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Requiem of the Labyrinth Angie Wu

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Requiem of the Labyrinth

By Angie Wu

Written by Angie Wu of E4B Composition 1

Instructor: Mr. Kenneth M. Smith Wenzao Ursuline College of Languages

Kaohsiung, Taiwan June 2010

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Words checked = [7186]

Words in Oxford 3000 = [92%]

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Content

About the Author -------------------------P.5

Characters ------------------------------- P.6

Prologue ---------------------------------- P.7

Chapter 1: Born on Monday ------------- P.8

Chapter 2: Christened on Tuesday ----- P.14

Chapter 3: Married on Wednesday -----P.21

Chapter 4: Took ill on Thursday --------P.35

Chapter 5: Worse on Friday ------------ P.40

Chapter 6: Died on Saturday ----------- P.51

Chapter 7: Buried on Sunday -----------P.58

Epilogue ---------------------------------P.62

References ------------------------------P.67

Acknowledgement ----------------------P.68

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About the Author

My Dear readers: thank you for reading my

story. It is my pleasure to share great intension

with you all.

I am Angie Wu, 19 years old, from Wenzao

Ursuline College of Languages, 4th

I am fond of reading all kinds of stories,

especially romance. To me, reading is like

traveling all over the world through pages and

verses. It is wonderful chance for me to let my

imagination run wild and begin my first story.

Hopefully every of you will have a great journey

while reading the story.

year

composition 1.

Thank you with my whole heart!

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Characters

Alexandra Newton

A doctor returning from London

Angela Knight

A young lady serves Mrs. Newton

Leila Knight

Angela’s older sister

Marie Newton

Alexandra’s grandmother

Martin Jones

Angela’s ex-lover

Lucy Goddard

An old lady works for the Newton’s

Sebastian Parker

The Newton’s master manager

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Prologue

Dear Angela

I will read you a letter, just as I promised.

I hope you will hear it--- in heaven.

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Chap 1. Born on a Monday

She walks in beauty, like the night

Of cloudless climes and starry skies…

(George Gordon Byron, 1788-1824)

It was five o’ clock in the morning. The air

was fresh after the morning dew. The wind was

chilly. After five years, this was the first time I

returned from London. I left school and

returned to Wood Bridge, my hometown.

Last month, my 69 year old grandmother

passed away. And, today, was her funeral.

Marie Newton, my dearest grandmother, raised

me from my childhood when I lost my parents

fourteen years ago. She offered everything to

me; therefore, I did not lack anything in my life.

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The old lady was the person I knew best in the

world. Although I felt piety for her, time would

never be back again. I hate, from the bottom of

my heart, the heart attack which took her away

from me. However, there was only one thing

which would comfort me. At least, she was

peacefully in heaven with God.

It was now five twenty. I shut my car door

but not wanting to take anything with me. I

could hardly hear the noise around me as it was

too early in the morning. The place was

unrecognizable. The rural part of Wood Bridge I

had not visited since my parents were buried.

The road to the graveyard was so foggy that I

could barely see the way.

Was I lost? Was I afraid because I was on

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the way to face the truth of my dear

grandmother?

I checked my watch. It was five thirty. In

fact, the ceremony would begin at seven. It

seemed I have arrived too early.

The sun rose into the sky. Everything for

the funeral was well-prepared before I arrived.

Even at the last moment, I did nothing for her.

Silently, I entered the room where the old

lady would be permanently to rest. When was

the last time I said goodbye to her? I could no

more remember. Once I lifted my head, I was

surprised to see there was another person in

the room. The scene suddenly fell into my eyes

and directly upon my heart.

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A small lady was sitting near the cold,

brown coffin, with tears in her eyes. The light of

the rising sun dramatically gilded her face

which resembled in a golden noble goddess.

Her long black hair was budging smoothly

across her shoulder as if silk fabric falling down

from heaven. Her profile suddenly turned into

the most perfect divine of all. I have never seen

such a beautiful girl in my life. It was definitely

a wonderful man-made piece from God. I fell in

love with her at first sight.

It took me almost a minute to wake up

from the amazement of beauty. I tried to move

forward but it was hard. Her beauty was so

irresistibly attractive. Unnoticeably, I made a

noise and the girl turned around and saw me.

“Mr. Newton?” she asked and was looking

at me with a familiar smile.

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Was the sound from heaven? All, not all of

it, was a tug on my heart.

“Grandma… did you send me an angel?” as

I wished you had?

* * *

Alexandra Newton (21)

He is the main character of the story. Alex

lost his parents at age ten due to an earthquake.

He was then raised by his grandmother, who

was running a local hospital as their domestic

business. Marie, the old gentle woman, sent

Alex to London to study medicine and biology,

in order to inherit the hospital in the future.

From his youth, Alex liked to read and write. He

was also kind-hearted and honest. Because of

his cleverness and diligence in study, he was

successful and trustworthy among every one.

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Angela Knight (19)

A young, beautiful girl who came from Little

More ton, East Anglia three years ago and who

was working for the Newton’s. Her background

was known by nobody but herself. Serving Mrs.

Newton and organizing all the house chores

were her daily business, and the old lady

treated her as if she were her daughter. In

return, Angela respected old Marie the most.

She was silent but kind. Mysteriously, she liked

to stay alone at night in the glasshouse. She

was not easy to get along with and her mind

was far from the realistic world.

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Chap2. Christened on Tuesday

Build me a son whose heart will be clear,

Whose goal will be high;

One who will learn to laugh,

Yet never forget how to weep…

(Douglas MacArthur, 1880-1964)

Time flies.

It was dawn in spring. In spring, winds blew

gently and the sunshine was warm. The sights

were light and captivating. Flowers competed

with each other in such splendor. The beautiful

scenery made me feel relieved.

It has already been two months after my

returning from London. There was a lot to learn

in hospital and that was a whole new life I

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needed to get used to in Woodbridge. At first,

everything was completely different from what

I had learned in school. However, thanks for all

the coworkers in the hospital, for their kindness

and warm-heartedness, I could efficiently catch

up with the work. There was always too much

to be done and my time was completely

consumed.

Even though the work was hard; there was

still one thing I expected to happen every day.

Every morning Angela and old Lucy would

come to my room and serve me. They brought

me tea, breakfast, and sometimes I liked to

have it with newspapers. And, when I was

having breakfast on the veranda, they would

rearrange my bed and prepare things ready for

my work.

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We did not actually speak to each other, but

watching Angela busy around relaxed me from

the heavy work ---or something, something

more.

The work at the hospital almost cost all my

time. Therefore I came back to the house very

late at night. Probably I would have my dinner

at nine, but I was too tired to finish the whole

meal. Later in the evening, I need to read some

notes and prepare for work tomorrow. There

was so much reading to get through. Pretty

soon I felt sleepy and struggled concentration

on what needed to be completed.

* * *

However, tonight, the weather seemed so

cool and freezing. I decided to take a walk

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around the yard and then afterward I could go

back to work. Just as I passed through the

glasshouse, I saw a shape of a young lady.

Without second thought, I knew it was Angela.

It was so late at night and wondered what’s

she doing there? Due to the dim light, I was not

able to see her face.

I felt that she was like an angel being

imprisoned in a huge cave. There was no

reason why I felt this way. Originally, she

worked here and served my grandmother, but

since the old lady had passed away, there was

no reason for her to still hanging around. Didn’t

she have anywhere else to go?

We hadn’t really spoken to each other yet,

not in a Master-Servant relationship. Angela’s

characteristic was adorable, sensitive and

soothing, but actually too mysterious to

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understand. She seldom revealed her feelings.

I could feel the air around the glasshouse was

not welcome about my approaching. The night,

which was full of sadness, belonged to her

alone in that isolated small room.

The chilly wind hurts my body, so I walked

quietly back into the house. I thought if I could

speak to her, everything would change and

would be fine. Little by little as I walked, this

kind of gentle, mild voice came over me.

* * *

The morning light shone brightly through

the thin curtains into my bedroom. I smelt a

special aroma that I had never smelt before. I

slowly opened my eyes and saw a bunch of lily.

So, it was lilies that I smelt?

“Good morning, Mr. Newton.” It was the

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voice of fair Angela.

“Lucy is sick, so I will serve you this

morning.” Staring at her, I got out of bed,

feeling a little bit backward.

“How long has she been in my room?” I

thought.

Although I was not a little boy anymore, my

heart was beating as if I were a teenager with

first love.

She genteelly put a robe on my shoulder,

but her eyes were looking somewhere else.

Again, she seemed very far from me.

“So, Angela, You are my grandma’s best

friend?” Honestly, I just wanted to start a

conversation. But, her hands stopped, and she

raised her head and frowned.

“Hum, listen, please, I was really grateful

that…” It might not be a suitable topic I guessed

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and hoped it was not too late.

“Since I was far from home and all of you

did your best taking care of my grandmother,

and I think…” Oh my goodness, how come?

Why was I stammering!

“Angela, you like flowers, don’t you? These

flowers are lovely, Thank you very much.”

For a second, she stepped back while kept

her gaze on me. Unexpectedly, a tear ran down

her long, pale face.

“Mr. Newton, you spoke very much like

her…”

Through such a clumsy way, this was how,

and this was when we started our indescribable

relationship.

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Chap3. Married on Wednesday

But seas between us braid hae roar’d

Sin auld lang syne…

(Robert Burns, 1759-1796)

Everything turned out like magic.

We started to get along with each other

ever so well. Every morning, from then on,

Angela would spend more time talking with me.

“Good morning, Mr. Newton. The weather is

nice today. Would you like to have some coffee

first?”

Generally speaking, people usually felt

waking up too early was miserable. However,

when I got up every morning, I felt blissful in

seeing the prettiest girl at my first sight.

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“Yes. But two cups, please.”

“Two?” she frowned.

“Yes, one is for you. Come and sit here. I

want to tell you something I read yesterday.”

Her emotion was not difficult to understand.

When I showed her books of flowers, she

couldn’t stop smiling and keeping asking

questions. This was how time happily flies

between us.

“Angela, I was thinking. How would you like

to visit some botanical gardens with me? They

would be more interesting than just reading

books.”

I should say this was the best way to keep

her attention on me.

To tell you the truth, I was not that smart,

but I knew, if you really wanted something, you

should use all your strength to get it.

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From then on, we went to several botanical

gardens, but it was mostly the morning we

spent our time together. That is, I would invite

her to have breakfast with me and have a walk

in the back yards.

We talked a lot, especially topics around

flowers. It was interesting and I liked it,

however I had no ideas why she liked flowers

so much.

“Angela,” I paused, “Could you tell me why

you like flowers so much? I’m quite interested.”

She looked at me, as this was the stupidest

question she had ever heard.

“Hum…When I was little, very little, my

grandfather told me stories of flowers. I

thought they were romantic. Weren’t they?”

I nodded.

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“Also, it was a little bit surprising for me

that men were crazy about flowers and

honestly speaking, my grandfather has very

similar characteristic like Mrs. Newton.”

She seemed to become thinking about

something, showing a deep, complicated,

woeful look.

“Any way, I have once learned…oh! It was

told by a friend. There was a kind of blue rose,

which its color was very, very, very beautiful.

Have you ever seen that?”

“They were legend; it meant a romance

was incapable of coming true.” Through her

face, I understood she was disappointed at my

answer. I sighed silently. I felt sad, was it a

question that she had kept hidden in her heart

for so long? I hoped not.

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I knew that she like me, but maybe we

were just friends now, at least for her. Angela,

for a clever girl, must have known that I liked

her or in reality in love with her. An impossible

romance, a legendary flower, did that meant

there was somebody? However, in my mind, I

could be sure, that she was now much closer to

me and she certainly trusted me.

* * *

Several days later, I received a letter from

work. It had mentioned there was a medical

study meeting in Little More-ton, where Angela

came from. It was a good chance to check out

Angela’s hometown, since I have been working

for so long. This has the potential to be a great

holiday anyway.

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The next day, I tried to invite Angela to

come with me, in order to take care of my daily

things while I was away on work, and she could

enjoy her hometown.

At first, I was really afraid to make such an

invitation that she would feel embarrassed so

she might refuse. Surprisingly, she agreed to

go. She said their old cottage was very near to

where I needed to go so we could live there. It

was at the sea and no one had used it for a long

time.

Gotten a good idea, I suggested we could

stay longer and spend more time, or more days,

a week or so, to enjoy a short term holiday. She

smiled in her own way from everything I asked

her. I was so excited for the holiday. Also it was

the first time that works had become a happy

task. How nice was the holiday going to be? I

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just could not imagine.

* * *

A week later, we started our journey. The

weather was good. The blue sky was dot with

small white clouds. Angela was very energetic

and pretty. During the time we were taking a

train, we talked more, and I could feel her heart

completely open to me. Moreover, she could

not stop TALKING.

“Angela, you look wonderful today.”

Her face turned pink instantly.

“Oh, really, do I?”

We both laughed. For the reason we both

understood.

* * *

My work went on very well that in the first

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three days I had finished everything I needed

to work on. By this time, Angela was cleaning

the cottage and busying around. This was her

place, where she belonged.

On the fourth day, I got up very late. It was

so wonderful to sleep till noon. A few minutes

later Angela came in with some fresh bread and

offered me a cup of coffee.

“The weather is great. Would you like to go

outside today?”

“What can we do?” I turned my body,

feeling a little lazy to wake up. She asked if we

could go for a swim and I agreed. My work was

done and her cleaning around the cottage was

finished too.

“What a good place for holidays!” The sky

was azure blue and the water was clear and

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deep, which I only remember seeing in my

dreams when I was youth. I looked out to the

ocean as far as my eyes could see.

I stayed on the beach, reading, while

Angela was swimming. It was very surprising to

see that she could swim so well, just like a fish!

She smoothly dived into the water, and her

shape was shining like a brilliant star. I could

hardly imagine that she was so confident. It

showed how much she liked this place.

I watched the setting sun sink down to the

far reaches of the ocean. After the long swim,

we both were tanned, but not sunburned. The

brown color skin made me feel healthy and

good. I should come here more often if

possible.

Next, we went to the downtown market.

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Angela showed me so many things that were

quite new for me. It was like a mother taking

her child and showing him the surprises of the

world. She introduced interestingly some fruits

and vegetables to me, and at this moment, I

thought she was back to her childhood.

We were mixed up by the joyful

atmosphere of this wonderful place. We had a

lot of fun, and I realized I was more attracted to

her. At night, we went to the local bar to have

some fun. She wore a new red dress that was

totally perfect. She was shy, but everything

was alright.

The candlelight was beautiful. Her eyes

were shining brightly in my eyes. For this

moment, at this second, I was sure she had me

in her heart. I was the only person, absolutely.

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After the great meal, we walked along the

coast in order to get back to the cottage. The

wind swayed smoothly and I got an intention,

which somehow I could not tell.

Angela, however, suggested we should

have a night swim. She said I didn’t swim this

morning and recommended I had better try

now. This time, she swam very slowly as I

followed her. It should not be called swimming,

we were not serious. Our bodies were carried

by the waves, which took away all the troubles.

Two young people were playing in the water.

What ecstasy!

Something started to change. The mood

inside me, I could tell, I really wanted her.

I reached out my hand to her and pulled

her toward me. She came very easily and her

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body was weightless in the water. I kissed her

and tasted the sea. She looked a little bit

shocked. However, she put her hands up to my

cheek and touched it. Before I knew, she was

touching my neck.

“You are strong,” she said smiley. “But not

too strong.” Suddenly, I was kissing her wildly.

Then we fell onto the sand, which was still

warm from the sun, and lay together till the

moon came up.

* * *

The next morning I woke up in my bed but

couldn’t find Angela. Where was she? I quickly

rushed to the front door to check out.

Suddenly the door opened and the girl

came in. We saw each other’s eyes and words

were lost. She looked at me silently and smiled.

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“Good morning, breakfast is ready.”

She said kindly for the first time and not

calling me Mr. Newton. I came near her and

looked down. We were looking at each other

with amorous eyes.

There was a silent question, and a silent

answer. Then I closed the door behind us.

* * *

The rest of the holiday was great.

Everything was like dreams, beautiful dreams.

When we were on the train back to Wood Bridge,

Angela said she was going to bring me a drink

and left her seat.

Accidentally, she was crashed into by

another passenger. I went immediately to her

to see whether she was hurt or not. But instead

of getting hurt, she seemed rather much more

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frightened. Her face was pale, very pale. Her

body was shuddering, holding onto me very

tightly.

“Alex, may I… go back to my seat? I was

feeling…uh…a little bit tired……”

Her voice was trembling.

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Chap4. Took ill on Thursday

Tonight I can write the saddest lines.

I loved her, and sometimes she loved me too…

(Pablo Neruda, 1904-1973)

The relationship between us might go well,

after the holiday in Little More-ton. However,

Angela began to behave strangely.

In the morning, she didn’t come to my

room or bring me anything. Instead of her, loyal

Lucy brought me breakfast every day. I tried to

ask Lucy what was happening, but she was not

able to tell me.

“Miss Knight was sick …and better not to

disturb her.”

In addition, I felt people in the house were

not so comfortable when I mentioned her name

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these days. I really didn’t know why.

Because I had to work at eight, I was

supposed to leave very early. It was hard for

me to concentrate on my job. Questions were

swirling in my head. Sick? Could it be?

When I got back home, it was even late

than ever. I thought I should go to Angela. If

she asked me to do something, I would

definitely offer everything immediately.

Walking through the back yard, I saw her,

but not in the glasshouse as usual. Instead, she

was sitting at the edge of the fountain.

“Angela?” I called in a soft voice.

I came near, but the strong wind was

tumultuous and pushed me backward. She

didn’t notice me. There was sadness,

hopelessness and sorrow around her. Our

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holiday was perfect, didn’t we both agree?

Gradually, I heard a voice singing. The

melody was sad. Why did she feel this way? I

turned and sat down on a bench behind the tree.

We had no wine this evening, but somehow we

were drunk by love and romance.

I was woken up by a loud noise on the next

day. Someone or more than a person was

shouting at the front door. I quickly ran down to

the door and I saw Angela with Sebastian, my

master manager.

“Let me go!” shouted Angela.

“Please do not do that! You know Mr.

Newton would be angry with this!” Sebastian’s

voice shouted even louder.

Surprisingly, Angela was carrying one or

two baggage of luggage and Sebastian was

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pulling her bags. Their argument made me so

angry. I separated the two and took Angela to

my room.

“Why don’t you just leave me alone?”

She had tears in her eyes. How long has

she been crying? I put my arms around her,

feeling her body shaking.

“I love you. I need you to stay…”

Pretty soon I wanted to cry too. She held

me backwardly.

“I was not the right person for you, Mr.…” I

kissed her, kept the word close in her lips. No

more Newton. Please. I couldn’t bear it.

“I love you. I love you. You did know. Stay

here…” I whispered, shouting, touching her

face, her long black hair.

I could see my worried, miserable face

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through her eyes. But her eyes kept silent like a

mirror, telling me how I was hurt but nothing on

her mind.

I cried. I cried hard.

She kissed my cheek, but it was cold. It

was despair, ruined--- by love.

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Chap5. Worse on Friday

To hear the immense night, still more immense without

her.

And the verse falls to the soul like dew to the pasture.

(Pablo Neruda, 1904-1973)

I cried so long then sobbed myself to a long,

deep sleep. Angela’s hand, her fine fingers, ran

through my hair, just like playing the melody of

a requiem.

From my youth, or started from the time I

lost my parents, I have stopped crying.

Grandmother taught me not to cry, because

when people cried, it showed that the person

was weak. If I cried, my parents would be sad,

so I didn’t want to show my weakness and

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worked very hard. When I final success, my

parents would be very proud of me. Trying so

hard and working non-stop, all I wished was to

be the pride of the Newton family.

Then I had a dream. I saw my parents, very

clearly.

“You worked really well, my boy.”

The sounds in my head were so real. I tried

to embrace them, but they fled away, waving,

smiling. Then they were gone.

When I opened my eyes, I felt tear stains

on my face. After a second or so, Angela came

into my room with a cup of tea in her hand. She

then sat at the edge of my bed.

I took her hand, softly, “Tell me, Angela.” I

pleaded looking at her with my eyes emptied

and tired.

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Angela touched my head, “You were sick,

probably got a little cold, I had already phoned

Dr. Tailor.” She helped me lay down into my bed

and covered the blankets on me.

“You had better rest, big DOCTOR.” She

was looking at me so sweetly. All led to my

heart with pleasure and great pain. There was

some melancholy in her mirth.

“If you love me, once in your life, please tell

me what has happened.”

I didn’t let her go. I held her more tightly.

Silence.

Angela watched me, and then turned away.

She took a deep breath, and this was how she

began her story.

* * *

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“When I was still living in Little More-ton,

not the place we went last time, I was living

with my sister.”

I nodded, and then she continued.

“I was in love with a man named Martin.”

So there was a man!

“We were so much in love. Well…I loved

him so much, and I thought I would be with him

forever.”

She was trying her best not to hurt me, I

thought. However, listening to Angela’s own

story almost stop breathing.

“Alex, you look bad, should I let you sleep

more?” I shook my head. I must have looked

worried. She smiled and kept speaking.

“My life was perfectly simple. That was the

kind of life I liked so much. But, things

changed.”

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Her voice started to get cold.

“My two year older sister Leila was the

prettiest girl in our town and all the times we

were struggling from jealousy.” She looked at

my face, which was so surprised by hearing of

another lady who might be prettier than her.

“Unfortunately she had an accident and her

face was hurt badly. After the operation and the

surgery, she was almost fully recovered but

there was a scar, a long scar on her face.”

I felt sorry when I heard this. “And what

happened?” I asked.

“She was so full of shame and locked

herself in the room. To tell the truth, the scar

was not obvious at all.”

“After all this happened, I felt Martin was

quite strange. From a way I could not tell. Then,

I thought Martin liked my sister.”

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Angela looked sad, or older. She became an

old lady with sorrow in her heart.

“It was true, how could a man refuse such a

beautiful woman? One day, I found out they

were lovers before I met Martin.”

She sighed.

“Leila was hidden from Martin. She just

didn’t want Martin to despise her. From the

bottom of my heart, I knew he cared about my

pretty sister.”

“Everything was clear, but I stilled liked him

and I was happy. I could have my own love,

anyway.” Her voice was deep and far,

imprisoned in the old story.

“I asked Martin if he would marry me, but

he always smiled, yes…a crooked smile. But he

said he would, when he built up his business

and then soon thereafter he would marry me. I

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believed everything he was saying.”

“After a few months, my sister had

recovered and she was beautiful again. She

started to meet her old friends again including

Martin.”

“One night, I asked her what if I was

getting married. She still needed someone to

take care of her. From that moment on, she

went mad. She had not recovered completely.

She just wanted to see a person, a

SOMEBODY!” Angela screamed, trembling so I

held her instantly.

“She got worse, so I had to put her in a

hospital. I felt sorry. She used to be the kindest

person I knew. Since then, I felt guilty and

hoped I hadn’t destroyed her life.”

My heart ached.

“I didn’t want to let my fortune flee away. I

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told myself firmly.” Her tears fall…like rain

drops continuously.

“A few days later, when I came home, I saw

a tall, long-haired person sitting in the living

room. I was so scared and questioned who it

was.”

“There came my beautiful sister. She

smiled in an unusual way, and said, ‘My lovely

Angela, I have a surprise for you!’ I stepped

back, feeling everything was so strange. Why

was she here?”

I felt cold, as if my blood had stopped

running.

“‘Angela, I am pregnant! I have Martin’s

child!’ Leila said in a cheerful way. She held my

hands dancing, singing happily. I was so

afraid…”

“‘Martin said he would love me and he

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would buy me a great house by the sea.’ She

did not stop talking like that! Her words started

to turn me upside down.”

“‘No! It is not true!’ I shouted at her very

loudly.”

“I screamed and ran out of the living room.

I called Martin, with my hand shaking. No

answer. What happened? Everything was

black.”

“Suddenly Leila spoke, ‘my dear, why are

you here? Come, I still have a lot to tell you.’

Now I was with a mad person. What should I

do?”

“‘Are you calling Martin? Lovely, he won’t

come.’ She laughed sharply.”

“I collapsed. Falling onto the ground, I

could not stop trembling. I took my cell-phone

and dialed the number of the hospital.”

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“She frowned, then knelt down on the floor,

whispering ‘Angela, what should I name my

lovely child…….................’”

Tears came out from Angela’s eyes.

“Martin was killed on the day Leila came

back to the house……”

“I felt the world was broken into pieces. I

cried and cried but no matter how hard I cried,

life was never coming back. I went to bars and

gone myself drunk. I didn’t mind at all. My

world was completely ruined.”

There was a long silence.

“One day, I carelessly visited Woodbridge.

Then I met Mrs. Newton, and finally I had met

you…”

I kept looking at her.

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“Alex, the woman, I crashed into on the

train driving back here was her. Leila, my sister,

it couldn’t be wrong.”

51

Chap6. Died on Saturday

Pack up the moon and dismantle the sun;

Pour away the ocean and sweep up the wood;

For nothing now can ever come to any good…

(W.H. Auden, 1907-1973)

In the next days, after the horrible event, I

recovered from the sickness. Angela stayed

with me and took care of me. I could feel her

love and when I touched her, she smiled at me

just as if the whole story was a bad dream.

Time still went on. I could smell the smell of

peace.

My workload was heavy. However, I worked

very hard and got back as early as possible so I

could see if Angela was well or not.

52

Tonight was a special day. Therefore, I

rushed to finish my job and went home.

“Welcome home, do you want to have a

drink?”

It was only seven, very early for me to

return. Angela was in my room ironing my

clothes.

“How’s work today? You come back really

early.” she said smiley and closing my wardrobe

door.

“Come here, Angela, I’ve got something to

show you.” She was curious but couldn’t stop

smiling. Hey, not flowers all the time.

“Happy Birthday!” I gave her a box with a

red ribbon tied on it. There was a card on it and

some letters written in Italian, “Buon

Compleanno.”

“I bought it in Bella Boutique, and I

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promise you will love it.”

“Oh? Really?” Straightaway, she opened

the box. Inside the box was a yellow dress with

a bunch of lilies.

“Oh, Alex, these are too expensive!” Her

eyes were shining with delight.

I kissed her cheek, but this was not the

most romantic gift, my pretty girl.

* * *

The next day, I took Angela to a luxury

restaurant. I ordered the most expensive sweet

liquor and we had a good time. She was

dressed in that new yellow dress, which was so

pretty and caught a lot of attention.

When we were having our meal, I took a

small box out of my pocket. I knelt down and

she looked very surprised at me.

54

“Would you marry me, Angela?”

She was so surprised, but she nodded so

gladly. I got her, finally. Even though the story

of her past was terrible, I loved her.

When we were in the car, I kissed her lips. I

could feel her strongly that I almost went into

crazy.

But suddenly, she pushed me away.

“Leila! Leila!” And then she had her head in

her arms, screaming aloud. Why did she

mention this again in such way? I was soon

overcome with great anger.

“Angela, Angela, what happened?” In order

to let her calm down, I held her tightly.

“Every time when I am about to get my

love… You are always against me!” She held me

back tightly but I had no idea what happened.

“I am leaving, or she would get us. No...

55

She will find me!”

Now her eyes were full with tears. I was

chronically tired, so all of a sudden it made me

irritable. Angrily, I locked the car and drove

quickly back home. Why did this happen?

Originally, everything was so great. I was

worried about her. I was afraid of her story.

I asked Sebastian to watch her and made

her stay in her room. We struggled again and

again whenever I persuaded her to let all the

things go. I could marry her. I could protect her.

I could offer whatever she wanted, that’s true. I

hated to say it, but without me she was nothing

and had nowhere to go, really! What did my

love really mean to her?

However, she didn’t listen to my words.

She looked terribly dejected and sighed all

56

day long. She was preoccupied and in low

spirited, even not wanting to eat. Why would

she wear such a sorrowful look?

I hated jokes, and she was a great joke that

seduced me easily. Finally, I decided to let her

think more carefully and insisted I would still

marry her. Never would I give up loving her. I

promised I would not let bad things happen,

not even a piece, and nothing needed to be

worried. Then, I went to live in the hospital. It

might be better for her to think without

disturbing.

One evening, I coughed so hard that I felt

so afraid. I was afraid of something, which was

approaching.

My phone rang. The sound was larger than

ever. It was old royal Lucy.

“Nr. Newton! Our house is on fire!”

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My heart beat rapidly. Immediately, I fell

into a flutter.

“Only Angela…she is...”

I ran out. Everything was swirling in my

head.

“Only Angela has not escaped.”

It started to rain. I was misty-eyed.

Please still not too late!

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Chap7. Buried on Sunday

I ran fast back home. All of the servants

were standing outside the house. Lucy saw me.

“Sir, Angela was not with us. It has been a

long time since the fire started!”

“What happened? How could it be?”

“There was an oil lamp, which accidently…”

Our house was on fire. Smoke rushed out

from the old house. Police and fire trucks had

already arrived trying to put out the fire, but

the smoke was still very strong.

No matter what would happen, I ran into

the burning house. Behind me were people

screaming and crying for help. I came to the

second floor, where Angela’s room was. It was

at the end of the corridor, and at this moment,

59

the room seemed even furtherer and longer. I

crouched down, avoiding the dark black clouds

coming out from the door. It was getting harder

and harder to breathe, and I could feel my

lungs were aching.

It took me a long time to reach her front

door. The door was locked from outside, of

course she was certain to be locked in. Without

a second thought, I crushed the door and broke

in. The smoke was so thick inside that I nearly

fainted away. I could not move, getting more

and more paralyzed, and finally I collapsed.

Before I lost consciousness, I saw Angela.

She was lying on the ground in front of me, not

moving. I scrambled and wanted to hold her

hand, but everything was over. I couldn’t save

her lithe, easy and elegant shape haunt me

forever. The girl, who was extremely suave,

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then became a sleeping goddess.

* * *

I was in the hospital, feeling nothing. A

sense of desolation overwhelmed me.

Angela was past recovery. I was grieved to

the extreme. My life was broken. Everything

went to pieces, which I could never rebuild. My

face bathed with tears, the pain of losing her

was overwhelming me. My longing was like

madness that couldn’t stop.

Winds blew through my window. I saw

something on my bed. It was an envelope

which was damaged from the big fire. Now I

was tired, no more strength in my body. But my

hand moved forward and picked up the letter, a

burned dirty letter.

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The last “Goodbye” was written illegible.

I cried and spoke horsefly, “You are now in

heaven…my Angel.”

Dear Alexandra

Every minute with you is so wonderful

I owe you a lot

Read me, write to me

Thank you, for loving me

If we meet again, let me be your lady

All, you and me than no more

I will miss you

Goodbye

62

Epilogue

This is the end of Solomon Grundy, and so

does ours.

People said lives are various.

Some took it seriously, but some took it as

play.

Some worked very hard to reach goals in

their lives, however, some faced it when things

occurred.

Some said if you waste a second, you’ll

never be able to repay, and, some said nothing

was ever too late.

If life was predictable, we won’t respect our

lives.

Last time I bade my old lady goodbye and

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that’s when I encountered a whole new life. The

scene would remain in my memory forever. I

had no chance to say goodbye, either I could

see your last sight.

You nourished me; I grew up in your arms,

and I tasted something called sweet and

solitude.

I studied for my whole life and worked all for

it, but I just didn’t know that there were love

and joys.

Until the day I met you.

I fell in love with you. I hated you when you

broke my heart, and I regretted all I had done.

Life was tough, filled with love and hatred.

When’s my second chance to dance with you?

Holding you in my arms? Touching you? Feeling

you? Nights with you watching stars shining in

the sky and we were like a prince and a

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princess in old fairy tales?

Endlessly, I would keep longing for your

beauty and passion.

* * *

Today, I was standing in front of a white,

beautiful coffin, with a young, sleeping beauty.

I took out a bunch of blue roses, putting them

round her. Blue roses were very difficult to find,

so I tried my best to have them. Staring at her

face, I grew older and older. Memories were

now again pulling me away from the real world.

After a few seconds, I took out a book, and

turned to the last page, then read the following

letters.

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Dear Angela,

We fell in love with each other at the funeral, and it was the place I bid you

farewell with tears in my eyes.

Blue roses mean something impossible, but I interpreted it into, “I’m possible

and incredibly in love with you.”

This is the end of our story.

Thank you for love me once in your life, dear Angela.

Love, Alexandra.

66

If certain, when this life was out---

That yours and mine, should be,

I’d toss it yonder, like a Rind,

And take Eternity---

But, now, uncertain of the length

Of this, that is between,

It goads me, like the Goblin Bee---

That will not state----its sting.

(Emily Dickson,1830-1886)

-End-

67

References

Books

1. When summer comes / Helen Naylor ; series editor by Philip Prowse

2. Jungle love / Margaret Johnson.

3. Just good friends / Penny Hancock ; illustrations by Mike Dodd ; series editor by

Philip Prowse

4. The house by the sea / Patricia Aspinall ; series editor by Philip Prowse

Pictures 1. http://www.google.com.tw/images?um=1&hl=zh-TW&tbs=isch%3A1&sa=1

&q=%E8%97%8D%E7%8E%AB%E7%91%B0&aq=f&aqi=g1&aql=&oq=&gs

_rfai=

2. http://www.google.com.tw/images?um=1&hl=zh-TW&tbs=isch%3A1&sa=1

&q=%E9%BB%91%E7%99%BD%E9%82%8A%E6%A1%86&aq=f&aqi=&aq

l=&oq=&gs_rfai=

3. http://www.photophoto.cn/fencengtuku/caihuirenwuqingjingmoban/xiushibe

ijing/

4. http://www.google.com.tw/images?q=%E4%B9%BE%E7%87%A5%E7%8E

%AB%E7%91%B0%E8%8A%B1&hl=zh-TW&tbs=isch:1&ei=PUgcTOGrLZiek

QWziKmHBg&sa=N&start=21&ndsp=21

5. http://www.google.com.tw/images?hl=zh-TW&tbs=isch%3A1&sa=1&q=%E

8%9D%B4%E8%9D%B6%E7%B5%90%E7%B4%A0%E6%9D%90&aq=2&

aqi=g4&aql=&oq=%E8%9D%B4%E8%9D%B6%E7%B5%90&gs_rfai=

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Acknowledgement To Dear Mr. Smith:

It’s my honor to have you as my writing instructor in 4th year writing class. When I was in 2nd

Thank you for teaching me and gave me a great number of instructions.

year, I began to love READING because of intensive reading. And from now on, I start to love writing. Both are interesting and full of excitement!

Student Angie Wu To Dear Smiler:

Thank you for dubbing for Alexandra. It’s great to have tonic music when reading or writing. Hopefully, you can find something attracted you while reading the story.

Excellent to cooperate with you. Thank you with all wholehearted!

Friend Angie

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“The light of the rising sun dramatically gilded her face which resembled in a golden noble

goddess.”

Alexandra fell in with fair Angela at a funeral, and from that moment, their lives started to change. Surrounded by all kinds of emotion, they became different. Times flies. No longer were the couple same……

Ask yourself, “What’s life all about?”