Our Last Letters

During the tragic final days of World War II, Private Bertram Angus's letters to his
soon-betrothed, Prudence Hope ended abruptly. Every year, Prudence would ride a
day's journey to Lohelm Town, where she would collect his letters from the postal office
and then rush home to read them all.
His last letter, dated June 13, 1864, held the weight of possibility and raw passion
yet uncertainty. He described the rebel forces as planning a more malicious attack in
France and is unsure of the outcomes. From that day, Prudence would ship off 5 letters
a year instead of 2 while she prayed every day with her 3 sisters for his safe arrival.
Three years later, in 1867, a young man adorned in military mementos visited the
Hope’s Residence. Prudence’s heavy heart screamed with dread and anticipation when
the man gave her a letter from her beloved Bertram. Only before she read it did he
sympathize and offer condolences to Prudence over Bertram's death; and more special
reminisces.
Prudence never opened that letter nor did she visit the Angus’s Residence. Her 3
sisters never mentioned Bertram’s name for there was no point, Prudence once said.
“For war may bury our love one day, our love would soon bury the agony that may
come.” He once wrote.