The Village of Camden Corners
Casting
Call
Shane Howard Memorial Hospital was up and running. Much
to Reggie Blackburn's relief, the building hadn't collapsed down
around Mayor Horton during the dedication.
As much as Caroline Bentley was enjoying the special
treatment she and her newborn were receiving as the hospital's first
patients, she wanted very much to return to her home and her family.
Little Lucy was only three days old. Because the hospital hadn't
officially opened when Lucy decided to make her appearance, Becky was
able to see for herself that her mother was going to be just fine.
Three days later the rules were in place and young children were not
allowed to visit.
Doctor Julie understood Caroline's anxiety and approved
her early dismissal only after she received a promise of complete bed
rest for the next week. Jamison was in the room listening to every
word and Caroline knew she would be forced to follow doctor's orders.
Becky was happy to see her mother and was torn between
sitting with her and watching the nurse Jamison hired to care for her
little sister. Becky loved to sing and serenaded her mother and
Lucy. Caroline couldn't remember when she was so relaxed. She felt
guilty not caring for Lucy herself but Jamison threatened he would
carry her back to the hospital if she dared get out of bed.
The week of confinement passed quickly and Caroline took
over much of the baby's care. She was glad, however, to leave some
of the chores to the nurse. Having a baby at this stage of her life
was a little more tiring than she thought it would be.
Memorial Hospital was much busier than any of the
doctors anticipated. Word spread about the new facility and doctors
were referring their patients from small towns and villages in every
direction.
Doc McMillan was acting as administrator of Memorial.
He wasn't happy about the position but he knew it was only temporary.
“We need to make every effort to recruit physicians
and nurses to the hospital. Does anyone know how Reggie is coming
along with the houses he's building on Elm Street? We can't ask
folks to move here to work if they don't have a place to live when
they get here.”
“Doc,” Jamison spoke up, “Reggie has three
houses completed and is in the process of finishing three more. Our
problem is financing at this point. We have to sell these places
before we can start building new ones.”
“How much do you need, Jamison?” said Lucinda.
“Mr. Harvey keeps investing Mr. Howard's money and it keeps
growing. I could probably make arrangements to purchase some of the
homes. Let's get together with Mr. Harvey and try to work something
out.”
“I like that solution, thank you Lucinda. Clayton, do
you know of any of your associates in New York who would be a good
fit for Camden Corners?”
“I may have a few suggestions, let me feel them out
and see if there is any interest in relocating.” said Clayton
Springer.
“Grady, how about you? Anybody you know of who would
like nothing better than to live in our friendly town?”
“I'll think about it, boss. I do know of one surgeon
who showed some interest when I told him I would be practicing here.
I'll try calling him this afternoon. I'm glad we finally have
telephone service here. It is limited but better than nothing.”
“What we need immediately is an administrator. I am
just a country doctor. I know nothing about running a hospital. It
all seems overwhelming now but I'm sure it will work out. In the
meantime, let's get back to our patients.”
Jamison walked out of the room with Lucinda.
“Lucinda, you know you don't have to donate all of the
money Shane Howard left to you and Cassandra. You and Nick could
take a honeymoon, visit New York and see the shows, do things you
never were able to afford when you lived there.”
“Jamison, I don't have any desire to do those things.
I love my life just the way it is. Besides, Nick would never be
happy if he knew I was spending money on things he can't afford just
now. Let's go have a talk with Mr. Harvey.”
They walked to the bank and were surprised that Mr.
Harvey had taken the day off.
“I've never known Mr. Harvey to miss a day at the
bank. I think I even saw him sitting in his office on Christmas day
last year. I hope he's not ill.”
His secretary smiled and said “He's not ill unless you
consider a heart condition an illness. I believe after all these
years as a bachelor, our dear Mr. Harvey has taken a shine to
Millicent Merryweather Stout. He and Mrs. Stout had an engagement
today. I'll let him know you were here to see him. Would you like
me to arrange a time tomorrow? It looks like he is free at 11:00 in
the morning.”
“That will be fine, I'm happy Mr. Harvey is finding an
interest outside these walls. He works much too hard.” Lucinda
smiled. “Don't you just love it when two people find each other,
Jamison?”
Jamison laughed. “I can tell that made your day. You
are such a romantic. I'm glad you are, if it weren't for you I'd
still be living all by myself in Greensboro. Instead I have a
growing family and couldn't be happier.”
They parted ways and Lucinda went to visit Emma and
Lily. Sarah Harcourt was in the shop and talking excitedly about
Hannah's Treasure. She and her husband, Max discovered a
hundred year old mystery involving Hannah Lane and her husband.
Sarah felt a connection to her ancestor, Hannah. She was compelled
to write her life story and unbeknownst to her, Max had arranged to
have it published. It was a story of love and hardship, a very sad
tale of people who were trusting to the wrong person. One of the
Save the Library projects was
to put on a play and invite all folks from the surrounding area to
attend with the proceeds going to help pay off the bank loan needed
to keep the library under Camden Corners control.
“Hi ladies, I see you have been working on your script
Sarah, how's it coming?” Asked Lucinda.
“I finished it last night with the help of my dear
Max. I think it's going to be a good play. I've made several
changes to make it a bit more uplifting. The true story of a husband
and wife being murdered and their children left at the door of an
orphanage just doesn't cry out happy ending.”
“I've read your book several times and always dissolve
in tears.”
“I know,” added Emma, “Richard can't understand
why I continue to read it when it makes me so sad.”
“Men just don't understand.” said Lily.
“I was hoping someone would be willing to read the
play and tell me what you think. Don't worry, Sylvia still has a big
part in the story. I love the idea of Beverly Mills as Sylvia. That
was Emma's suggestion,” she said to Lucinda.
“Oh good, I never did see Beverly perform because I
wasn't living here at the time but I understand it was quite a shock
when she appeared on stage.”
Lily spoke up. “I hope she isn't still working with
that slimy Elmer Brubaker. I think he took most of the profit from
the show she put on. I know we didn't collect nearly as much money
as we should have.”
Nettie walked out from the back room. “Did I hear you
talking about Beverly Mills? I felt so sorry for her when she came
to town and we all were expecting the famous opera singer. I wrote
down her address to write her a thank you note and we have been
corresponding ever since. She really is a very sweet lady. She did
part ways with Elmer and has cleaned up her act quite a bit.”
Sarah said, “Do you think she would be offended if we
asked her to play the part of Sylvia Reynolds in Hannah's
Treasure?”
“I think she would love it. I'm going to go to
Oscar's office right now to use the telephone to call her in New
York. I have her phone number in my address book. Beverly comments
in every letter about how much she enjoyed visiting our town. I'll
invite her to stay with Oscar and me. I don't know how much she
charges for her appearances but I'm sure we can work something out.”
The girls knew the play would be wonderful. Sarah was a
gifted author and with Max helping her out it was guaranteed to be
good. Lily began reading the first few pages, as she finished she
handed them to Lily and then to Lucinda. Sarah walked to her
family's home to visit with her mother. She was nervous watching
everyone read her play. Marian was happy to see her daughter looking
so well. Her first grandchild would be coming into the world very
soon. Marian remembered the reservations she had about Max Harcourt.
She thought he was much too sophisticated for her sheltered
daughter. She was glad Max had proven her wrong. The two young
people were perfect for each other. After a while Sarah walked back
to the antique shop.
All three of her friends were dabbing their eyes with
their hankies. That's a good sign, thought Sarah. There is a
bittersweet part near the end of the story.
Lily finished the last page. She stood up and hurried
to wrap her arms around Sarah “What a beautiful story Sarah. I
loved the new ending and I think Hannah would be happy with it too.”
As each of the ladies finished the story they wiped
their eyes and hugged Sarah. With everyone talking at once they
didn't hear Max enter the shop. He knew Sarah had a hit with the
play. His concern was that the local actors wouldn't do it justice.
“Looks like everyone likes your play Sarah.”
“Oh Max, isn't it wonderful? Lily and Emma just told
me Richard and Robert were willing to play the Lane brothers. I
spoke with Betsy Wallace earlier. She would love portraying Hannah
and she was sure Charlie would jump at the chance to play the
sinister Clarence Reynolds. Nettie is calling Beverly Mills as we
speak. You weren't here when she came to Camden Corners a while
back. She will make a perfect Sylvia Reynolds. Max, I'm so excited.
This is really shaping up and I have a good feeling that we will
raise a lot of money for the library.”
Max still had his doubts about the cast but Sarah's
enthusiasm was catching. He had been around theatrical productions
through the years, even tried his hand at directing a time or two.
Sarah was thrilled when he agreed to direct. She hesitated to ask
Luke Shannon since he would be working on the talent show in a few
months.
We have so many talented people in town, I'm sure we
won't have any trouble getting help with the sets. Nettie opened the
door. “Beverly can't wait to get here. She will be on the first
train out of New York in the morning. She wants to get started right
away and is looking forward to playing a tart. I also stopped by the
newspaper office. Josie Blackburn said they would be delighted to
print up scripts, signs, programs and anything else we may need.”
Max was flabbergasted that everything was falling into
place in just one afternoon. “Never underestimate the power of the
women of Camden Corners. When you ladies set your mind to getting a
job done, there is no stopping you.”
As he'd promised, Leland Harvey opened the door to his
home to Emma and Lily.
“Hello ladies, please come in. Miss Millie is already
here and waiting in the parlor.”
Emma and Lily walked into the house and knew immediately
that this house was a goldmine of treasures. They greeted Millie and
she poured them a cup of tea from the fresh pot the housekeeper had
just brought into the room.
“Ladies have a look around, there is nothing I have
any attachment to so if you think you see something of value, please
feel free to take it with you. Mother was a collector of everything.
I think Mrs. Rollins, my housekeeper, would be happy to see this
place emptied out. She never complains but I know it takes her a
full morning to dust the items in the parlor alone.”
Lily spoke up. “Mr. Harvey, you have so many
beautiful and valuable pieces. Emma and I can't just take them.
Maybe we could arrange to sell them on consignment for you if you are
willing.”
“Lily dear. I have worked all my life and nothing in
here has given me the pleasure that spending an evening with Miss
Millie and her family did recently. If you feel better about selling
them on consignment, I would be willing to accept that and donate the
profits to the library.”
Just looking at Millie and Mr. Harvey glancing at each
other, Emma wondered if Mr. Harvey was planning a move sometime in
the near future. A move into the Merryweather household would be her
guess.
“Mr. Harvey,” Emma said, “we will be delighted to
sell your mother's collection. We'll arrange to have Jonas pick
everything up at your convenience.”
“Please ladies, call me Leland. Mr. Harvey is the
banker and I plan to be spending less and less time at the bank.”
Emma didn't think she had ever seen a broader smile than
the one that was on Millie's face as he spoke.
