The Daughters of Julian Dane

by Lucile McCluskey

  The others are leaving and taking their small paintings with them. I had purchased some wrapping paper and tape when I was out yesterday. We’ll have to ship the others tomorrow.”

  “I see no reason not to sell the urn,” she said. “I can’t keep it.”

  “Then we’ll see what Thorn wants to pay for it,” Tobias said, as he left the kitchen, followed by grandpa.

  Addie really didn’t feel good about selling the urn without knowing what it might be worth. She knew it was one of the things that Victoria had brought back with her from Europe. Grandpa had said that Hiram Stone also thought it was ugly and didn’t want it displayed in the foyer. But he said Victoria wanted it where she could see it every day. Well, she’d soon see what Tobias could get for it.

  Mattie was mixing rolls and Addie was watching her and cleaning up things, when Tobias came in and asked if she would take Thorn and the two women back to the hotel where they had left their rental car? She still had on her maid’s uniform, but it didn’t matter to her. The whole thing was finally over, and if somebody didn’t tell her soon what all that commotion was about, she was going to scream. And did he sell the urn?

  But when she drove the Lincoln around to the front of the mansion, the man, Thorn, was carrying the urn wrapped in brown paper held together with tape. He stood at the bottom of the steps looking like the thing was too heavy for his medium, slight build. She hoped he had paid for it in case he dropped it. The two women helped him into the back seat with his bundle, one got in with him, the other one got into the front seat with her. She noticed in the rearview mirror that he had deposited it on the back seat between him and the other woman.

  She drove them to their rental car in the hotel’s parking lot. As they got out of the car, they thanked her for bringing them, and she was about to thank them for coming when she remembered that she was just the kitchen maid. One of the women got in the driver’s seat, and the other one joined her leaving the back seat for Mr. Thorn and his urn. He was treating the thing like it was very precious, or very expensive. Just how expensive? She wondered.

  She found Tobias anxiously awaiting her, and grandpa hovering close by him. “You’ll never believe what that man paid for that urn!” Tobias exclaimed. “And he paid cash. Now, I’m wondering what it was really worth?”

  The little man was grinning from one small ear to the other, as he handed her a big, fat, brown envelope. “Twenty-three thousand in cash. That’s what Thorn paid for the urn. I don’t believe that I have ever seen anybody want anything as badly as he wanted that urn, or that he would be carrying that much cash in his briefcase.”

  Addie gasped in surprise. “Twenty-three thousand?” she whispered.

  “Yes. And he also bought one of the lost paintings.”

  “Tobias, would you please explain lost paintings and how you arrived at a price for the urn, and what all the commotion was about?” Addie demanded as Miss Mattie stood close by waiting.

  “The lost paintings,” Tobias said.

  “Tobias!”

  “The three unframed paintings we found in that trunk on the fourth floor were paintings that have been lost to the art world since the first world war. That’s what all the commotion was about. Three of the buyers admitted that they attend as many private sales as they could, hoping to one day find them. That Mr. Thorn was one of the people. He wanted to buy all three of them with a bank transfer, but it was after banking hours. And the two other men would not allow it. Apparently, he was saving his cash for the urn. Each of three buyers got one of the lost paintings.

  “I still can’t believe I almost didn’t offer them, even after we had brought them down. I was afraid I’d embarrass myself. I was afraid they weren’t worthy of being offered to such a distinguished group of buyers. So you see how much I know about art. I held them until the very last.”

  Addie was shocked. “And they were in that trunk all this time.”

  “Seems Victoria brought home from Europe more than we knew about,” grandpa said.

  “Everyone wanted to know how Miss Stone had come by the paintings? Of course I told them I had no idea. Do you know?” Tobias asked Addie.

  “Tobias, I was as surprised to find those paintings in that trunk as you were,” Addie answered.

  “They brought you quite a bit of money. I have each painting listed and what it brought, anytime you can join me in the library.”

  “The urn! What about the urn?”

  “Oh. Yes. The urn. When Thorn asked if you’d sell the urn, I came and ask you. I told you then that I had no idea what it was worth. But when I went back and asked him what he wanted to offer for it? he said five thousand a little too quick. I chuckled and just ignored him. He had been interested in that urn since the moment he saw it. Finally, he said, “Well?” And I said, “I thought you were interested in buying it.” I figured if he would start out at five thousand, it was worth a lot more. I really wish I had known what it was worth, Addie. But we dickered back and forth for awhile. However, the twenty-three thousand was as high as he would go. And I was shocked at that.”

  “Thanks for selling it for me, Tobias. I’m glad to get the money for it. It will be put to good use. And I thank you for all your work. You will have your two storefronts, and all the dust catchers that my mother and I don’t pick out. And Donnie and big Bud will help you get the shops ready, and get you moved. And one other thing, you are to stay at Stonegate until you get your place over the store ready to live in.”

  “You are so kind, Addie, and I appreciate your generosity. I enjoyed handling the auction for you, and I’m looking forward to a profitable partnership for the two of us.”

  Mattie had been placing leftover food on the kitchen table when a car came around the building. “Judy,” she said. “That has to be Judy,” she said happily, and Addie smiled. Miss Mattie and Judy Arnold were made for each other, she thought, as Miss Mattie went to the summer kitchen door to welcome her back.

  Addie thought Miss Judy looked tired when she came in. She put her suitcase down beside the kitchen door and took a seat at the table. Mattie introduced her to Tobias and caught her up on all the recent happenings as she prepared her some hot fruit tea. But when Miss Judy heard that Addie had had to miss school to help Mattie, she blamed herself, saying that she should have been there to do her part.

  Then she wanted to know if all the others had returned to school after the Easter holidays? “All but William,” Addie told her. “He says he’s not going back to school. I wish he would. He’d be a senior next year, but I guess he’s afraid his step-father will find him.”

  “Oh, dear,” Miss Judy said. “I’ll have to do something about that.”

  Silently, Addie wished her well, then explained to her that they were planning an open house for Sunday. “Do you think you could help us word a newspaper ad?” she asked Miss Judy, then reminded herself to tell her mother about the open house. Perhaps she would like to help, she thought.

  “Addie, I think that’s a wonderful idea. Of course I’ll help you with your ad. I’d be delighted to.”

  “I’m planning to serve refreshments to advertise the dinner club,” Mattie said.

  “And I’m going to ask Mrs. Mitchell and Ruby to show the first floor and explain about the daycare center.”

  “And that wonderful heated swimming pool,” Miss Judy explained. “Why couldn’t you have a program for school children to learn to swim, or just enjoy the pool? I could help you work it out.”

  “And all that exercise equipment,” Addie said with excitement. “Do you think men and women would like to use it?”

  “A nighttime fitness program for adults,” Miss Judy said with equal excitement. “Oh, Addie, I think you’re onto something really good for the community here.”

  “Donnie Whitefield knows all about exercise equipment. I’ll ask him to come and demonstrate it to the adults. Oh, Miss Judy, could we put all that in a newspaper ad?”

  “Of course we can, and, Addie,” she s
aid looking at Addie seriously, “I like what you’ve done to yourself. You’re even prettier than you were before.”

  “Thank you, Miss Judy.”

  Mattie had brought yellow, legal pads and pens from her desk and placed them on the table. And Tobias said, “I assume there’ll be a charge for the open house.” Addie assured him that there most certainly would be, and he offered to keep the gate and collect the entrance fee. Then he asked Addie if she could be excused for a few minutes to go with him to the library, so they could finish the day’s business.

  She had sat there anxious to know exactly how much money the auction had brought in, but she hadn’t wanted to be rude to Miss Judy by leaving as soon as she came in. Now she excused herself and followed the little man to the library.

  Tobias seated himself behind Miss Willy’s desk, and asked, “Do you want me to add the urn money to the total?”

  “Yes. I want to know just how much we made today.”

  He was writing on a white pad. “Each painting is listed here, who bought it, and for how much. And of course you’re going to be out the expense of packing and shipping the large paintings. I’m hoping that can all be done tomorrow. With the urn added, it comes to a grand total of nine hundred and seven thousand dollars.”

  Addie had to plop down in a chair. She stared at Tobias with her mouth open. Grandpa suddenly appeared behind Tobias. He was grinning real big. “We done good, young Addie,” he said.

  “That’s almost a million dollars!” Addie exclaimed.

  “Yes, it is,” Tobias said smiling. “Their checks and the cash are in this envelope.”

  “Checks! Can I cash them or deposit them in the bank?”

  “Of course. I explained to the buyers that an Addie Martin had inherited the mansion and the paintings. Therefore, they made their checks out to Addie Martin. I hope I did right.”

  “Oh, yes, Tobias. I appreciate your thoughtfulness. I wish I could take them to the bank in the morning, but I have to go to school. She accepted the envelope and took it with her to her room. She would have to put it in the desk until she could deposit it in the bank.

  When she rejoined the two women in the kitchen, Mattie was putting their dinner on the breakfast table. Tobias went to his room for the night as soon as dinner was over. Miss Judy finished a rough draft of the ad, and asked, “How big do you want the ad? Mattie and I thought a half page. We don’t want anyone to miss it, and we want it big enough to draw attention.”

  “Don’t I need to call the Mitchells and Donnie to make sure they can participate?”

  They agreed that she should, and while she made her calls, they went over the ad together, then read it to her after she told them that Mrs. Mitchell and Donnie were agreeable and looking forward to it. Both had asked how they could help to get ready for the open house?

  The final draft of the ad was all that Addie wanted it to be, and she thanked Miss Judy, telling her they could not have done it without her.

  “Addie, we have figured that we’ll need volunteer ladies to stay in each room to keep watch over things and answer questions,” Miss Mattie said. “We’ll have to work on that. I can give a luncheon for them on Saturday to instruct them. How does that sound?”

  Addie laughed. “Miss Mattie, don’t you ever get tired of cooking?”

  “No, Dear. I never tire of cooking. I think some people were born to it. I know I was, and I think William was. He’s going to make an excellent chef someday. And I think it’s only polite to offer the ladies a luncheon. We’ll need to make a list to determine how many, and we must not forget the outside. We’ll need some people there too.”

  As soon as all three of them were satisfied with their work, Mattie said she would take the ad to the newspaper in the morning, and Addie excused herself for the night.

  She wanted to call her mother before it got too late, and there was school tomorrow. She still had lessons to get that Deena had brought home to her.

  When she got her mother on the phone, she thought Della sounded like somebody who was very depressed and trying their best not to let it be known. “Mama, won’t you tell me what’s wrong?”

  “No, Addie. This is something between Ben and me. I have to work it out myself. I’ll let you know when I have.”

  “All right, Mama.” Then she told her mother about the auction and the proposed open house.

  “Could I help,” Della asked.

  “Do you think you’ll feel like it? If you do, I have a job we need doing that you could do.”

  “I’m feeling much better now. I think the morning sickness is about over. What did you have in mind?”

  “We’re going to need about sixteen or more volunteer ladies to stay in the rooms and different parts of the building. Do you think you could get them for us?”

  Della thought for a few moments, then said, “Honey, I think you’ll want the wives of business and professional men. I really think Elinor Weston would be the person to do that.”

  “Well, if you think that’s what I should do, and, Mama, could you come over one day this week and choose any of these coats and jackets, and anything else in Miss Willy’s closet that you might want? I’m going to go over all of it to see if there’s anything else that I can use.”

  “That’s a good idea, honey, and I’ll come by just as soon as I can. Now you be sure to get to school tomorrow.”

  “I will, Mama, and I’ll call Miss Elinor tomorrow.”

  “Addie! I just thought of something. When you call Elinor, tell her you especially want Col. Willis’ wife invited to be one of the volunteers, but warn her not to mention your name in connection with Stonegate. I’ve got to see her crippled maid somehow. This may be the opportunity I need.”

  She promised to do as her mother asked. She wanted her at the open house, but she knew that this was more important to her mother. And she wondered what she had in mind? But now she had to get to her lessons.

  It was late when she finally turned out her light to try to sleep. She was more tired than she had thought, and worried about her mother and daddy. Sleep did not come easily and it was a fitful sleep when she finally succumbed to it. Then sometime, in the wee hours of morning, the distant sounds of sirens disturbed her. When morning finally came, she overslept.

  She had to really rush. Mrs. Mitchell said she could ride to school with the others since Mr. Mitchell was beginning his training on the trolleys today, and his friend, Westley, was picking him up.

  When she saw Deena in the summer kitchen, she told her that she might be late, and if she wasn’t there when they got ready to leave, to go without her. She’d drive the Lincoln, although she didn’t want to.

  She gulped down her breakfast, rushed to brush her teeth, then grabbed her books and ran for the front door. Maybe they hadn’t left yet. She hurriedly pulled open the heavy door, and found herself face to face with Police Chief Bugg and the man she knew was Mayor Crumbly.

  “I was just about to knock,” Chief Bugg said.

  “I’ve got to get to school. I’m late,” she declared as she tried to go around Chief Bugg. He put out his arm to detain her.

  “I have to ask you some questions, Addie,” he said.

  “What is it? I have to go.”

  “I’m afraid this is more important than being late for school.”

  The mayor, a short man with obviously dyed black hair, a stony face, and a protruding belly beneath his black suit, white shirt and red tie, just stood looking at her.

  Chief Bugg sounded serious. Addie waited.

  “I have to ask you where you were between two and four this morning?”

  “What? Why? I was in bed trying to sleep.” Then she recalled the sound of sirens at about that time. “That must have been about the time I was awakened by the sirens.”

  “I’m sure it was,” the chief said, and Addie thought he sounded like he was doing something against his will. What was this all about? She wondered.

  “Can you prove that you were here at that ti
me, that you never left the mansion after you went to bed?”

  She looked at both men, then asked Chief Bugg, “Why should I need to do that? The mansion has several people living in it right now, but my bedroom is far away from the other two on this floor. Neither of us would know if one of us got up in the night and left. Why?” She demanded.

  “Because, Addie, several people heard you threaten to burn down the slums, and they burned down this morning,” Chief Bugg said flatly.

  “They did? Oh! Oh, my! Ooohhh! Wait! You’re saying that somebody said I threatened to burn down the slums?”

  “Yes, Addie. I’m told that several people heard you make that threat. Did you?”

  “If you’re asking if I burned down the slums, no, I did not. But I’m glad they burned. They weren’t fit for people to live in. And whoever said I threatened to burn them down is lying. I did say they should be burned down. But someone asked where all the rats and roaches would live then and everybody laughed. Who said I threatened to burn them down?” she demanded.

  “Rex Sommers, the slums’ owner,” Chief Bugg answered.

  “Then Rex Sommers lied,” she said.

  The stone-faced mayor exclaimed, “Young woman! Mr. Sommers is a respected business man in this town. You don’t accuse him of lying.”

  Addie gave the mayor a steely look. “He may be a business man,” she said, “but he’s no more respected than you are.” Then she was shocked at herself. She hadn’t intended to say that. It just came out.

  The mayor’s hand flew up, his forefinger pointed at Addie. He yelled, “Why, you! You...” He tumbled forward and hit Addie in the face with his fist. She fell backwards, hitting her head on the doorframe, and slid to the floor of the porch, her books sliding from her arms.

  No one had noticed the blond woman who had walked up the steps and stood behind the mayor. She now rushed to kneel beside Addie, exclaiming, “You brute! How dare you strike this child! I’ll have you arrested!”

  “That was uncalled for,” Chief Bugg said to the mayor as he grabbed the man’s short form to keep him from falling into Addie.