Read Online Songs of the Shenandoah by Michael K. Reynolds - Free Book Online

in such a position. But then again, it was just Tristan. Who could believe what came from his mouth?
    â€œIt’s a shame, really,” Tristan said. “Andrew Royce opens that mission for the supposed downtrodden and squanders all of his father’s wealth into it. Only to see it fail.”
    Davin never before had an unkind thought when it came to Andrew. But now that he was older, he had learned there were many sides to people and that life was complicated. How could Andrew have allowed his fortune to dwindle and leave Clare in this position?
    Tristan tapped his cigar and let the ash fall to the carpet. “Of course, they do have you now. Fresh from the Sierra Nevada mountains with gold bulging from your pockets.” He raised an eyebrow at Davin. “Problem solved.”
    Tristan could say many things that would cause Davin to want to strangle him. The difficulty was, there always seemed to be some underlying truth in what he shared. Tristan seemed to have some inner understanding of the dark reaches of man’s soul, which seemed to be the source of how he was able to rise above others.
    â€œThey haven’t asked me for a penny.” Davin spoke through clenched teeth.
    â€œYou know, dear fellow” Tristan said. “There are many people, friends of my father, who would be willing to swing their . . . patronage . . . back to the Daily .” He snapped his fingers. “They’ve drifted into the weeds. But they can certainly find themselves again. We all believe in second chances.”
    Sounds rose from the window, the crowds stirring again. They blurred in the background as Davin was distracted by his inner thoughts. Was Clare in danger? What a travesty for her to come to America to seek her fortunes, only to have them slip through her hands.
    He had believed she was different than Seamus, who he had given up on long ago on that river in the mountains. It was a cruel prank Davin had played that day on his older brother, but it was all with good intentions. To try to cleanse him of his frivolous pursuits. Seamus was wasting his life in trying to save men’s souls.
    But Clare? She had come to Davin’s rescue so many times before.
    Maybe this was his chance. His moment to help in the way he best knew how.

Chapter 8
    The Doctor

    How strange to see men so anxious to participate in war!
    It wasn’t easy for Davin to tunnel his way through the frantic crowds on the streets leading to Clare’s quiet neighborhood, but he was determined to not only speak to his sister, but to escape the clattering.
    As he observed the faces of those parading in angry protests against South Carolina’s attack on Fort Sumter, he wondered why he didn’t share their angst. Was he not proud of his new nation? Did he not have an obligation to stand up for the country that allowed him such a great changing of his fortunes? Perhaps it was because he came from California, where the politics of division and slavery seemed so distant and less important.
    And what did he believe in all of this? Was he losing his Irishness? His willingness to fight for a cause? Could it be that he didn’t have a cause?
    Then again, maybe Tristan had a point. Let the rest of the world be distracted by the madness while the wise among them used the diversion to seek profit.
    When he arrived at the front of the Royce home, a man was already walking to the front door. He scooted to catch up to him. “May I be of some service, sir?”
    Startled, the young man turned. He was wearing a uniform and reached into a pack slung over his shoulder and pulled out an envelope. “A telegram, sir. Do you live here?”
    Davin paused for a moment. This was his home, wasn’t it? Even after all of the years, he still felt part of the Royce family. “Yes, of course.”
    The man handed him the envelope and then had him sign a piece of paper. He tipped his hat. “Good day, sir.”
    Davin watched him go