Read Online Edith and the Mysterious Stranger by Linda Weaver Clarke - Free Book Online Page B

spellbound.
    She was tempted to enter the bunkhouse, but at the
same time, she didn’t want to disturb those who were creating this
lovely music. But curiosity overtook her, and she tiptoed into the
doorway of the rustic-looking building where a dozen bunk beds were
strewn across the open room. She stood as silently as possible, for
she did not want to startle anyone by her presence.
    At the far end of the room was a lean handsome young
man in his teens, sitting on a bed playing the harmonica. His eyes
were closed, and he was gently swaying with the music. The person
playing the guitar was sitting on another bed opposite the young
man. He was in his thirties with wavy brown hair. He was a
rugged-looking fellow with broad shoulders. His eyes seemed to be
far away in a dreamland, as he carefully listened to the harmony of
the music.
    For a few minutes, she stood in awe and watched,
loving every note that drifted toward her. The sound caressed every
fiber of her being, and she was completely relaxed. Edith closed
her eyes and could imagine singing to this haunting melody. It had
touched her heart. When it came to an end, she opened her eyes, and
the two men were staring at her.
    Startled that she had been caught eavesdropping, her
face flushed a rosy color and she quickly dropped her eyes to the
floor.
    David immediately recognized her and stood. “Can I
help you, Miss Edith?”
    Edith looked up, feeling embarrassed. She tried
her best to blurt out an apology. “I…I’m so sorry.”
    “For what, Miss Edith?”
    “For disturbing you. You see, I heard your
music and… Well, I couldn’t help it. I had to see who was playing
such lovely music.”
    She looked at the other man who acted amused
by her nervousness. He had a grin on his face as if enjoying her
flustered look.
    She took a deep breath and continued. “The
music was so relaxing. It sounds familiar. Is it a Celtic
melody?”
    The man nodded. “Irish. I’ve been teaching
it to David.”
    “It was lovely. Simply lovely. In fact, I
was touched by the way you played it. You know what I mean. From
your heart.”
    David turned toward his partner and
introduced him. “Miss Edith, this is Joseph. We all call him Joe
around here. Joe, this is Miss Edith. She’s a cousin to Mrs.
Roberts.”
    Joseph nodded. “Glad to meet you, Miss
Edith.”
    He strummed a few chords as he watched her.
His eyes swept over her, looking her up and down as if he were
appraising her, judging the nature or value of her. This made Edith
feel uneasy. Then he turned to his music, ignoring her and looking
down at his guitar as he strummed one chord after another, as if
searching for the right melody. After a moment, he started playing
the sweet melodic notes of “Beautiful Dreamer” by Stephen
Foster.
    Just as she turned to leave, he asked,
“Where are you from?”
    Edith turned to face him. She was caught by
surprise, both by his question and his change of mood. One moment
he looked her up and down as if judging the value of her, making
her feel uncomfortable, and the next he acted disinterested in her
all together and turned to his music.
    Edith stood in the doorway, watching him play one of
her favorite songs, wondering if he were more interested in knowing
where she was from or more interested in what he was playing.
    Joseph looked up from his strumming and asked,
“Well?”
    “I’m from Utah.”
    “Oh.”
    It came out as if he really didn’t care at all, as
if he were just making conversation. He continued playing, looking
at his fingers as the melody drifted throughout the room. Then he
looked up again and their eyes met. His eyes steadily held hers but
he remained silent.
    When she turned to leave once again, Joseph abruptly
said, “So, Miss Edith, do you know much about music?”
    Edith’s eyes widened. Did she know much about music?
She pondered the question for a moment and then turned around and
answered, “A little.”
    Joseph nodded. “Can you play the guitar?”
    She