weight of quiet sadness that he knew he must carry, or be dragged down into the muck with the rest of them.
The future demanded it and eugenics assured him that mankind could afford no other. Surely, because of Gabrielle’s highborn status, that was why she had been so intent on hearing him speak in the first place.
The last child in line, a wilted freckle-faced girl with red ribbons on her ponytails, smiled at him. She was missing a front tooth.
“Hurry now, Emily,” the stout nun called, “Or we’ll be late.”
Caden paused for a few moments and smiled back at the little waif. Perhaps, there would still be a chance for some. Perhaps, with proper instruction, nutrition, and—no. Mankind was flowing like a great, dark river of souls, brutal, ceaseless and unrelenting, and however one tried to fight the current, they must soon surrender to its unyielding surge.
He paused before stepping onto the sidewalk and sneezed into his handkerchief. Wiping his nose, he glanced around at the girl once more.
The child called Emily kept turning around to look at him as the nun tugged at her to reach the opposite side of the street. A moment later they merged with the jostling throng and their small, fragile bodies disappeared into the midst.
Preferring to keep his nose covered, Caden continued on down the sidewalk, carefully weaving his way through the dawdling crowds and gawking tourists until he stood before steps leading up through the white wood pillars that framed the Caldwell’s arched doorway.
Folding his handkerchief, he placed it in the pocket of his walking coat and studied the ornately crafted wood frieze trim running along the top of the wall at the second story of the mansion. It continued on the third story where sloping dormers rose to meet flat parapets on either side of the central garret.
Caden removed his hat, held onto the railing, and climbed the stairs. Standing at the threshold, he cleared his throat and straightened his posture. He lifted the door knocker and rapped it down on the surface several times.
After a lengthy silence, he heard the quick, clacking steps of hard-soled shoes approaching the door.
“Just a moment, please,” a charming voice came from the other side of the closed door. The door opened a few inches to reveal the woman’s gracefully sculpted face.
Caden smiled sincerely and offered a slight bow of his head. What a treasure she was.
“Yes? May I help you?” she asked.
“Miss Gabrielle Caldwell?”
“Yes?”
“Good day, Miss Caldwell. My name is Doctor Caden Hellreich. Your father, Arley, is a close, personal friend. I telephoned you earlier today about delivering important society papers for him. Your father said that it would be appropriate for me to call so that we may have the pleasure of finally making each other’s acquaintance. I hope I’m not being too forward in doing so.”
Gabrielle flushed ever so lightly in her cheeks. She glanced away for a few moments. “Why, yes, of course, Doctor, please come in. I attended your last lecture and thought it wonderful. Father is still at his meeting but I was expecting your arrival. I’ll have my girl, Verna, prepare a late lunch.”
Caden smiled and waved his hand. “No need to go to such trouble, Miss Caldwell, and I apologize for the inconvenience, but I will be out of Galveston on urgent Society business for the next week or so. I didn’t have time to properly discuss this with your father but he was most insistent that I deliver this information today, but if you prefer . . . please tell him I will try to deliver it when I—”
“Nonsense. I won’t hear of such a thing.” She opened the door completely. “Please, come in, Doctor Hellreich. You are just the person I need to see about settling a pressing matter.”
Caden smiled, his heart swelling in his chest. “Of course, if I may be of assistance, but first, I insist that you call me Cade, which I prefer. Friends should be on a first name basis, don’t you agree, Gabrielle?”
He extended his hand but remained on the other side of the threshold, so transfixed by this stunning, exquisite beauty, he could not cross for fear of appearing too eager in doing so.
Gabrielle shook his hand like a lady, sending warm, pulsing tingles up his fingertips. “By all means, Cade.” Gabrielle furrowed her thin brows. “But is something wrong?”
Caden bowed his head. “Forgive me, Gabrielle. A shaft of sunlight blinded me a few moments ago and my eyes were