| Subject: The New World - Part #22 |
Author:
Wanda
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Date Posted: 21:00:55 06/10/03 Tue
PART #22
Joshua could see he had pushed Catherine as far as she was going to be pushed. She was one stubborn woman. He would have to approach this in a different way. He had not lied to her when he said he would let nothing get in his way once he had decided he wanted something. He would simply back up, and take a different approach.
When they reached the stream, Joshua bent down and scooped up some water in a bowl for Catherine. The water was crystal clear and cool. How refreshing the water was on a steamy summer day in Louisiana. Catherine dipped a handkerchief into the water, then dabbed at her face, neck, arms and hands. “This feels wonderful,” she said. “I am afraid it’s not a bath,” said Joshua. “Well, it will suffice until we can stop where I may obtain a bath,” Catherine remarked.
Catherine could hear the strange sound of a bird, and asked Joshua if he knew what was making that sound. He told her it was the calling of a loon. He said they were found frequently around bodies or water such as a river or large bay. Catherine remarked it was the strangest sounding bird she had ever heard. He said, “Catherine, we should be getting back to the carriage so that we can get on the road once again.”
Joshua told her he had a business appointment that he must keep in Jennings, and it wouldn’t do for them to be late. Catherine took his arm as she walked back to the carriage. She said, “Do you mind me asking about your business?” He laughed and said, “Catherine, if I have just asked you to marry me, surely I would not mind you asking about my business. What do you want to know?” She asked, “What is your business appointment in Jennings?” Joshua laughed once again, “You certainly know how to come to the point, don’t you?”
Joshua told her he had an appointment to drop off a painting for a gentleman who was going to take the painting on to New Orleans. Catherine asked, “What painting did you sell?” He said, “I have a painting by Paul Cezanne that I have sold. You have probably heard of him Catherine. He is a French painter who goes beyond a person’s interest, showing individual brushstroke, and using the fall of light on his objects. He does a wonderful job in putting down on a canvas exactly what he sees. He is also known for his imagination.”
Catherine asked, “You mean we are driving all the way to Jennings for one painting?” He said, “My dear, this is an important painting, and it will be well worth the trip to Jennings. Besides look at the wonderful traveling companion I have with me.”
They reached the carriage, and Joshua helped Catherine to get inside. Soon they were on the road once again. As they drove along, Catherine wondered why Joshua had lied to her. Obviously he did not want her to know there was a Monet in the box. If that was the only painting Joshua had brought along, why did he tell her it was a painting by Paul CeZanne? She was becoming more and more convinced that the painting was the one that had been stolen on the ship by the gang of pirates. She wondered if Bowregard had sold the painting to Joshua. Surely Joshua would know the painting was stolen, or why would he have lied to her about the painting? Things were not the way they should be.
She felt a touch upon her arm. She looked at Joshua, and he said, “My goodness Catherine, you looked like you were in a daze. Where were you just then?” She said, “I’m sorry, I was thinking about the pirate raid upon the ship.” He looked sympathetic; and said, “Were you hurt in any way?” Catherine said, “No, I wasn’t hurt but many people were robbed. We were just talking about the painting you were taking to Jennings, and it made me think of the family who had a Monet stolen from them. That Monet had been in their family for sometime, and they were heart broken.
Catherine saw Joshua twisting his mustache as he watched her. He seemed sympathetic enough when he said, “Oh, how tragic. If that painting had belonged to me I would have been heartbroken if I had lost it.” Catherine said, “I hardly call having a valuable painting “lost” that was stolen from you.” Joshua said, “Well, of course, you are correct in that.”
Joshua could see that something had changed with Catherine. He couldn’t put his finger on what had happened, but things had definitely changed. She seemed quiet, almost aloof. He thought back over the things they had discussed. What had he said that upset her? Everything seemed to be fine until they got back into the carriage. She had asked him about his business in Jennings. She seemed to know about the Monet being stolen from the ship. She had no way of knowing the Monet was in the box for he had wrapped it before he left to avoid having her see it. He thought back to her spending the night in the carriage alone. But, it was dark throughout the night. The only time she could have seen it would have been early in the morning. He decided he would check the wrapping when they stopped overnight at Collins’ Station where they could get a room, a meal, and a bath.
To be continued...
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