Edith and the Mysterious Stranger (7 page)

“But there’s one thing that confuses me and
that was what your mother said. Why did she say she could not
answer any questions?”

“That’s one thing I haven’t told you, yet.
It’s because the letter isn’t signed. He’s remaining anonymous, so
to speak. Either Mama doesn’t want me to know who he is, or he
doesn’t.”

Melinda stared into her
eyes with curiosity and excitement.
“I’m
ready. Read it or I’ll burst.”

The softness in Edith’s eyes was evident as
she read:

Dear Edith,

A kind friend has asked me to write to you, for it
is through letters that one may learn the deepest thoughts and
feelings of another. Too many times we see what’s on the surface of
another person, but never get to know the soul. We hold back our
inner feelings and never express them for fear of ridicule or
non-acceptance, or perhaps because we would be embarrassed.
Therefore, we never see into the deepest recesses of another
person’s soul. We seem to guard ourselves so we don’t get hurt, but
at the same time we won’t let that person see who we truly are. At
one time I read that it is better to have loved and lost than to
have never loved at all. But at the same time, we don’t want to get
hurt so we throw up a wall to protect ourselves. I believe sometime
in our life, we must take a chance.

To let you know a little about me, I moved here
several years ago from across the mountain. It’s a small community
that is surrounded by mountains on every side. The land is lush and
green and is a beautiful little valley. But something tugged at me
and told me to move to Bear Lake Valley, so I heeded the feeling.
As you, I also love music and thrive on every note I hear. Music
uplifts me when I feel let down. It brings a spirit of peace and
joy into my soul. Life would truly be dull without music. In fact,
I feel that man can become closer to God through music. I have no
real talent as you do, but I can play the harmonica. If you are
interested in writing in response to my letter, then give it to
Martha, and she’ll know what to do with it.

Most sincerely,

A Friend

“Oh my, Edith!” Melinda put her hand on her chest.
“A person’s soul? That’s something I haven’t thought of before. I
like it. He truly sounds wonderful.”

Edith’s eyes were bright and
alive as she answered,
“I know. That’s the
reason I’m here. I’ve been mulling this over for a couple days,
trying to figure out what I should do. I need your opinion,
Melinda.”

“All right. First things first! Do you think
it’s Henry? Do you think your mother realized you needed to get to
know the real Henry first?”

“No. I don’t believe he’s anyone I’ve ever met.
You can tell what a person is like by their mannerisms and words.
This definitely does not sound like Henry, Melinda.”

“Has Gilbert introduced you to Joseph?”

“No. Who’s he?”

“He’s a farmer that lives here in Paris and he
works part-time for Gilbert. He’s a nice enough fellow, but he’s
sort of quiet. He’s polite but he keeps to himself.” Melinda looked
a little sheepish as she continued. “I was going to invite Henry
over to meet you myself.”

Edith giggled with amusement. “So, if Mama
wouldn’t have introduced us, you would have?”

Melinda nodded. “Sorry. Well, maybe Gilbert
decided not to introduce the two of you. Perhaps he could see what
was happening with your mother. He’s quite perceptive, you
know.”

Edith shrugged. “Well, since all is well, I’m
going home but I’ll come over tomorrow to check up on you again.
Have you felt any movement yet?”

Melinda shook her head. “Not yet. That seems to
be Gilbert’s first question each night when we get ready for bed.
He’s so cute. He’s just as excited as I am, if not more so.” Then
she looked at the letter and asked, “Are you going to respond to
his letter?”

Edith’s eyes widened. “Of course. Whoever he is,
I’m willing to get to know him through letters. That was the most
intriguing letter I’ve ever read. In fact, I’ve already written a
reply. Do you want to hear it?”

“What? Are you asking me? There’s no
question about it. I’m definitely interested.”

Edith smiled as she pulled
an envelope out of her bag and handed it to her.
“Tell me what you think.”

Melinda unfolded the letter and began to
read.

Dear Friend,

I feel that you have an unfair advantage,
for you know all about me through someone else and I know nothing
of you. Pray tell me more about yourself so I can know who you are
as well. You know my name, my occupation, and my hobbies, but I
know nothing of you.

Sincerely,

Edith, the Confused

Melinda laughed. “It’s perfect. I can’t wait
for his answer. Do you think he’ll reveal himself to you?”

“Of course not. He’s doing this so we can
get to know one another first. That’s what I think, anyway.” Then
she grinned mischievously. “Besides, I don’t want to know. It’s
more mysterious this way, don’t you think?”

A deep voice came from the
screen door.
“What’s more
mysterious?”

Melinda turned and saw Gilbert peering
inside at the two of them. Then he opened the door and pushed it
shut behind him.

“Edith received a letter from a mysterious
stranger.”

Gilbert lifted his brow
with surprise.
“She did? What kind of
letter?”

“A real nice one. He wants to get to know
her. But she doesn’t know who put him up to it. Was it you,
Gilbert?”

“Me? Why would I do that when courting is a
lot more fun?”

Melinda laughed. “Well, it wasn’t me. Do you
think it was Martha? She’s such a matchmaker.”

“I wouldn’t put it past her. But then, I
wouldn’t put it past you, either. I’m not sure what kind of tricks
you would do just to win.”

Edith looked between the
two of them and asked,
“Win?”

Gilbert grinned.
“Yup. Win! We had a little challenge going and I
think she’s cheating.”

“Me? Cheat?” Melinda said
with a shake of her head.
“I wouldn’t do
that.”

Gilbert chuckled.
“You wouldn’t? So, who do you think he is,
Melinda?”

“It’s a mystery. We have no idea who he is.
He wrote to her, and it’s one of the most interesting letters I’ve
ever heard.”

“Really?”

With a mischievous glint
in her eyes, she said teasingly,
“But I
suspect its Henry.”

Gilbert rolled his
eyes.
“Oh, Henry again. Why do you think
that?”

“Because of his words. This man’s
intelligent, educated.” Seeing the challenge in her eyes, he
readily responded.

“Educated? Has Martha
introduced Edith to the new schoolmaster in town? He’s single.”
Then he raised his eyebrows and grinned at Melinda.
“
And he’s
educated
, too.”

Edith laughed when she heard
the emphasis on “educated” and wondered what all this was
about.
“Oh, I don’t think Mama’s going to
introduce me to anyone else for a while. I might embarrass her too
much. Besides, I think she knows that I need to do this myself with
no pressure.”

Gilbert went to the sink and washed up as he
asked, “What do you want for supper, Melinda?”

“I can make it tonight. You’ve been working
real hard and need a break. I’m feeling so much better since I’ve
been taking herbs. And besides, we have the catnip tea for
emergencies.”

Gilbert frowned as he grabbed a towel and
dried his hands in silence. Then he turned to Melinda and looked at
her with soberness, his eyebrows furrowed. He did not say a word
but something passed between them.

Melinda had seen that look before. It was
one of concern mixed with a stern look that meant more than words
could say. She knew that he was not going to allow her to cook. She
also knew it was fruitless to just argue about it.

Sensing what was happening between them,
Edith stood up and looked at Melinda with a serious expression.
“You’ve got a good husband, Melinda. Listen to him. He knows best.
Don’t push yourself too much just because you feel better. Use
wisdom in how much you do, so you can protect this baby…and
yourself. Just because you have herbs doesn’t mean you can
overdo.”

Melinda nodded. Two against one was an
overwhelming number when one of them was Gilbert. She smiled and
waved as Edith walked out the door. “Good luck and let me know how
it turns out, Edith.”

After she left, Melinda turned to her
husband. He was standing next to the sink with the towel still in
his hands and he was staring at her with a worried look. She knew
that he loved her beyond words and was just trying to protect her.
So why wasn’t she cooperating?

Melinda nodded. “Anything you say,
dear.”

Gilbert grinned. “At least I have Edith on my
side.”

Edith was summoned to the schoolhouse
because one of the children had had an accident. Henry laid the
child down on a mat in his office, awaiting her arrival. When she
arrived, she noticed the door was partly open, and Henry was seated
at his desk, writing. She noticed that he was intent on what he was
doing. He had a crease across his brow in concentration, and he did
not even notice that she was standing in the doorway.

Edith cleared her throat as she walked
through the door. When Henry looked up from his work and saw her,
he smiled and his eyes brightened. He was pleasantly surprised at
how quickly she had come and immediately stood. Then, taking her to
the corner of the room, he pointed to the young boy lying on a
mat.

Edith knelt down beside him and gave him a
sympathetic smile. “What happened, young man?”

The little eight-year-old boy winced as he held up
his hand. It was wrapped with a piece of white cloth, and she
noticed a red stain that had soaked through the bandage near his
palm. She tenderly took his hand in hers and unwrapped it.

Henry watched attentively. “He was running and fell
down, landing on his hands against some rocks and debris.”

She winced. “Ouch!”

After unwrapping the temporary cloth that Henry had
used, Edith took a bottle of liquid from her bag and said, “This
will sting a little.”

The boy nodded and held his breath as she poured the
liquid over it.

When he jerked back with pain and whimpered, Edith
said, “I’m so sorry.” Her voice was soothing and full of empathy.
“This will kill the germs, and then I’ll put on some ointment.”

The young man nodded.

Edith could tell that he was trying to look brave as
he blinked back tears forming in his eyes. “So, what’s your
name?”

“Tom.”

“I have a nephew by that name.”

“Really?”

Edith nodded. As she rubbed the ointment on, she
asked, “Do you like music?”

Tom winced. “I…I play the harmonica.”

“You do? That’s wonderful.”

“Yeah. My teacher has the superintendent come to our
class, and he teaches us how to play. He plays real good, too.”

Henry nodded. “Actually, I
really don’t do much. He’s a talented young man and plays quite
well. I volunteered ‘cause
I thought it would be a good
experience for the children. I bought a bunch of inexpensive
harmonicas for them. I believe music improves the mind and helps
you learn better.”

Edith was surprised by this information, so
surprised that she didn’t even dare turn her head to face Henry.
He played the harmonica
, she thought to herself, wondering
if he could be the mysterious stranger. No, he couldn’t be.

Quickly, she took out a strip of cloth and
wrapped it around the young boy’s palm and secured it. “I’m done.
You were quite brave.”

Tom smiled at Edith. “Thank you, Ma’am. Can I go
out to play now?”

“I don’t see why not. You’re as good as
new.”

After the young man skipped out the door, Henry
smiled appreciatively. “You have a way with children.”

Edith glanced up, feeling uneasy and
apprehensive. He liked her and she knew it. This always happened
when she knew that someone liked her. She would back off, not
allowing any man to get close to her.

With a slight smile, she answered, “I love
children.”

“Me, too. That’s why I accepted this position. I
moved here from the other side of the mountain, and I love it
here.”

Edith swallowed nervously. “From the other side
of the mountain?”

“Yes. That’s where I grew up.”

Edith’s head was swimming with all this new
information. He played the harmonica and he was from the other side
of the mountain. No! He couldn’t be the mysterious stranger. The
man in the letter spoke with eloquence.

Then it dawned on her. If he were, then why
would he be telling her all this information? She knew that he
wanted to remain anonymous. Surely, Henry could not be the one.
This whole mystery was too obvious, too easy to solve. He had told
her too much. Or was he telling her all this information to throw
her off guard?

Henry sensed something was wrong as he
watched her stuff her medicine and bandages into her bag. “Are you
all right, Miss Edith? You’re not very talkative and you look a
little pale.”

Edith shook her head. “No, I’m all right.
I’ve just got a few things on my mind.”

“You know, you and I started off on the
wrong foot. I guess I was trying too hard to impress you. I tend to
jabber away when I’m nervous and say the wrong things. Can we start
again?”

When Edith looked up, he was smiling and his
eyes were hopeful. She smiled back and said, “Don’t worry about
it.”