Discovering Treasure

by Crystal Mary Lindsey

  Connor had a mouthful of sandwich and had to wait until he finished chewing and swallow before speaking, but Treasure had everyone’s attention. Connor looked toward Kelvin, “Old Kel can probably tell you more than I can, I never took too much notice to be truthful, and then I went off to war for a few years. What I do know is that it can get drastic because it affects everything and everyone. And no one has any real solutions.”

  Nellie looked toward Kelvin, “tell them Kel, tell them of that good idea you told me about.” Nellie was promoting the handyman as their spokesperson.

  Kelvin, usually ready to joke about almost everything, didn’t at this. In fact his complete countenance was serious for the first time they had known him. “People need to respect water, because it’s more valuable than gold in keeping the wheels of life turning. My opinion is, too much water is thrown away. Take water used to wash the clothes, why is it thrown out on an already well-watered ground in the good times? The same with bath and kitchen sink water. What I said to Nellie was that we should save water somehow and re-use it to water plants and small plots of acres when the drought comes.”

  All were amazed, what a good idea! And he was so right, and it was even better, or as good as the one formed in Treasure’s mind. Everyone began to speak at once until Treasure stood up.

  “Quiet, I want to say something first before I forget it. Kelvin’s idea is a wonderful one, and I am thinking that his idea with mine could make a big difference to our town when times are as bad as I have heard they can get. Perhaps it’s not an absolute cure, but it would certainly be helpful.” She reached across to put some milk into the tea Ella just poured for her. “Okay, this is my idea. Most homes have a tank to collect rain water and some even have wells. But, there is no water tank attached to the church and only a small tank for the school. I propose we get a much larger one in-ground, for the school and another for the church.” Stirring her tea and then taking a sip, she continued. “As for Kel’s idea, we could all put in large tanks where our dirty house water could be stored for reuse on vegetable gardens, when the drought hits.”

  Connor sat amazed, this girl certainly had her head screwed on right. Not many women would even bother to consider water a matter for concern. Her character rose immediately in his esteem for her. She wasn’t the la-di-da self-consumed young woman he once valued her as; she actually had a good brain in a sensible head on her shoulders, which was a rarity.

  Marcus Kingsley elbowed Connor, almost reading his mind. Since they were seated at a table separate to other church member’s, yet still in proximity, he lowered his voice.

  “To know Treasure and her way of thinking is to have known her grandmother and my dearly departed wife, Treasures mother. They were exceptionally clever women who forever found ingenious ways to promote what they believed in. Due to them I was convicted to defend women’s rights.”

  Marcus cut himself another piece of chocolate cake, looking at it with head down for a moment, then he told a story that Treasure had never heard till now. Perhaps it was the peacefulness of the day, or the sheer contentment of acceptance among friends. For whatever reason Marcus was compelled to share and since none wanted others to hear, they all bent forward to catch the narrative.

  “I met my dear wife when I was a nonentity clerk. She came into the bank where I was working to deposit an amount of money endowed to her by her father. She was loveliness in everything about her, unmarried and eight months pregnant. I could see she felt poor in spirit due to, I was to learn later, the loss of the man she thought loved her. We chatted and she asked if I would luncheon with her. Of course I did, I had no family of my own and she was obviously in distress.” Glancing around at the other tables and making sure none others were listening, he continued. “The poor lass were beside herself. She related her whole story to me, with the decision of asking her childless sister to adopt her baby. This was the only decision she could think of that would permit her to have a part in caring for the little mite. She had thought it through from every angle explaining to me how her sister followed her husband on his explorations. So on these occasions she would be able to step in and care for the child as its aunt. This would be a socially acceptable arrangement and one that undoubtedly would reassure the consensual.

  He leaned toward Treasure to continue. Taking a huge breath, and as if he wanted it off his chest, he completed the rest. “Your grandfather had the wisdom to set me up in starting a bank of my own. He was a kind man and we all worked together so that no one knew your real identity. In the beginning of the bank it was hard work. Your mother thought I didn’t care for having children of our own. This was not so, I just didn’t want to burden her with another worry. So you Treasure were the only child and grandchild. Although I found it difficult to express my love for you and your mother, I truly did love you both.”

  If the others at their table seemed embarrassed, none showed it. In the time they had all been concurrent, a uniting bond of togetherness was strengthened like that of a related family.

  Kelvin was the first to speak. “I reckon these things happen and they are the way God means them to be, for whatever reason.” He didn’t wish to sound unfeeling or cold, but just to lay the matter to rest, as there were other more pressing solutions to think about now.

  “We should have a town meeting before too much longer and talk about these tanks and take a vote. Hopefully there will be more rain” He looked at the minister. “So what do you think Reverend Elderby? The church won’t need, that big a tank, but if putting one in it will help when times are bad, then all can count on using the water for a small price? Then that money could be invested further into other needs for the town.”

  The Reverend shook his head. “I don’t like the idea of people paying for what can be acquired for free.” He thought about this, and then added, “And what of those who couldn’t afford it?” Everyone considered this. It was true, and if only the ones with money would benefit then what kind of advantage would that be.

  Nellie was next to speak up. “Well not that it’s my business mind you, but when people pay for something they seem to prize it more highly so no one would be squandering it. As for the poor needing it, that’s true also, so there would need be a tally book, and when they are able to compensate in some way, then that could be done. Not so they should suffer any you know.” So that settled it, Treasure would carry the debt of larger in-ground concrete tanks for the church and school. It was also decided that the men with families, who needed a wage the most, would be hired for the work. Treasure would leave the result of getting this done to the men of the town with Connor as overseer.

  Walking home later and lagging behind with Uncle Marcus, Treasure held onto his arm, telling him how glad she was to have him with them and hoping he would make it to visit more often. This delighted him and now she began to understand the man behind the one she thought she knew. He was a people-pleaser and got much joy from seeing others happy. He didn’t ever seem to consider what he would like to do.

  “Tell me Uncle Marcus, if there was one thing in the whole world that you would like to do, just to please yourself without worrying if it made someone else happy, what would that be?”

  them to our table in case you are under the impression I did, and be warned, that particular family can be a malicious lot. I have represented them as Her uncle beamed and it came from deep within him, as he carried a profoundly hidden secret, never shared yet always prized. “Well, as long as you don’t laugh, there was something I loved to do as a boy, but never have time for since I grew older. But, it’s the one thing I enjoyed so very much, and perhaps I could come and stay here sometimes and do it.” He looked sideways at her as they walked, knowing Treasure would be scanning her mind to try and figure out what it was. She was like that, she always liked to guess.

  “I have no idea Uncle, I have never been aware of you doing anything that wasn’t related to work. So is this related to that in any way?”

  He shook his hea
d! Looking up at the sky and down at the road, he quite enjoyed her trying to fathom it out. He chuckled. “Well, do you give up yet?” At her nod, he gave in and informed her “I don’t believe you could ever guess but it is something quite simple, although you may not associate it with a pompous ass like me. I like to fish. I get great joy in rolling up my trouser legs, sitting on the riverbank and catching fish. How I used to love to do that as a child. Yet when you are a bank manager people would have looked down their noses if I’d been seen, so I have dreamt about it and read much about it, but never ventured to it.”

  Treasure could remember having seen magazines specifically about that in his home. Why, this was something he could do here and no one would judge him for it. “Well that seems like something else we could bring about. Perhaps a fishing club with a small prize for the biggest fish, maybe you could get yourself a Tinnie –, oh, I can just see you out in a boat and then bringing home lovely fish for a meal” And so it was decided, Uncle would be a regular visitor and would enjoy his hobby. It was about time he learned to relax, have fun and relish life. Treasure almost skipped the rest of the way home.

  Uncle flew out with Connor next day with the promise he would be back a few days before Christmas and remain until New Year’s Day. If only her mother could see the happiness coming about due to the relaxed attitude between family and this little town. Treasure knew she would have liked it.

  Kelvin was as busy as a bee and right in his element of organizing. Connor was due back in two days, so the town planned their meeting for Friday night. Meanwhile Kel, the reverend now being called Thomas, and the headmaster Greg Brown all made plans of how to produce diagrams for the tanks, to gain town approval. With Treasure supporting all the expense, Connor chipped in to pay the salaries. There was much planning to do because they needed the work well on the way before any rain could fall.

  Everyone kept busy with one thing or another and by the middle of November –, just one day after the tanks where finished, the rain fell in deluges, soon filling everything including the river below and making a muddy mess of the streets. People remained indoors as much as possible as the road was awash, turning dirt to slosh which was fun for the children, but not so for the adults.

  Connor began venturing over on odd occasions and spending an afternoon talking with Treasure about her life living in different countries, and the customs and the things she missed. Often he remained for the evening meal and later a game of cards with Kel. Treasure no longer felt daunted by him and missed him on his odd jaunts to Sydney or Melbourne. She often wondered whether he had another family there. Could she be jealous? She supposed all being as it was, then yes, she did care for him, a little more than she would have liked. She was losing ground. By the way he looked at her; she could see a longing in those eyes of his for more, so why didn’t he ever approach her to go for a walk alone as Thomas did with Ella? Goodness, she turned twenty six years old soon, what was he waiting for? Okay then, she would take the bull by the horns and invite herself on his next visit to Melbourne, and see what happened.

  “I’d like to have some time away, and hope you can take me with you to Melbourne on your next trip. What do you say Connor?” They’d just finished an evening meal and were waiting for coffee to be served. If Connor felt any surprise in her asking then he didn’t show it.

  “That’s fine with me, I intend to go again as soon as the rain dries up, and it’s much safer then. Have you travelled in a small open small plane before?”

  She assuring him she hadn’t but she didn’t think it would be a problem because she suffered no ill effects from heights. So it was settled. As soon as the rain debated they would be off. Ella was so excited for her. And Treasure assured her it was purely a business venture.

  “Just write down the names of those hair colors and butterfly clips for styling.” Ella had bought scissors with her from Paris, so that was no trouble. But she would need other things as well.

  The trip was exciting, never had she experienced anything so exhilarating. After landing at the airport, a car picked them up and dropped Treasure in central Melbourne. Connor went on to see about his business dealing and would later stay the night in his own apartment.

  After settling in, and checking the local telephone directory for the factory wholesalers, Treasure caught a taxi to her destiny.

  She purchased the hair dressing items. Then added some lovely bolts of different materials needed for summer and winter. Accessories such as cottons, laces, belts, artificial flowers, earrings, hair combs, and a variety of different hats completed her personal purchases. Then she ordered two mannequins to place in a window for attracting customers. Beside this, she couldn’t resist buying two beautiful large mirrors. After arranging all this to be boxed, and shipped by train, and then by truck, hunger pangs caused her to slow down and consider her need to eat.

  10

  Causing a stir

  Connor had given her the name of a restaurant he’d be eating in at one o’clock. Treasure was in good time to meet him there. Since he had never seen her in one of her Paris collections, she planned to surprise him. Dressing her hair to hang long down on the side of her face was quite an attention grabber. Her dress –, a low- waisted slinky, dusty pink, model, outlined her body to perfection. Knowing she looked her best and causing a stir the moment she entered the restaurant, she waited to be seated. A waiter hurried across, and was just going to tell her they were full up when Treasure spied Connor with two women seated at a corner alcove. Perhaps when he gave her the invite, thinking it good manners, he didn’t expect she’d join him? Well, too bad as here she was, and since she was hungry she refused to leave. Or, could a spirit of mischief have played any part in her decision to remain.

  At least he had the manners to stand as she arrived. Seating her beside himself, he introduced her to the other two well- dressed women. “Treasure I would like you to meet the daughter and niece of a client of mine. Miss Georgina Hollingsworth and, Miss Mary Hollingsworth.

  From the way they looked her slyly over, her company was not welcomed by either of them. After a lull in the conversation that included Connor, they began to speak in French, rudely asking Connor from where he picked up this stray cat, and was this one of the little mice from his country town. Connor squirmed; as he had an idea that Treasure could speak French, but was out of his depth as to how to handle these two unpleasant young women. Next, they began picking her outfit apart. During all of this Treasure sipped on a glass of lemonade, debating whether to put them in their place or let them feel like their rudeness wasn’t understood.

  The decision was quite taken out of her hands when a society woman, a Madame Duvet stopped at their table gushing over seeing Treasure there. The two Hollingsworth women were mystified as this lady had never even looked at them before, let alone stop near them to have a discussion. They poised themselves, waiting! But instead she directed herself solely to Treasure in perfect French.

  “Mon Dieu mon chérie! Nous vousavez manqué cheza Madame Jeanne-Marie. Personne ne peut pas vousremplacerjamais. J’aientenduparler de votretanteet nous sommestellementdésolés. Maisrevenir à nous, même pour unevisite, nous serionsravis.”

  It touched Treasure, that she was missed at Madame Jeanne-Marie’s, and the condolences for the loss of her mother gripped her heart. No-one knew Aunt Primrose true identity; which was good, and she now declined the lady’s kind invitation to come and visit.

  “Merci Madame. Je suisinstallédans mon pays d’origine. Mais je viendraisun jour— biento’t – vousvisiter a la Haute Couture. Merci.”

  Leaning down to kiss both Treasure’s cheeks – and without regard to Connor or his other guests –the satisfied woman flittered away to her own awaiting party. Several of whom, turned to look in Treasure’s direction. Some attempted a self-conscious little wave.

  The cousins stared at her open mouthed. Remembering her mother’s good manners on such occasions, Treasure asked Connor for the menu. “I do declare I am h
ungry, and it’s been so long since I ate good French cuisine.” Then she just smiled at the cousins as if they had been pleasant to her all along.

  Connor was not pleased. After being a wounded airman of a French family during the war, he knew enough of the language to understand what had transpired. His sympathies were sided with Treasure and this reflected in his gratitude as he waited for her menu selection. These self-invited cousins had taken it upon themselves to crash what he had intended as an intimate lunch for two. Yet insulting them was not a position he relished, however, as a lawyer he also knew that accepting their attitudes without retaliation would seem as if he agreed. And he certainly did not!

  Sighting the table these two should have been at, Connor arose. “Ladies,” he looked purposely from one cousin to the other. “I believed you are missed from where you should be, so it would be a good idea for you both to move over there before my guest and I place our orders.”

  The young Hollingsworth women knew when they were being chastened and without a parting word, almost ran to sit with their lunch party.

  “I am so sorry about that, Treasure. I did not invite their lawyer in the past, but from now on they will be handed on to my other, much sterner colleague.”

  Treasure was thankful for his support and compassion. She was also surprised at her own actions, because in the past if she’d had to deal with this kind of rudeness; her sharp tongue would have lashed, leaving lasting scares. Yet she felt a surprising peace, and no hard feelings towards that discourteous pair. Surely something beyond herself gave her the tranquility not to take what was said to heart. Was this the God that Ella and her uncle had spoken of? She shook her head. It was baffling.

  Spending the afternoon with Connor was a pleasant diversion. Music struck up with the fast Charleston, and Treasures feet tapped on the floor, wanting to run out and join in. Connor looked somewhat abashed. Did she do something wrong? Many people took to the floor amid laughter and action. Treasure looked at Connor seeking an answer