The Belhurst Story by David Sakmyster

Author:David Sakmyster [Sakmyster, David]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Crossroad Press
Published: 2011-12-11T00:00:00+00:00

IV. The Queen of the Castle

"In all the affairs of life, social as well as political, courtesies of a small and trivial character are the ones which strike deepest to the grateful and appreciating heart."

- Henry Clay (1777 - 1852)

Carrie M. Collins - photo courtesy of The Geneva Historical Society

She retires to her second floor suite, winded from her bike ride across the grounds. She fixes herself a glass of wine and strolls onto the balcony.

The front lawn in the pre-twilight hour is bustling with activity. Several guests from New York City are playing a spirited game of tennis on the new court, while on the pier Dell is proudly showing off his steamer to some local boating enthusiasts. The twenty-person craft is the envy of most in this region and Dell has been speaking of nothing else all winter but his desire to be out on the lake again.

A three-person band is playing soft violins while a few dinner guests arrive. And there's Hal, with his new ladyfriend, on summer break from College, strolling the grounds, making their way to the Poultry House. Doubtless the girl has never seen a Japanese Golden Pheasant before, much less two of the beautiful creatures.

Sighing, Carrie leans against the stone verandah ledge, sips at her wine and thinks back on the years it took to get here. The long winters in the cold Otis Mansion, the place everyone said was haunted; and all those curious folk inquiring whether any tunnels or treasure were found after the place was razed for this construction.

A thin smile crosses her lips as she takes in the view of the glorious lake, of her son walking hand in hand with a young love, and sweet Dell polishing the steamers' hull while the sounds of a tennis game and soft violins glide along the lake breezes.

Yes, she thinks. We did find treasure. Only it wasn't in some dank underground passage, but here, on the surface, waiting to be enjoyed.

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