Jesse watched intently, wondering at the tremor around her friend’s mouth and why she was so nervous and kept glancing at the door as if she expected someone to come barging in.
“What’s happened? You’re not the Pauline I saw last week. Is Mr. Harper causing trouble here at the school again?”
“No.” She shook her head.
“Can’t you tell me what’s wrong?”
“Oh, Jess—” Tears filled her eyes and began to roll down her cheeks. She came around the desk, crying like a child, her shoulders shaking. Jesse held her while she sobbed on her smoothly ironed white shirtwaist.
Pauline had been trying to keep out of her mind the man who had stripped her naked and invaded her body. But he was there all the time, buried in her subconscious like a wart she could not help rubbing. Thinking about him made her sick—sick and scared. In a twisted way, he knew more about her body than any person alive, had seen more than she had seen herself. The thought made her stomach tighten as though someone had hit her there with a clenched fist.
The awful part was that he might be someone she knew. She hadn’t seen his face or heard him speak in a natural tone of voice. Perhaps he had seen her in the street. How could she ever recognize him when all she could remember was the feel of his hands on her body and his heavy breathing when he looked at her private parts? Why had he wanted to hurt, humiliate and degrade her?
“What in the world could put you in such a state?” Jesse dug a handkerchief out of her skirt pocket.
“I’m sorry.” Pauline averted her head and wiped her eyes. “I’m sorry,” she said again after she cleared her throat.
“Don’t apologize. What are friends for if not to share their troubles? As a matter of fact, I was about to unburden myself on you. Please tell me what’s upset you.”
Pauline’s eyes followed the crack in the blackboard made when the end had come loose from the wall and fallen to the floor. A sudden anger mingled with the pain and humiliation that stirred inside her, boiling up until she thought she would choke. Holding the handkerchief to her nose, she blew vigorously, then turned back to Jesse.
“It… was… it was… him!” she said, trying to hold back the sobs.
“Him?” Jesse’s face reflected her bafflement.
“The… Looker.”
“Good Heavens! Oh, my dear, no wonder you’re so upset.” Jesse put her arms around Pauline’s shaking shoulders. “Did he hurt you?”
“He… killed my… pride. He looked at… the part of me I’ve not even seen m-myself.”
“Did he go inside you?”
“With h-his… f-finger.” Pauline’s quivering voice was barely above a whisper. “Oh, Jesse, I’ve never been so helpless, so humiliated. It was… a nightmare.”
“Of course it was. The beast!”
Once the words started to come, they poured out of Pauline like the water from a broken dam. She told of being awakened, blindfolded and tied, of the man looking at and feeling her naked body. When she finished, a deep, hoarse sigh came from her and she seemed calmer.
“He’s a wicked monster!”
“Thank God he didn’t rape you.”
“He did with his hands… and his eyes,” she stated angrily.
“Have you told the marshal?”
“No! I’ve not told a soul. And don’t tell anyone. Please!”
“The marshal should know. He won’t spread your name around.”
“How do I know? It could be him.”
“Oh, Pauline, not Dusty. He was a friend of my stepmother before Papa and I came to Harpersville.”
Pauline turned quickly when the door to her classroom opened.
“I didn’t know you were still here, Miss Anthony. I thought to borrow your slide rule. Mine seems to have disappeared. Hello, Miss Forbes. It’s nice seeing you again.”
James Crane’s Adam’s apple slid up and down his long neck and his small mouth beneath his rather large bony nose smiled shyly. Jesse felt rather sorry for the young man her sister had nicknamed Ichabod Crane. The boys in the upper class had given him a rough time until he thrashed one with the razor strop. Jesse was sure his action had surprised him as much as it had the boys.
“Here’s the rule.” Pauline spoke abruptly.
“Thank you. Sorry I interrupted your visit.” He backed out the door as if he couldn’t get away fast enough.
“Do you think he heard?” Pauline asked frantically.
“I’m sure he didn’t. If he had, he wouldn’t have come in. He would have waited to see what else he could hear.”
“That’s true. See, I’m afraid to look at every man I meet, even Mr. Crane, thinking it could be him and he’s looking at me, laughing at me, knowing how I look under my clothes.”
“I don’t think you need to worry about… Ichabod.” Jesse wanted to get a smile out of her friend, but it didn’t work. After a moment she asked, “Was the man big, little, young or old? Were his hands soft or rough?”
“His hands were… kind of scratchy. He was clean-shaven and I could feel his hair on my… s-stomach, so he isn’t bald,” she added bitterly. “When he moved across the floor and out the window, I didn’t hear a sound.” She gave a muffled whine of anguish. “He held the tip of a knife to my cheek and… I was frightened almost out of my mind! It’s a wonder I can remember anything.”
“You must have been scared half to death. I only wish we had some idea of who he is so he could be watched and caught. Papa thinks it’s someone from a nearby town.”
“I think it’s Wade Simmer!” Pauline blurted angrily.
The words went right through Jesse and sent a jab of pain along its path. She was shaken by the hardness in Pauline’s eyes, by the straight, contemptuous line of her mouth. Her mind told her that what had been done to her friend was brutal, terrifying and sick and that she was lashing out blindly.
“What makes you think it was Wade Simmer?” Jesse asked quietly.
“Everyone else thinks it’s him. He’s mean, isn’t he? He doesn’t socialize with anyone, acts like he’s better than everyone here in Harpersville. And… he moves like a cat. When that… man went out that window, I never heard a sound. I’ve heard Wade Simmer can walk up on a deer in the woods, and… he’s strange. Everyone says so:,
“That’s no reason to think he would be doing this despicable thing. Why would he try to socialize in town when people snub him? I’d bet my life it isn’t Wade Simmer.” Jesse spoke so passionately that her friend looked at her intently. “I got to know him while I was in the hills. He’s a quiet man who tends to his own business like Papa said. He just isn’t the type to sneak around looking at naked women. He’d be more likely to go to the city and visit a loose woman.” The thought of Wade being with a woman like that sent a shiver of dread down her spine.
“He was seen in town that night.”
“He goes to Ike’s garage to work on an engine they are building. He’s a caring person, Pauline. He cares that the boy Jody gets an education and a chance to run in competition. He cares about his neighbors and the sick children. He went with me on my rounds the first day and provided me with an escort the other days. He made the trip over to Coon Rapids to tell the teacher to close the school. Papa trusts him and thinks it’s ridiculous people are saying these things about him. I think it’s the Harpers that are spreading the rumors.”
“Why would they do that if they didn’t have some evidence?”
“They are a self-serving family. You know that. The Harpers and the Simmers have been at each other’s throats for years. It started with their great-grandfathers. Another thing, and maybe the most important, I’ve heard that Wade has some money and he didn’t put it in Harper’s bank. It could be as simple as that.”
“You sound as if you actually like him.”
“I… don’t dislike him,” Jesse said hesitantly.
“You actually talked to him?”
“Of course. The next time I go up there, come with me. Meet him and see if you sti
ll think he’s the type of man who would crawl into a woman’s bedroom window.”
“You seem so sure—”
“I am, Pauline. Papa wouldn’t send me up there if he thought I’d be in any danger. The hill people treated me with utmost respect.” Jesse crossed her fingers when she remembered Otis Merfeld. “I’d like for you to meet Mr. Simmer and Jody before you make up your mind about spending the summer with us to tutor Jody and Todd.”
“Todd doesn’t need tutoring.”
“Exceptionally good grades will give Todd confidence and help him with his stuttering.”
“Mrs. Poole is going to her daughter’s for the summer, and I certainly don’t intend to stay in that house alone.”
“Then come stay with us.”
“Let me think about it.”
“You wouldn’t have to be alone with Jody if you’re afraid of him,” Jesse said.
“It isn’t that.”
“Will you go with me the next time I make my rounds and meet him and Mr. Simmer? I’ll arrange to go on a Saturday. Some of the hill families are very poor, some are just shiftless; but most are good people. I liked them, Pauline. They were so grateful for my help and gave me the best they had.”
Pauline went to the cloakroom for her hat and cape. When she came out she seemed more like her old self and smiled mischievously.
“What do you think of your father’s hiring a housekeeper?”
“It was a shock. Papa has asked me to give her a chance. Susan and Todd are unhappy with her, and, frankly, I don’t care for the woman myself. I’m hoping to give her enough rope so that she’ll hang herself—in Papa’s eyes, that is.”
“I suppose Susan told you about our jam-making session?”
“She told me the two of you could do nothing right and were only allowed to pick the berries.”
“Allowed? Ha! The biddy is like an army sergeant. She commanded; we obeyed. We picked berries and washed them outside at the pump. She made the jam and made sure Doctor Forbes knew about it. Oh, yes, she also allowed us to wash the jars.”
Jesse was relieved. This was the Pauline she knew. She laughed aloud and squeezed her arm as they walked out of the school.
“I can tell you’ll never be bosom pals with our housekeeper.”
“I’ll never be anything with your housekeeper if I can help it.”
“I think she’s got her sights set on Papa, Pauline. I don’t know what to do about it. It’s not that I wouldn’t want Papa to remarry if he found a woman he could love and who would be a companion to him, but this woman is taking over too fast.”
“Maybe I should stay with you this summer. I know a few tricks that would make her life miserable.” Pauline laughed softly.
“For instance?”
“Well, we could put a garter snake in the flour barrel and rub itchweed on her bedsheets. Better yet, we can rub poison oak on her pillow. That would fix that milk-white face! She’s as vain as a peacock. Did Susan tell you we call her Ghost-face?”
“She told me. Was that your idea, teacher?”
“No. I’d take credit if I could. Susan thought of it all on her own.” Pauline giggled happily and then became quiet as they began to meet people on the street.
Jesse stopped to look into the window of the Efthim Mercantile.
“Oh, look, Pauline. Mr. Efthim must have a new shipment of dress goods. Do you want to look?”
“You go ahead, Jesse. I’d better get on home.”
Jesse shrugged. “I’ll walk you to the corner. I’m not in the sewing mood anyway.”
Mrs. Harper came out of the store as they moved down the walk.
“Jesse, my dear, dear girl!” she exclaimed, flinging her arm around Jesse and pressing her to her barrel-shaped body. Jesse extracted herself as quickly as possible and stepped away. Ignoring Pauline, Mrs. Harper began to babble, “Oh, I’ve been so worried about you, child. When Edsel came home to tell me you were staying in the hills to treat that… worthless trash, I was beside myself with worry. Dear girl, I’m so relieved that you’re home. How in the world did you endure that awful experience? Edsel threatened to scold your father for sending you up there.”
“I’m glad he didn’t, Mrs. Harper. My father wouldn’t have taken kindly to being scolded by Edsel. It was a wonderful experience. I was able to help sick children and the hill people treated me with utmost respect—”
“But, dear, that awful man and his nigger live up there. You didn’t run into them, did you?”
“As a matter of fact I did. Jody, the colored boy, was kind enough to bring a note down to my father telling him I needed medicine and to fetch it back to me.”
“Oh, my!”
“Mr. Simmer,” Jesse hurried to continue before Roberta Harper interrupted her, “was very helpful. He either escorted me himself or found someone to escort me to the various homesteads each day.”
“Oh, my!” Mrs. Harper gasped again. “You poor, poor child!”
Jesse rolled her eyes toward Pauline. “We must be going, Mrs. Harper. Pauline and I are considering buying some of the new dress goods Mr. Efthim just got in.”
“You should look across the street at the Emporium before you buy. They have a much better selection.”
“We’ll do that,” Jesse said and tugged on Pauline’s arm.
The two girls stood inside the mercantile and watched Roberta Harper move down the sidewalk until she encountered Mr. Crane, the teacher. She stopped him and began to talk, and as they watched she pointed her finger toward the city park. He stood with his chin almost resting on his chest and listened. Finally, with a toss of her head, Mrs. Harper moved on, and Mr. Crane, with his ungainly stride, continued on down the walk.
“Poor man,” Jesse whispered as he passed. “She was giving him a lecture about something.”
“She probably wanted him to go wash the pigeon dodo off granddaddy’s statue.”
They left the store, and as they were passing the newspaper office, the door opened and Ethan Bredlow stepped out in front of them. He quickly doffed his hat, a huge smile making creases in his cheeks.
“Hel… lo. We meet again. This must be my lucky day.”
Jesse nodded. “Did you get the job?”
“By the skin of my teeth. I had to show how fast I can sort type. What I really want to do is write feature articles, but in this business you take what you can get.” His interested eyes traveled back and forth between the two women as he spoke. Pauline had turned her face away and was gazing at some object across the street.
“This is Pauline Anthony. Pauline,” Jesse placed her hand on her friend’s arm to get her attention, “Meet Mr. Bredlow.”
“Ethan Bredlow, ma’am. How do you do?”
“Hello.” Pauline spoke curtly and turned away again.
“I can say one thing about Harpersville; they’ve got the prettiest girls in Tennessee.”
Jesse laughed. “You’re speaking from experience? You’ve been in every town in Tennessee?”
Ethan’s expression was not the least bit sheepish. His grin widened. “You’ve caught me up there. Guess I have to add that Harpersville has the smartest girls too.”
“I’m going, Jesse.” Pauline said. “See you later. Nice meeting you, Mr. Bredlow.” Her tone of voice indicated complete disinterest.
Ethan chose to ignore her cool manner and said, “We’re going the same way. I’ll walk you to the corner.”
Pauline turned on him, her face reflecting a fight for control of her emotions. “You’ll do no such thing.”
“Gol… ly! What’d I do?” he said to the retreating back held stiff as a board. With his hands on his hips he turned to Jesse with a concerned look on his face. “She acts as if I’ve got the plague.”
“It isn’t you,” Jesse said quickly, seeing the bewildered look on his face. “My friend has a lot on her mind right now.”
“I’m relieved to know that. I mean I’m sorry she’s troubled but relieved to know that I wasn’t the reason she
was out of sorts.” His engaging smile returned. “May I walk you to your corner, Miss Jesse?”
“I’ll be glad for your company,” Jesse replied, and she meant it when she saw Edsel waiting in front of the bank. “Where are you from, Mr. Bredlow?”
“Ethan, please. I was born in Arkansas, raised in Missouri, worked in Iowa, Illinois and Ohio. Guess I’m a roamer. Done a little of this, a little of that, but the ink in my veins just won’t go away. I’d love to have a newspaper in a little town about this size.”
“Do you plan to stay a while?”
“As long as I have a job.” They walked in silence for a few minutes, then he said, “Mr. Marsh tells me you’re a nurse and your father is a doctor. I think I feel a fever coming on.”
“It could be the scarlet fever,” Jesse said laughingly. “We’re expecting it to hit town in a few days.”
“It’ll have to be something else that brings me to your door. I’ve had scarlet fever.”
“How about a loose, glib tongue? I’ll save you the cost of an office call. I don’t think the doctor can do anything about that.” They both laughed.
Jesse decided she liked Ethan Bredlow. He was light-hearted and fun. She wished Pauline hadn’t been so abrupt with him. Her friend had said she would like to meet a man who was fun and made her laugh. Ethan was a stranger in town and was trying to make friends. On the other hand, considering what Pauline had been through, Jesse could understand her attitude.
“Is your friend a nurse too?”
“Pauline is a teacher.”
They approached the bank. Edsel stood on the steps with a disapproving frown on his face. Jesse glanced at him as they passed, nodded politely, and pretended to be very interested in what Ethan was saying.
“Is she married? Is that why she gave me the icy glare? I didn’t see a ring.”
“No, she’s not married.”
“Steady beau?”
“No.” She gave him a sideways look and caught his laughing eyes.
“She’s awfully pretty,” he said.
“Yes, and she’s a very nice person. Any more questions?”
“Oh, Lordy. I’ve shown my hand, haven’t I? To tell the truth, I was sitting on the porch of the rooming house one evening and saw her walk by. I thought then that she was mighty pretty. I couldn’t believe my luck when I stepped out on the walk today, and there she was. Not that I wasn’t glad to see you again, Miss Jesse,” he added quickly.
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