“The newspaper says that the Board of Charities and Corrections has purchased the Russell Brackett home to convert into the new hospital.”
There was a rustling of papers as her father answered, “Yes, the current facilities were overwhelmed the moment those two buildings were purchased on Eleventh Avenue South. It’s taken them six years to do something about it, and this won’t be enough. We need a building the size of the West Hotel with its four hundred some rooms and one hundred forty bathrooms. Imagine what we could do with a hospital that size.”
Evan chuckled. “It would be a wonder, to be sure. Or better still, you could take over the L. S. Donaldson Company’s department store. With all those amazing windows, you would have all the light you’d ever need.”
“Well, no matter what, this town has grown exceedingly, and its medical needs are many. The flour and sawmills along with the railroad keep us busy with emergency patients day and night. Did you bring me papers to sign on our little hospital addition?”
“Yes. Although I find it amusing you’re already adding an addition.”
“One has to act when opportunity presents itself. When I learned the building next door was for sale, I knew I should buy it. It will take very little to join the two buildings. In the years to come, we’ll be glad to have that area to expand into.”
Evie heard movement in the office as Evan spoke. “Everything is in order, and you will immediately take possession of the old bottling company building. There’s much to be done to turn it into a proper hospital addition, but I’ve already found a good construction crew that’s eager to work with you at yourconvenience. I’ll go over all of that information as we address the paperwork.”
“Before we get to that, I’d like to ask you something.”
“Of course. What is it?” Evan asked. Evie started to go. It was clear they were focused on business and her father wouldn’t have time for her.
“What do you know about Evie?” Her father’s words stopped Evie in her tracks. She turned back, feeling quite uneasy.
“Well, she definitely seems of a more serious nature,” Evan replied. “I asked her about it, and she told me she’d grown up. I suppose she’s seen a lot and experienced difficulties that I cannot imagine.”
“I was hesitant to let her go to nurse’s training so young, but she was insistent,” Father said, leaning back in his chair. “Then when she wanted to remain for additional training, I could hardly say no. She was passionate about it, and I wanted to help in any way I could. Still, she’s come home very changed indeed. There’s a seriousness about her that troubles me.”
“Perhaps she’s also tired. She’s not taken any time away from her duties, working through the summers and holidays. She’s lived in dormitories with other nurses for all this time; maybe being home is difficult. It’s not the same environment at all. She wrote me early on about how strict the rules were. They had specific times for washing their clothes and studying, and lights out and bedtime were strictly observed. Now she’s in a house with little children again and servants as well. Maybe it’s hard for her to readjust.”
“You may be right, Evan. You know her so much better than anyone else.”
Evie frowned. She was living a lie, and even Evan didn’t know the truth of it. Guilt washed over her in waves. How could she go on this way? Didn’t the Bible say that God hated lying tongues? Weren’t liars associated with the worst of sinners?
“I know she’d tell me if something was wrong. At least, I like to think she would still confide in me.”
Father laughed, and Evie heard what sounded like him getting up from behind the desk. She knew she should leave but was frozen in place as he spoke. “I’ve no doubt about that. You have been like two sides of the same coin all your lives. Usually, I could figure out what was troubling you ... both of you. I guess I’m getting too old to keep up now.”
“Nonsense,” Evan replied, sounding much less worried. “Now, however, I would like to get back to the new property and schedule a meeting with the contractors for the expansion. When do you plan for Evie to join you?”
“I’m not quite sure, especially given our conversation. If she’s tired, I want her to have a good long rest before she takes on the duties of helping run a hospital.”
Evie hurried from the billiards room as quietly as possible, exiting into the family sitting room and out the open French doors. She forced her lungs to take in deep breaths of air. What was she going to do?
4
The night of the fund raiser had finally arrived, and so far, everything seemed to be going smoothly. Evie moved throughout the garden party greeting one person after another. She encouraged them to partake of the refreshments and enjoy the beauty of her family’s garden, and she reminded them about the various charities the evening’s gathering hoped to support.
Everyone who was anyone in Minneapolis was in attendance. Most were good friends with her parents. For over twenty years, her parents had worked tirelessly to benefit the poor and needy. Evie had never known a time when her family didn’t take part in activities to help those who were less fortunate. It was a passion for her parents—their mission field, as her mother often referred to it. Before heading off to nursing school, it was likewise for Evie. She very much enjoyed urging their friends to have compassion on the destitute. There were so many who needed help and even a few dollars could go a long way to helping, especially when multiplied by a hundred or more people giving.
“Oh, Evie, the evening is perfect for your party. Not a raincloud in sight and the perfect temperature,” Amelia declared as she came to join her friend.
“It is a lovely night. I hope it draws out the generosity of the guests.” Evie had already done a mental calculation regarding the money that might be donated that evening. Even if each person gave only a small amount, they would still raise several thousand dollars.
“Don’t they make the sweetest couple?” Amelia asked, turning her attention to Evan and Christina Knutsson. “I do hope they’ll marry. Then you and I can be sisters for sure.”
“That stretches the limitations of in-law relations, but you and I have been closer than some sisters all our lives. I will always count you as a sister.”
“Goodness, then you’d have ten siblings.”
Evie laughed. “What’s one more? But in our case, you have a special place in my heart and always will.”
Amelia took hold of her gloved hands. “I feel the same way, Evie. I have always admired your passion for helping people. I want to do more of that. I told Carl that after we marry, we must host fund raisers like your family does. I want to be known for offering up my home and time. And when the day comes that we are well situated, I want to be known as a generous donor too.” Her eyes lit up as she spoke. “I want people to think of me like they do Charlotte Van Cleve and your mother.”
