The Village of Camden Corners

All new stories from The Village of Camden Corners.  Begins where Camden Corners left off.  See what happens in the lives of Neville and Helene; Oscar and Nettie; Millicent and all the old friends along with many new.

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Let It Snow

 

Let it Snow

Oscar was the first to wake up in the cabin that cold January day. The unusually warm weather was forgotten as he piled logs on the fire. One by one the men all came down the stairs wearing their warm woolen sweaters and trousers. They were happy their womenfolk had prepared for a change in the weather and thought to pack the heavier clothes. Alma warned Melvin that he might need some warm clothes and he was happy he listened to her.

Chris made one pot of coffee and was getting ready to pump more water for a second pot when the women all came down the cedar stairs bundled to their chins in blankets. The fire was starting to warm the downstairs much to the relief of Nettie who was beginning to wonder if it was such a good idea to plan this little excursion in the middle of January.

“Good morning ladies” called out Oscar “Good thing you brought as much food as you did. It looks like we may be here for another day or two.”

“Thank heaven for indoor plumbing” cried Nettie

Ethel was glad she thought of bringing fresh eggs and ham with her just in case they had to stay the night. She started cooking those while Priscilla and Alma prepared the biscuits. Nettie squeezed the oranges for juice and Anna shredded and fried the potatoes.

After the hardy breakfast everyone pitched in to clear the table and clean up the kitchen. The men ventured outside to clear the walk to and from the wood pile. The woman set up folding tables to put together a couple of jigsaw puzzles the former owners left behind.

“Ethel, tell the others the story of how you and Jonas got together.” said Nettie as the fellows were walking in carrying the logs.

“Don't start without us” Chis said “We want to hear it too.”

Once everyone was seated around the tables and turning puzzle pieces upright, Ethel began.

“My mother gave piano lessons to the neighborhood children. She loved playing and since her daughter was completely lacking in musical ability, she decided she would teach other children to play. I can remember the sound of the scales in my head. Thank goodness she only taught three days a week. I had seen Jonas at school of course, but he sat in the back of the room during school and was always playing ball or climbing trees with the other boys while the girls played hopscotch and jacks on the opposite side of the building.

On a Wednesday in May, Mama mentioned she was going to have a new student, his name was Jonas Fulbright and he was in my class. I groaned thinking how often Mama had the new students practice the scales. Since it was a nice spring day, I would just go outside and maybe finish my school work later that evening. Jonas knocked on the door and I answered it. He had a scowl on his face. He grumbled hello. Mama knew right away that piano lessons were not what this boy wanted. She was sure it was his mama's idea and not his. Further down the street I could hear the other boys taunting Jonas saying the piano was for girls. I found myself feeling sorry for this boy who so obviously wanted to be anywhere but in my family's parlor learning to play the piano. I marched down the street and in the harshest voice I could muster told the boys to be quiet. There were more famous men who played the piano than there were ladies. Beethoven, Chopin, Mozart were all I could think of at that moment. My disapproval fell on deaf ears and the boys just continued to make fun of Jonas until they heard the music coming from our parlor. We all walked toward the house and couldn't believe our ears. Jonas was playing America the Beautiful. I could hear mother asking where he had learned to play like that. He told her there was a piano at his grandmother's house and she showed him how to play but he couldn't learn the notes. He just liked to play the piano. He didn't want to learn how. Mama said he was playing by ear and that was a special talent but he would be able to play more music if he would learn to read the notes. It was always hard for anyone to say no to Mama and Jonas was no exception.

The boys didn't tease Jonas so much after that. In fact they use to hang around our parlor window on Wednesday afternoons waiting for Jonas to play a song or two. Jonas eventually did learn to read music but he still depends on his ears for most of his playing.

Except for those Wednesday afternoons Jonas pretty much ignored me. I was developing a crush on him and was rather impatient waiting for him to look in my direction. I remember Mama telling me that it sometimes took a little longer for boys to be attracted to young ladies. I also remember the day that Jonas finally took notice of a female. It was the day the mayor's niece rode into town in the fanciest carriage I had ever seen. Miss Hattie Mae Worthington stepped from that carriage with her red hair flowing. She looked like a princess. I glanced at Jonas and his chums and they were all staring at this beauty with their mouths hanging open. My daydreams of walking hand in hand with Jonas were shattered. I looked down at my scuffed shoes and my hand me down dress that even I had outgrown. I put my hand to my mousy brown pigtails and knew I looked as frumpy as I felt.”

Jonas chuckled “Yes, that Hattie Mae was a fine looking young lady. I don't think my mouth was hanging open though Ethel and if it was it was because of the fancy carriage she arrived in.” He winked at his cronies. “You have to realize, this was Greensboro in the 1840s. I was just a farm boy who spent most of his summer days milking cows and tending crops. We didn't have many visitors to Greensboro and none that looked like Miss Hattie Mae Worthington. Ethel tells you I ignored her that summer. That wasn't true. I thought she was a pretty little thing but I couldn't get myself to talk to her. I was much more comfortable playing the piano and she didn't know it but I hated those lessons every Wednesday and only agreed to sit through them because I knew Ethel would be sitting at the parlor window. Hattie Mae's grandpappy asked me to accompany her on the piano at a fancy dinner he was giving for some of the other mayors in the county. He arranged for his tailor to make me a suit as the one I wore to church on Sunday wasn't up to snuff as he put it. Ethel's mama taught me enough about reading notes that I was able to learn the songs with the sheet music Hattie Mae brought with her. I hadn't practiced with Hattie Mae until the afternoon of the dinner. I was in for quite the surprise. Hattie Mae's voice was like a wounded cat caught in a prickly pine tree. Even the mayor was holding his hands over his ears. Hattie Mae was a very beautiful young lady until her grandfather told her she couldn't sing at the dinner that evening. I had never seen a female with such strength. She started picking up glasses that had just been placed on the tables and throwing them against the wall. She was screaming at the top of her lungs until two of the mayor's aides carried her out of the room kicking and bellowing. The dinner went on as planned except I was the only musical accompaniment. It was my first and last public appearance. From that moment on I only played for pleasure.”

Alma said “We all know you eventually revealed your true feelings to each other because otherwise you wouldn't be here with us now. How did that all happen?”

Ethel spoke up, “Thanks to Nettie we finally were forced to open our hearts to each other. It was the first week of school. We were all sitting around the lunch table when Nettie asked Jonas if he had asked me to go to the harvest dance with him. I was so embarrassed I was tempted to hide under the table. Jonas looked dumfounded and finally said he didn't know if I would go with him if he did ask. Nettie said she was pretty sure I would. Come to think of it, I'm not sure he ever did ask me but we did go to the dance together. After that he came to the house after his chores every morning to walk me to school. I don't know when we got over being shy with each other but eventually we did.”

Nettie said “I wonder what ever happened to Hattie Mae? I don't remember ever seeing her again in Greensboro.”

Melvin spoke up. “I believe she married one of the professors at the university. I do remember going to a soiree given by this fellow and his wife Hattie Mae. She was the entertainment and your description of her singing was accurate. I remember Professor Danforth smiled through the performance. I later learned the man is hard of hearing and he'd turned his hearing device off. After that experience, anytime I received an invitation to any gathering at the Danforth residence, I always regretfully declined.”

“Now it's your turn Priscilla and Chris. Tell us the story of your meeting and marriage.”

Priscilla answered “There really isn't much to tell. Christopher was the only child of Nicholas and Belle Pringle and my folks were Noel and Eve Claus. As you can imagine by the sound of their names, our families loved Christmas and that love was passed down to us. I don't remember a time when I didn't love Chris. He was always so jolly no matter what was happening around him. We never thought twice about getting married it seemed the natural thing to do.”

“Priscilla is correct. There was never anyone else for me either. Our only regret is that we were never blessed with children of our own.”

Alma said “Oh you two are loved by all of the children of Camden Corners. I know they love visiting your Christmas shop even in the heat of the summer. Our boys, Butch and Billy cherish the ornaments you made for them this year, Priscilla. This was their first Christmas with a family and those ornaments made it even more special for them. I know Butch keeps his on the nightstand by his bed. I have seen Billy admiring his ornament when he thinks no one is looking.”

Nettie said “I know what you mean about not being blessed with children of your own. I was lucky enough to teach school for many years and my students were always very special to me. I loved it when they had grown and brought their own children into my classroom. Of course, there is Polly. Even though she had only been with us for a short time she quickly became a daughter to me.”

“How are Polly's brothers and sisters, have you heard Nettie? It was so good to see them sitting so proudly at Polly's wedding. The Prestons did a wonderful thing by making sure Polly's family was represented on such an important day for her.”

“Yes, they are doing very well living with Arthur and Gladys. Arthur has already begun building an addition to the house to allow for extra bedrooms for their expanded family. Oscar was there just the other day checking on Alice Cooper and the children. Alice is still insisting Marlin needs her to be near him. She never even asks about her children. I know she has been told they are not in the old house any longer but she doesn't seem to care. I'm afraid she will never be the same. Marlin was taken to the hospital last week. The doctors aren't sure what is wrong with him but he is a very sick man. I think the hospital has taken pity on Alice and she is allowed to sit with Marlin for a few hours a day. It's a rather tricky situation. Nobody wants to take the children away from Alice but she is incapable of caring for them now and they are living a normal life with the Prestons. While I was there, Danny Mackenzie was calling on Gretchen.”

The men ventured outside and thought the roads looked clear enough to travel. They thought it might be best to start for Camden Corners in case the weather took a turn for the worse.

Everything was packed up, the fire in the fire place was out and everything shut down until the next visit.

The Crowley's and their friends were sorry to see their visit to the cabin come to an end. Everyone had enjoyed their get together. There was a knock on the door. Oscar opened it and saw Greensboro's Sheriff Eb Daniels standing there.

“Eb, what are you doing in these parts?”

“I'm sorry Oscar. I'm doing my duty as sheriff of Greensboro. At times I really don't like this job and this is one of those times. Oscar Crowley, you are under arrest for the murder of Marlin Cooper.”

Secret Weapon

Secret Weapon

After reading his pa's journal, Dusty was even more certain Al Blanchard's fall from the scaffolding of the job site in Greensboro was not an accident. He was also certain that the man responsible was Leo Carlisle. Dusty knew Leo's threats were to be taken seriously and his mother was in serious jeopardy if Dusty didn't do exactly what Leo told him to do.

Dusty was surprised Ernie Black gave him a job on the hospital project. He couldn't hide his nervousness. He couldn't stop thinking about his pa's fate and what may lay ahead for Ma. He knew Ernie only hired him because of his father and shuddered to think what Leo would have done if he came home without the job on the project.

Reggie went with Ernie back to the job site. Reggie told Ernie all about his visit to the Dalton Sawmill and let him know the first part of their order would be on its way in just a day or two. Ernie asked Reggie if Josie was feeling alright.

“She looked a little pale to me”

“Josie? She's just fine. Had a great time with Effie Dalton. If she didn't love Camden Corners so much, I don't think I could keep her away from Dalton's Mountain. Sure is beautiful country down there.”

In the meantime, Josie had her head over the commode in the McMillan home. Her mother was sympathetic but couldn't keep the smile off her face because it looked like she would be a grandmother very soon.

Josie joined her mother at the kitchen table.

“I wanted to ask you if you thought I might be expecting but I can tell by the look on your face that you suspect it too.”

“It's probably too soon to tell but maybe you should talk to your sister. I would guess you are suffering from morning sickness. I'll bet Reggie is beside himself.”

“I haven't mentioned it to Reggie. He is so preoccupied with troubles with the lumber order. I want his full attention before I let him know he might be a father in a few months.”

Reggie and Ernie were in Reggie's office discussing how the order could possibly have been switched. Ernie was quiet for a moment and then spoke up.

“I was walking from the wagon across the street when a fellow bumped my arm. I remember thinking it was odd because there was plenty of room for him to walk by me without running into me. The envelope dropped to the ground and he picked it up and handed it to me. Our eyes met and I remember feeling a chill for a moment. I then walked over to the Post Office and handed the envelope to Jackson Parker. We chatted for a few minutes and I returned back here.”

“Let's start with Jackson Parker.” said Reggie “We'll have him look at his log and see where that envelope actually went.”

They rode to the Post Office. Reggie noticed Josie and her mother were going into the doctor's office next door to the McMillan house. He didn't think anything about it since they were all in the family.

Jackson brought out the log and scanned the pages until he came to the one that named the recipient as Dalton Mills, Box 808, Pineville, NY.

“I'm sorry boss.” Ernie said quietly “It was so careless of me not to check that envelope. I should have known something was fishy about that guy. It was all my fault. I cost Miss Lucinda a bundle of money. I will have my resignation letter on your desk first thing tomorrow morning.”

“Ernie, you will do no such thing. It wasn't your fault. Why would you even look at the envelope? You had no way of knowing someone was on the lookout for you. I just wonder how this Carlisle guy knew that order was going out at that time and knew you would have it in your hand when he bumped into you. I'm afraid we may have a spy in our organization.”

The crew was called back to the job the following morning. Dusty thought he saw Leo standing next to the light pole as he walked from the worker's camping grounds to the job site. He knew he had to let Mr. Blackburn know what Leo was capable of but the veiled threat against his ma was constantly on his mind. An hour later, Dusty tripped over his tool box hurting his arm and was taken to see Doctor Tom Campbell.

Tom entered the examining room just as Dusty was removing his jacket without any obvious pain.

“Sorry Doc I didn't hurt myself, I just needed to talk to you or your wife or Doc McMillan. I know you are related to Mrs. Blackburn and I have to get some information to her husband without anyone knowing.

Tom was leery of the boy but willing to listen to his explanation. Dusty showed him the journal. Tom knew of the recent mix up with the lumber and that Reggie was very worried about who was sabotaging the hospital project.

“Has this Leo Carlisle threatened you Dusty?” Tom asked after he had read a few of the incriminating pages.

“No sir, not me. He has cast some kind of spell over my mother and he has hinted that harm will come to her if I don't do as he tells me. So far he hasn't told me to do anything except sign up to work on this job.”

Tom wrapped the boys arm and placed a sling around his neck.

“We will say you have a sprained arm. That way if Leo sees you he won't be suspicious. My wife and I are expected at the Blackburn house this evening for supper. I will give the journal to Reggie then. Dusty, you are a brave young man. I didn't know your pa but I'm sure he would be very proud of the way you are handling this situation.”

Dusty was walking back to the job site when Leo slithered from behind a tree.

“Looks like you will be given a job in the office for a while boy. That works out very well. You will be of more help to me there than out working in the field.”

Later that evening Reggie read over pages of Al Blanchard's journal. He was furious that the man was apparently murdered because of Leo Carlisle's greed.

“Ernie said the kid acted nervous. It's no wonder. From reading through the journal, it appears that Leo is either lurking around the job site of his current victim or he has intimidated someone else to do his dirty work.”

Josie spoke up “Reggie, do you remember that young girl we hired to do the filing and help with some of the paperwork? Her name was Pamela. I would find her crying at her desk almost daily. She never let on what was wrong and one day she simply didn't show up for work. She said she was staying with Evelyn Keys but when I checked with Evelyn, she had never heard of the girl. Maybe I should have looked into it further.”

“We need to get this information to Sheriff Mendenhall but I'm afraid Leo is watching every move we make. For Dusty's safety and his mother's we will have to be very careful.”

Doc McMillan who had been sitting quietly listening to the conversation said “I'm having breakfast with the sheriff and Oscar in the morning. I'll make sure he gets the journal. Oscar will have some ideas, too.”

The sheriff was indeed interested in Al Blanchard's journal and the implications. He had recently returned from a convention of area sheriffs and it seemed Mr. Leo Carlisle had been under suspicion in several cases. None of the cases had ever been resolved because witnesses were unwilling to implicate Leo in any of them.

“I'll check the whereabouts of Pamela Fuller. It sounds like she may have the proof we need to arrest Leo Carlisle. I'm sure the Sheriff in Greensboro would be interested to know that Al Blanchard's death may not have been accidental after all.”

Josie really liked Dusty Blanchard. He was still very worried about his mother but he felt assured that Leo's reign of terror would be coming to an end soon. Josie had told him not to worry. The matter was being handled. They never knew who might be listening so they limited their conversation about the matter.

Dusty was sleeping soundly in his bunk that evening when he was suddenly awakened with a poke to the ribs.

“Find the order for bricks and meet me in the park near the library tomorrow at 12:00. Bring your lunch, we'll have a picnic” Dusty couldn't mistake the evil cackle of Leo Carlisle.

Dusty reported Leo's demand the following morning. Josie quickly drew up an order with false information. She knew it would be impossible to fill the order even from a disreputable company but she hoped when Leo was transferring the information to his own order forms he would not recognize the errors.

Josie was still suffering from morning sickness. Her sister had given her some medication to ease the nausea but she had left it at home this morning. Her stomach felt a little queasy but she was determined to fight it. She was sorry she had eaten so much last night but she was terribly hungry and she couldn't seem to stop herself from reaching for that second helping. She still hadn't told Reggie her news. She wanted it to be a special time for them and with the uproar with Leo and his shenanigans Reggie was still preoccupied.

There was a knock on the office door. Josie opened it to see Pamela Fuller standing there.

“Pamela, where have you been? You just disappeared and we had no idea where to find you.”

“I'm sorry Miss Josie, I have been dishonest with you and you were so kind to me. I met a fellow named Leo Carlisle. I've never had a beau before and he was so very charming I'm afraid after a few kind words I developed a crush on him. He wanted me to help him with a plan to swindle your husband and take money for himself. Oh, Miss Josie, I told him I couldn't do such a thing and suddenly he turned on me. What I thought was charm became pure evil. He threatened to hurt my dear mama. I couldn't bear anything happening to her and I went along with his plan. I started working here and copied the lumber order and gave it to Leo. Leo bumped into Ernie on the street and exchanged the envelope with the bogus one. He then took the check made out to Dalton Mills and was able to cash it at the bank in Greensboro. I suspect he may have been blackmailing someone at the bank to illegally cash the checks. I felt so guilty all those times you found me crying but I couldn't tell you. I had confided in my cousin Muriel who lives in Pennsylvania. She arranged for my mother and me to board the train under false identities and come to stay with her. My mother passed away in her sleep last week. I decided to come back here and face my punishment. Now that my mother is safe with the Lord, I am no longer afraid of Mr. Leo Carlisle.”

Leo had been watching Ernie Black from across the street and hadn't noticed Pamela Fuller walking into the office until it was too late to stop her.

“I should have gotten rid of the insipid woman a long time ago” he whispered to himself.

Leo practically ran to the office door, put his ear to the door and listened as Julie spoke.

“You did the right thing Pamela, I'm very sorry about your mother but we will keep you safe from Leo. You stay here while I find Reggie. We will call Sheriff Mendenhall and have Leo Carlisle arrested.

Leo backed away from the door. They weren't going to catch him. His way out of town was right here in plain sight. Josie Blackburn was a fine looking woman and his insurance policy.

Josie was walking quickly to the construction area where Reggie was talking with Ernie and a couple of the men. She felt the bile rising in her throat but had to get to Reggie before Leo got to Pamela. Suddenly she felt an arm around her waist and felt metal in her ribs. She wasn't surprised when she turned and her captor was none other than Leo Carlisle. She heard Pamela scream and Reggie shout her name. Leo was holding her tightly and was looking into her eyes when she couldn't hold back any longer. She regurgitated directly into Leo's face. He jumped back, dropped the gun and started retching himself. Leo had no qualms about killing someone in cold blood but couldn't take watching someone vomit. Especially, when it was directed at him.

The crew wrestled Leo to the ground and held him there and hosed him down while they waited for the sheriff to arrive and haul him off to jail.

Reggie held Josie closely. “You have been doing that often lately. Do you think we should get you over to Doc's so he can check you out? A stomach flu shouldn't last this long.”

“It's not a stomach flu, Papa. I was waiting for a special time to tell you but I think our little baby just saved my life and I would say this is a very special time.”

Reggie picked her up and swung her around until he thought better of it. Josie was looking a little green at the moment. Instead he put his arm around her and walked her back into the office where she could rest after her ordeal.

Leo confessed to Al Blanchard's murder and several other crimes insuring that he would be spending the next 99 years in prison.

Pamela was exonerated from any criminal charges and went back to Pennsylvania where she met and married Arnold Swanson who charmed her in only good ways.

Dusty was welcomed with open arms upon returning to Greensboro. He became sought after whenever a new construction project began.

The Village of Camden Corners

All new stories in the continue tales of the folks of Camden Corners.  On sale now at createspace.com and amazon.com

$7.99 plus shipping.  Also available on Nook for $5.99

Follow the loves and lives of the friends and residents of Camden Corners at the turn of the 20th Century.  Love is always in the air or just around the corner.  

The Village of Camden Corners: A Collection of Short Stories
Authored by Jane O'Brien
List Price: $7.99

A Secret Revealed

 

A Secret Revealed

Oscar Crowley liked to drop by the Crowley Law Office every day. He had total confidence in his sons, Robert and Richard to keep things going in the practice he began years before, but he missed being part of the action. He was as spry as anyone 30 years younger than he was and Miss Nettie Dawson might have been partly responsible for that.

Robert knew this mystery would delight his father and asked him to step into his office. Robert introduced the two men and showed Oscar the newspaper article Max had discovered in a book in the library. Oscar was amazed that it had been found and that it was so obviously hidden. Oscar's father was just a young boy when the Lane family vanished. Oscar remembered the adults always stopped their conversation about the incident whenever he was within earshot. He had heard enough to fear that one day he and his family might disappear in the middle of the night. To this day he liked to keep a small light burning near his bedroom door. Max thoroughly enjoyed being with the elder gentleman that morning as he told him everything he had heard about the mystery.

That afternoon Max stopped by the library. He saw Sarah in the children's section surrounded by preschoolers as she read them the story of The Ugly Duckling. Sarah was unlike any other female he had ever known. She was beautiful inside and out. Maybe he should drop the subject of the Lane brothers, after all it happened so long ago. He knew he wouldn't be able to do that. His instincts for a good story were too much a part of him. Sarah looked up from her book and grinned from ear to ear. She was very happy to see Mr. Maxwell Harcourt. She led the children back to their waiting mothers and nannies and greeted Max with a warm handshake.

It was almost lunchtime. Marian had packed Sarah a lunch that morning and as Sarah guessed, it was much more than she could eat alone. She asked if Max would like to share it with her out on the lawn where she liked to spread her blanket and watch people walk by. Today though, she wouldn't be alone as he readily agreed to join her. She picked up her lunch bucket and set aside her J. K. Ellingsworth novel. Max asked if she was enjoying the book.

“Oh yes, J. K. Ellingsworth is my favorite author and as much of a mystery as the novels he or she writes.”

“He or She?” Max exclaimed just a little too loudly.

“I think J.K. is a man although he is very good about bringing romance into each story. Everyone else in my book club thinks she is a woman. Not that J.K. couldn't be a woman's name. Did you know that Louisa May Alcott wrote as A. M. Barnard enabling her to write darker and racier themes so that she could gain the financial freedom to write the way she really wanted in her later years? And do you know the name Mary Ann Evans? Most people know her by her pen name, George Eliot.”

Max wondered if maybe he should have chosen a different pseudonym for himself. Ellingsworth was the name of his first grade teacher and J and K were two letters in the alphabet that had no special meaning except they happened to be side by side on his typewriter. It never occurred to him that anyone would think he was a woman. Maybe he was laying the romance on a little thick. He knew nothing about romance. He had never been in love and never found anyone he wanted to spend the rest of his life with. Not until now that is.

Sarah began extolling the virtues of Gilmartin Trent. The way she talked, old Gil was a real person. To Max he was a real person too but for crying out loud, he was a figment of his imagination not Sarah's. He couldn't believe he was thinking this way. Of course he wanted his character to seem real. That's what sold his books. Could he be jealous of this imaginary character? Max was feeling uncomfortable and finally, Sarah changed the subject. She wondered what brought Max to town. He told her he was doing some research on small towns in the area. He avoided telling her it was for his next novel.

Sarah and Max were enjoying relaxing under the big elm tree when Mrs. Wharton came scurrying across the lawn.

“Mr. Harcourt” she shouted. “Someone left this letter for you attached to your outside door. It is my duty as landlady to insure the safety of my tenants which meant I was forced to read the letter. It is a warning for you to leave town or harm will come to you. Mr. Harcourt, I must ask you to vacate your room immediately.”

“Now Mrs. Wharton, calm down. I'm sure there is a logical explanation for this letter. Let me read it please.”

The letter was exactly as Mrs. Wharton had stated but it gave Max some time to think what he would say to Sarah who was standing next to him with a very concerned look on her face.

“I understand your concern Mrs. Wharton, I am sure this is nothing but a prank but I will clear my belongings out of the room in your house.”

Mrs. Wharton was relieved but Sarah had even more questions about this handsome stranger. Max decided it was time to reveal his identity to Sarah. He asked Sarah if he could meet with her when she finished her duties at the library. He had things to discuss with her and he didn't want to be interrupted. Sarah knew Max was a man of mystery and couldn't help comparing him with her fictional hero, Delmartin Trent. Could it be that Maxwell Harcourt was really J.K. Ellingsworth? Sarah thought that was impossible and discounted the possibility immediately, but she was wondering who her new friend really was.

Andrew Lane had heard folks buzzing about the stranger in town and the fact that he had been questioning people about the Lane family of years ago. Andrew didn't have anything to hide but he had made a promise to his grandfather that he would find out all he could about the Lane brothers and the woman who seemed to be so important in their lives. Andrew was happy being a history teacher in the local high school and was a content family man. He had never had the time or the desire to investigate the mysterious disappearance of his ancestors. Maybe it was time he paid a visit to J.K. Ellingsworth. Andrew had discovered several years ago that his favorite mystery author wrote under the pen name of J. K. Ellingsworth. As was typical of Andrew, he never did see any reason to reveal to anyone Mr. Harcourt's true identity. He had heard Mrs. Wharton's tale of finding a threatening note on Max' door that morning. Andrew decided it was time to confront Mr. Harcourt. He was beginning to worry that his beloved daughter might be falling for Max. He honestly didn't think that was such a bad idea but he did need to find out for himself whether Max was a charlatan or just an interested writer who was as smitten with his daughter as she was with him. Andrew arranged for Mrs. Green to oversee his classes for the remainder of the afternoon and set out to meet with Max.

Max wasn't totally surprised to see Andrew turning the corner and heading toward the park. The two men greeted each other cordially. Andrew confessed he knew about J.K. Ellingsworth. Max explained that he had submitted dozens of manuscripts under his own name before he became J.K. Ellingsworth. He decided since Maxwell Harcourt had worn out his welcome with every publishing company he would try another name and it worked. Andrew questioned Max about his interest in the Lane disappearances of long ago. Max explained finding the newspaper article hidden in the reference book. As a writer, he couldn't let the matter go without investigating. He did promise Andrew that he would do nothing to embarrass the Lane family and had already decided he was not going to make it the basis of his next novel. Andrew let Max know about his promise to his grandfather. He thought maybe now was the time to make good on that promise. They both went to see Oscar Crowley and let him know that Andrew's grandfather had asked him to find out what happened to his family and that Charles Lane had been left on the doorstep of an orphanage. Max left the law office to meet Sarah as she would be closing the library shortly. Andrew and Oscar were still deep in conversation.

Sarah was just walking down the steps of the library when she spotted Max walking toward her. Her heart skipped a beat as he took her hand. Although there was a chill in the night air, the couple found a bench by the lake where they didn't think they would be disturbed. Max explained that he didn't mean to deceive Sarah but he was the author, J.K. Ellingsworth. Sarah's heart skipped another beat. She was silently fearing she would call Max by her hero's name Delmartin. Max thought maybe he had lost any chance with Sarah because of his dishonesty.

Sarah then turned to him and exclaimed “I can't wait to tell my book club friends that J.K. really is a man.”

Max filled Sarah in on all that was known about the Lane brothers. She remembered when she was young, she and her friends would go into the woods behind the Camden Hill Ski Lodge looking for the Lane cabins. Although the days were getting shorter, the couple thought they would have about an hour to explore the location before the sun set for the day. They borrowed Andrew's horse and buggy and were off into the woods to see what they could find.

Sarah could feel the excitement building inside her. She felt she was off to solve a mystery with her favorite fictional character, a living, breathing Delmartin Trent. It was a much shorter ride to the old cabins than Sarah recalled. Both cabins were barely standing. They walked to the first cabin, it was rather small with a fairly large area combining a cooking, eating and sitting area. Beyond was a room with a large bed and chest of drawers. The bed was covered in a handmade quilt that, although covered in dust, looked lovely on the hand carved bed. There were two very tiny beds in the corner of the room. Max wondered why after all these years, someone hadn't torn down the cabins or at least taken the furniture out of them. In spite of the dust and cobwebs, it appeared to be in the same condition as the former occupants left it so long ago. Max carefully examined every piece of furniture in the cabin. He discovered a journal secured to the underside of the chest in the bedroom. Carefully, he removed the journal from its hiding place. At the same time, Sarah was examining the quilt. There was a small tear on the left edge of the it and Sarah could tell something was inside.

She carefully felt around with her fingers and pulled out a piece of paper in shaky handwriting, it said “Something is happening to me. I am afraid Sylvia has been poisoning me with one of her potions. Simon will not believe me. I fear for my boys. With all the strength I have left in me, I have buried the treasure in the hollow of the old evergreen tree at the edge of the woods. I want my precious little boys, Charles and Seth to have the treasure. Please tell them how much their mother loves them.”

It was signed Hannah Lane.