The Golden Room

Mi

Entering the dazzling room, Cathleen held back for a moment, stu

'I had it made in Paris some years ago,' said Mi

Bruce went into the room more easily, less stu

'I wish your father could see our place for himself,' said Mi

'You know he's not been ambulatory since his stroke,' said Bruce. 'Besides, he couldn't afford the trip.'

'Well, I intend to rectify that in the near future,' said Mi

After the two were seated, Mi

'We've been expecting you,' said Mi

'If this is any inconvenience at all…' Cathleen began.

'No, absolutely not,' Mi

'Better let me explain,' Bruce intervened, coming forward. 'Since we are family, I can be frank. Father's law practice is almost non-existent. He's been too ill to attend to it properly. Since Mother died and then his stroke, he seems to have lost all his spirit. We still have the old house, but we may have to sell that soon. In truth, Father is almost pe

send us up here for the wedding. But Pearl and Harold T. Armbruster don't know that. They set much store by appearances. To reassure them that we're a good family and to impress them, Father wrote you that note asking you to take us in.'

Mi

'Father felt that if we could stay with his sisters, and circulate high up on the social scale – and if we could live under conditions the Armbrusters would find acceptable – it would cause no doubt in their minds that Cathleen was eligible for marriage to their son. Actually, Alan is very much in love with Cathleen. He would have no reservations whatsoever. However, parents can be a different matter. The Armbrusters are impressed by Cathleen's attractiveness and grace. Father had sent her to private schools -'

'Just as I had been educated,' said Mi

'But not necessarily poverty,' said Bruce bluntly. 'I'm sorry to say this, but it's important to the Armbrusters that Cathleen be from a good family – meaning a well-to-do family.'

'I understand,' said Mi

Cathleen brightened and briefly lost some of her shyness. 'Mr Armbruster is a very rich man. He's a meat-packer.'

'I've heard,' said Mi

'He's eager for social standing in Chicago, the kind that Armour and Swift already have. Since a horse-racing stable is one symbol of prestige in Chicago, Mr Armbruster considered establishing his own stable. That's why he came down to Louisville with his wife, Pearl, and his two children, Alan and Judith. He was pla

Kentucky. Someone sent him to Bruce, since Bruce has knowledge of the best horseflesh available. Bruce even has three horses of his own.'

'They're not much,' Bruce confessed. 'Mr Armbruster wasn't interested, but I was able to guide him to other breeders.'

'I'm sure he was grateful,' interrupted Mi

'Actually, one of my colts is exceptional – he's a three-year-old named Frontier. I spent much of what I earned as a bank clerk to enter Frontier in the American Derby in Chicago.'

'Why bring Frontier all the way up here for the American Derby?' Mi

'For a good reason,' said Bruce. 'Money. The Kentucky Derby pays the wi

'Let's hope you succeed,' said Mi

'Yes, Aunt Mi

'You saw each other often in Louisville?' asked Mi

'Almost every night for a month, but always with his parents,' said Cathleen. 'They liked me enough to allow Alan to propose. When the Armbrusters heard about my wealthy aunts in Chicago, they were highly pleased. The wedding is set for two weeks from now, at their home. Bruce and I just arrived this morning. First we found a stable for his horse, then we came right over.'

'You did the right thing,' said Mi

'May I ask – is that where you made your money?' said Bruce.

'Heavens, no. After we left Kentucky, we inherited a fairly decent sum of cash. We had good advice about investing it, and we doubled and redoubled our money. We bought this house and furnished it. It seemed a good idea to turn part of it into a restaurant, not only to take care of our overhead but as a means of entertaining our business friends. We also had parlours for cocktails and conversation. We even hired six women, singers and dancers we'd known in our stage days. They put on floor shows in return for room and board. Now, to get back to the Armbrusters -'

'Oh, yes,' Cathleen said happily, 'Mr and Mrs Armbruster are eager to meet you and Aunt Aida before the wedding. I hope you have time for that.'

'I do,' said Mi

'They're hoping we can all have lunch at their home the day after tomorrow.'

'Aida and I will be happy to join you,' said Mi

Once she had left the Gold Room, Mi

'Edmund,' she said. 'Do you know where my sister is?'

'Yes, Miss Everleigh -'

'There is to be no more mention of the Everleigh name,' Mi

'Miss Aida told me to post a sign, and then she explained everything.'

'Good. Where is Aida now?'

'In the Japanese Room with all the girls, Miss Lester. She's giving them the same instructions she gave me.'

'Thanks, Edmund. I better get there fast,'

When Mi