Looked Like An Angel

By Denise

I was standing against the railing enjoying the cool ocean breeze as I searched the darkness for the first sign of land. It had been a long journey from Delaware and I was looking forward to seeing my new home.

There was a lantern hanging on a post that gave off enough light to see the photograph of a man, a handsome man, who I was anxious to finally meet. I have only known him through letters; I prayed to God that I was making the right decision. After all, it was my sister Emily's idea to respond to the newspaper ad, of a man seeking a wife. I was feeling a little unsure I hope she's right. I opened my bible and stuck the photograph back inside to keep it safe, until I got to shore.

I went back to my cabin to start packing my things. About an hour later a man came by to announce that we had arrived in Santiago and the lifeboats were ready.

I carried my birdcage as I followed the two men who carried my trunk that was full of clothes and some treasures, towards a small covered boat. I finally got settled along with a few others as the boat was lowered into the water. The water was calm as we began rowing towards the shore. As the boat got closer to land I could see that the docks were crowded with people, I hope I could find Luis among the crowd.

We finally made to the docks. A gentleman reached down to help me out of the boat. I stood there on the dock watching the men scurry about unloading the cargo off the boats. I wasn't sure where my trunk was, but at the moment that was the least of my worries as I looked among the many faces in the crowd, searching for the face that looked like the one in the photograph. When I noticed a man, in a light colored suit, standing alone on top of a stonewall that overlooked the harbor, he had dark features like in the photograph. So I climbed the steps up to where he was standing. I took out the photograph, glanced down at it and then at the man that I shyly approaching.

"Excuse me, are you Mr. Vargas?" He turned around to face me. Oh my! I thought to myself. He's beautiful! "I am Julia Russell. I have your photograph here in my bible." My hands trembled as I pulled out the photograph to show him.

"Yes I am Luis Vargas." I could see the relief in his eyes. "You are much prettier than your photograph." He had a smile on his face, as he looked me over.

"Thank you."

"I am delighted to meet you, Miss Russell."

"Same here." I blushed and looked away from his eyes.

"I was getting worried that you had decided not to come."

"I was in one the last boats that left the ship."

"Let's go get your things." He offered me his arm as we went down the steps to claim my trunk.

He got two men to carry my trunk over to a horse drawn carriage that was waiting nearby. He paid the men for their services and we were on our way.

"This is a beautiful country," I said as we rode past lush green fields with lots of trees and flowers.

"Thank you, I hope you will enjoy your new home."

"I know I will love it, it is so much different than Delaware." As I looked from side to side of the carriage, hoping not to miss anything.

"I have never been that far north, I have only been to New Orleans."

I finally looked at Luis. "What are your plans for me?"

Luis signaled his driver to stop the carriage he then looked at me. "We are going to get married."

"Mr. Vargas."

"Call me Luis." He took my hand in his.

"Luis." I smiled shyly. "Shouldn't we get to know each other before we do?"

"Julia, I wrote to you what my attentions were. I need a wife and someone who could have my children."

"Oh." I looked out the window again.

"Are you all right with this?"

"Yes." I turned my attention back to Luis again. "It is just so sudden."

"Do you want to back out?"

"No." I shook my head.

"Are you sure?"

"Yes. I am sure. I am just…a little bit scared."

"You don't need to be," he said with a reassuring smile. "So, do you want to marry me?"

"Yes," I sighed as looked into his dark enchanting eyes. "I will marry you."

"Good, because we are getting married in about…" He looked down at his pocket watch. "2 hours." He smiled.

***

We arrived at the church where several women came out to greet us. "You must be Julia," one woman said.

"Yes, I am."

"This is Sara," Luis said. "She will take care of you."

"Come with us, we need to get you ready for your wedding," Sara said.

Luis helped me down from the carriage. "I will see you later," he said with a sparkle in his eye.

I felt like a queen as several women helped me get ready for my wedding. I was finally dressed and I looked at myself in a mirror, turning sideways to check out my wedding dress, it was beautiful!

"You are a beautiful bride," Sara said. "Luis will be surprised to see you."

"I sure hope so."

"You are marrying a very special man, he will treat you well."

"I do want to please him anyway I can."

Then there was a knock on the door and then it opened. Another woman came into the room, "Hello Julia, I am Augusta."

I looked at her. I was surprised to see that she was an American like I am. "Hello."

"My husband Alan is Luis's business partner," she smiled. "I'm your Matron of Honor. I will be standing up with you along with Sara."

"Oh, okay." I wasn't sure what else to say.

Sara handed me a bouquet of tropical flowers as she kissed my cheek and then started down the aisle; then Augusta soon followed. It was my turn; I took my first steps towards the altar, trying to find the courage to keep going. But then I saw him standing there waiting for me at the altar. He was dressed in a light gray suit looking more handsome then when we met just 2 hours ago. My knees were shaking as I stood before him. He took my hand then turned to the priest and gave a nod that we were ready.

The ceremony seemed to go on forever; I don't know if was because I couldn't understand what the priest was saying or if I was just too nervous. It was finally my turn to say "I do" and then he placed a ring on my finger. He then lifted my veil and gave me a kiss. He smiled as he drew back and then took my arm, as we walked back up the aisle.

Everyone greeted me as if they knew me, with hugs and kisses. I was felt accepted even though we just met.

The reception went on the entire afternoon and into the evening. There was music, food and lots of people wishing us good luck. I was feeling a little bit sad that my sister couldn't be here. I would have to write to her as soon as possible and tell her everything.

A carriage was waiting to take us back to Luis's home. He walked me inside and up the stairs that had candles burning to light our way. It was so romantic! He escorted me to my bedroom. He kissed my cheek and then said. "I will see you in the morning."

I opened the door of my bedroom, there were candles burning so I could find my way around my new surroundings. I saw my trunk along the wall, so I opened it and found my nightgown. I then found the washbasin so I could clean up before bed. I looked around and everything was white. The bedspread, sheets and a cloth that draped down around the bed, I guess to keep bugs away during the night. I lay down and fell right to sleep, I was exhausted this had been a long wonderful day.