PART 4 OF A SERIES: Lily Kate Monroe and her brother David reside in one of Waco’s oldest houses. Filled with reminders of fascinating family history, it is also the setting of an intriguing puzzle and a mysterious watch.

The music of Fred Phinney’s Iowa State Band filtered through the doors of the impressive Cotton Palace. 

David stepped from the carriage and cradled Lily Kate’s elbow in his hand as she exited. She gathered the top of her cloak around her chin against the chilly November air. 

“We’re late.”

“We couldn’t have missed much.”

They stepped into the foyer and were greeted by a daunting artificial eagle made of red and yellow corn hanging from the ceiling. David took Lily Kate’s cloak and handed it to a nearby servant. They hurried into the great hall. A frieze that depicted the chariot race from the popular Ben Hur novel dominated the interior, along with coats of arms representing every state in the Union.

A diminutive woman with blond hair, sprinkled with attractive streaks of gray, bustled up to them and gave David a peck on the cheek. “I’ve been on pins and needles. You almost missed the crowning.”

David, eyes wide, glanced back at his sister as the woman led him into the crowd. He stammered, “S-s-sorry. It ... well, it couldn’t be helped.”

The woman stopped and turned back toward Lily. “Don’t just stand there with your mouth open, Lillian. Our seats are down in front.”

Lily gathered her voluminous skirt and followed dutifully behind the confident woman pulling David along. She fingered the watch that she had thrown around her neck and nodded to first one and then another as greetings came her way. “Good evening, Miss Lillian.”

“Wonderful celebration, isn’t it, Miss Lillian? You must be very proud.”

“Everything looks beautiful!”

She finally caught the name of David’s “escort”— who must be his wife. Someone called her Garnet. 

Pretty — I like it. She’s pretty, too. Always knew David would pick an attractive wife. Lily put a gloved hand to her mouth and giggled. David — married. 

A drum roll interrupted her thoughts as they made their way to their seats. A stately middle-aged man dressed in a full suit layered over with an ermine cloak — completely made of cotton — led the processional of local townspeople dressed in costume onto the stage. An elegant young woman wearing a heavily jeweled gown and tiara joined him, and the crowning of the first King of Cotton and Queen Texas proceeded. 

At the close of the ceremony, the band struck up an inspiring version of “Dixie.” The audience rose to its feet, stomped and clapped. Shouts of “Long Live the South!” roared from the crowd. Lily Kate looked around and shook her head as the enthusiastic cheers reverberated through the hall. She retook her seat. The number ended, and the audience moved onto the dance floor eager for the Grand Ball to commence. 

David left Garnet talking to a covey of women and whispered to Lily. “This is quite a celebration. Who knew Waco was so progressive in its day? And I’m married?” 

“Appears so. Actually Waco was one of the largest cities in Texas in the 1890s — even bigger than Dallas and San Antonio. Cotton really was king here. I suppose that’s why the city fathers decided to do a cotton state fair type of thing ... ” Her voice trailed off as she surveyed the crowd.

“Thanks for the history lesson, sis, but what do we do now?”

“There’s nothing we can do except play along until we can get back to 2011.”

“And how do we manage that?”

“We need to return to the house. I think the album is the touch point between the time warps.”

Garnet swished to David’s side. “Aren’t you going to ask your wife to dance?” Her hazel eyes glistened as she flirted with her husband. “You’re still the best dancer in town.”

David smiled and took her hand. “Of course, my dear. But we don’t need to stay late.”

“David Monroe! This is the biggest event of the year, and I’m not going to miss a minute of it.”

“Something has happened that I need to tell you ... Lily, do you mind?”

“Of course not. I’ll just wait here for you.” 

David and Garnet moved onto the dance floor. Her velvet skirt, the color of her name, swirled in time to the music as David led her in elegant dance steps. 

They are indeed a handsome couple. What if we never get back to 2011? Will David live happily with her? How is she going to receive the news about the baby? What about me — an old maid? Will I raise that baby to be my own?

Someone touched her on the shoulder. “Aunt Lillian?”

Lily turned toward the voice. 

A roguishly handsome man about 35 years of age with a large handlebar moustache bowed slightly from the waist. “I thought I was going to miss everything. Just arrived home a couple of hours ago from my business trip. May I?”

“Oh, of course, please, have a seat.”

“It appears all our committee’s hard work has paid off.”

Lily stared at him. 

He held a program in his hand and pointed to the listing of the committees. “We did well as co-chairmen, I’d say. The grounds turned out beautifully, although I must admit you shouldered most of the responsibility due to my absence.”

Lily looked at the program: Horticultural Committee, Miss Lillian Monroe & L.G. Garrett, Co-Chairmen

He sat on the edge of his chair and motioned toward the stage. 

“I’m afraid I missed the crowning. Colonel Parrott looks very ... well, uh, royal in all his regalia. And Miss Trice, I must say, is stunning.”

“I agree.” Lily Kate felt herself being drawn into the man’s sultry blue-gray eyes. What a handsome young man. 

He leaned toward her. “I couldn’t help but notice your watch.”

“My watch?” She fingered the braided chain around her neck.

“It is most extraordinary. Was it a gift?”

“Not exactly.”

“Is there an inscription?”

The young man reached for the watch, and Lily drew back clasping the watch in her fist. “L.G., this is most inappropriate. Why so curious?”

He stood and tilted his head toward her. “Please forgive my forwardness, Aunt Lillian. The watch looked familiar, that’s all. I’m very sorry. 

“Please allow me to fetch you some punch.” The father of the baby, the child of a prostitute, left in Lily Kate’s care — her very own nephew! 

L.G. Garrett turned on his heel and melted into the crowd. 

Lily gripped the watch in her hand and opened it. I wait for thee. She remembered her mother’s last words, “Watch.” Lily didn’t know how she knew it, but somehow this watch held the key to their mysterious past. And she was determined to discover the secrets of the timepiece.

Golden Keyes Parsons has written four novels for Thomas Nelson Publishing, three of which were set during the reign of French King Louis XIV. This is the fourth article in a 12-part historical fiction series scheduled to appear in Waco Today.

Catch up wih past installments of A Watch in Time at wacotrib.com/wacotoday.

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