded out, except for what I can do on Sunday. So you see dearie, Sunday must be a day of rest and it isn’t so, if I go to church twice and Sunday School in the afternoon. How this theme has spun out. I guess I truly earned a reputation at college for loquaciosness loquacity.

This is the second Sunday for my bible class and I enjoyed it thoroughly. the number was rather ominous - 23, but there was a very evident interest and I hope we’ll have a good class before the winter is over. One difficulty in the way is the number of clowns, but perhaps they’ll open up in time.

This is another glorious day, and it only needs your presence to make it perfect. I had about a 3 mile walk this morning and a short one to and from S. S. this afternoon. Oh, if you were only here, dearie! Sunday should be your day, and after we are married I don't want it to be so filled up with church going that we can't have a good part of it to ourselves. That isn't selfish, is it dearest?

I'm glad you had such a good trip to Toronto, and so you have been using your eyes? Aren't you the little girlie who said she didn't have any ideas about house furnishing? You've proved a very fertile soil for the germination of new ideas if that statement was correct for your last two letters are delightful in their description of our nest that is to be. Never fear, my darling, you'll know how to make our home the homiest and most attractive in this whole city. Please go on telling me your plans. I like to hear them even though I may not say anything in return. As I told you before I must lack imagination for I can't picture or describe what I want, but I'll know when I see it, and I want to see things through your eyes too.

Yes we get The Globe, three days late. The effete east also sends us the Saturday Night, the University Magazine, the Canadian Courier, Montreal Standard, etc, etc. Edmanson takes the first. I get the next two and the rest are variously distributed. So you see we don't entirely lose connection with affairs in the east.

And I heard Mr. Samuels at a Canadian Club luncheon here. I thought I had told you. He made the most finished after-dinner speech I ever heard. The only one that can compare with it in style was given here about a year ago on a similar occasion by Sir John Willison.⁽⁷⁾ Not only did Samuel's speech please but it impressed. He is a big man and treated the Imperial problem in the biggest way I've ever heard it presented. Yes he's a Jew, though you'd not guess it from his appearance. He looks his nationality slightly in a photograph but far less in the flesh. Isn't it remarkable how many Jews are at the head of affairs in England? And Samuel's love for the Empire is as strong and deep as that of the purest of Anglo-Saxons. What a wonderful tribute to the character of the British nation, and its institutions and to the power of a great idea!

No, I haven’t read any of the books you mention, I’m sorry to say. I mean to get Dicey's book. He's a wonderful writer - particularly on the Constitution. ... Thanks for mentioning these books to me. Do you understand now what I meant, dearest, when I said you are inspirational? I like to get you views of things: they’re fresh and interesting and you have a faculty of getting pretty well at the heart of things, - and persons too, shall I say, as witness my own capitulation.

Yes I do like bookcases built in the wall. I think there's no comparison between them and detached ones. I'd like to have them built on both sides of a fireplace. ... You ask if we are going to get a furnished house for a while. That is my present intention but a good deal depends upon circumstances next year. ...

I believe you're cold-blooded aren't you? You so often speak of being cold I sometimes fear for you out here. Elizabeth is frightfully cold-blooded too. But then I know the air is damp in Thorold and I don't believe you'll mind it as much here as there. Anyhow, I'm going to make you get so strong and healthy from outdoor exercise that you'll forget all about ever having been chilly in the house.

And so you crept into your mother’s bed to get warm, and beguiled her into forgetfulness of the proper hour to arise! How shocking Are you going to try to work the same trick on me so that I’ll be late for the office some morning? If so, you should have kept your plans secret, for I’m counting the days till the time when you can chat away and make me forget the daily cares and toils and think only of you. And if you get cold, dearest, I’ll just take you in my arms and press you to me until you’re warmed with my very heart’s blood. How I wish I could take you in my arms and kiss your dear lips now. Never mind summer will come again soon.

...No Elizabeth didn't receive at night. The function was all over by 6:30 so Fritz fared pretty well, as there was lots of ice cream etc. left over. I don't think he appeared until after the crowd had gone but I haven't asked particulars. So you are going to insist upon my assisting at your affairs are you dearie? Well I'll give in - for the present.

I was just called to the window to look at a glorious sunset, or afterglow. The whole horizon in the west is one blaze of flaming color shading off gradually to an opalescent grey. That's another beautiful thing the west can produce - sunsets. Oh, there are lots of pleasures in store for you dearest, and I hope not the least will be to stroll home Sunday night after church in the twilight or moonlight with

Your own true lover,

Fred.

Evelyn to Fred

Thorold, Ont.,

Oct. 19, 1913

My Dearest,

I was showing Auntie and Lenore some pictures in my album. There were several I have meant to take out, and so to-day I did it. I have been almost afraid to look at them. I took yours down, and I compared two faces. I wanted to be absolutely sure that no other face could any more have any power over me, and I stared at this one, calmly and searchingly. And I looked in your face, and I kissed your lips over and over again.

Then I opened my diary, which hasn’t any entry since nearly two years ago, and I read two or three entries. I’ll let you read it and then you’ll see in those few last entries, the perplexities, and the sorrows that coloured the joy of my two last years. I was amazed as I read the last two or three pages that I could write like that. I could not but notice the vocabulary and the vividness of the writing. My expression now, compared with that, seems insipid. I have lost power in that direction since I left college and to a great extent ceased reading. But there is little satisfaction in doing anything alone. Every day I see how much I need you, intellectually, if I don’t dry up.

... I hope, oh, I hope, my darling, that you won't be disappointed when you come home to me. I don't think you will, but I simply couldn't bear it if you were. Do you know that last night, when you said that you thought that what you had expected to feel was merely sensuality, I was afraid to let you know how much I wanted your voice, your touch to thrill me? I was afraid you'd think me impure. And yet I knew that a voice could make my pulses bound, and I felt it. I knew that a touch could make me leap to greet it. And I thought you thought that wrong, that it should be repressed. But I wanted you to love me in every way, I wanted to love you in every way, for I knew that only then could there be absolute safety for both of us. It is natural that each part of our nature has its counterpart in some other one, but a marriage is not ideal unless each whole person complements the other.

Don't you think it strange that you should have to go away from me to learn what you did? You said I kissed you once in a way that was different. I didn't. It was you. I made you though. All the time our lips were pressed against each other, I was telling you how much you love me. And the more I told you, the more you kissed me. Sometimes you kissed me just the way dad does, and I didn't want that. I wanted you to awaken me, I didn't want to awaken you. It was true what I told you, that you stopped too soon. Evidently it seemed to you that further effort was useless. That isn't the principle on which men drilling for oil act, is it? You see, I have you at a safe distance, and can tease you all I like, whereas, if you were here, you might possibly think of an effective way of stopping my mouth.

My dearest, if you didn't used to think you would like to have me tell you I loved you, what did you expect you'd want me to talk about. I never dreamt of receiving such letters as I have from my man. If you were still self-contained and didn't tell me over and over how much you loved me, I'm afraid I might get to think that you didn't love me much anyway, and then I'd try to convince myself that I didn't care. You know we have had a very short wooing time, haven't we? To be with each other two or three weeks, and then marry each other at our next meeting. We need to be pretty sure of ourselves don't we? But I'm growing surer all the time.

Every morning when I wake, I think of you, and wish I were with you. And I wish the forenoons were spent in our house, that I were getting dinner for you and at night, I wish I were there, that we spent our evenings together and when I go to sleep, your dear arms are around me. I was afraid to tell you that because, as I told you, I thought you'd think me immodest. And here I am, telling you my most secret thoughts, my special little thoughts that no one else ever saw.

Please don't misunderstand what I said about broken engagements. They leave a scar that cannot be healed, yet sometimes they are wise. I'm not thinking of breaking ours, though, are you? I find it difficult to understand how you had the temerity to ask me to marry you, when you were such a Thomas. Did you remember that I ever promised to marry you? I don't, not in words.

...It’s cold and cloudy to-day. I didn’t go to Sunday school this afternoon, for no other reason than I didn’t want to. I was quite tired out last night. We have four visitors. In the afternoon I went to the church to help decorate and got home at six. The Ladies’ Aid were supposed to go, so I went in mother’s place.

... I too have been afraid lest we get "talked out" or too well acquainted, ... It's just a little after four - oh, nearly half-past. I'm going to start supper. We're going to have scalloped potatoes. Like 'em? I hope.

Your favorite cook.

Fred to Evelyn

Calgary, Alta.

Oct. 20/13

My darling little girl,

If the day had brought no other cause for thankfulness it would be really and truly a Thanksgiving day for me because of your Tuesday letter which I've just read. After that I feel I could write to you for hours - there are so many things I want to say, but I must content myself with only one sheet tonight for it's now a quarter after ten and tomorrow will be a very heavy day, so after the strenuousness of today I need a good night's rest, and then too I must have a bathe and shave before I go to bed. Both were perforce omitted this morning as I overslept.

It was arranged that we would leave at 7:30 and I meant to get up at 6:30 for two reasons, to give myself plenty of time to get ready and to wake Patterson by phone. It doesn't often happen that I oversleep but I did this morning. On the stroke of seven I awoke with a start and for the next half hour there was some quick work at the Hermitage. Luckily the others were a little late too so I had time to eat my usual breakfast of toast, poached egg, fruit and coffee. We left about a quarter to eight.

From the foregoing you will see that we carried out our plan of finishing staking our oil claims today. This time there were 5 in the party - the two Horners, Patterson, Fritz and "the man for whom you don't care a rip." We thought we might as well have a little sport along with the work and took along four guns, we would have taken five if we could have got an extra one but this being a holiday, nearly everyone who had a gun was out - and the stores that rent guns had their whole stock spoken for days ago.

It was a day of days - a gem even for Alberta in autumn. Softened by a mild chinook last night, the air today was beautifully mild, and no words of mine can describe the wonderful coloring of earth and sky and mountains as we sped across the reserve in the early morning.

While waiting for dinner tonight I hurriedly read in Toronto Saturday Night an article on the Sarcee Indian Reserve by [Carlton] McNaught - a local newspaper man - and a grad of Varsity⁽⁸⁾ of '10 (I think). ... The reserve he speaks about is the one we drove through and were staking in today. It is 6 miles wide north and south and 18 miles long east and west and the nearest corner is only about 6 miles from Calgary to the south west. We were working today along the southern side and near the western boundary. The country there is one succession of valleys running in the main parallel to the mountains. We were at the beginning of the foothills and as we climbed westward we rose higher and higher until our last stake was driven, as I figure, about 1,000 feet higher up than where we left our car. Don't get the idea that the country is rolling prairie. After we left the car, for 5 miles west the whole country is covered with brush about 6 to 10 feet high or with poplar and spruce trees some of which are quite large enough to be merchantable.

How can I give you any idea of the vast sweeps of the hills before us - and even in the distance but apparently so near it seemed we could walk into them in an hour or two - were those impregnable masses of rock with jagged, jutting peaks covered from top to base with snow and ice gleaming white and blue and green and purple according to the angle at which the sun struck them. It was a sight to thrill the most unemotional - I thought of the words of the Psalmist "I will look into the hills whence cometh my help" and in very truth our help came from the hills today.

There were only 3 or 4 fences in all the distance we travelled. The base line along which we put our stakes followed the fence boundary of the Reserve, but in our quest for partridge we often wandered a couple of miles from this line, and it is no wonder that in the scrub, with no compass to guide them Austin and Pat both got lost, Austin twice and Pat once. On two occasions the mountains gave them their bearings. On one occasion however Austin was down in a deep valley, where even the mountains were not visible and there he used the shot signals we had previously agreed upon.

You've read of the beauty of the heather in the Scottish Highlands. It seemed to me today as I looked out over miles and miles of undulating scrub covered country that it must be something like the heather. Purplish brown it was, shading off into a bluish gray where softened by a slight haze at the foot of the mountains. And oh my dear, the sense of bigness and freedom that pervaded everything set our blood coursing faster and gave us all a pride in our province we hadn't felt before. You'd simply have been held spellbound if you had been with me. Some day dearest, we'll stand together where I stood today - and we'll tramp the same trails and eat by the campfire in the open and sleep out under the stars. Do you remember the quotation from R.L.S. you gave in one of your letters? My dear, we’ll translate it into an actual living experience and oh, I do so want it to be in the shadow of the mountains.

My time is up and I find I haven't told you anything about our day after all. I'll do it tomorrow, for I must quit tonight. Don't you think sweetheart, that I write every day because I feel I must. Well I guess I do after all, but the must isn't because of a sense of duty but because of a compelling force inside me that makes me want to. The day doesn't seem right if I don't talk to you on paper and if I miss any day, you'll know it's because I can't help it and not because I don't want to. That's another change you've wrought in me. You're my sweet magician.

You don't know how happy your letter made me tonight. I just want to tell you over and over again I love you. I love you. I love you.

Goodnight sweetheart.

Evelyn to Fred

Thorold, Ont.,

Oct. 20, 1913

My Own Dear Laddie,

... Don't think I am working to gain your approval. The work I am doing has nothing whatever to do with you. Our house is big and takes a great deal of care. And Ora's things have been getting the finishing touch. Please don't ever talk to me again about me thinking of how much money I can save you. You'll find me more prone to be extravagant than saving. And one - no, two things I know full well, one, that I cannot do as much physical work as others, and the other that I cannot appear at my best when overtired.

I do not see any reason why I should tire myself doing physical work if I don't have to. Here, I must take my share, (you'd think I was killed) but you may make up your mind to this, that I haven't any intention of working as hard as my mother has. She has done it so that we might have the advantages we have had. You think it was selfish of us to let her? ... But her work has told on her. I don't want to have to struggle all the time against overstrained nerves.

I've been thinking that one thing I must guard against is letting my voice get into a whine. When I first went to college, Marion said I whined, and she teased me out of it. I often got good and mad, but her teasing was good for me. Half the time she called me Babe and that used to make me sore, because I was a couple years older than she was, and I knew she thought me babied. And I was, I have to acknowledge with extreme reluctance.

I have twenty-seven letters from you, up to the present time, so I guess I’ve done as well as you, because you counted yours a week ago. Now as to our nightly communications. As a rule, I don’t talk to you very long, and I’ve dreamed of you only once or twice. Have you been flattering yourself that you held possession of my unconscious, as you do of my conscious self? Nay, that is a fond fallacy. ... My dreams are generally of things and people that scarcely enter my mind when I am awake.

You haven’t told me about Mrs. [Jack] Brownlee. Is she better? Or hasn’t she had the operation yet?

...One more thing you mentioned. You were somewhat cross because I said something about not being well enough to marry you. It wasn’t on account of work - forget that idea, will you?, but because I have always felt that a girl shouldn’t marry unless she were in good physical condition. Art told Ora some time ago that I’d be better when I got married, though what difference that’ll make, I fail to see. However, we’ll see what kind of prophet he is.

...Sometimes if I am tired, it does take a great deal of effort to talk to you, and sometimes, I just kiss you good-night, and calmly drop off to sleep. Do you know, I have been trying to imagine our next meeting? And I can't. I get so far, but I can't make any progress from that point, so I start at the beginning again. I wish you were here, right now. I'm tired and I want to lie in your arms. I wonder what you are doing now, four o'clock here.

... .I’m glad I went to college. Much as I want to marry you, and much as I want some day, some children, I'm glad I had my college course. It will make our life so much richer, and I'll have so much more to give them I'm sure they'll be philologists. At any rate, they'll early in life, imbibe a realization of the meaning and beauty of the English language.

One more thing you mentioned. You were somewhat cross because I said something about not being well enough to marry you. It wasn't on account of work - forget that idea, will you, but because I have always felt that a girl shouldn't marry unless she were in good physical condition. Art told Ora some time ago that I'd be better when I got married, though what difference that'll make, I fail to see. However, we'll see what kind of prophet he is.

...What makes you think I thought there was a danger of you treating me as Duff did Mae? It never entered my head, you know that, and I don’t think you could possibly, even with all of your ingenuity, read that meaning into my words. Just tell me what I said. You’re a regular fake.

Your favorite cook.

Fred to Evelyn

Calgary, Alta.,

Oct. 21/13

My dear little Pet,

I don’t know where to begin tonight. There is so much I wanted to say to you before I got your last two letters, and since then my heart had been singing a song of gladness such as it has never known before. If you were here, darling, I’d try to kiss my thanks but since you aren’t I’ll have to save up these kisses until a time when there’ll be no limitations of time or space to bar - and I don’t think they’ll be the kind you once were afraid you’d tire of. You said my letter of a week ago Thursday meant so much to you. `How can I tell you how your last two letters just made me glad through and through?

Do you think, darling, there are any barriers of reserve left between us? I don't, I can feel in your letters that you are free and your own dear natural self, and I know that for my part, I already feel that perfect confidence that knows no reserve. If in any way I fail to make you understand and know my real self it is only because I haven't words to tell my love. Oh, my darling, I never imagined any love could bring the joy that mine has - or that it could so completely take me captive and unite us that I want to reveal my every thought to you. I think I never before knew the meaning of complete surrender, but now I am yours - wholly yours, my life is your life and my love lives in you.

Your last Wednesday's [Oct. 15] letter came this morning and I just read and reread it until every word is ground in my memory. I don't know what there is about it more than the others that makes it so precious: there doesn't seem to be much difference, only running all through I can feel a spirit of perfect love in a way you never made me feel it before. I don't think dearest, I'll ever again ask if you love me. I know you do and that your love will last beyond life itself. Now it seems to me we are truly man and wife already for each knows he or she loves the other and that the love is returned - and we have fully surrendered ourselves to each other. And now, darling, that the capitulation is over, all we have to do is to help each to build up the other's life - and with you beside me, dearest, I know that I'll achieve the best that is in me. Can I do the same for you?

I wonder if our intercourse isn't a little out of the ordinary. I never imagined that unmarried people, even if engaged, would speak as frankly of sex questions as we do. If I had been told that any other lovers spoke of the same things we have, I would have been very much inclined to say theirs was not true love but a base passion. But isn't it strange that we can look upon these things differently? No. it isn't strange, it's because our love is pure and holy and based upon something higher than mere physical attraction.

No, my darling, I don't think it is immodest for you to tell me the things you did in your last letter. I'm honored by your confidence, and I took it as one of the most delicate tributes you could pay me, because it shows you have been perfectly unreserved with me. Before I wrote the letter to which your last is a reply, I was troubled with what I now know to be a false modesty, and I was afraid you would misunderstand my motives in speaking of the things I did. And yet I felt that it was only fair to you that I should say them. It seems to me that young lovers too often hide their real selves from each other and disillusionment is sure to follow later.

...Perhaps it is indelicate to suggest how each will look to the other when seen for the first time as man and wife, or to mention the possible effect of mental or moral peculiarities upon offspring, but why shouldn't people consider such things before marriage, just as much as their suitability in more superficial characteristics. And so, my darling, I haven't consciously withheld any information about myself that I think you should know and I'm so glad you've understood and taken it as I meant it. How much better we understand each other because of it, and how much nicer it will be when we are married to feel that because of our frankness now there will be fewer disappointments because of discoveries of things about each other that we don't like.

And if I'm relieved because you know what I told you about myself, words can't express my joy at reading your sweet words of love and comfort. Surely love is made perfect when the loved one's blemishes and faults are so insignificant in comparison that they aren't thought of. Somehow I can't realize even yet, dearest that you can love me quite the same as if I were a bigger man with a better physique, a finer presence, a better intellect and a nobler and purer heart. Never mind, thank you a thousand times for the sweet words of assurance and love in your last letter. How can I repay you? I can't do that - but one thing I can and will do, love you and cherish you and protect you with body soul and spirit. I could write reams tonight, but it's midnight and I must quit.

Pat and I were at Fritz’s for dinner - we poached our partridges - and so the evening has been cut short.

Tomorrow night dearest I'll try to tell you something more about yesterday and the other things I wanted to tell you. Good night my dear little comfort.

Kisses! As many as you can receive.

Evelyn to Fred

Thorold, Ont.,

Oct. 21, 1913

My Own Dear Sweetheart,

You ought to be ashamed of yourself. Why do you disturb me, even at my prayers? You call me so insistently to come and talk to you that I have to tell you over and over, to wait until I can give myself up absolutely to communion with you - when the lights are out and I am all alone. It was quite a bit after twelve last night when I went to bed, so I wonder if you were writing to me then?

Our supper was a success, I guess, as the church was crowded. We didn't have to sing our quartette after all, because Mrs Clarke was sick. I was very much relieved. ... Do you think it shows a great reserve of nerve to get up before a whole houseful and sing a song I'd not sung for some time, which the pianist had never seen before, much less practised with me? Well, I did it, and I felt that I was singing better than I had for ever so long before. ... Do you think I can study vocal next year? I had planned it for myself before you upset my calculations. It's out of the question this year. I had a nice little time-table made out for several years to come but I didn't want to look too far ahead. But now I'm not afraid, if I always see you with me.

... A year ago last winter I put the matter of my volunteering [as a missionary] before him, [Dad] and he said he didn't see how God could ask me to go, when Ora was going away too, but that I was to do what I thought right. I think that you are God's plan for me; I don't think it was a choice between you and what He wanted me to do. ...

I'm not going to write you any more to-day. I haven't had my letter yet, but likely it will come tonight. I have to go over to Mrs. Clarke's now to practise a duet for the convention. When I come home I have to fix up a hat for Mother and one for myself. ...

I haven't heard from Elizabeth yet. My dear, just imagine, it's taken me three-quarters of an hour to write this. Why, Mother'll be home before I get away. I have to change my dress, sew a button on my shoe, and comb my hair. Isn't that a long list? Luckily I washed my ears this morning, and I've just washed dishes so my hands are clean. I'll see that you have no difficulty in keeping yours clean, when I get at you. Aren't you scared? I think there's reasons for it.

I wonder if you'll get this Saturday night. If you do, you'll know that I wish I could be with you, failing that I send you this, to convey my love and a hundred kisses.

Elnora.

Fred to Evelyn

Calgary, Alta.,

Oct. 22/13

My own dear little girl,

Do you remember about a year ago quoting from R..L.S. “Tread often the path to thy friend’s house, etc”? I’m beginning to realize how true that is. Not that my love for you is such a poor episodal thing that it couldn’t live even if we didn’t see or hear from each other for a long long time. I know it’s fed by our daily intercourse. As I see it, intimacy must be one of two things, - increase, or decrease people’s love for each other.

Thank heaven our love grows the better we get to know each other, and while I know it would be true through time and space separate us, yet, it would not grow but would stand still, while now I see new beauties in you and new reasons for loving you with almost every letter. Tell me, dearest, does it ever seem a trial for you to write to me every day? If I can judge especially from your later letters it’s a pleasure, because they seem so spontaneous and right from the heart. If they were written under compulsion I think I’d know it. Oh, my dearest, they’re so good, and they mean so much to me. If there were no other reason for being you I’d have to because of them.

So your mother thinks I should send you off alone. Well, we’ve each travelled the lonesome trail long enough and now we’re going to enjoy the rest of our lives together, I’m afraid I’ll be “tagging after” you so much after we’re married that you’ll get tired of me and want to go off and enjoy things all by yourself sometimes. Yes, dearie, I’ve pictured our house many times and how you’d come down town to meet me and we’d walk home together. Have you ever imagined the sensation of entering our house together? Many and many an evening after dinner we’ll sit down before the grate fire and you’ll lead to me or play and sing some of the songs of love that have been in your heart and that you have never had an opportunity of singing to me yet.

Yes, dearest, I want children to make our house complete and I don't want boys only. I want some dear girlies just like their mother. Does it seem strange, dearest, to think that word mother means you? And I've made plans for our children too, and they're very much the same as yours. But oh, my darling, perhaps I'm selfish, but I feel that for quite a long time I don't want even children - I just want you, with nothing and no person to divide our interest. There's such a wealth of happiness in store for us just as husband and wife that I don't want to change into father and mother for a while.

Oh, I'm so anxious for the time to come when we can be together for keeps. I never did approve of long engagements and now I know I don't like them. And do you know how it pleases me that you are in a hurry to be married too? I used to be afraid you'd want to put our wedding off. Do you remember a year ago you said you'd want a long time to make up your mind? And then too I thought that as you are younger than I you'd like to have a few years more of "freedom" as they call it though goodness knows what kind of freedom it is for people who really love each other to live apart.

Perhaps I shouldn't have said what I did about Fritz and Elizabeth. I may have given a wrong impression, and besides I don't like to talk about other people's private affairs so please don't say anything of this to anyone, but know the subject is broached, and you ask me a straight question I must answer - no I don't think they really loved each other before marriage.. They thought they did but I'm not sure they even thought very hard. For one thing they didn't know each other.

At college they had been more or less fascinated by what each thought the other's mental brilliancy, but Elizabeth was Scotch and very reserved and had lived a very different sort of life from Fritz, and they didn't really get to know each other much below the surface. Then during the years Fritz was out here they grew apart. Of course they'd both deny this, but I know a good many things that neither of them think I do - and that they don't even acknowledge to themselves, and I'm sure I'm right. ... They do love each other now very, very dearly, and you'd be surprised at the change in both of them. They've been transformed and both for the better.

I don't know whether I agree with your idea about an engagement or not. I used to be very positive in a very different opinion. It seemed to me an engagement was sacred and people should not become engaged until they were sure. The thought of a person's enjoying the intimacy of an engagement with one person and then breaking it off, and getting to know some one else in the same way has always been repellent. It seemed to rub the bloom and some of the sweetness off the flower of love. But perhaps you are right. At any rate as the question is only of academic interest to either of us it's not worth the arguing about.

I wish dearest you could have seen the sunset tonight. The greater part of the sky was overhung with dark clouds and over in the south-west a low chinook arch - a very small segment of a circle - revealed within itself an absolutely cloudless bit of sky. The sun had set but from behind the mountains the rays cast a wonderful glow upon the fringe of the arch - a perfect riot of golden color extending way around the horizon on the south even beyond the chinook arch. I never before saw such a wonderful color contrast, the pearl grey of the arch, the gold and scarlet and orange of the bordering fringe of clouds - and above and beyond the dark lowering masses piled fold on fold. Mr. Oaten and I were walking up together from the office and we just stood and gazed in speechless admiration. My darling, I can feel the beauty of such a scene, but I want you to see it with me, and interpret for me the thoughts I cannot put into words.

And the wonderful air tonight. The soft chinook wind came this morning and at noon it was so warm I was uncomfortable in my light overcoat. Tonight for a long time we sat out on the verandah. and after we came indoors we threw open all the doors to get the benefit of the soft night air. Oh, Calgary isn’t all wildness.

So you've been feeling particularly well lately. I'm glad of that. Just keep on doing it dearest. And I'm glad you like to have things dainty and sweet. I've never forgotten my first impression of you and every time I've seen you since then I've been so glad that you have grown in your neat and dainty ways. I'm plain and unpolished but I'm so glad you are different, dearie, and that you'll teach me your ways.

...And so you think you are too serious and are slow to see a joke. I’ve never found you so. Your ready wit and keeness of perception always delighted and attracted me even when you were a child. Perhaps we both do take life a little seriously, but I’ve been counting on your taking me out of myself and making me grow young again. Oh, you’ll have lots of missionary work to do without going to China or Japan.

Will you think I'm very changeable if I tell you I have invested a little in oil after all? Don't tell anyone for fear it doesn't turn out well. I borrowed $40 from the bank to buy 12 shares in the Dingman Company at 7 times par value. I don’t think this is so very risky for I know the men who are in the company and I know they are very confident that they will get a really large flow. There is none of this stock on the market but I was able to pick this up from a man who is very hard pressed for cash. If they do get oil in any quantity my stock will be worth more than I paid for it. - If not, - it’s worth little or nothing, but this is no wildcat company but one that owns about 2000 acres of surface rights and 11,000 acres of oil rights, besides having done actual development work. It’s a sound company and the only question is whether oil is struck in large quantity or not.

Even if I do make a little money I’ll not make a big thing because I paid high for the stock, but most other propositions are pure gambles. This I look upon as near an investment as a speculation in oil at this stage can be. I think it required some nerve to borrow the money from the bank. We are the solicitors for the Union Bank and the manager is very good to me. I told him frankly what I wanted the money for and though he said I as a d---- fool he was willing to let me have it without security.

This I look upon as near an investment as a speculation in oil at this stage can be. I think it required some nerve to borrow the money from the bank. We are the solicitors for the Union Bank and the manager is very good to me. I told him frankly what I wanted the money for and though he said I was a d-- fool he was willing to let me have it without security. That's not bad credit for a time when the banks absolutely refuse to loan to most people for speculative purposes.

I had thought of keeping this as a surprise for you if it turned well, but it wouldn't be treating you frankly and I want to do that. If we’re to be on, it isn’t right for me to keep all my business affairs to myself is it? I expect to follow my own judgement pretty much in matters of business for that's my part of the work of the partnership, but it's no reason for keeping you in ignorance of what I'm doing when you are as much affected by the results as I am. What do you think about it my darling?

...I'm at the end of my letter again and still haven't told about our hunting trip on Thanksgiving Day. Well it will keep but my kisses won't.

Your own man.

Evelyn to Fred

Thorold, Ont.,

Oct. 22, 1913

My Own Dear Fred,

... I have been rather sick all day. I've just been wondering what you'll do if some days I'm sick and don't feel like looking after you. I'm beginning to feel the weight of my responsibilities, I'm glad you were sensible enough not to sit up Thursday night writing to me. I don't want you to feel that you have to. Also I'm proud of you to think you didn't catch a cold. I’m afraid you know so much about taking care of yourself that you’ll think I don’t know anything about it.

...I had a letter from Noble to-day. He said I was a duffer for not telling him right out like a man instead of leaving him to guess what I meant. He said some very nice things about both of us. One thing was so funny. He said he told me once that he thought I would stimulate a man, and would not be satisfied with ordinary efforts, but that he didn’t express it that way. He said I wouldn’t be satisfied, that I’d be a nagger, because he liked to tease me. I remember when he said it, and I was rather sore. I told Ora and she said she guessed I didn’t need to worry about it, as there didn’t seem to be much likelihood of me having a chance to nag anybody. That was some time ago.

I've been sewing cushions and pillows to-day. Mother put the feathers in, and I sewed most of them up. Then too, I've put some initials on towels that I am going to embroider for Christmas presents, I won't get started tonight, and I won't have a chance tomorrow either I'm getting intoxicated over embroidery, you'll think. But I can keep from it, if I had a good and sufficient reason.

...Do you know, I think I want you most when I’m not feeling well? I guess that’s natural too, because I don’t work, and so have more time to think. Say, just because I mentioned this, for goodness sake, don’t think I’m sick, because I’m not.

...I wonder if you went out to the Reserve again on Saturday, and if you had as exciting a time as you did on Thursday. And also, you surprise me that when you say it was fifteen degrees below freezing. ...

I'm sorry this is such a scrappy letter, but there has been so much conversation mixed up with it that it can't help but be so. It may be that I won't write tomorrow. I really don’t see that I’ll have any opportunity. I'm on the Reception Committee and will have to be at the church shortly after one o'clock. We'll have our tea there, and won't be home till late.

...See here, honey, I don’t want you staying up till after midnight, writing to me. You can’t stand it. Don’t you dare to get any fatter than you were this summer. If you do, I won’t marry you when you present yourself next summer. ...

Good-night, my dearest.

Nora.

Evelyn to Fred

Thorold, Ont.,

Oct. 24, 1913

My Dear Fred,

... I'm tired and sleepy. I'm as cross as can be, and nothing suits me at all. The back of my neck hurts and that makes me cranky anyway. We've led too strenuous a life this last week.

You spoke of your idea of Sunday. Well, it isn't rest here, it's downright hard work, and if I couldn't rest through the week I'd have to cut out some of the services. I've just been thinking that it's all very well from our point of view to think that people ought to attend three services, but could we stand it if we were in their positions? If we had Sunday School before church it would help, there would still be three services, but they’d be shortened, and people could at least have an afternoon to rest.

You say Sunday should be my day. I'm a little afraid we'll live too much to ourselves. Oh, I can't talk about this. I feel like tearing the whole horrid thing up. And I don't want to write one bit. If there were anything on which I could vent my rage, I'd likely do it, but there isn't anything. Oh, I know what's the matter. My nerves are just about giving out, but I'll have a good sleep and that will make me better. I haven't been doing much work myself this week, but I've just felt unstrung, and I don't understand why I should be. Ora teases me and sets me nearly crazy, but she doesn't know it bothers me. I thought this spring I was all better, but I know I shouldn't get feeling this way.

I'm looking to you even for health, and surely I ought to be able to get that for myself. I think had I known how long it would have taken me to get over the effects of the noise, I would have been wise to get out of the Hall [Annesley] and get into a quiet house. The noise in the corridor, the slamming of doors, and girls talking late at night, used to set me nearly wild, and occasionally they set me crying. I have a grudge against Miss Addison. I asked her to let me sleep in the infirmary, but she couldn't arrange it. I suppose she didn't think I was as bad as I thought I was. She had so many to look after that she couldn’t give way to all their whims and fancies, and there were some who were really ill who had to receive first aid.

You must not think mother isn't doing her best to spare me all she can, for she is, I don't tell her these things, because it isn't any use bothering her, and I suppose it's mean to tell you. But I just can't write anything else tonight.

... I got your Saturday letter yesterday morning, the Sunday one at night, and none to-day. The letter you wrote Sunday was very lovely, but I am afraid you see me through rosy glasses. At present I don’t look like and feel less like an angel. Still, I’m glad you have an exalted opinion of me because it gives me something to strive for.

Either I express myself very badly or you sometimes misread my letters. I said the supreme test of my love for you was to hear music with you. It always makes me feel so unutterably lonesome that sometimes I cry. And if I hear it with you and don't feel lonesome, but feel glad when you take my hand in yours, then I'll know that I love you even in moments when I know I am not my common work-a-day self. And maybe that is the way you feel about the mountains. It is a pity we cannot test each other before next June, isn't it?

I'm not going to write any more. I'm too blue to inflict you any longer. If I could only lie in your arms, I know I shouldn't feel so lonesome. Well, I'm glad there's just a boon as sleep. Tomorrow the sun will shine, I'll get a letter from you, and I'll be rested in the morning. If you start worrying about me I won't tell you again when I'm out of sorts. Summer seems a long way off to someone who wants you now.

Fred to Evelyn

Calgary, Alta.,

Oct. 25/13

My own sweetheart,

Just a short letter tonight for I'm tired and I want to go to bed early. It's now ten o'clock. But if my letter is short my talk isn't for I've been lying here half asleep in the big chair before the fire dreaming of you and talking to you for an hour past, just about the time you were getting ready for bed. Did you hear me dearest and did I interrupt your prayers again? Perhaps I ought to be ashamed of myself, but if so I'm shameless for I'm glad that thoughts of me can mingle with your prayers.

Don’t you see my darling, that you must love me very dearly and very truly if I am with you at such times? I don’t need any more assurances that you love me, I know it, but yet it is nice to have you tell me so yourself and to use endearing words in talking to me. Isn’t it strange, I used to think that the use of such words was largely affectation and wholly silly, but I’ve changed my mind. Is there something of the woman about me that makes me want to be caressed and spoken to with loving words? Whether there is or not, I do want it from you and it’s like the very bread of life to know that you are fondling me even in my absence and are whispering sweet loving words to me.

...I have been alone and it was delightful to lazy here in reverie before the blazing grate. The only thing necessary to make it perfect is some soft dreamy music and you. Oh my darling, just think of the evenings like that we'll spend together in our own home. I'm getting so anxious for the time to come when our visions of the future shall become realities. Aren't you! Do you remember about a month ago you said you weren't anxious to get into our home for a while but that you wanted to be wooed for a while just to make up for the time we haven't been "going together" like most lovers? Well, I intend to keep on wooing you after we're married but haven't you changed lately and aren't you anxious now for us to get started in our own nest? ...

So you had a nice Thanksgiving and a pleasant visit with your auntie and her little family, and the concert proved an unqualified success. It seems to me dearest, that without you music would languish around the church. I'm so glad dearie that you are fond of music and that you can play and sing to me. My love of music has become a sort of byword among my friends. Elizabeth says I fall in love with every good singer that comes to town and that I don't care for any girl who can't sing. I don't believe I could really love you if you didn't care for music, and life would be a dreary prospect, no, I don't really mean that, with you under any circumstances life would be glorious - but how much brighter the future looks because we can have music, and especially because you will be the one to furnish it.

Like you, dearie, I've planned that our children shall have every opportunity to study music, and I do so hope they'll be talented in that line. But to come to the more immediate future. I'm so glad you want to take vocal lessons next year. I had been hoping you would and was going to suggest it myself. Won't next year be a glorious one?

I suppose you wonder what has been the result of our oil staking. After keeping the wires hot to Ottawa we've been definitely informed the government has decided not to lease oil or gas rights on the Indian Reserves, so we've had our trouble for nothing. We had our fun anyhow, and the excitement and shooting and tramps in the open were sufficient compensation, so none of us regret what we did. Only I'll not make any pin-money for you that way dearest.

The oil excitement continues unabated and now people are filing all over the southern part of the province almost as far east as Saskatchewan and as far north as Red Deer. I haven't filed on anything.

... Elizabeth says I'll be giving you too exalted an idea of the beauty here and you'll be disillusioned. I hope not, but if you are you'll have to turn all the more for comfort and consolation to

Your own true lover.

Evelyn to Fred

Thorold, Ont.,

Oct. 25, 1913

My Dear Fred,

... I've just got dressed for the afternoon and have trimmed a hat in five minutes besides. I had my afternoon all planned out when mother suggested that I make her a design for a cup and saucer, but I objected, I said I was going to get my letter written before night, when she'll be wanting me to go to bed. I hope when I get married that I'll be able to do as I like, and that you won't always be telling me to go to bed.

... Ora says she wants to know how you're going to stand the trial of waiting for me to get breakfast ready, and waiting for me to get ready to go places. She says you laugh at it now, but there'll come a time when you'll exclaim, "I don't see why that child wasn't trained to do things on time." Then she wished that you'd have a child, slower than I am, just to see how well you'd train it, but mother doesn't see why she wishes afflictions on you.

The final word of Ora for this time is that you're to start saving for her Christmas and wedding presents because they both have to be big. She said she couldn't eat those roses, and so I asked her if she wanted her Christmas and wedding presents to be in the line of eatables. She isn't going to get much out of me for Christmas anyway, no matter how much she hints. Really, when she gets her tongue going, it's likely to say almost anything.

You'll observe from the tone of what I have written that I'm feeling fine to-day. I even felt so well that after my work was done, I cleared up two drawers in my dresser, and that was not light undertaking. I still have a box of college stuff, papers, letters, programs, all kinds of keepsakes, that I have to sort out. I'll need a whole afternoon at that.

We were just discussing this morning the people Ora is going to invite to her wedding. She's going to ask a cousin out of each family, but you see Art hasn't any here, so she can do that, but I can't, because you have a cousin I don't want to ask.

...I'm going to try to get most of my Christmas presents made next week. Then I'll do some sewing on my own account. Tonight I'm really going to write to Hazel, and maybe to a sick cousin, tomorrow to Clara so she'll get it on board the steamer. Ora and I are invited out for tea tomorrow night, quite an event. ...

I wish I didn't have just a nasty temper. I go and spoil a whole afternoon by saying a few nasty words. And it's so easy to do it when anybody else leads up to it. I guess I'd better go and do my best to make amends.

Nora.

Fred to Evelyn

Calgary, Alta.,

Oct. 26/13

My own dear little girl,

It's half past four and I've just returned from S.S. The day is so beautiful and the air is so warm if it weren't for you I'd be sitting on the porch with a book. Just see how you've interfered with my comfort since you came into my life. No, I don't want to pose as a martyr or as a generous person. I'm writing you because I'm intensely selfish. I'd rather do it than anything else, so there's not much virtue in it is there?

... I've already told you a little about our day's quest for oil. We started early in the morning intending to make a day of it and as we didn't expect the staking would occupy all our time we took four guns along. About half-past eight, while going through the Reserve where shooting is forbidden to all but the Indians, we suddenly saw a flock of chicken standing on a little rise about 100 yards away. The car was stopped, our guns pulled out of their cases and four of us began to creep towards the birds. Wilber Homer was ahead and instead of waiting until the rest of us were near enough to shoot he took a pot shot while the birds were standing on the ground - and got 2. But the rest were out of range of the rest of us and none of us got a shot. These were the last chicken we shot, although we saw a few more flocks, but they were too far away and we didn't want to wander far until our staking was done.

We left our car, with most of the lunch, at a farm house on the edge of the Reserve, and then started on our tramp westward through the brush country with the mountains ever looming up before us. Oh it was a grand sight. Talk about the prairies being flat and uninteresting!

During the course of the morning we shot all told 5 partridge and 2 rabbits and about 11 o'clock we lay down under the spruce trees and ate the little lunch we had brought with us. This spot was where we had left off in our staking on the previous Thursday so after lunch, we spent little time with our guns, though we carried them along, but kept close to the reserve line, determining to get our staking done with as little delay as possible.

From now on the country was more rough and hilly, and the grade became much heavier. We were getting into the foothills and rising steadily to the mountains looming up ahead. Wilber and Fritz began to tire, for what with our chasing after partridge and rabbits we'd tramped a long way, but Pat and I felt pretty fresh.

To lend a bit of excitement to the work, just as we were on our last half mile we came across a man with a gun who told us that another party was staking from the opposite direction and was very near. Fearing to lose part of our claim , Pat and I started up the hill on the run, and landed at the farther limit of our claim and had our stake driven before the other party appeared. Then we turned back toward home, and though we were going downhill most of the way we began to feel a bit tired after our day's tramp, I figure we tramped at least 20 miles.

On the way we got 2 more partridge, so at five o'clock, when we reached the auto, we had 9 partridge, 2 chickens and 2 rabbits. After a fast drive, about an hour later, I stayed out at Fritz's for dinner, and afterwards Elizabeth and I had quite a discussion which I mean to tell you about but I'm afraid I haven't room in this letter. ... The supper bell has just rung and I find I've been writing exactly one hour. ...

Do you know I'm going to carry you upstairs sometimes, and at other times you're going to curl up in my lap, and we'll sit before the fire and you'll put your arms around my neck, and tell me about your troubles and worries of the day and I'll kiss them all away - and then you'll read to me or tell me stories. You'll have to practise on me, you know, so that you'll be experienced by the time you have other ears to listen to them. Oh, my darling I can picture you dear eyes - "that aren't blue" gazing dreamily into the flames and then suddenly turning up in a flash to me with a light in them that twinkles in a dear way peculiar to you - and that tells me of your deep and steadfast love, that nothing can ever change. Won’t we have just perfect evenings where my little colleen and I are together by our own fireside with all the world shut out?

I guess my letters must sound terribly serious to you and I can't seem to say anything in earnest without your thinking I'm cross. I hope, darling, you didn't think I was angry with you about working so much. I don't remember just what I said or how I said it, but I didn't mean that. But I'll not say anything more about your working if you don't like it, nor about your trying to save me money. And, my dear lassie, I know you can't stand as much physical work as some women, and I don't intend you shall attempt it, we'll try to start out by setting our own pace and not trying to follow some other person's won't we? I wouldn't want my wife to do no housework for I'd be afraid then she'd lose interest in her home, but I know you'll never do that, and I want you always to be at your best - for when you're not physically tired you don't know how entertaining and gracious and bright and inspiring and altogether charming you are.

You asked about Mrs Brownlee. I didn't tell you, dearest, that when she was in the hospital about six weeks ago she lost a baby born before its time. It was all because of an attack of appendicitis. The doctor said she shouldn't be operated on until she had fully recovered from the first illness. She has wonderful vitality and she soon got around and was back in her own home looking as well as could be.

Didn’t I tell you about being up there one night about 3 weeks ago when Hercules Burwell ‘10 stopped in Calgary en route for China? At that time Mrs. Brownlee though she wouldn’t have the appendicitis operation for 3 or 4 months, but what was my astonishment last week when Jack told me she was then in the hospital and had come through the operation successfully and was recovering as fast in fact faster, than could be expected. One thing that makes it easier for her is the presence of her elder half sister who is assistant superintendent and the head nurse at the hospital - a wonderfully capable woman and with a sweetness and sympathy born of sorrow.

No, dearie, I wasn't cross because you said you sometimes felt you were not well enough to get married - only I didn't want you to think, as your remark suggested, that it would make any difference to my love for you. Don't I love you, and doesn't that mean in sickness as well as health? I always have, and still do agree with you, that neither man nor woman should get married if really unwell physically unsound, unless they can make up their minds not to have children - and that can't be the truest kind of marriage, but as I told you when I was with you, I've changed my mind on this subject.

I feel that if I hadn't placed too much reliance, as you say, on eugenics, I'd have confessed my love to you long ago and all these years would not have been wasted. I blame myself and perhaps that is why the mention of the subject by you struck me so forcibly. Can't we forget this, dear? We both love each other dearly, and we're both sound and well enough physically to get married so let's think no more of such possible objections. ... As for your health, I feel sure too that it will be better after we are married because I think you will take better care of yourself. I'll exert my authority as a husband and make you, and you are so organically sound even if your nerves have been severely strained.

Art told me the same thing he told Ora, I guess he should know a little about such things. You know some women get poor health after marriage, while others who have been more or less sickly seem to build right up and Art says he thinks it will be so with you. So, my darling, you’ll not worry about this any more, will you?

You know I was just fooling when I spoke about your being afraid of my treating you as Duffy did Mae [Finch]. I know you never thought of such a thing but sometimes without thinking you put sentences into a juxtaposition that leaves itself open to a curious interpretation - and I couldn’t resist the temptation.

Did I ever say I was afraid we'd run out of subjects to talk about? Here I'm at the end of my paper and I haven't said half the things I want to say. There are several questions in your last letters I haven't answered yet but I'll do so tomorrow. Meanwhile here are good-night kisses from your awakened man.

Evelyn to Fred

Thorold, Ont.,

Oct. 26, 1913

My Dear Fred,

... Several of my English and History note books are in Toronto, but I'm going to get them when I go over. They have in them the names of so many books I meant to read sometime, for I didn't have time to do it when they were given to me. ... We used to get huffy at Dr. Edgar because he expected us to have read so much, and we used to wonder if he thought young girls really enjoyed such works as he suggested. Of course we would now, but we never had much time for reading, and our tastes hadn't grown up when we started college. ... In the spring of my graduating year he asked me, “Well, what are you going to do next year? Stay at home and just have a good time?” I said, “No,” and he asked “Oh, you’re not going to have a good time?” “Not, just have a good time,” I answered - I wondered to myself what he would say to the social whirl in which I swing, and I told him rather complainingly that all the people here did was to work and go to church.

...When I get thinking of books, I’m so anxious to get back to work, but there isn’t time this year. I don’t think you need to have fears about embroidery taking up too much of my time, when once I get my chum with me, and we can get to work in right earnest. Dr. Harding was always giving us subjects for articles. I have some incidents in my head that are as good as Arnold Bennett’s, though still the truth. I’m not much taken with the few stories I’ve read. However, I haven’t read many and so cannot really pass judgement on them.

...The Anglican bells are ringing. They're simply awful. I just told mother the Lord's Day Alliance ought to go after these people for desecrating the Sabbath. They keep them going about half the time, week-days and Sundays.

I didn’t get your Tuesday letter last night, as I suppose you meant me to do. I’ll get two tomorrow likely, and anyway, I had your Thanksgiving,Day letter yesterday.

Nearly two months have passed since you left, dearest. And it's only eight months till you will come again. You know, or maybe you don't, I was just a little afraid I shouldn't enjoy talking books to you. I don't know how that idea crept in. But I know that's going to be one of our chief delights. Now, I must hurry.

Yours,

Nora.

Fred to Evelyn

Calgary, Alta.,

Oct. 27/13

My own dear sweetheart,

It’s half past seven and I haven’t much time just now for I want to go down to the church. The special service was to have been held last night with the story of Mr Brown’s life and there was an enormous crowd many of whom I imagine came out of curiosity, for you know Mr. Brown is an ex New York policeman, drunkard and convict and during the meetings already held he has made references that indicate the kind of life he lived. Talk about miracles! The transformation of the Divine power as any miracle of the olden days. ...

...Owing to a change of plan whereby it was decided to continue the special services for another wee five days, Mr. Brown didn’t tell his life story, reserving it for the closing service next Friday night. I never saw so many people stay to an after-service before. The main body of the church, - not the S.S room, which in the evening is thrown open too - was filled and there was a fair sprinkling of people in the galleries.

The first Sunday Mr Brown was here I didn’t think I liked him - I thought he was going to be a blatant American sensationalist, but he isn’t, he’s just a plain man who had been very wicked - redeemed by Jesus Christ and now anxious to tell others about Him. He isn’t educated but he’s sincere, intensely earnest and compelling by the power of his conviction.

Last night after church I walked home with the Moyers and then finished my letter to you. I felt I could keep on writing until midnight but I stopped with the second sheet and wrote to Maggie instead. Oh, I forgot to tell you - I went to church yesterday morning too, - so you see I’m improving. Rev E.S. Bishop the assistant pastor preached in the morning - an excellent sermon. It’s nearly eight and I must go now. Will finish when I return. Meanwhile kisses and a longing for you to be with me.

Later

Before I came home I went to the P.O. hoping I might get your Thursday letter, but there was nothing for me. Perhaps it’s best for then I’d be sure not to get one tomorrow morning and now I have that to look forward to.

My poor frightened little girlie! What have I said or done that you should be so afraid to tell me when you don't feel well? Am I always to be a sort of ogre to be propitiated with smiles and laughter and the abounding spirits of perfect health? How many times must I tell you that I love you and that it doesn't make any difference in my love whether you are well or ill? I couldn't always truthfully have said this. I used to want a wife of perfect health and that's one reason I used to get so cross when I saw how your close application to study was undermining your health.

At that time I felt I couldn't marry anyone who was likely to be an invalid - and I was afraid you were on that road. I hated myself for such thoughts for I couldn't reconcile them with my idea of true love. I thought true love wouldn't think of such things nor could I understand how such selfishness could exist side by side with love. I didn't understand myself, I felt sure I loved you and yet I thought my love must be a poor weak sort of thing or I wouldn't think of your poor health as an obstacle. And so I hesitated to declare my love. I wanted to be more sure.

Now my darling, do you understand something of the struggle I went through that night we sat on the beach at Bala a year ago? Do you remember I said I felt sort of apathetic and that some great sorrow or trouble would have to come to wake me up. What I meant was - I couldn't feel sure of myself for the reasons I've given - I wanted, oh so much to tell you that night I loved you. But I couldn't forget my doubts on account of your health and then I was racked by the question. "What if this isn't the deepest truest love after all. Is it fair to her or to yourself?" And so I let the opportunity pass, but do you remember, as we made our way back through the wood, once you grasped my hand and held it tight - and then it was only by a powerful act of will I kept from speaking.

Despite the good time I had, my whole visit that summer was one continual torture. It seemed to be a battle between heart and judgement, and while my judgement said I did right by waiting my heart kept crying out that I had been worse than a fool, and as I said before I despised myself because my love wasn't big enough to swallow up all else, it seemed to be only a detached part of me, not the whole of me as I wanted it to be. And the poignancy of my feelings made me cruel.

You've told me a couple of times that I never caused you pain. I thank you darling for saying so but I know it's not quite true. Have you forgotten the last afternoon at Bala that summer, when you were lying in the hammock and I said something that made you cry? I don't remember what is was but I know it was something about your health. I have no excuse to offer and I hated myself the minute after I said it, but I just felt a sort of blind rage at the thing that was keeping us apart and making me realize how despicable I was and unworthy of your love. Oh my darling I hope I'll never say anything cruel to you like that again.

But to come back to the subject - I have changed in this as in other ways, and I can truthfully say now that it doesn't matter one whit that you are not so well or strong as perhaps most other girls. I love you just the same, or perhaps the more because I feel that I can in real truth be your support and stay. Please, please, don't feel any constraint any more, and I want to know when you don't feel quite so well as usual. What is a lover good for if he can't sympathize and cheer when his sweetheart is in the dumps?

How can I make you forget - no I don’t want you to forget that I used to care about your health - but how can I make you understand that your love had changed me and that now I’ll not scold or make you feel hurt - oh, no, no, - when you tell me you don’t feel well. If you were here I’d just take you in my arms and kiss you back to health and vigor, but while I can’t do that I can at least make you feel that my heart is beating for you and that I am really near to comfort you.

Now, dearie you'll not worry any more about your responsibilities or what we'll do if some days you don't feel well enough to get up and perform the usual daily tasks. What will I do? you ask. Why I’ll just turn the tables and wait on you. It will give me an opportunity of proving what I’ve just been saying to you. And you needn’t pity me either.

Do you think you are going to monopolize the joy of service? If it is going to be a pleasure for you to do things for me and to care for me, do you think it will be any the less a pleasure for me tenderly to watch over you and wait upon you? Why my darling - my foolish little girl - you must think our marriage is going to be a very one sided affair if you expect to do all of the waiting on. Well or ill you've got to be the waited on sometimes! You are my queen and shall I be denied the pleasure of serving you? Now, tell me you'll never express any such foolish doubts again unless you want to make me angry.

My poor dear little lamb, did you get a shiver when propped up in bed and reading about fifteen degrees of frost here in October? Don't be frightened: that isn't half as bad as it sounds and if you were here you wouldn't have thought of furs unless you had been out driving. I feel confident that you'll not suffer from the cold here nearly so much as you do in Thorold and I've been expecting to see you become a blooming prairie flower. ... Never fear, sweetheart, you'll not suffer from the cold here. Just the same when I get you for my very own I'm going to get you a nice set of furs, if only for the sake of looks. You always look so kissable when wrapped up in soft fluffy things.

...Don’t worry about my staying up late writing to you and don’t think I don’t because I have to: I have to because I want to, and I’m not losing enough sleep to make me thin. I was weighed today - and find - now please don’t be terribly disappointed for I’m not a real rolly-polly [sic] yet - that I’ve gained nearly five pounds since summer. In my street clothes, I tipped the scale at 159, - the most I’ve ever weighed. You’d better apply for a divorce at once.

...But fat or no fat, I never felt more healthy in my life. I feel in fighting trim all the time and seem to require less sleep than I used to. Formerly, I needed 8 hours to feel at my best. Now from 7 to 7 1/2 is quite sufficient, I’m usually in bed by midnight and I get up at from 7 to half past. I think I take less sleep than any other man in the house, but no one is in better health. ...

... Elizabeth told me last night Miss German [Clara] is to arrive Thursday and for everyone's sake - yours most of all, I'll do what I can to make her stay in Calgary pleasant. ... Miss German's praises have been sounded so long and so often, I expect to fall in love with her. A few weeks ago I told Elizabeth I'd offer my hand and heart, but she said there is no one on earth good enough for Clara, and so I had to be content to fall back on you. Isn't it disconcerting to be turned down in that disdainful fashion? But I'm not inconsolable while I know one dear heart beats true for me - that is more to me than all the world beside.

...There are several questions in you letters of last week I’ve wanted to answer, but each time I fail to find room... Just keep on writing, only, don't overtire yourself when you're not feeling well. I'd rather know you are well than to feel that a letter that gives me joy gives you pain.

It's midnight now ...,

Evelyn to Fred

Thorold, Ont.,

Oct. 27, 1913

My Dearest Friend,

... Your Tuesday and Wednesday letters arrived to-day. ... I'm so afraid something is the matter with you. I suppose that is all nonsense though, .... It seems as if next summer will never, never come.

You said in your Wednesday's letter that you didn't want to have any children for a while. I was afraid you wouldn't feel that way, and that you'd think me selfish because I want my few years of "freedom", after, not before I'm married. We haven't had very much time together, not like people who live near each other at any rate, I don't feel ready to have children yet, I don't feel old enough or sure enough of myself. And I guess I'm a little jealous, I want you to love me and nobody else, for a while. But we can have such good times together, now that we never could after we got to be the head of a family. Of course that will be lovely, but why be in such a hurry, and so miss joys that will never come our way again. I don’t see how that can be selfish, do you?

You ask me if I ever find it a bore to write to you? Well, sometimes, when I'm tired or out of sorts, I must admit, I'd rather forget myself in a story than rake up unpleasant details for you.

Must go to League now.

I've just got home from League. After it was over we went for a walk with one of the girls who was going over to her brother's. It's now nearly ten o'clock. Mother had the topic "Woman in the Home," and so often I thought of you. Do you know how absolutely dear you are becoming to me? I don't know why it is, but you are just what I want all the time. I do know partly the reason, it is that you love me. And I am finding you are what I have been waiting for so long.

You know you said once that you had been waiting for me a long time. In one sense you have, you have been waiting for your wife, but you haven't been waiting for me as such. And you know it. You didn't want me to be that, you wanted to put me out of your thoughts and your life. You said in another place that you didn't speak to me because you wanted to be fair with me, but later on wasn't your reason that you didn't want to love me? We've both had a good fight against each other, and have each both lost and won. Now, I'd like to say that I've always loved you, but I can't because it's not true. I found myself on the verge of it, I knew I could love you, but I turned away. Tell me, dearest, when did you really make up your mind that you wanted me more than you wanted eugenics? ...

And so you are bound that our lives may run smoothly, if oil can help. Yes, I am glad you told me. I know how it hurts mother when dad goes and makes investments without consulting her. ... While you are at liberty to run your own business, I think it is my duty at least to try to understand them.

Do you know, one of the big things I like about you is your attitude towards the woman question. While we hold the same views as to a woman's first duty, I think we also agree that her activities are not confined to her own home, but that they may find a place outside, they nevertheless react on the home. I never could get over John's attitude, and we used to clash repeatedly on that subject ... Well, Fred, I am so glad that you have an open mind. I really don't think I'd love you if you didn't have.

You said my eyes were dimmed so that I couldn't see a better man beyond. Thank God, they are opened so that I know you are the best and truest man they have seen. You are clever enough for me and big enough, but most of all, I count on your trustworthiness.

Sometime I’m going to tell you two things I don’t like about you. I’ll tell you you now. One is poking around at the station when you ought to be on the train, and the other is making me wait while you talk to people. ...

... I may not have time to write tomorrow as I rather expect to go to a Missionary Convention at the Falls going at 1:30 and returning late at night. Bed-time now.

Good-night dear.

Fred to Evelyn

Calgary, Alta.,

Oct. 28/13

My own dear Nora,

How did you come to sign your name that way? Do you like that name? I've intended for a long time to call you Nora when I see you again but I was going to hold it back until then and surprise you. But I guess you like it alright or you wouldn't have used it yourself.

Do you know dearest, your short note written last Thursday pleased me more than a letter would have done - not because of its brevity but because it showed me that even when you were too busy to write a letter, you still thought of me and remembered that I'd be expecting word from you. Don't misunderstand me, you know full well I like to get long chatty loving letters, but I like best of all to feel that you care for me all the time, and it's just such little acts of thoughtfulness which seem a vital part of your nature that endear you to me.

... How did you guess that today I’d be particularly hardworking? Anyhow it’s true both yesterday and today have been unusually full - just a rush and a tear from 9 to 6, and the prospect is no brighter for the rest of the week. Then, too for rest of the week social affairs may interfere.

... Tomorrow night I'm invited to the Oatens for dinner and on Thursday as you know Miss [Clara] German is to arrive. I wished she were going to be here next week for on the 3rd, 4th and 5th Margaret Anglin⁽⁹⁾ plays here in Shakespearean roles. We have one really fine theatre and when we get good artists we can enjoy to the 'ultimost' even if good seats are $2.50 each.

Yesterday Mr Robertson and I had lunch at the Hudson's Bay, and near us was a rather pretty girl that captivated him. Once he remarked that she had a very kissable mouth. Assenting, I asked him to explain what in his opinion constituted a kissable mouth. What do you think of his answer? "One with a natural redness, not too large, rather full and with a slightly downward curve." Not bad is it? Of course you can't imagine whom I thought of when he was speaking. I'm so glad, honey, your lips are red and curved and so kissable. Only next time I kiss them they'll leap back to kiss me, won't they? A unilateral kiss isn't much good after all. It's got to be reciprocal to be worth anything.

In your letter of the 14th you told me something I've been longing to hear, that for a long time you have really cared for me and you understand a few little signs I gave from time to time that I cared for you. I always greeted you after an absence and said good-bye at parting differently from any others. I often wondered if you knew it. Even while I was at college and you were still a little girl and I didn't want to tie you up by an open profession of love, I wanted you to feel that I was always there in the background - loving you and to be depended upon if you ever needed me or if you could learn to love me. And so I did shake hands with you as with no one else, and I fancied you pressed mine in return. Didn't you sweetheart?

Did you ever notice that, ever since I first left Beamsville, whenever I said good-bye to a number of people, of whom you were one, I invariably said good-bye to you last? I always wanted your hand to be the last to touch mine, even as your image lingered in my eye and heart. And then last year in particular, when I went away, I looked at you to tell you so that no one else might know but that you must understand if you loved me at all, that I was going away thinking of you and determined to come back to you and for you. I felt sure then that my next visit east would settle whether or not you would be my wife. And I meant to put something of my thought into my look. I'm so glad, darling that you understood.

Do you know I've always felt there was a sort of secret understanding between you and me about many things - as Wordsworth calls it - "a silent sympathy." - and that we had a little world all our own into which other people did not enter. It has been delightful to me to think that there could exist this subtle understanding which needed not words to make itself known, and I've thought if surely two people like that must be fit mates for each other. If we were so much at one with each other in the past, how much more so will [we] be after marriage?

Later.

... What have you been doing this evening, I wonder? Of course you've been in bed long ago. Do you know I feel most like talking to you between nine o'clock and midnight by our time, just when you are asleep. Do I disturb your rest?

Thursday afternoon I begin a course of lectures in Practice to the law students and I haven't started to prepare yet. Must get at it now, though it would suit me far better to be talking to my little girl ...

Goodnight dearest.

Evelyn to Fred

Thorold, Ont.,

Oct. 28, 1913

My Own Dear Man,

I won’t write at any great length as it’s quarter after four and I expect to go the Falls on the twenty-three after five car. ...

Oh, I'm getting so tired of writing letters. I want to see and talk to you. So you feel very, very happy, do you? I guess I do, but I also feel that I can be more consciously happy.

... Do you know what I thought this morning? That I write better than I talk? I mean by that, that in writing I express my real thoughts; very often in talking I merely skim the surface. That is true with my intercourse with most of my friends, I am much freer in my writing than in my speech.

Something else that has been occurring to me is that if you lived near me, I shouldn't have got myself engaged to you so soon. You didn't give me time to make up my mind, so now, when you are away, I unmake it and make it up again. You see, it is so hard to make you real, and we have had so little time together that I may live over again. To-day, when I was coming home I thought, "What if I should get married and then make up my mind I didn't want to be? I'm so sorry it was all done in such a hurry. I could have had such a lovely time flirting you, and here we are both so certain of each other that there's no excitement at all. Of course, when we're so far apart, I wouldn't have it any other way. But you'll pay up for this Mr. Man, and I'm going to flirt outrageously with you the next time I see you. Only, maybe I shouldn't have warned you. Yes, that's fair to give you a chance to fortify yourself. Then my victory will be all the more complete.

Did I give you to understand that I thought I was slow to see a joke? I didn’t mean it, because I rather pride myself on my ability to see the humourous side of things. What I did mean to say that I was serious, but not nearly so much so as I used to be. I’m glad you appreciate my wit. It’s lucky for you, otherwise your life with me would be a life of torment. ...

...Must go now. It's a few minutes to five. Hope you'll get this Saturday night. It'll be November then. Heigh ho. Not sorry are you

Please accept my very best love.

Nora.

Evelyn to Fred

Thorold, Ont.,

Oct. 29, 1913

My Darling,

What did you mean by your letter I received to-day - the one you wrote last Friday? You said at the end, “And so your idol has fallen. - - I cannot exactly understand you feelings because I didn’t have to tear down any image to put yours in its place.” Is that what you think I’ve done for you? Do you think that you have come second? Did you think that all this time we have been pledged to each other, that I cared for somebody else? Haven’t I made you understand? I can’t bear it that you should think that I ever really loved anybody before I loved you.

I shall write about this tonight, I hope for the last time. I am not telling you these things because I feel I ought, but because I want you to understand fully. I tried to tell you some of them, but my telling was rather confused. I scarcely know how to begin. You must surely know that ever since I was a little girl, long before I knew you even, I had an ideal. He was a very queer sort in the beginning. All I remember about him is that he was very tall and very dark. Why? I suppose because Ora liked dark men. and why her preference? Because Violet Flatt was in love with a dark man. As I grew older, my ideal man grew more clearly defined, and I fell into the habit of taking the men or boys I liked, and pretending that they were the man. Several had their turn at this - you among the number.

Eldridge and I were chums for a couple years, but I never dreamed that he cared particularly for me. For one reason, he was over a year younger, and oh, I don’t know, I didn’t think things like that happened so soon. You’ll think this was a very immature affair. It was in a way, but I cannot but remember that Heber has loved Dell, ever since he was a lad. Well, I never always thought it was queer that he liked to be with me, as I told him once “We don’t fit,” but I liked him the more the more I knew him. He never asked me to marry him, but he did once ask me if I were going to, and I said “no,” “oh, I don’t know.”

When unintentionally, I found he showed me how he felt toward me it I was absolutely thunderstruck, I thought I ought to cease all communication with him, but then decided there was no necessity for that since that time, almost four three years ago, he has been at college, then away again, but so far as I can see, has followed no settled course. Bu I cannot but feel that I was somewhat to blame for his leaving college, but I didn’t make his nature and he could have stayed had he had more pluck. I used to see him occasionally, not very often though, I knew that I didn’t love him as I could love. I told him that our we might match physically and mentally, but not spiritually. He seldom made me happy, more often he caused me to feel dumbly sorrowful. I wanted to love him, I wanted him to be a man I could love.

Do you think that strange? It isn’t, for he is very charming. And also, I liked his father so much and he is very much like his father in some ways. Well, you see how it was. I knew he wasn’t the man I could love, but I wanted to love somebody, so in my dreams, I pretended he was my ideal man. I do live very much in a world of my own. When things or people do not suit me I just make believe that they do. Yet all the time I had him dressed up, I knew he wasn’t really that. And when Dell told me what she did, it was my pride and my dreams that suffered most. I cannot but feel a great responsibility and I never think of him but with sadness.

And now, I’m going to tell you what makes me so ashamed. One day we were snowshoeing, and we sat down, and he took me in his arms. And we laid our cheeks against each other. He didn’t kiss me, because he knew I didn’t want him to. He never took advantage of me, and I think it took a lot of self control for him to act as he did. A year ago last summer you used to talk about the girl you wanted to marry, how you didn’t want one who had been handled by other men. It made me feel ashamed, and it made me angry too.

I will not have you think that you have taken his place. You can’t get in it, it’s too small. He is still my old chum. He never was my lover. We very rarely spoke of this. Now I forget his faults and think of his good qualities. I don’t want to think of him bitterly. He has enough without that. I know he is thinking of me, because he comes to my thought home but I haven’t much time to entertain him. I keep thinking and wondering what he will say when he does come in person. What Dell has told me, he must never know. She is afraid of what he might do.

The part I knew would be incapable of revenge; but I have learned that he has a dual nature. I think with you, dearest, that we have said enough about sex attraction. There is no reason for fostering the growth of that part of our natures; I think it is a part that has to be checked. I don’t always want you to kiss me so that you thrill me. No, I should tire of that kind of kisses, indeed, I am afraid, too many would repulse me. I just want you to kiss me in your “comfortable” way. Yes, I remember very well how you kissed me that day. At the time, I thought nothing of it, but later I did and I can feel them yet. And these are the only kisses of that kind I ever received. It seems a queer statement for any engaged girl to make, doesn’t it? But you know how true it is.

When I grew older, I was very much ashamed that I had placed myself in such a position. I never blamed you. You warned me, but I didn’t care, I wouldn’t be stopped by that. For I was only a little girl then. When I did get older, I was, as I said, ashamed, and yet - I thought about them. Do you remember the time Margaret and I went over to Toronto with you, and we sat up in the bow of the boat coming home? I liked being with you then. And on the car you had to stand up, and you wondered if it would be “comme il faut” if I sat on your lap. Evidently I didn’t think it would be because I didn’t answer you. I thought you must have been very tired to make such a silly suggestion. At any rate, I wasn’t going to second your motion.

Do you remember another time you came in one morning when I was all alone, and I was ironing? You wanted me to go for a walk in the woods, but instead I persuaded you to go with me for butter. The idea of the walk in the woods didn’t suit my idea of the proprieties. And you said you had two questions to ask me, but when we went you asked only one and I couldn’t coax you to tell me the other one. I was very curious, chiefly because you were so firm in your refusal to tell me. Do you remember the time you and Margaret came over to Toronto in my third year? I thought you seemed rather cold and distant. Was that when you were making up your eugenic mind?

There seems to be a great big hole in me. I don't want anything but you. My longing isn't bitter though, because I know we'll soon be together. ... I do not like sickness; it is very uninteresting and stupid. So let’s be well and clever and interesting to each other.

I was going to tell you about the Convention, but I haven't room. Now I have to go and get a bath.

How I wish you were here so that I might give you one hug and one kiss.

Nora.

Fred to Evelyn

Calgary,

Oct. 30/13

My own dear little girl,

I was rushed terribly yesterday and after I returned from Mr Oatens’ I had to prepare for a lecture today in “Practice” to the law students. Then it was so late I thought you’d forgive me for not writing, but I’m sending these few lines this morning by the same mail a letter would go on if it had been written last night. I’m stealing these few minutes so I must be brief.

Fritz told me a little while ago that Miss German arrived this morning and leaves on Saturday morning by the same train. Elizabeth was planning to have a few people in this evening but owing to the serious condition of Uncle Freeman she’s waiting in the fear of getting a telegram today announcing the end. I didn’t know until this morning that he was worse.

My poor frightened little bird - why do you fear so that I'll be angry when you are sick? Can't I make you understand somehow, that I mean what I've been telling you these past weeks? Sorry? Why of course I'm sorry that you have to suffer pain - but not because it may cause me trouble. Can't you understand dearest that my feeling is for you and not for myself. I'm not utterly selfish Oh, words can't tell but when we're married I'll try to show you that my love isn't such a poor thing that it will weaken because you are sometimes ill.

How could you think I'd scold you? I can't say any more now, but please show me that you trust me burdening yourself whenever you feel like it. I want to know when you are ill, dearest, for though I can't express my feelings well, I do sympathize with you in your pain and if I could only help you how gladly I would! I hope some day I can convince you that my sunshine love isn't the love of sunshine - but is the sunshine of love. Isn't our love to brighten the dark places of life as well as to make more glorious the light ones?

Now my skeptical one, will you believe, and will write a longer letter tonight, and though it isn't the witching hour of night, here in broad daylight he makes bold to kiss away those tears of grief and pain.

Evelyn to Fred

Thorold, Ont.,

Oct. 30, 1913

My Dear Fred,

I have been very busy all day serving and doing housework, so that I haven't even read the paper. I must go to choir practice too. You are the filling in the sandwich. Maybe you don't like being that, maybe you'd rather be the whole thing.

...I haven't had a letter yet to-day. I don't see how I got through the afternoon. I finished my apron that I started the other day. Mother laughed at my buttonhole and said it was wrong. And I cried - I told her that that was the way she and Ora did, just laughed because I didn't do things right, but never showed me how. And they do. Ora expects me to know how to cook, just by instinct I guess. Well, Mother showed me how to make a buttonhole, so now I'll be able to make one, ...

I've just been planning some clothes you're going to wear, and I've decided that it's going to be lots of fun to have a man to dress. You're going to have white flannel trousers, a white cashmere shirtwaist, a blue coat and a straw with a stiff brim. Oh, and white shoes. That's for when you play tennis. And I'll dress all in white too. How will you like that? ...

You haven't spoken of Mrs. Brownlee. Has she had her operation yet? She must have been in a critical condition indeed.

...I suppose you’ll be at Fritz’s tomorrow night, as Clara is to be there then

...I haven't time to write any more, I have to pumice stone my hands and put on my shoes before I go to the church. I hope tonight's mail will be better to me than this morning's. I'd rather do something else than go to choir practice. Guess what, I'll tell you if you guess right.

Your own Nora.

Fred to Evelyn

Calgary, Alta,

Oct. 31/13

My dear Nora,

I'm afraid you'll think I've been terribly neglectful, my letter yesterday, and only a scrap the day before. Believe me it is not because I didn't want to write, but I've been rushed more than usual and to have stayed up last night would have meant a loss of sleep that I couldn't very well afford. Even tonight I must be brief for it’s half-past eleven and I must wake up at 5 o’clock to call Fritz’s on the phone so that Clara will not miss her train which leaves at 6:15. Fritz’s have no alarm clock and early rising isn’t one of their strong points.

Tonight is Hallowe'en, but it has been so quiet I can hardly realize it. Last year Fritz, Edmanson and I were at a masked party that didn't break up until two o'clock and we had a very gay time, though I must confess some of the people were a little too free in their actions to suit me. I can't see why people who object to dancing on the grounds of too great intimacy physically, will indulge in the most free and suggestive attitudes in games such as are commonly played on Hallowe'en. Such things always disgust me.

But tonight we had a far different sort of amusement. Elizabeth had planned a sort of Vic. old boys and girls taffy pull. You know they had about 25 quarts of maple syrup sent out from the east last spring, and so we were treated to taffy made from real maple syrup. She had invited the Brownlee’s the Fords, the Wrights, Staples, Ray and myself. But the Wrights had a previous engagement and the Fords aren’t going out just now, even to a gathering of intimate friends - can you guess why dearest? - and of course Edmanson had made other arrangements. So the party consisted of The Fritz’s, Clara, the Brownlees, Staples and I.

Mrs Brownlee has only recently come out of the hospital and isn’t feeling very strong yet but she looked very well tonight. She must have a remarkable constitution to have undergone two operations in such a short time and recover as rapidly. She is one person who says the west agrees with her better than the east. So you see, my darling, all women don’t find the climate of Alberta hard on them.

Clara has to take the early morning train so we didn't stay late but we had a very enjoyable time while it lasted. Do you remember you wrote last spring when Clara was visiting at your place, saying she was so adaptable and seemed pleased with whatever was done or not done for her entertainment. I've come to realize that is true.

Last night I was at Fritz's for dinner and today I took them all to the Hudson's Bay for lunch. ... Do you know Elizabeth told her [Clara] about our bet that she would marry Gordon Jones. I had bet she would some day and Elizabeth contra. I wasn’t sure at first how Clara would relish being the subject of such a bet but she took it in good part and jokes about it...

I'm awfully sorry, dearie, that you felt so ill last Friday after the excitement of the convention, but I'm glad you wrote me about it, and as I told you the other day, I want you always to feel free to pour your woes into my ears. That's what they're for. I guess your fit of the blues passed away suddenly for there was no trace of them in your Saturday or Sunday letters....

Have you seen Uncle Freeman lately? Fritz tells me he has been very low and is not expected to recover. I’m so glad, dearest, that we went down to see him that last night. You have always been a favorite with him and I like to think that he saw us together there for he may never do so again.

Two whole months have passed since I saw you. It seems much longer and yet you are more real to me now than you were then. ... Please forgive me for this poor scrappy letter but I'm very tired and sleepy tonight. Oh if only you were here tonight.

Your lonesome one.

Evelyn to Fred

Thorold, Ont.,

Oct. 31, 1913

My Dear Fred,

I suppose you are enjoying yourself tonight. I hope so at any rate. Mother and I have been sewing and talking. ...

I was stupid not to remember what you said about being at the Brownlee's. ... I'll tell you why I thought so much about her. You probably remember having heard me speak of my friend, Emily Dickenson. She had gall stones, and they brought on a premature birth. She died as a result, and so, although you didn't tell me what the complications were, I knew, and was anxious to hear if she had recovered.

... You say you like me to caress you. That's fine, for I'll like to do it. Do you remember, not likely you do, one day this summer when we were at your place, I was sewing and you went to lie down on the sofa. I wanted so much to go over to you, and put my hand on your head, but it just seemed as if I couldn't move, so I sat still, and sewed on. I'm afraid that when you come home, I'll be somewhat stiff at first. Maybe you will be too. It will be a little difficult to realize that you are really the man I have been talking to all year. Does this seem queer? This will explain it. My thoughts have been bold and free, while my actions have ever been timid and restrained. In writing I do but express my thoughts; they have not had to be unbound. But my actions are different. ...

You make me curious as to the subject of your discussion with Elizabeth. Don't forget to tell me about it. ...

You told me once that you didn't like me so well when I went to Model, [school] and only afterwards. When did you start liking me again? When I was fifteen or sixteen you and Ora and others used to credit me with wanting a "career." I never did for myself, not one that would deep me unmarried, but I claimed that if a woman wanted to remain unmarried, she had the right of choice. I was so determined to prove this to you, that I didn't bother to show you that it was only theoretical, although I was hurt that you didn't understand it anyway. Do you know, when I lived at Beamsville, I always regarded you as in some way belonging to me? ...

My dearest, I won't say anything more about "Eugenics." I didn't really understand how I must have been hurting you. I haven't been trying to "get even," I only meant to tease you a little.

You ask if I'm not anxious to get into our home. I always was. But didn't I say I wasn't so anxious to get there, but that I could have a European trip as a prelude.

Now honey, I'll go at the bread. This is a sample of what I'll be saying next year.

I've a new name for you - Rusty. Like it?

Nora.

Endnotes

1. Zim - probably refers to Richard Ernest Zimmerman, class of 1914, Victoria College. "... Nearly everyone knows 'Zim,' so why advertise his faults to those who do not."

2. Eldridge Moshier, old boyfriend of Evelyn's. Brother of Heber Moshier.

3. Local Option pertained to laws which regulated the liquor trade within a given district or municipality, each area having the option to remain 'wet' or 'dry.'

4. Duffy Sleiman, Mae Finch's boyfriend.

5. Osgoode Hall, School of Law at the University of Toronto.

6. Dr Wilfred Thomason Grenfell, 1865-1940. Medical missionary in Newfoundland & Labrador. He was a forceful speaker and dedicated fundraiser. Grenfell opened several medical centres in the area. Norman Duncan, the author, gathered material for his fiction writing through his meetings with Wilfred Grenfell.

7. Sir John Willison. 1856-1927. Journalist, historian, imperialist, publicist. One time editor of the Globe. Canadian reporter to the Times 1909-1927.

8. University of Toronto. Carlton McNaught wrote about this outing in Women's Saturday Night, Oct 18 1913 in his article Autumn in the Foothill Country.

9. Margaret Anglin. 1876-1958. American Shakespearean actress, born and educated in Canada. Later came to New York. Toured with several companies. Also acted in modern plays.