it seems there isn't going to be a halloween writing contest, so i thought i would post the story i pre-emptively wrote for it. i hope you enjoy it! master of the estate "this coach really is quite wonderful, jonathan. i can barely feel the bumps and i don't feel like i'm about to be thrown out the window!" eleanor exclaimed. "it is grand, isn't it?" "it's all grand. the trip, our coach...and you," she said, smiling and snuggling in closer to jonathan on the wide leather seat. "i could do without this fog, though. i would like to see the moon and stars later tonight." he pulled the curtain aside slightly with a gloved hand and peered mournfully through the window at the white mist that nearly obscured everything. he could hardly see the tops of the trees it was so thick. just then a particularly large bump jostled them roughly, followed closely by another. "oh!" squealed eleanor. jonathan's brow drew down. "driver!" he called out the window. "is everything alright?" "beg pardon, sir. i fear i may have taken a wrong turn at that fork back a ways. there's a house up ahead...i'll check in with them and make sure. sturbridge village can't be far now, and we're better safe than sorry with this fog rolling in, if you take my meaning, sir. don't want to be out past dark in this soup." jonathan looked at eleanor. "well, it would be nice to stretch our legs for a moment," she said. she was not quite as cheerful as she had been just minutes ago. the october afternoon was cooling off as evening approached, and jonathan could see his breath. the coach trundled past well-maintained stone gables and a heavy wrought-iron gate, standing open on one side. oil lanterns hung from black hooks in the gables glowed dimly in the fog, and additional lanterns spilled pools of yellow-orange light on a cobblestone drive as they made their way up toward the house. eleanor gasped as the massive shape of the house came into view. "it's beautiful!" jonathan made a surprised "hm", but otherwise said nothing. a well-dressed footman dashed out to lower the stairs of their coach and open the door, then offered a white-gloved hand to eleanor as she peered out. with a flashed smile at jonathan, she accepted the young man's hand and descended. the driver was speaking quietly with another footman, and an older man emerged from the heavy oak door of the house as jonathan descended the steps of the coach. the older man - clearly the butler - bowed to eleanor and jonathan. "welcome to the anne union keyes estate. i am mister walker, and i am at your service. the master of the estate has invited you in for the evening meal." the butler spoke with some kind of british accent, but beyond that jonathan not say from where exactly. "good lord man, we just arrived unannounced!" "yes, sir, but herr von graeff enjoys entertaining and was notified of your arrival as you drove up. i would be honored if you would follow me..." he gestured toward the polished steps. eleanor was the type of woman who, once her mind was made, up, proceeded without hesitation. she must have decided they were staying for dinner, for with a delighted squeal she headed for the house. they were greeted in the foyer by an elderly man. jonathan estimated he was in his seventies, hair fully white with deep creases in his face on age showing on his hands. however, the man was tall and straight-backed, and he carried himself proudly. there was a stiffness to his movements, and he used a cane to walk, but when jonathan shook his large hands the man's grip was as firm as a man half his age. <u+201c>welcome,<u+201d> he said warmly and with what jonathan thought was a german accent. <u+201c>i am gottfried hansj<u+00fc>rgen von graeff. please, be welcome in my home. how may i call you?<u+201d> the man<u+2019>s eyes were unusual, but jonathan could not place what it was about them that seemed so. he shrugged it off. <u+201c>thank you, herr von graeff. i am jonathan rockport, this is my fianc<u+00e9>e eleanor harrington. we really have only stopped to find our way back to the highway. we are trying to get to sturbridge village to stay for the night before continuing on to fall river in the morning.<u+201d> <u+201c>ah, yes, well, you will not make it to sturbridge village in this fog.<u+201d> herr von graeff pronounced the name of the town with a <u+201c>sh<u+201d> sound. <u+201c>at least, not before dark, even if you left now. it is fifteen miles yet. why don<u+2019>t you join me for dinner, stay here tonight, and then resume your journey first thing tomorrow?<u+201d> <u+201c>you are a generous host, herr von graeff, but i really would like to press on if possible. i have business meetings in massachusetts and must be in fall river by tuesday. <u+201d> <u+201c>ah, a wonderful town, fall river, yes? tell me, how is the new railway doing? i understand the esteemed mr. borden opened the branch line just last year, yes?<u+201d> <u+201c>indeed,<u+201d> said jonathan slowly, <u+201c>the railway has been a smashing success. in fact, it is mr. borden i have an appointment to see. i have a business proposition for him that i think he will be quite excited about.<u+201d> <u+201c>an entrepreneur!<u+201d> exclaimed herr von graeff. <u+201c>excellent! i always enjoy conversing with a businessman, especially you americans. always such big ideas, yes? please, let us carry on our conversation over dinner. mister walker,<u+201d> he continued, pronouncing the butler<u+2019>s name with a <u+201c>v<u+201d>, <u+201c>would you lead us to the dining hall?<u+201d> <u+201c>yes, herr von graeff.<u+201d>
master of the estate
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