Read Online The Fall Of White City (Gilded Age Mysteries Book 1) by N. S. Wikarski - Free Book Online Page B

flower to wear that day—a red silk rose. She showed it to me, and it was the finest piece of silk work I ever saw... with flowers, I mean.”
    “But surely, Patsy, she had no time for gentlemen. I know she only went to work, to church, and to Mast House.”
    “Oh, but that’s where she met him, Miss Engie , at Mast House.”
    “What?” Evangeline gasped. Her voice echoed through the room so loudly that other diners turned to regard her with curiosity. Recovering herself, she moderated her pitch. “What on earth do you mean, Patsy?”
    “Just what I said. I never lie. It’s a sin to lie. Elsa told me she met a gentleman at Mast House who asked her to go to the Fair with him.”
    “Was this one of the local people who come for classes?”
    “No, miss. I don’t think so because she said he was a res... a res...”
    “A resident... ,” Evangeline exhaled the word in amazement. “You mean one of the men who volunteer their time to live and work at the settlement?”
    “Yes, that was it! He was a resident.”
    Evangeline sank into deep concentration. “Well, this is certainly a new turn of events.”
    “Did I say something wrong, Miss Engie ?”
    “No, my dear.” Evangeline reached over to pat the girl’s hand reassuringly. “It’s just the last thing I would have expected, that’s all. Can you remember anything else? Did Elsa describe the man to you?”
    “No.” Patsy frowned, trying to recollect. “She said she didn’t want to say any more because it was supposed to be a secret. The gentleman asked Elsa to keep it a secret.”
    “Well, at least that’s no surprise.”
    “Miss?” Patsy looked for further explanation.
    “It’s of no consequence.” Evangeline smiled consolingly. “Do you remember when this rendezvous at the Fair took place?”
    “It was before the summer heat set in. I remember because it was so hot by June that people were sleeping out on the sidewalk. It was before that, maybe right after the Fair opened in May.”
    “And she never told you anything about the man after her excursion?”
    Patsy pondered the question. “No, miss, I’m sorry. That’s all Elsa ever told me.”
    “Never mind, dear. You’ve done very well and I’m grateful for your assistance.” Evangeline opened her handbag and dug around, searching for something. Finally she withdrew a silver coin and gave it to Patsy.
    “I’m sorry you can’t spend this. You must promise to keep it until your next payday and add it to your usual earnings, for your overtime this Saturday. Otherwise your mama may start to ask questions you won’t be able to answer. Will you remember that?”
    Patsy nodded solemnly as she took the money.
    “Please make sure to put it somewhere your mother won’t find it until payday.”
    The girl thought for a moment, then slipped it into the top of her boot.
    “I’ll put it under the lining of the sole later, when I get home.”
    Evangeline chuckled. “You are a clever girl at that, Patsy. And now I’d like to show my appreciation in a less monetary form for the risk you’ve taken in coming here today.”
    With a quick gesture, Evangeline beckoned the waiter who had been hovering anxiously out of earshot. She motioned him closer and whispered something in his ear.
    “Very good, madame .” He smiled and glanced at Patsy before bustling back to the kitchen.
    “Unfortunately, any other material expression of gratitude might be discovered by your mother and put you in the way of bodily harm.”
    Patsy waited, silent.
    “Therefore, I think this is the best I can do for the time being. It’s a pleasure that your mama won’t be able to take away from you.”
    “Miss?”
    “ Shhhhh .” Evangeline put a finger to her lips. “No more questions.”
    After a few minutes, the waiter returned bearing an enormous dessert and, with a ceremonial flourish, placed the dish before Patsy.
    “Thank you,” Evangeline said to the waiter. “I believe that’s all we’ll require.” He bowed