"Bella, I can't live without you. I have made a nice room for you with lots of book for my beauty. Your family can see you any time." Zane said.
Bella had stopped reading at the sound of his voice. But still did not move. Something in her mind stirred. A feeling that seemed far away and almost foolish like the story she was reading.
Zane packed her things and drove her home. He took her to her room and sat her in the big comfy chair.
"My Dear This is your room. The two woman here are your personal care nurses. If you need anything I'll do it. I will never hurt you again."
Bella felt a little floating, She tried to remember where this feeling came from but could not at this time. The three people in the room one looked familiar.
She then opened her book.
◇◇◇♡♡♡◇◇◇ CATHERINE AND FREDERICK cont:
Soon after they came into a wood and looked about for the thieves, but they, could not find them, and when it became dark they climbed up into a tree to pass the night.
But scarcely had they done this when up came the fellows who carried away what should not go with them, and find things before they are lost.
They laid themselves down right under the tree upon which Fred and Catherine were, and making a fire, prepared to share their booty.
Then Fred slipped down on the other side, and collected stones, with which he climbed the tree again, to beat the thieves with. The stones, however, did them no harm, for the fellows called out, "Ah! it will soon be morning, for the wind is shaking down the chestnuts."
All this while Catherine still had the door upon her shoulder, and, as it pressed very heavily, she thought the dried apples were in fault, and said to Fred, "I must throw down these apples."
"No, Catherine," said he, "not now, they might discover us."
"Ah, I must, though, they are so heavy."
"Well, then, do it in the hangman's name!" cried Fred.
As they fell down the rogues said, "Ah! the birds are pulling off the leaves."
A little while after Catherine said again, "Oh! Fred, I must pour out the vinegar, it is so heavy."
"No, no!" said he, "it will discover us."
"Ah! but I must, Fred, it is very heavy," said Catherine.
"Well, then, do it in the hangman's name!" cried Fred.
So she poured out the vinegar, and as it dropped on them the thieves said, "Ah! the dew is beginning to fall."
Not many minutes after Catherine found the door was still quite as heavy, and said again to Fred, "Now I must throw down this door."
"No, Catherine," said he, "that would certainly discover us."
"Ah! Fred, but I must; it presses me so terribly."
"No, Catherine dear! do hold it fast," said Fred.
"There--it is gone!" said she.
"Then let it go in the hangman's name!" cried Fred, while it fell crashing through the branches. The rogues below thought the Evil One was descending the tree, and ran off, leaving everything behind them.
And early in the morning Fred and his wife descended, and found all their gold under the tree. As soon as they got home again, Fred said, "Now, Catherine, you must be very industrious and work hard."
"Yes, my dear husband," said she; "I will go into the fields to cut corn."
When she was come into the field she said to herself, "Shall I eat before I cut, or sleep first before I cut?"
She determined to eat, and soon became so sleepy over her meal that when she began to cut she knew not what she was doing, and cut off half her clothes--gown, petticoat and all.
When, after a long sleep, Catherine awoke, she got up half-stripped, and said to herself, "Am I myself? or am I not? Ah! I am not myself."
By and by night came on, and Catherine ran into the village, and, knocking at her husband's window, called, "Fred!"
"What is the matter?" cried he. "I want to know if Catherine is indoors!" said she.
"Yes, yes!" answered Fred, "she is certainly within, fast asleep."
"Then I am at home," said she, and ran away. Standing outside Catherine found some thieves, wanting to steal, and going up to them she said, "I will help you."
At this the thieves were very glad, not doubting but that she knew where to light on what they sought.
But Catherine, stepping in front of the houses, called out, "Good people, what have you that we can steal?"
At this the thieves said, "You will do for us with a vengeance!" and they wished they had never come near her; but in order to rid themselves of her they said, "Just before the village the parson has some roots lying in his field; go and fetch some."
Catherine went as she was bid, and began to grub for them, and soon made herself very dirty with the earth.
Presently a man came by and saw her, and stood still, for he thought it was the Evil One who was grovelling so among the roots.
Away he ran into the village to the parson, and told him the Evil One was in his field, rooting up the turnips.
"Ah! heavens!" said the parson, "I have a lame foot, and I cannot go out to exorcize him."
"Then I will carry you a-pickaback," said the man, and took him up.
Just as they arrived in the field, Catherine got up and drew herself up to her full height.
"Oh! it is the Evil One!" cried the parson, and both he and the man hurried away; and, behold! the parson ran faster with his lame legs, through fear and terror, than the countryman could with his sound legs!
◇◇◇♡♡♡◇◇◇
Bella was confused this story had ened? but did she go back to Fred? Had she read this story before. Her head was hurting.
Then she heard voices and look up two girls older then she walked it.
"Good Afternoon Bella, How are you today. Babs and I came to talk about our new business remember you said when you get better you will help too." Betty said.
She listen to them talk of venues and what kind of partys could be held there. They talked about supply houses, food venders, and catering places.
Bellas listen to the two girls. She knew them she felt if but could not place who they were.
When the man came home the two left. He feed her dinner and talked of things they would do together. He then gave her a dozen blue crystal roses.
She moved her eyes to them. They were pretty and she held one.
Zane was surprised the only time she moved was with her book. This is the only time she reached for something else.
He called to tell her father the news and when Ben heard it, he got the first rose he fixed and went to visit.