The others turned their attention to Fred.
The man paused a moment for effect, waiting for their complete attention. "Got her out of the newspaper."
"No!" They all protested Fred's statement, mumbling among themselves.
Ethan edged a little closer. It wasn't often that you heard an interesting story like this one. The usual talk was that of cattle, crops, too much rain, or drought. Sometimes a story about a stranger passing through. Anything to pass the time. But this seemed like a more remarkable sort of thing. Possibly a story that would continue on as the months went by.
A marriage by mail was more like a business contract than a love arrangement. It could have its benefits. No need to give your heart away.
