Discovering Treasure (6 page)

10

Causing a stir

Connor had given her the name of a restaurant he'd be eating in at one o'clock. Treasure was in good time to meet him there. Since he had never seen her in one of her Paris collections, she planned to surprise him. Dressing her hair to hang long down on the side of her face was quite an attention grabber. Her dress –, a low- waisted slinky, dusty pink, model, outlined her body to perfection. Knowing she looked her best and causing a stir the moment she entered the restaurant, she waited to be seated. A waiter hurried across, and was just going to tell her they were full up when Treasure spied Connor with two women seated at a corner alcove. Perhaps when he gave her the invite, thinking it good manners, he didn't expect she'd join him? Well, too bad as here she was, and since she was hungry she refused to leave. Or, could a spirit of mischief have played any part in her decision to remain.

At least he had the manners to stand as she arrived. Seating her beside himself, he introduced her to the other two well- dressed women. “Treasure I would like you to meet the daughter and niece of a client of mine. Miss Georgina Hollingsworth and, Miss Mary Hollingsworth.

From the way they looked her slyly over, her company was not welcomed by either of them. After a lull in the conversation that included Connor, they began to speak in French, rudely asking Connor from where he picked up this stray cat, and was this one of the little mice from his country town. Connor squirmed; as he had an idea that Treasure could speak French, but was out of his depth as to how to handle these two unpleasant young women. Next, they began picking her outfit apart. During all of this Treasure sipped on a glass of lemonade, debating whether to put them in their place or let them feel like their rudeness wasn't understood.

The decision was quite taken out of her hands when a society woman, a Madame Duvet stopped at their table gushing over seeing Treasure there. The two Hollingsworth women were mystified as this lady had never even looked at them before, let alone stop near them to have a discussion. They poised themselves, waiting! But instead she directed herself solely to Treasure in perfect French.

“Mon Dieu mon chérie! Nous vousavez manqué cheza Madame Jeanne-Marie. Personne ne peut pas vousremplacerjamais. J'aientenduparler de votretanteet nous sommestellementdésolés. Maisrevenir à nous, même pour unevisite, nous serionsravis.”

It touched Treasure, that she was missed at Madame Jeanne-Marie's, and the condolences for the loss of her mother gripped her heart. No-one knew Aunt Primrose true identity; which was good, and she now declined the lady's kind invitation to come and visit.

“Merci Madame. Je suisinstallédans mon pays d'origine. Mais je viendraisun jour— biento't – vousvisiter a la Haute Couture. Merci.”

Leaning down to kiss both Treasure's cheeks – and without regard to Connor or his other guests –the satisfied woman flittered away to her own awaiting party. Several of whom, turned to look in Treasure's direction. Some attempted a self-conscious little wave.

The cousins stared at her open mouthed. Remembering her mother's good manners on such occasions, Treasure asked Connor for the menu. “I do declare I am hungry, and it's been so long since I ate good French cuisine.” Then she just smiled at the cousins as if they had been pleasant to her all along.

Connor was not pleased. After being a wounded airman of a French family during the war, he knew enough of the language to understand what had transpired. His sympathies were sided with Treasure and this reflected in his gratitude as he waited for her menu selection. These self-invited cousins had taken it upon themselves to crash what he had intended as an intimate lunch for two. Yet insulting them was not a position he relished, however, as a lawyer he also knew that accepting their attitudes without retaliation would seem as if he agreed. And he certainly did not!

Sighting the table these two should have been at, Connor arose. “Ladies,” he looked purposely from one cousin to the other. “I believed you are missed from where you should be, so it would be a good idea for you both to move over there before my guest and I place our orders.”

The young Hollingsworth women knew when they were being chastened and without a parting word, almost ran to sit with their lunch party.

“I am so sorry about that, Treasure. I did not invite their lawyer in the past, but from now on they will be handed on to my other, much sterner colleague.”

Treasure was thankful for his support and compassion. She was also surprised at her own actions, because in the past if she'd had to deal with this kind of rudeness; her sharp tongue would have lashed, leaving lasting scares. Yet she felt a surprising peace, and no hard feelings towards that discourteous pair. Surely something beyond herself gave her the tranquility not to take what was said to heart. Was this the God that Ella and her uncle had spoken of? She shook her head. It was baffling.

Spending the afternoon with Connor was a pleasant diversion. Music struck up with the fast Charleston, and Treasures feet tapped on the floor, wanting to run out and join in. Connor looked somewhat abashed. Did she do something wrong? Many people took to the floor amid laughter and action. Treasure looked at Connor seeking an answer

“I can't dance anything fast, I'm sorry to say. I injured my leg in a plane crash, and I find it even difficult to do the waltz unless very slowly. But don't let me stop you from getting up should someone ask you.” He was being polite, but there was no way that he wanted to see this precious girl held in the arms of another.

He held eye contact with her for the longest moment, and in that lingering instance, Treasure felt the strongest feeling in the deep pounding of her heart. Was this love? Or lust, as she'd heard it called? She certainly did not want to experience this, outside the confinements of a lasting commitment. Her own mother's mistakes were enough to warn her not to fall victim to the same error. No, Treasure must protect herself and not make any steps she'd live to regret. Her telltale face reflected the battle being fought within her mind, with a certain melancholy not needed on such a lovely day.

When the band began a relaxed waltz, Connor immediately arose and offered her his hand, chasing away her moments of doubt and replacing them with a symphony of harmonizing butterflies fluttering in her chest. Held close to his chest, she could inhale the tang of tweed, as she rested in the strength of his arms enclosed around her. To him she felt as light as a mystical puff of wind. She was something so wraithlike he didn't wish to hurt her with his embrace, yet he desired to keep her with him forever.

They melted together as one, dancing in complete harmony that made him forget who she was and even disregard his unwieldy leg. If ever he wished for perfection, it was at this moment. She, who was faultless in every way, should have nothing less in the one who she chose for eternity. Reluctantly he led her off the dance floor, fingers entwined in his. There was something deep here between them, and yet he could not give in to it. He could not ask her the question he wanted to ask with all of his heart. They were different, classes apart, and society frowned on being unevenly matched. They would be isolated and she would be the one to feel the sting of being outcaste. As quick as his leg permitted he walked her back to their table. “I think we ort to call it a day. I am sure you want to get back home and see how everything is faring. For myself, I have finished my business here for the present.

Treasure could not understand his rush. She believed they were to spend the night in Melbourne, returning back to the valley in the morning. Now he seemed to want to get rid of her as fast as possible, and this stung her pride. Was she just another conquest for a bit of fun and then thrown out like the dish water? It seemed to her like she was. “Okay, I'm with you, let's get on with life and get back to the land of the living.”

This sounded so blunt that it was his turn to feel the sting.

Neither spoke much on their way back home, not that it was easy to speak anyway with the sound of the engine and the rush of wind. How free it felt, looking down on sparse billabongs and lonely homesteads. Occasionally children ran out in the late afternoon sun at the sound of a plane overhead, and waved. Treasure used a red and yellow scarf to wave back at them. It made her feel so happy that she laughed each time and was sorry when the journey ended.

Connor landed close to his hangar on the far side of the house. Treasure scrutinized his home, not having noticed it on the day of their departure. Now she took in a house not un-similar to her own with wide verandahs to shade from the summer heat. She noted a large tree with two old tires strung up on limbs either side. There was a chook house and run, with a barn and cow bale to the side. A large dam had ducks swimming, diving and generally enjoying an easy life.

“Do you like it?” Connor queried. “It belonged to my uncle. I came here as a wild street kid of fifteen, who my mother found hard to control so she sent me here for her brother to tame.” He laughed as he remembered this. “And he did a good job on me with a few kicks in the pants and a lot of talking to. And then he decided I needed responsibility so he taught me to milk a cow with the promise of my own horse if I pulled my head in and behaved like a young man should. Well, I have to say he had a job on his hands, I fought him tooth and nail in the beginning.” Looking out over the pastures Connor remembered that great man who never gave up on him. “He took me with him to buy my horse. I saw one that was wild like me and wanted it and no other. He tried to persuade me it wasn't a good choice, but bull headed as usual, I wanted that stallion.” Connor looked at Treasure, “I have a thick head at times, but praise God, and he has always watched over me and curbed my willfulness.” A large dark skinned woman came out of the house at that moment, calling Connor to bring his lady inside for a fresh glass of lemon drink.

“That's Matilda; she ran my uncle and now runs me. Her husband Roy is a real bushy; they live in the house over there.” He pointed to a small neat home down toward a group of ghost gums. Their grown kids come in, squat and stay sometimes with other family members, but they are no trouble, in fact, they have taught me a lot about living off the land.” They walked toward the house as he spoke, and on reaching the back verandah, Connor pulled off his boots to walk into the house in socked feet. Treasure concluded she better follow suit and did so.

Matilda was a happy soul forever laughing while pouring drinks into tall glasses. She was shoeless. The material of Treasure's blouse was fingered tentatively –. “Funny stuff that, feels like some spider web,” whereas she burst out laughing at her own joke. Treasure supposed to someone who had never seen many different materials that perhaps it did feel like soft web. Matilda's dress was a serviceable cotton with huge orange flowers on it. Looking closer, the flowers had vines and buds bursting into bloom. It was very unusual and actually tasteful.

“Where did you buy your dress, Matilda?” Treasure asked with genuine interest.

“Me no buy dress, me paint material and Mrs Nellie fix dress for me. Mrs Nellie one clever lady!” This was becoming more interesting by the minute. Matilda, without knowing it, was a talented artist.

“Are there other ladies like you who enjoy painting materials?” Treasure inquired while taking a seat at the table. Her lemon drink was cool and tangy and a welcome moisture to her thirsty throat.

Matilda's eyes twinkled, “my sister and niece come walk-about here sometimes and we all like to do this when they come. The men do their corroboree music and dance at night and sometimes fish a little by day, and we paint –, when we got the cloth.”

This sounded fantastic to Treasure Surely she wasn't becoming like her mother with one bright idea after the other. “How would you like to earn some money with your painting if I supply you with materials to paint on?”

Matilda looked at Connor for confirmation. “I don't know Missus, this is something I talk with Mr Connor about, ‘cause white people got strange ideas. Matilda go out and take time in gunyah and talk to spirits and listen to what they say. You look like good white fella, but I first consult with spirits.”

So it was left at that. Treasure was unsure what, “talking to the spirits” meant but knew Connor would put her wise on their journey back to town.

Riding in his rattle-trap of a truck – with her bag slung in the back, Treasure sat beside Connor as he drove, bouncing and almost hitting her head on the canvas ceiling, so that she wished the trip over. Dusty grit coated the inside of her mouth. Dirt flew in the windows to cover her immaculate dress. All she longed for was a long soak in the tub and to wash the gunk from her hair. Yet, she still needed further understandings about what Matilda voiced in regard to talking to spirits.

11

Treasure's special gift.

Connor understood her naivety, she only desired to understand. “Yes, our indigenous folk are suspicious of the white man and rightly so. They haven't always been treated properly or respected for their own point of view. We Christians worship a God, the one who made everything. The aboriginal worships the same God, but in a different way. Through our mixing together they are learning about our Holy Spirit, as a helper, and how Jesus died for everyone, and that we are all the same color under our skins. Matilda likes to talk to and listen to the Holy Spirit now.”

Treasure considered this.
Hmmm, so really we are all God's creation and he loves all of us. No matter what differences we see in others, he sees us all as the same.
The eyes ofTreasures heart began to open with a new revelation of God's relationship to man, and it seemed very agreeable.“So Connor, were you always a Christian? I mean, were you brought up to believe as you do, or how did you find this faith you speak of?” She looked over at him, his eyes were on the road ahead, but he wanted to be sure that his answer didn't confuse.

“I wasn't brought up to know much about God. Yet in all my dealings with people, I have come to the conclusion that the ones with a real faith have more of a conscience in regard to right and wrong. Also, when times get tough, they had an inner strength to believe that no matter what they see with their own eyes, God will bring then through the outcome.” He paused for reflection –. “And then there is prayer. It's so good to know that no matter what time of the day or night, God never sleeps and is always there. And, he answers prayer, not always as we would like, but the way that's best for us. As a fighter pilot in the war I saw things that sickened me to the core. I saw the evil in man, and I saw the good. I decided I wanted to be on the good side, I wanted to belong to God's people and if I died in battle, I wanted to spend eternity in heaven where all sickness, old age, and sin is done away with.”

He glanced over at her to try and read her reaction. “Jesus died for me. I take that personally. He died for me before I even lived and before I ever sinned, because he knew, that no matter how good I wanted to be, I would never be perfect. What love is that Treasure, what love is that?”

She was confounded, yes indeed, what love was that? How many times had she heard people laugh at others for their belief in Jesus, and yet, how could you turn your back on someone who gave their life in replacement of your own? At that moment, in that rickety old truck, with the dirt and the dust, Treasure whispered in her heart.
Yes, I want that also, I want Jesus living in me. Yes, I believe!

No words of explanation were needed when Connor's truck stopped at the front of her house. Treasure was a new creation, her heart changed from the inside out and she felt like shouting it down the street for all too hear and yet she didn't, she couldn't just yet. It was new and she wanted to feed this newness inside of her, until it was rich enough to spill out with the right words of conviction to others.

But to Connor she owed a great debt and she wasn't sure how to repay him.

“Stay in the truck, there's no need for you to get out; you're just as tired and as dirty as I am and feel. Stay there!” Getting out she lifted her case off the back of his truck tray, and then walked around to his window. She slid her arm in and around his neck, bringing his face up close to hers. Before thinking, she said, “I love you Connor Latham, I love you with all my heart, and I love Jesus Christ who you have given to me as well.” With him in total shock from her words, she kissed him full and long on the mouth before stepping back from the truck door.

What should he do? He wasn't sure, and then, what the heck! To be done with propriety and watchful eyes! He jumped out of the truck, pulled her tightly into his arms, and he whispered words he wasn't sure yet that he should reveal. “I love you too Treasure Gilroy. I love your sweetness, your caring and your genuine heart.” Their kiss was tender and full of an endearing love, a love that nothing could pull apart. Or could it? “Let's take it easy,” he whispered looking into her eyes. “Let's see what God has planned for us. His ways are not our ways, but from experience I know, his ways are best.”

With a parting kiss, he hopped back into the truck and drove away.

Treasure tore through the front door, slamming it behind her. She checked her watch. Fivein the afternoon, and time for tea, she went to the kitchen to find the kettle on with no one in sight. What the—?!!! Where was everyone? After taking the kettle off the stove, she called for Ella and then Nellie, as she ran through to the back of the house. Even Paris was gone. Running to the garage and around the back, not even Kelvin was in sight.

Getting that deep gut feeling, Treasure knew something was very wrong. She tore back to her room and without bothering about a bath, changed into breeches, boots, and blouse. She dashed out of the back door and jumped into the car. It could go faster than she could and somehow she knew it needed to.

Driving down the road, she spotted a group of people out front of the church. Ella and Nellie ran to her, both babbled at once and Nellie, wiping her eyes with her apron. Mrs Wallace, the Vet's wife, was screaming for her son and Treasure couldn't make head nor tail of what it all meant due to the noise.

Placing her hands over her ears she screamed at them all to, “shut up!” Yes! They were stunned, but at least the noise stopped and Treasure was able to gain a sensible answer. Jason was missing. No one had seen the little boy since a couple of hours following lunch.

“He's only four years old!” Emma shrieked. “I left him in the front of the store eating an ice for just a few minutes and the next thing, he was gone.” She began shaking out of control and Treasure almost slapped her, before another woman placed an arm around her and pulled her into an embrace.

Everyone knew a few minutes for Emma—, if she was looking at ribbons or lace, it could have been any amount of time. So the next question was, had there been any strangers in town. Everyone looked at one other but with a shake of many heads—, that came up blank.

Kelvin shook his head to clear his thoughts, and then took a stand. “Okay then, what about other children? Were there any other children about at that time, not accounted for?” he asked. Good question! This had everyone thinking and calling out names.

“There was Peter Brice,” called one woman.

“And I saw Lorraine Snell and Molly Jones,” called another.

“Okay then,” said Kelvin taking control. “Mr. Wallace, go get on the telephone party line and find out if any of those children are missing. Jason may have wandered off on an adventure with one of them.”

Mr. Wallace ran off to do Kelvin's bidding. In the meantime Treasure asked Emma Wallace if she had an article of clothing from Jason not yet laundered. Emma looked at her and began wailing again.

This time Treasure took hold of the woman by both arms and shook her soundly.

“Making all that noise won't do an ounce of good, but our Paris might just be able to find Jason by his scent. Paris loves Jason, and a dog can hear, see and smell what we humans can't, so go get something, and be useful for your son.”

She gave Emma a push while feeling awful to do so. As if the poor woman wasn't suffering enough already.

“It's okay love,” Kelvin whispered, “you did the right thing, now don't you go fretting yourself.—It's the child that counts, not our feelings.”

Thomas, who quietly stood by, watching the panic, stepped in.

“I believe before any more ado we need to pray.” He waited for quiet and then began. “Dear Lord, firstly we thank you for always being near to listen to our partitions. Now we ask for the safe return of Jason, help us to find him soon. In Jesus's name, amen.”

Treasure felt surprised! Surely there needed to be more said than this? Didn't you partition God all sorts of things for him to answer your prayer? Apparently not! At that moment Treasure realized just how personal God was. For such an important person –, or Spirit being, and King of the whole Universe, didn't he expect displays of stateliness? Or did he simply desire truth and honesty. Now that was a revelation, and it gave Treasure a tremendous rush of hope. It all became crystal clear. She didn't have to do any bargaining; or make promises; because Jesus settled the score long ago. All she had to do was ask, trust and be thankful.

So, all by herself now Treasure prayed silently. “
You know I'm new at this Lord, but I do believe nothing is impossible for you. Please help us find Jason, he's just a little boy. And please keep everyone calm and sensible. Amen.”

Gosh it felt good. What a tremendous release. She sat down on an old tree stump. Suddenly the Lord impressed upon her as he spoke into her heart. She knew exactly where that small boy was! Amazing –, yes! And— she also knew that God deserved the credit.

“I know where he is! Oh, I know where Jason is!” She called out while running to gain attention. “He's around behind the butcher's shop asleep in that old cart. There's a cat and kittens in there, and he was watching them. He'd never seen anything like that before and it intrigued him. He didn't want to leave them and so when he felt tired he just went to sleep beside them.”

Everyone sped off, and just as she said, he lay fast asleep beside a stray mother cat feeding her kittens.

“He's taking after his father, one man said; he wants to care of animals.”

Everyone laughed with relief, and some remembered to praise God for his goodness and answer to prayer. Treasure felt weak with exhaustion, yet enthralled that God had seen fit to speak to her. How could she explain this? She couldn't, there was no way—, no reasonable way she could have known. Only God knew, and he had answered the prayer of someone as simple as herself.

Much later, after she'd soaked in a bath and dressed in her nightgown all ready for bed, she sat at the kitchen table surrounded by her friends—, the nearest she had to family, and again explained the events of the day.

“I asked Jesus into my heart. No bells rang! I just knew, that I knew, I was different. And then with wee Jason, when I said a simple prayer in my head asking to find him, I suddenly saw him in my mind, lying in that old cart next to the cat with kittens.”

Nellie served her a piece of apple pie with a dab of cream on top after she'd finished her stew. “Do you realize, Treasure, that God has given you a special gift? It's called a Gift because it can only come from him; it is called The Word of Knowledge. I would not be further surprised to also know you have been given the Gift of Discerning of Spirits. They usually go together.” She nodded her head with a knowing smile. “I am sure you have had other times in your life when you have known things that you couldn't naturally know. And if I'm not mistaken, you have wondered why.”

She sat down at the table after serving the apple pie to the others. She was serious while speaking of this. “But time will tell, and you will get used to it. The only thing you need to know is to always listen and never ignore God's promptings. Don't take it for granted, don't brag about it or use it for money gain. God gives each of his children gifts as he wills. If you read 1 Corinthians chapters 12–13, and 14, you will learn more about these special gifts. You are one very blessed young woman.”

Treasure understood that Nellie was trying to get across to her that this was something very special. But it frightened her because it seemed to spell a huge accountability. Prior to the death of her mother Primrose, Treasure only dealt with small responsibilities, and then all of a sudden they became larger, but this was massive. Her eyes grew huge with this realization.

“But what if I fail, Nellie? What if I make a mess of this gift God has given to me and how will I know as I did today whether I should speak it out or keep quiet about it? Is this why people were once called witches? I should hate being called one of those.”

Her shoulders shook and tears began to slide and fall into her bowl of dessert. Kelvin didn't know how to handle this turn of events, and wrung his large hands together in perplexity. Ella got up to gather her friend's face close against her, but Nellie took charge once again.

“Oh, you poor wee lamb, it in naught to fret over, God never gives you a gift to leave you unprotected. He promises that he will never leave you nor forsake you, and his promise is true. Now you wipe those eyes, it's been a long day and you are tired out and not yourself. After you read those scriptures you will sleep like a babe and the morrow will shed new light on all of this, you'll see.”