Chapter 1
Minneapolis, Minnesota
How did a person keep lying to the people she loved and not be swallowed up by overwhelming guilt?
Evie Turner gazed at her reflection in the mirror, wondering where her plans went wrong as the maid finished dressing her dark brown hair.
At twenty-one, Evelyn had accomplished a great deal. She and her twin brother, Evan, had graduated high school and immediately sought additional education. Evan went to college and Evie to nursing school.
She had wonderful parents and nine amazing siblings too.
After her twin brother, there were another eight children ranging down to nine years of age.
Some were born of her parents and some adopted.
Mother and Father had always done what they could for orphans.
Mother worked tirelessly to find families who might consider adoption, and when those couldn’t be found, she supported the orphanage and ensured the children felt cared for and loved.
When their pastor, the Reverend David Knickerbacker, put together plans for the Sheltering Arms Orphanage, Mother had been the first one to write a check, drawing on a vast fortune left to her by her grandfather James Ashton Sr.
Evie admired her parents more than she could say.
Father was an exceptional doctor and surgeon, known throughout the city for working with the poor.
He had been faithfully involved in Minneapolis’s first hospital, the Cottage Hospital and Home for the Sick and Friendless.
The small, eight-bed facility had been the first dream of their pastor.
Reverend Knickerbacker had done so much to improve the plight of poorer men.
The Cottage Hospital was the first facility in Minneapolis focused on serving lowly paid railroad men and mill workers.
It also became available to citizens. Ten years ago, it moved to Elliot Park and was renamed St. Barnabus Hospital, where it continued to operate as a private hospital.
Now they had the small City Hospital on Eleventh Avenue South.
It wasn’t very big, but Father made rounds between the two places, as well as visiting the poor and downtrodden in their homes.
It should all work together so perfectly, yet it didn’t.
Evie had only been home for a week, but already she felt backed into a corner, trapped like a wild animal.
In a few minutes she would sit down with her parents and brother for a meeting regarding the various charities they headed up or supported.
Evie would bring up the garden party fundraiser they planned to host in August. At least this part of her life wasn’t a lie—raising money for the poor was something she truly loved—but so much else was pure deception.
The plan for Evie to serve with Father in a brand-new charity hospital had always been the dream.
As a little girl, Evie had listened to his stories for hours on end, and when she mentioned plans to become a nurse and work at his side, her father had been delighted.
She could still see the way his face lit up at the idea.
But as often happened in life, things hadn’t worked out quite the way she’d hoped.
“Did you hear me, Miss Evie?”
Evie straightened and looked at the maid. “I’m sorry, Beth. I was daydreaming.”
“I said that your mother sent word that they’re waiting for you in the private sitting room.”
Evie nodded. “You did a wonderful job with my hair. Again.” She gave Beth a big smile. “I missed you while I was away. I swear I can’t do anything but braid it and pin it in place. You always manage to arrange it in such clever ways.”
Beth was already cleaning the hairbrush. “It’s no trouble, Miss Evie. I love it. I used to love arranging your mother’s hair in all sorts of fashions. Now most days she keeps it simple. I usually have her hair pinned in place before I have to think.”
Evie’s mother had become far more no-nonsense as she aged. She had just turned fifty-three in June and still ran the house in precise order, as well as her charities and the family business dealings. Judith Turner was a force to be reckoned with and probably always would be.
It was senseless to brood. Evie stood and gave a quick glance around. “It’s so warm today. Please leave my windows open for as long as possible. I heard Cook say it was supposed to rain.”
Beth put away the brush and pins. “Yes, and the skies have clouded up considerably since this morning. I think we’re probably due for a thunderstorm.”
Heading for the door, Evie glanced over her shoulder. “Then do what you think sensible.”
With that, she headed downstairs to meet with her family. Evie wanted to let them know what she had arranged for the party so far. She also wanted to hear if there were any new changes to the economy. The country was not seeing a good time financially.
“There she is,” Mother announced as Evie walked into the sitting room.
Her father and brother were seated casually by the open French doors, while Mother was perched on the edge of an antique French gothic throne chair done in highly varnished chestnut.
“You look quite lovely today, Evie. That pale yellow compliments your creamy complexion.”
Evie smiled and glanced down at her watered silk gown. “I chose it for the short sleeves, to be honest. Summer has been quite warm.”
“Yes, someone at the hospital mentioned it might well top one hundred degrees today,” Father said, looking at Mother. “That’s why I’ve suggested your mother take it very easy and enjoy the use of the new electric ceiling fan.”
Evie knew her mother was given to fainting spells when overheated and nodded enthusiastically. “You need to stay in your room and wear something very light. Don’t bother with a corset or extra petticoats. We have plenty of ice too. I’ll make sure you have something cold to drink around the clock.”
“Are you feeling all right now, Mother?” Evan asked. He looked just as concerned as their father.
“Goodness, you three. I’m fine for the time being. I’m drinking plenty of fluids and taking it easy, so stop fussing,” Mother said, shaking her head. “Now let’s get down to business. I want to make sure we’re on top of everything that needs to be done for the fundraiser.”
“I have arranged all the food for the party,” Evie offered.
“Mrs. Niedermeier and I have come up with a perfect plan. She really is the most talented of cooks. There will be a buffet set up under the trees where it will be cooler. We will have ice for the food that needs to stay cold and warming trays for the hot items. I’ve ordered the very best—rather lavish, if I do say so, but I want to impress upon the guests that nothing has really changed.
Yes, we are experiencing difficult economic times, but they are still quite well-off and need to remember that the poor will suffer even more than usual if they don’t continue to donate to the cause. ”
“How are things going in the country financially, Roman?”
Father shrugged. “Not good, that’s for sure. More railroads have declared bankruptcy, and there have been additional bank closures. It’s a worrisome time for rich and poor.”
“But especially the poor. The rich might be less rich, but they’re still better off than most. Look at us.
We’re still buying the luxuries of life—ice, electricity.
We don’t have to worry about food on the table or a safe place to sleep tonight.
” Evie crossed her arms. “The rich might not like losing some of their pet projects, but it’s not causing them the trouble and pain that others are suffering. ”
“Evie’s right on that account.” Evan went to the refreshment cart and poured himself a lemonade. He held the glass up. “Anyone else want one?”
“I’ll take one.” Evie thought the cool liquid sounded wonderful.
Evan crossed the room and handed the glass to her before going back to pour himself another.
“We had a meeting this morning at the law firm. Numerous banking clients came to hear our senior partners explain the legalities of what might occur in the future. The problem is the people are losing faith.”
Evan took a seat and continued, “A great many people and businesses defaulted on their loans last month. This has caused the banks to falter, and citizens are making runs on the banks to pull their savings. It’s hit the Midwest states quite hard.
Over one hundred banks have suspended operations, and those same banks hold mortgages.
The people fear the banks will demand payment in full, and the bank owners are afraid they will be left holding the bag for debts that will never be repaid. ”
“What did your partners tell them to do?” Mother asked.
“Hold fast. They’re of a mind to sell off assets to cover cash runs, but that isn’t going to bode well.”
“And all of this because the US Treasury allowed gold reserves to drop nearly one hundred million dollars. People feared that the end of the world had come and rushed to change over their notes for gold,” Roman declared.
“Among other issues. It’s going to get much worse before it gets better,” Evan assured them.
Evie frowned. “Then this party must raise enough money to help see the charities through for a good amount of time. If we’re to see the economy struggle even more, the rich will tighten their hold on their wealth and the poor will assuredly bear the brunt of it.”
“They are always the ones who suffer the most. When the economy struggles, the rich trade lobster and pheasant for fish and chicken,” Mother began. “The poor who were already struggling on potatoes and pork fat are left scrounging for whatever scraps can be found.”
“We need our wealthy friends to be very generous with their donations,” Evie reiterated. “We’ll give them a magical night with wonderfully lavish food, beautiful music, and delightful company. We must convince them that their money is more than secure.”