Chapter One
November 1913
To her father, Lulie Atherton was the most beautiful child who ever lived. Even her mother, the more practical and realistic parent, tended to agree.
Lulie had a round little face and button nose. Her straight hair was a shade between her mother’s dark brown and her father’s light brown. Her big, hazel, sparkling eyes set her apart. Since Lulie often sported a serious and inquisitive expression, Blake Atherton felt assured his beloved Elsie’s intelligence and even temper had been passed to the next generation.
In the months since Lulie was born, Blake found a balance between his work obsession and his commitment to marriage and fatherhood, even though family life was not particularly exciting. But there were plans. So many plans.
Since Lulie was sitting up so well, her mother put her in the high chair when the Athertons entered their breakfast room on the bright November morning.
“Elsie, have you considered attending the aqueduct ceremony?”
“You know my thoughts on taking Lulie out before she’s six months old.”
“We’ve taken her to the beach.”
“But that’s not so different than sitting in the backyard.”
Blake tipped his head doubtfully. “Well, she’s a perfectly healthy child and this is a once-in-a-lifetime event.”
“It’s so far. All the way across the San Fernando Valley.”
“We’ll make a day of it.” Blake expected his wife’s apprehension. “Lulie isn’t Etta.”
“Etta was a healthy baby and then, she was not.”
Blake shook his head. “I thought unnecessary worry was my contribution to our marriage. Are you trying to take my job?”
“This is no joke.”
“How will you overcome your fears if you don’t face them? Isn’t that what you always tell me?”
“Conventional thinking is a baby should stay home at Lulie’s age.”
“But I clearly see how much you’d like to get out. I think it may be more of a need than a want. My plan for our family is travel. If we keep having babies, you’ll never leave. Am I to take our children on holiday while you stay home with infants? When will you see the world? Surely this is a minor excursion.”
“What if we attend the opening of the Museum of History, Science and Art in Agricultural Park instead? That wouldn’t require so much travel.”
“It’s not as historical. And it’s been renamed Exposition Park.”
Constance had the day off so Elsie rose from the table at a knock on the door. “It’s not as if Lulie will remember one way or the other.”
“I’ll take pictures,” Blake yelled as his wife disappeared through the sitting room. He turned his attention toward his daughter, who meticulously picked up a spoon, then dropped it on the highchair tray. “Let me show you something.”
Lulie protested when her father took her spoon. He hit it on the tray. Delighted by the loud noise, Lulie scrunched up her nose, then smiled and reached for the spoon. She made her own loud noise and laughed. It seemed clear that Daddy was great fun.
Next, Blake dipped his finger in the jar of honey—his honey, collected by the sweat of his brow. He was as proud of his beehive as of the ships at Atherton and Brundidge. First tickling Lulie’s lip so she’d open her mouth, he quickly dotted the golden treat on her tongue.
Lulie’s big hazel eyes grew wide. She smacked her tongue against the roof of her mouth, intent to enjoy this new experience. Lulie dropped the spoon and held her hands out, opening and closing her fingers as her mother returned to the breakfast room.
“What have you done?” Elsie asked her husband.
“Look what a bright daughter we have. She can’t even talk but it’s clear she wants more.”
“More of what? What did you do?”
“I let her taste the honey.”
“Why would you do that? She’s never had food. We need to be careful about what we give her.”
“You feed her all the time. I only gave her a taste.”
Elsie wanted to smack her husband in the back of the head but not in front of Lulie. “Blake, you mustn’t try these things. It’s very irresponsible.”
Blake frowned at his daughter. “We’re in trouble now,” he mumbled. “Who was at the door?”
“Telegram. For you.”
Blake opened and quickly scanned the telegram Elsie handed him.
“Is it important?”
“No. But it reminds me I need to write a letter for work. I meant to do it last night.” Blake left the room to get a piece of paper and pencil from the desk in the entryway. His daughter protested when he vanished from view. “I’ll be right back, precious girl.”
Elsie observed over her cup of Prince of Wales tea once her husband started his missive. “Isn’t Mrs. Warner able to type letters on her typewriter at work?”
“Unfortunately, she doesn’t know French. It may be her only serious failing. This is about the fruit contract for the new refrigerated cargo ship.”
“I didn’t know you spoke French.”
“You have never appreciated my profound abilities. I am a captain of industry on several continents and yet, totally disparaged in my own home. Oh, but what would I do without you, my darling? No one else curbs my arrogance so well.”
“If my job is curbing your arrogance, I am a complete and terrible failure.” Elsie took an interest as her husband scribbled strange words across the sheet of paper. “How did you learn French?”
“You always assumed my derogatory feelings toward Grandfather were unfounded. I allowed you to form your own opinions of the old goat.”
“What does that have to do with French?”
“After I lived at Grandfather’s for about two years, he had enough. When we set out on the train, I imagined I was being deported to my fraternal grandparents. They left California for the East Coast when my dad took over their canvas business. I believed my life might be vastly improved if I could reside with Lang and my younger sisters so I felt eager to go. But I failed miserably at guessing his plan.
“We got off the train and headed straight for the docks. Grandfather loaded me on a freighter bound for Europe with nothing but the clothes in my grip.
“He didn’t pay my passage so I had to work off the cost of my voyage. To be honest, I was in my element, sailing the seas, coming closer to being a pirate than I ever managed on my own. While doing my work, I learned everything possible about the ship and earned a modest wage.
“No sooner did I disembark than I got robbed. The reality of my predicament quickly hit home. Without a cent to my name, I was in a strange country where I couldn’t speak the language. I only had an address written on a card Grandfather gave me before he turned his back and left me on the ship. Thankfully, I had the card in my pocket and not my wallet. Needless to say, it was a humbling experience.
“I guess I think of my travels as an adventure now, but I felt terrified at the time. The address led to a friend of Grandfather’s. I spent six months in France and befriended Monsieur Roussel’s youngest son, Etienne. Many of my travels since included Etienne. He’s our partner in the fruit shipping venture.”
“Why did you come home?”
“I left Joah in the lurch as far as our boat-building enterprise. I knew you were waiting somewhere in my life and I needed to find you. I also wanted to prove to Grandfather that he hadn’t managed to break my spirit. To be honest, it was a wonderful experience he provided although it was far from his intention.”
“How do you know? Maybe things went as he planned.”
“You just have to see the best in that stingy relic of a man, don’t you? Would you allow me to treat our children in such a manner when they’re 16?”
Elsie looked at her precious baby, knowing she would never forgive Blake for sending her into the unknown alone. “Say something in French.”
“Tu es l’air que je respire; les rayons de soleil qui rechauffent ma peau. Tu es le vin doux qui mouille mes levres entr’ouvertes; le centre de mon existence. Je ne suis que poussiere sans toi.”
It was usually her husband’s green eyes, handsome face and muscular body causing romantic yearnings. Elsie closed her eyes and grasped her throat, mesmerized by her husband’s every word. When he finished, she opened her eyes and seriously admitted, “You’ve set my heart aflutter. What did you say?”
“You won’t like it.”
Elsie nodded toward the baby. “It’s something inappropriate you can’t say in front of Lulie?”
“You are the air I breathe; the rays of sun that warm my skin. You are the sweet wine that wets my parted lips; the essence of my being. I am but dust without you.”
“It sounded better in French.”
Blake laughed. “I have plans, Elsie. Will you come along?”
“What kind of plans?”
“When I get home from work tomorrow, we could take Lulie to the big house. Think how delighted John will be to see her. The beautiful nursery you arranged for Lulie has never been used. Then we’ll ride out to The Cascades to witness history. We can spend a few days in Los Angeles. I believe a bit of shopping might be in order. Mom could entertain Lulie for a few hours so you could get away. We’ll take the Cadillac.”
“And if anyone looks askance at us for bringing a baby to the ceremony?”
“We’ll stick our noses in the air and be entirely condescending. This is merely practice, Elsie. A modest beginning to our family travels. Are you in?”
Elsie gasped at her husband’s engaging smile and nodded her assent. Blake gave his ladies a kiss and grabbed his letter before rushing out the door.
* * *
Busily preparing for their trip, Elsie didn’t have time to think. She took Blake’s arm as they headed for her red Cadillac on Tuesday evening. Surprised when Blake opened the driver’s side door and took Lulie from her arms, Elsie gave him a curious stare.
“I thought you’d like to drive. I’m freeing you from your cage. It is your car, after all.”
An exhilarated Elsie took to the road. Her husband was right. She’d been cooped up far too long.
Once Mrs. Atherton pulled in front of her husband’s opulent Victorian mansion, grimmer thoughts occurred. For her, the house had a checkered past. Its hold on Blake could never be overcome. Inherited from his parents, the mansion held childhood memories made especially dear by their untimely deaths. The house became a source of discord between the newly married Mr. and Mrs. Atherton. Elsie finally settled into the home to raise her sister, Dora’s baby, Etta. Elsie’s beloved Etta. The last baby to occupy the house. Her tiny coffin, the most recent to occupy the Atherton parlor. Happy memories of Etta seemed tainted by her death. Ensconced in the Long Beach house with Lulie, Elsie hadn’t given the mansion much thought in recent months.
Her reverie was interrupted when the butler hurried down the porch stairs and opened Elsie’s door.
“Madam, it’s good to see you. And who have we here?”
“This is our Lulie.” Elsie beamed. “Here, John. I can’t think of anyone better to introduce Miss Luella Atherton to her home away from home.” Elsie took Lulie from her father and handed her to John, who looked proud enough to burst a button. She watched him head for the house, supplying various facts and statistics Lulie would, no doubt, have committed to memory by the time she could talk.
“Dear wife, what if I wanted to introduce my daughter to the house?” Blake inquired; feigned devastation written on his face.
“So once another woman comes along, you leave me in the dust?”
Grinning, Blake leapt from his seat and rounding the car, took Elsie’s hand. “I would never leave you in the dust, my darling.”
“Well, see that you don’t.” Blake stooped down to hear when Elsie attempted to whisper in his ear. “I do believe I could use a respite after my drive. Perhaps a glass of wine and a few words in say, French, might have a calming effect.”
“And where might this wine be poured and French spoken?”
“Your huge bedroom could suffice. It will take John a while to give his new charge the grand tour.”
“Ah, leave it to my efficient wife to make the best use of our time,” noted Blake as he hurried her through the door toward the magnificent double-staircase.
* * *
Elsie could not hide her interest as the Athertons made their way across the San Fernando Valley in the Cadillac. Today, Blake took the driver’s seat. It appeared the entire city of Los Angeles was on its way to the aqueduct opening. All walks of life were represented. Travelers used every means possible to achieve their destination, including motorcycles and wagons. Locals proceeded on foot and by horseback. The road had been well oiled, which served to minimize dust from unprecedented automobile traffic.
This proved beneficial to Elsie’s choice of clothing. She wore a white dress and matching knee-length linen jacket with inset lace. The bodice and high collar were also lace. Her immense white hat trimmed with a huge bow, flowers and feathers caused heads to turn. Netting over the wide brim served no practical purpose but lent softness to the design.
Once they reached the foothills, Blake parked the car and helped Elsie out.
“What happens now? We’re awfully early, aren’t we?”
“Elsie Atherton, if we’re to be world travelers, you need to give me more credit.” He pulled a picnic basket from behind the seat. “First we shall picnic. Then, we’ll try out my invention.”
“What kind of invention?” Elsie asked, suspiciously.
“You are the doubting Thomas today, aren’t you? I’ll show you after lunch. We should eat before the festivities commence.”
Picnics were one of Blake’s great strengths. Knowing she was in for a treat, Elsie allowed herself to be arranged on a cheery quilt. Lulie slept in a padded basket under their beach umbrella. Never adhering to the notion picnics should be simple affairs, Blake retrieved extravagant china, silver and crystal for their meal.
Cook’s delicious fried chicken was served cold. Blake pulled a jarful of potato salad and a paper sack full of Saratoga chips from the basket and cooler hidden inside. He poured iced tea into crystal goblets. A chocolate cake for two made a tasty conclusion to the feast. Not as ostentatious as Blake’s normal picnic fare, the traditional food seemed perfect on the sunny, fall day.
Elsie’s contented smile vanished as Lulie stirred in her basket. She appeared concerned as fellow travelers made their way to the cascades. Automobiles parked nearby.
“Now what?”
“You have some concern?” a smirking Blake inquired. “Might privacy be an unanticipated issue?” Elsie did not appear amused. Blake thought better of tormenting her. “Have no fear, my beloved. I’ve thought of everything.”
He rose from the quilt and peered into a trunk lashed to the back of the Cadillac. Any driver would be foolish to attempt a lengthy journey without emergency supplies. Accustomed to her husband’s automotive precautions, Elsie was surprised when he pulled what appeared to be a tent from the trunk.
“What is that?” she asked as Blake unrolled the tent and threw it over the Cadillac.
“It’s my invention. The car serves as a frame for my tent. You can sit inside and nurse the baby and no one will have any idea what you’re up to.” He held the flap open. “I do own a canvas company after all. You shouldn’t be surprised by my thoughtfulness. What are you waiting for?” He took her hand to help her stand.
Elsie pulled their baby from the basket and entered her “tent,” feeling as pampered as any Arabian princess. She looked into Blake’s green eyes as he held fast to her elbow.
“Hurry along now, wife, or we’ll miss the opening speeches.”
* * *
Blake held Lulie in one arm and guided his wife through the assembly. His goal appeared to be a grandstand where invited guests were seated. Elsie gazed at her husband’s determined expression. It probably never occurred to him he might be turned away. It certainly never occurred to her they might be among the invited guests.
She was duly impressed when Blake gave his name and they were shown to their seats.
“Did you beat someone up and steal their place?” Elsie asked as she smoothed her skirt.
“Hello, Atherton. Glad you could make it! Who are these lovely ladies?”
Blake quickly made introductions. Other gentlemen in the grandstand greeted Mr. Atherton.
“What is this about? How do you know these men?” Elsie asked.
“They’re businessmen. You might find this difficult to believe, but I am a respected businessman. Don’t worry. We belong here. No one will kick us out.”
“Happy to see you about with your family, Atherton. Does this mean you might finally accept my wife’s dinner invitation?” asked an older, balding man who sported a thick, gray mustache.
“Have her send another along. Perhaps I can persuade my wife to abandon domesticity for an evening,” Blake jovially replied as he tried to hand Lulie a small American flag they’d been given when they entered the grandstand.
“Don’t let her have that, Blake. She’ll stick it in her mouth or poke her eye.” Elsie pried the flag out of Lulie’s hand and offered a replacement rattle from her pocket.
America by the Catalina Military Band opened the program. The crowd rose and sang along. Ellen Beach Yaw followed by singing the Aqueduct Ode.
Elsie lost focus as speeches commenced. She’d never seen such a mass of humanity. Not only did visitors line over 200 yards of both sides of the aqueduct, they’d climbed nearby hills to witness history. She meant to fix the memory of this day in her mind even though Blake snapped thoughtful pictures to document the historic moment.
At exactly 1:30, Chief Engineer Mulholland pressed a button and the floodgates opened. Life-giving water cascaded 200 feet into the channel below. Mulholland’s daughter, Lucile, gave a toast with the first glass of water from the aqueduct. The cheers of the crowd, later estimated at 70,000, continued for a full 15 minutes.
Careful to obtain a souvenir for her daughter—a small bottle of aqueduct water—Elsie soon found herself posing with Lulie near the cascades so her husband could take a picture. When a fellow celebrant offered to capture a picture of the whole family, Blake readily agreed. Since Lulie had a habit of bursting into tears at sight of the camera, they could only count on one good pose.
“I have a question,” Elsie admitted as they strolled to the Cadillac. “You told that man to send another invitation. We didn’t get any invitations. What was he talking about?”
“We get invitations all the time.”
“What happens to them?”
“I understand your reluctance to take a place in society, Elsie. Public appearances are not appealing to me either. It seems such a waste of time. I much prefer to meet associates over lunch or a beer if not in my office.”
“Then what do you do when you’re invited for supper?”
“Since we married, I make excuses. First you were ill, then Etta came along. Now we have Lulie. My business meetings continued as they did before our marriage. I truly don’t understand why anyone would expect our methods of contact to change simply because you and I walked down the aisle. Besides, the Brundidges make an appearance when an invitation seems beneficial to the shipyard.”
“The Brundidges? Joah enjoys these events?”
“Of course not. But Natalie does. Surely she tells you about the grand homes she’s visited.”
“But I thought those invitations were due to her family’s social standing, not Atherton & Brundidge.”
Blake shook his head. “I’m afraid all the visitation might be causing some discord. Natalie doesn’t feel their current home sufficient to reciprocate social invitations. Joah is as attached to his house as you are to our Long Beach home.”
As she walked along, Elsie let this information soak in. Natalie’s mother asserted Blake would gladly provide any life Elsie wanted. Had he been doing that to the detriment of his business? Was she too wrapped up in their baby and home to recognize other marital responsibilities? “So, I’m supposed to entertain? Make social rounds? Help your business?”
“I didn’t marry you for that. I like life the way it is. Work is work and then I get to come home to you. Why should I share you with anybody else?”
“You don’t seem as busy at work.”
“True enough. This is the way our marriage should have begun, which is my fault. All you ever asked for was a quiet first year of marriage. I made a mess of that. Truly, Elsie, I never had such a chaotic work life as it’s been since we wed. Things are different now.”
Blake got in the driver’s seat and headed for Los Angeles. Pleased by his efforts, he placed a hand on Elsie’s shoulder. “So how did I do?”
“Excuse me?”
“I consider our outing a success. Do you?”
“Let me think.” Elsie planted a finger on her cheek and appeared lost in thought.
“Surely it’s not that hard to decide. I dined and tea’d you. We enjoyed an excellent lunch. My tent is an incomparable innovation. We witnessed history and even have photographs to document our travels.”
Elsie smiled. “You did an excellent job. I’m terribly impressed.”
Blake beamed. He was only getting started.
* * *
Since wrangling babies while Elsie drove the Cadillac seemed beyond Natalie’s abilities, the two mothers approached Spring Street on different trolleys. Perhaps it made their greeting all the more enthusiastic.
“It’s so good to have an outing together!” gushed Elsie.
“You’re finally out in the world,” replied Natalie.
Their destination was Edwards Wild Animal Show, billed as the finest collection of wild animals since P.T. Barnum’s. As Elsie supposed, Lulie was too young to show much interest. In no time, her head plopped on Elsie’s shoulder, her eyes closed. Bodie seemed entirely enthralled.
“You need to enjoy this time holding Lulie,” Natalie advised. “Bodie wants down all the time.”
No sooner were those words out of her mouth than Bodie reached toward the floor and uttered, “Dow!”
“Look darling,” Natalie pointed toward an exhibit. “You can’t see the animals from down there. And the last thing I need is you crawling all about this dirty place.”
Bodie was soon content to stare at the array of wild animals. Much to his delight and the mothers’ apprehension there were an abundance of snakes. A ferocious Tasmanian Devil and birds and bears galore also took his attention. Eve was undoubtedly the highlight of the exhibit. The hairy, orange orang-outang dressed herself in a sweater and corduroy trousers and ate with a knife, fork and spoon. An entranced Elsie could have spent hours watching Eve.
The ladies enjoyed an interesting lecture on natural history. Bodie did not. If not for his mother’s thoughtful snack of Barnum’s Animal crackers in their delightful box, their group would never have made it to the end.
“We’ll have to take the children to the new Griffith Park Zoo next time,” Natalie suggested.
“That’s a long way to go to see 15 animals.”
“Once Lulie gets a bit older, I think we could manage.”
“You never mentioned why you’re in the city this week,” Elsie commented as the ladies ambled past additional animal displays on their way to the exit.
Natalie sighed. “We have so many obligations to fulfill. Joah and I were scheduled to attend a dinner for his work. Then Mother insisted we be present for Daddy’s birthday party. I’m afraid Blake will have to fend for himself. The business engagement is too important to miss. Too bad you don’t like those events. Joah is always grateful to have me along.”
“Joah’s never been the social butterfly.”
“He certainly has not. But then, neither are you. I’m sure Blake will get along all right. He’s social when he wants to be. I’ll never forget his impressive entertaining skills when you two gave your New Year’s ball. He seemed born to host. Do you ever think of giving another ball? It’s good for business.”
“Blake never mentions it. He hoped to please his grandfather who suggested the ball. Blake failed to impress the old gentleman.”
“I don’t know what I’m going to do with Joah.” Natalie appeared distraught. “He doesn’t understand how difficult it is to entertain properly in his little house.”
“You have a lovely home. The dining room is truly grand. Perhaps if you entertain more often on a small scale you could manage to return obligations.”
“You have the perfect home to accommodate a crowd. Even the Long Beach house would suffice. Elsie, you simply don’t understand the social aspects of business the way I do. Blake indulges your every whim.”
“I thought you enjoyed attending the dinners and parties.”
“They’re too much for me right now because of Bodie being so young and our house so tiny.”
“It’s certainly not tiny, Natalie.”
“We need a bigger house. Joah’s grandmother could move in. She lives in that dreadful neighborhood. If she came to stay with us, she could see the baby every day. Joah could see her regularly.”
Elsie gave her friend a dubious look. “I don’t think you have a winning argument.”
“Surely you can see the sense of it.”
“Natalie, you’re hardly one to devote yourself to care of the elderly. Joah won’t be fooled by your offer.”
“There would be a nursemaid.”
“I’m curious. Has Joah’s mother turned up?”
“No. Not even a word about her from his grandmother. I imagine she’s left town. He won’t talk about her. But there are other reasons we need a bigger house. You see, I’m, I’m—expecting again!” and Natalie burst into tears.
“But this is certainly happy news, dearest. Why are you upset? Does Joah know?”
Natalie shook her head. “Work has finally quieted down. I’m afraid he’ll think I’m trying to manipulate him into a bigger house—a greater financial obligation.”
“Isn’t that exactly what you’re doing?”
“We need a bigger house, Elsie, for so many reasons. We need more servants.” Natalie wiped her eyes and looked directly at her best friend. “Who will deliver the baby? Aunt Heidi returned to Germany. What am I to do?”
“Did your great uncle pass? You didn’t say anything about it.”
“Oh, he’s hanging on just like Joah’s grandmother.”
“I seem to have survived childbirth and without any help, I might add.”
“But you’ve always been sturdy. It’s your peasant heritage—your ancestors merely paused to deliver babies in the fields. It’s all about breeding. I’m much too delicate for childbirth.”
Elsie rolled her eyes. “Twilight sleep seems to be catching on. I’m certain you can find a doctor who will oblige.”
“They surely aren’t as knowledgeable as Aunt Heidi. She’s an expert.”
“Maybe Joah would send for her if you expressed your concerns.”
“When I tried to make him understand, he mentioned you’d given birth in the bathtub. He doesn’t see any need to coddle me. This is all your fault.”
Elsie gave an exasperated sigh. “I never intended to deliver my own baby. I certainly never plan to do so again. I crawled in the tub somehow knowing I had no time to waste. I felt so utterly alone. To be honest, I could have called for Blake, but he would have been more a hindrance than a help. I had no choice but to surrender to what my body was doing, try to remain lucid and pray we would be fine.”
It seemed apparent from her expression Natalie could not relate to her friend’s ordeal so Elsie ended her recollection. “If you’re intent on having a new house, you probably shouldn’t urge Joah to spend money on Aunt Heidi’s travel. Look in the newspaper. There’s an article every week about doctors using twilight sleep.” And lots of articles about the possible dangers. Elsie would never consider that option even were she again faced with giving birth alone.
Determined Elsie should not give the last advice of the day, Natalie continued, “Maybe Blake will ask you to go along on Saturday night and you’ll see for yourself what I’m talking about. Did he ask?”
“No. Blake only seems to plan family outings. Not only did we go to the aqueduct ceremony, he’s already taken us to the Museum of History in Exposition Park.”
“Is it grand?”
“It is. We spent a long time in the art gallery. Do you know, there’s a Raphael and Van Dyke on display? Now Blake wants to take me to the Last Days of Pompeii at the Lyceum Theater before we return to Long Beach. I can’t tell you how much I want to go home.”
“You can’t be a homebody with a husband like yours.”
“What do you mean, a husband like mine?”
“You’d be a fool to let that man go out on the town by himself. Even if Joah didn’t need my help in social situations, I’d never let him go alone. There are always women, Elsie. Women looking for money or a good time with a fine-looking man. You’ve never been worldly. You need to understand these perils.”