Garnet or Garnets Curse

face grow warm and I thought I might cry. “I explained to you already. I do not have any recollection after Ox carried me outside.”
    “I heard you. But no recollection is a flimsy answer when a man’s life is on the line, ” the judge said, and sat down at the table again.
    Mrs. Lanier stood up. “May I address the room?” she asked. She did not wait for an answer and presented her case. “It is clear that this young lady was in shock after being brutally beaten and nearly strangled to death. When Martin delivered her to my house, she was unconscious for nearly two days. As for the fire, have any of you been in that house in recent years? It was nothing but kindling. It is reasonable to assume that a lamp was turned over in the brawl and the place went up like a torch. Of course, I am just a preacher’s wife and certainly not an expert like you gentlemen,” she said, smiling sweetly. She smoothed out the back of her skirt and sat down politely and folded her hands in her lap.
    The judge looked at the others. “I move that we close this case, with the condition that Martin LaBranch is placed in the custody of Mrs. Lanier until suitable arrangements can be made for his permanent care. That is, if Mrs. Lanier is willing to take on the responsibility.”
    Mrs. Lanier nodded her head and the judge said that he would see that Martin was delivered to her home that afternoon.
    The doctor followed us out to the carriage. He told me to contact him should I have any complications. He called Mrs. Lanier to the side and wrote down a name of an institution that might be a possible home for Martin.
    Mrs. Lanier suggested that we have lunch at the cafe. I declined for reason that I was already in debt to her for lodging. She just laughed. “It is not often I have someone willing to spend time with me. If you insisted, I would pay you. So let’s just call it even, shall we?”
    I understood what it meant to be alone. “Very well, I will try to be good company to you, Maria,” I said, smiling back at her. “If you would be so kind as to assist me with sending a telegram to my home today, I would be most grateful. If my father can be reached, I am sure he will come right away for me. Once he has returned, I will repay you, even if it is against your will.”
    “We shall see, dear, we shall see,” she chuckled.
    Before that day, I had never been to the village on the island. In fact, I thought all that existed there was Nell’s place, the beach and Maria’s home. On the main road I saw several small houses, a dry good store, a bait and tackle shop and a few people walking. Since it was the most life I had seen since I left home, it seemed like a city to me.
    Maria pulled up in front of a little shop with a hand-painted sign, Mrs. Tuller’s Bakery. She eased out of the carriage and turned to address me. “Let’s go inside. Most days, you can count on Mrs. Tuller serving up a pot of something for lunch.”
    Together we walked inside and at once we were met by a smiling Mrs. Tuller. “Hello Maria. It is nice to see you. I see you have brought me a guest.”
    “Yes, this is my niece, Gar... Margo from Paris,” Maria replied, turning and nodding at me.
    “From Paris, is that right?” Mrs. Tuller asked. “Well, that explains why she is so charming. The people there are so fashionable. At least that is what I am told,” she laughed, patting Maria on the back. “If you ladies are hungry I have a chicken pot pie that has just come out of the oven.”
    “That sounds wonderful. We are delighted,” Maria replied, taking hold of my arm and escorting me to the back. We took a seat at one of the three bistro tables. The table behind us was empty, but at the other was a man reading a newspaper. Shortly, Mrs. Tuller brought us a cup of tea and then disappeared in the back.
    Maria leaned over and began speaking to me in a low voice. “I think things have worked out for the best for Martin. Nell never took care of him. She left him to fend for himself. He is not capable of much reason. As time goes by his mind is likely to get worse. I would keep him, but he is surely to outlive me. Then what? I will start right away trying to find him a home. Margo, will you help me with this chore?” she asked.
    “Yes, Maria, I will do whatever I can. However, I am afraid I cannot offer much suggestion in such matters. I do know that it is quite expensive to house someone in an institution. I have heard the public homes are more