Part IV – Mai
July 1882

Chapter 13
The Swedish Maid

A foggy mist cloaked the harbor as Dr. Eugene Barkley stepped off the boat. It was good to be back on American soil. For too long he'd been abroad, finishing up his prestigious internship in France, Germany and other countries. But now, the prodigal was about to return home. He'd made arrangements to stay the night with a fellow student who now had his practice here in New York City, Dr. Richard Orden.

And as Eugene glanced around the docks he spotted his friend and the two shook hands vigorously. "Gene!" he exclaimed.

"Dick! You've gained a few pounds!"

"Only one or two. Look at you though, very distinguished," he waved to the waxed mustache that Eugene had coaxed while in Europe.

"Thank you," he bowed slightly. "Shall we proceed?"

"Yes, yes I have a carriage waiting with my man, this way," and he led the way through the throngs to an awaiting carriage.

"So, tell me old man, how was Europe?" Richard Orden asked.

"Ah, fine. I saw the most intriguing device last year in Paris at the International Exhibition of Electricity. It was a three wheeled carriage that was conveyed by an electric engine."

"You jest, Gene!"

Eugene just shrugged. "I'm only telling you what I saw. I think it's fascinating and one day it's going to be a wonderful aid to us doctors. We won't have to hitch up the horses before we head out to see a patient."

"Perhaps," Dick responded, doubtfully. "By the way we've been invited to spend tomorrow evening with Dr. Esler and his wife."

Eugene frowned. "Oh, I'm afraid I'm going to have to decline, I'm ready to head back to Stockton and see the folks."

"Oh, come on! After all the adventures you've had, you're ready to go back to that place?"

"I've had fun, Dick, but I'm ready to go home."

"A few more days won't hurt anything, will it now?" Dick grinned a bashful half grin. "I want to catch up on all the things you've done and seen while away and introduce you to a few of my friends."

Eugene frowned, "Well, I suppose a couple of days wouldn't hurt anything. But then I am heading for Stockton."

"Very well," Dick agreed. "But, I do intend on talking you into coming back here after your visit home so that we can go into practice together."

"You're going to have to talk long and hard then, because I intend on opening up my practice in Stockton."

"So you keep saying," grinned his old friend.

They arrived at his small townhouse. It was a narrow two story house, but furnished with mahogany chairs and tables, red, plush carpets, and crystal chandeliers. A man dressed in a suit was waiting at the door and took Eugene's things up to his room, while Dick introduced him to the billiard room.

Eugene, having grown up on a wealthy ranch, was not unaccustomed to nice things, but his friend's extravagance surprised him. "You seem to be doing well, Dick," he stated, solemnly. He did not want to offend, but he had always thought of Dick to be a very plain and simple man. This Dick, he realized with sudden sadness, was different.

"What do you think, old boy?"

"It's…very nice," he replied guardedly.

"What's the matter, Gene? You look so glum!"

"Well," he sat down in one of the carved chairs and looked up at his old friend. "I…just can't seem to figure out how you could have all this. I know you don't make that much as a doctor."

"Pooh! Nonsense! Is that what's bothering you? You think I'm doing something underhanded to have all this wealth?" he laughed. "No, my uncle died and left me all this. He'd never married so he had no children. That's one of the reasons I chose New York to set up my practice. My father wanted me back in Los Angeles, but I said, no sirree! I have this house and I'm going to make use of it."

Eugene only felt half better by Dick's explanation. "I'm sure you'll want to go bathe and change. I'll have a maid get the water ready for you, but would you like a drink first?"

"Sure," he nodded and after several moments a young woman appeared carrying a tray. Her blonde hair was braided and twisted in an intricate mass around her head. She was wearing a lovely plain dress and her blue eyes were cast down toward the tray she was carrying.

Gene noticed Dick watching her with a smirk quirking his lips. Gene frowned as she set the tray down and hurried from the room, striding out of the room with her head held high and Dick returned his attention to his guest.

"So, tell me all about Europe."

Gene forgot his unease about his friend as he got caught up in regaling him about his work abroad. After a while he paused in his telling to make his way to his rooms and bathe. The same little maid he'd seen downstairs was laying out towels on his bed and stared at him wide eyed when he entered.

"Thank you," taking off his jacket and throwing it across a chair. She curtsied and hurried towards the door. Gene frowned as he picked up the towels and headed towards the water closet down the hall. It would be nice to relax for a few moments before dining down stairs.

He noticed the ornate-ness of the rooms that he entered. His own room had a gilded bed frame and dark wall papering with gold fleur-de-lis patterns. The curtains too, matched. He was afraid that the new found wealth of his friend had gone to his head, but he hoped he was mistaken.

Down stairs he found Dick and two other men mingling around the table. "There you are, old man," his friend greeted. "I'd like to introduce you to a couple of my friends. This is Jake Langford and Pete Apple."

"Nice to meet you," Gene felt himself drawing inward. He knew he should not feel prejudiced against the two men, having only just met them, but he could not help himself.

"I hope you don't mind me inviting these two to join us in dinner?"

"No," Gene shook his head warily. Langford was a bit tipsy as he took his seat next to Dick, Apple taking one nearer Gene. The meal was quite delicious, served by an elderly man and the blonde, shy maid.

Once during the meal when the maid was serving Langford she squeaked and jumped forward slightly. Dick, who'd been consuming large quantities of wine laughed raucously. Langford joined in, cursing drunkenly. Gene noticed that Pete Apple was frowning at the two. He noticed as well that Apple had only drunk one small glass of wine, then asked for water.

The evening only grew worse as Langford and Dick consumed more wine. Around ten or so, Apple excused himself and left and Gene sorely wished he could go with him. He finally excused himself, giving the excuse that his journey had wearied him and retired.

Despite his protest that there was no need, Dick summoned the maid to turn down his sheets and prepare his room. With a sigh, Gene followed her up. "Is he like this very often?" he asked. The girl turned to him, her blue eyes large in her pale face. There was fear in her expression. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to offend." The rigidness of her body only relaxed slightly. "What is your name?"

"Mai," she said softly with a thick Swedish accent. "Mai Borden."

"Thank you Mai," he said as she left his room. She seemed surprised, but said nothing as she fled.

(To be continued…)