Dora Says Michael Proposed To Me On The Porch

Dear Readers,

Michael proposed to me on the porch on an Indian Summer evening in October of 1915. We were sitting out there after dinner. My parents and Rita Jolivet went to bed, leaving Michael and me alone. I told Michael at least he did not want to be a hero. Edward had written me that he thought I would want to be proud of his military exploits in the Dardanelles and with Lawrence. Michael tried to take advantage of my disappointment that Edward would not be coming home soon to try to kiss me. He said that we Lusitania survivors had to stick together.

I pushed him away. I don't feel about him the way I feel about Edward. But I didn't do it soon enough to avoid having Michael propose to me. He said Edward would not come back and who would I marry then. I asked him if he would have me on those terms, knowing I loved another man. He said a dead man was no man at all. He cuddled up to worms only. With that he left me alone to weep about Edward.

I asked Edward, though my fiance couldn't hear me, how he could leave me alone like this. I had only the night to embrace me.

Sincerely yours,

Dora Benley
P.S. You can read about my adventures in King Abdullah's Tomb, the first volume of my memoirs.