Mail Order Bride: Facing Infirmity: A Pair Of Historical Romances: Redeemed Mail Order Brides Western Victorian Romance Pair, #3

By Kenneth Markson

**A Pair Of Clean Historical Mail Order Bride Western Victorian Romances (Redeemed Mail Order Brides Western Victorian Romance Pair)** 

Mail Order Bride: Redeeming The Deaf Rancher 
Ruth, a pretty teacher in a prestigious Boston school, stands by her principles and is discharged. A vindictive headmaster closes any opportunities open to her, and she decides to go to Los Angeles as a mail order bride. Chet, a tall, handsome rancher, heroically tries to save a teller during a bank robbery. He is shot, and an ensuing explosion severely damages his ears, leaving him deaf. Can Ruth teach Chet to overcome his disability and live life to the fullest again? Can they survive a future disaster? Will they both find love together? 

Mail Order Bride: Redeemed By The Illiterate Farmer 
Jane is caught in a trap. Desperately poor, she leaves Kansas City to become a mail order bride to a store clerk in San Fernando, California. Her future husband turns out to be much different than she ever imagined. Who will help her? Can she free herself from this dreadful situation? Will she find the true love that she yearns for? 

If you enjoyed these stories, you may also enjoy the other books in Kenneth's mail order brides Redeemed series, or Kenneth's mail order brides Rescued series.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Kenneth Markson
• Release date: Jul 17, 2016
• ISBN: 9781536506143

Kenneth Markson

While an English major at college, I wrote a column which was published weekly. I have been writing ever since. The old West and Los Angeles in the forties are eras which lend themselves to tales of romance, courage, and fast paced adventure. I particularly enjoy writing stories about the mail order brides who fearlessly took a chance and traveled West, hoping to find love and a better future. Many of the locales that I write about are places that I have either traveled through or actually lived in. I try to make my works richly accurate. My desire is to provide you with an entertaining and fun read. When I'm not writing, I enjoy spending time with my wife and two children.

Book preview

MAIL ORDER BRIDE:

REDEEMING THE DEAF RANCHER

BY

KENNETH MARKSON

Chapter 1

Principal Horace Ridgely had a stern look on his face as he nervously walked about his office.  His patrician jaw jutted out in anger, as he thoroughly digested the dressing down which he had received from one of the Mansfield School's biggest donors.  Being reminded that he was merely a puppet on a string, put him in an extremely foul mood.

He turned suddenly, when the door to his office opened, and teacher Ruth Carlisle stepped inside.

You wanted to see me, Principal Ridgely? Ruth asked pleasantly.

Yes, Miss Carlisle, I do, Principal Ridgely replied tersely. 

His manner was noticeably short, as his hard, dark eyes focused on her.  Ruth wondered silently what had put the man in such a disagreeable mood.  While he had never struck her as being overly cheerful, Principal Ridgely seemed to be in a particularly foul temper that afternoon.

This is your first year here at Mansfield, is it not? Principal Ridgely asked in an imperious tone.

Yes, it is, Ruth replied.

You believe it is a privilege to teach here at the Mansfield School, don't you?

Ruth's pretty blue eyes stared back at him.

Yes, I do, she replied.

Principal Ridgely clenched his hands together behind his back, as he strolled stiffly erect across the wooden floor.

Let me explain to you what a privilege it is, he said, as he sucked in his breath as if to deliver a dissertation.

The Mansfield School is one of the finest preparatory schools in this city.  The children of Boston's ruling elite have a long and glorious history of attending here, and it is my job to make sure that they continue to do so.  Without their considerable patronage and money, neither you, Miss Carlisle, nor I, nor the school itself would exist.

Ruth wondered what all this puffery was leading up to.  She was certainly aware of the prestigious nature of the school, and given her poor background, was very happy to have the job.

I understand, Principal Ridgely, she replied.

I hope you do, he said.

Principal Ridgely stopped walking, and turned suddenly to face her.

The Parsons boy is in your class, isn't he?

So that's what this is all about, Ruth thought to herself.  She might have known.

Robert Parsons is one of the students in my class, Ruth said.

Principal Ridgely's dark eyes glowered at her.

His father, Reginald Parsons came to see me this morning, and he was none too happy.  The boy has told him that you unfairly pick on him.  He was apparently given several demerits for poor conduct, and a failure in an English exam for disrupting the class and cheating.

Ruth felt her anger rise, and she fought to keep it under control.  She wanted to keep her job.

That boy, she stated plainly, is an incorrigible liar.  I have tried to give him every benefit of the doubt, but right from the start he has acted as an arrogant and spoiled child, and has continually disrupted the class.

Principal Ridgely remained unmoved.  His voice took on a menacing tone.

The boy's father, he continued, is a prominent banker in this city, and a leading donor to this school.  He has demanded that his son's slate be wiped clean, and that he receive a personal apology from you.  Otherwise, he will withdraw his patronage from Mansfield, and urge others to do the same.

There was no give in his expression.

I have assured Mr. Parsons that his demand will be complied with, Principal Ridgely said.

Ruth was flabbergasted at hearing the Principal's words.

What of those students who have behaved properly, and have performed well on the English test? Ruth protested.  It is unfair to them, for me to do as you have suggested.

Fairness has nothing to do with it! Principal Ridgely snapped.  There is no choice here! he shouted.  Just do as I say!

Ruth thought of the school's motto.

What happened to honor and integrity above all?" she asked.

There is nothing more to be said, the Principal retorted.

Suppose I refuse? Ruth queried.

That would be unfortunate, he replied coldly.  I would have to discharge you.

So that's how it is, Ruth thought to herself.  In order to keep the job which she needed badly, she would have to sacrifice her ideals and grovel.  She was about to ask for time to think things over, when Principal Ridgely spoke again.

I want your answer now! he demanded.

Chapter 2

The seconds that passed before Ruth opened her mouth to respond, seemed like an eternity.  Ruth saw her whole life flash in front of her.  She had worked her way up from one of Boston's poorest neighborhoods, to finally land herself a teaching job at this illustrious school.

Now, she was going to throw