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14
Si
[Ne]3s23p2

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You are cordially invited to a Valentine’s Day Party
February 14, 1913
8 o’clock in the evening
At the beach home of Jeb and Shelby McAlister
St. Augustine, Florida

Priscilla squealed with excitement as she danced in circles, delighted to receive the coveted Valentine’s Day party invitation hosted by her friends—twins Jeb and Shelby. Priscilla, along with everyone else fortunate enough to attend, greatly anticipated this annual party of the season. The tradition started several years ago when Jeb and Shelby’s parents wanted society to mingle with their teenage children on Valentine’s Day, hoping to find good matches for their twins amongst the children of their wealthy friends.

Everyone anticipated an engagement between Priscilla and Jeb. In fact, Priscilla let Jeb kiss her on the beach at last year’s Valentine’s Day party. Although she’d hoped for a proposal last year, she understood the delay since he and his twin sister, along with their parents, departed for Europe a few days after last year’s party.

Priscilla worried why he never wrote to her. She feared Jeb’s parents would try to marry him off to a lady of nobility during their Grand Tour. She read the social pages every day, thankful to hear no news of him. Her heart would break if Jeb got engaged to another woman.

It didn’t surprise her to not see him since last year. The McAlisters lived in Philadelphia, while Priscilla and her family lived in New York. But like most wealthy American families, they spent their winters in Florida. They took the Florida East Coast railway to St. Augustine, Florida and stayed in the luxurious Ponce De Leon Hotel. Since the beaches in Florida were so beautiful, many wealthy families built their winter homes here, including the McAlister family.
Valentine’s Day finally arrived, and Priscilla rode in a horse-drawn carriage to the McAlister’s enormous beach home located on the inlet leading into St. Augustine. The full-length, red satin gown would normally appear inappropriate on an unmarried woman, but her mother acquiesced and allowed Priscilla to borrow hers for this special evening.

Priscilla walked up the porch steps and entered the opulent home. Everyone wore their finery—the women in beautiful gowns and jewels, and the men in coattails and top hats. She entered the beautiful home and fantasized about her future with Jeb. She pictured herself wearing the latest fashions from Paris, adorned with diamonds, emeralds, and sapphires, depending on which gown she chose. And the best part about her fantasy life—the title of Mrs. Jeb McAlister.
She entered the enormous ballroom and immediately searched for Jeb. She took a glass of champagne handed to her by a servant, but ignored the scrumptious buffet meticulously laid out in the formal dining room of the mansion. She knew eating like a bird kept her waist tiny. She recognized many friends which delighted her, but she saw no sign of Jeb.

“Priscilla, darling, how wonderful to see you. Have you met Matthew Oxford of Boston?” Madeline asked, kissing her cheeks to greet her friend since childhood.
“Of course, I remember, Mr. Oxford. How do you do?” Priscilla asked. She raised her gloved hand and allowed him to kiss the silken fabric protecting her delicate fingers.

“How do you do, Priscilla? It’s wonderful to see you again. I was just telling Madeline how sorry I was to hear about her husband who went down on the Titanic last April,” Matthew said.

“I’m so sorry for your loss, Madeline. And how unfortunate that I must again compete with the beautiful Madeline Astor. How can I possibly land a fine husband when every eye is on you tonight?” Priscilla asked.

“Thank you, Priscilla. But I’m afraid you outshine me in your beautiful red gown,” Madeline said.

“Madeline and I were just discussing how the tragedy of so many lost souls on the Titanic increased my business last year,” Matthew said.

“How interesting. It’s good to hear something positive derived from such a tragedy.” Priscilla hid her shock to hear a man discussing business in front of ladies. But his breach of etiquette reminded her of Matthew’s nouveau riche status.

“Mr. Oxford makes headstones for a living, and his father owns a granite quarry,” Madeline caught Priscilla up on the conversation.

“You see, tombstones are made from granite, although 65% of granite is composed of silicon dioxide,” Matthew explained.

Priscilla forced her eyes not to close with boredom from this dreadful conversation. She needed to find Jeb without appearing rude. “Sounds fascinating, Matthew. Although I don’t care to ever see another tombstone again, I’d love to hear more about the tombstone making business. But if you’ll excuse me, I’d like to search for our host, Jeb McAlister,” Priscilla said.

Priscilla walked out to the beach and stood in the same spot where Jeb had kissed her one year ago tonight. She missed him terribly and felt disappointed she hadn’t seen him at his own party. She understood his duties as a host, but she thought it rather odd that no one saw either Jeb or Shelby at tonight’s party. In fact, no one saw or heard from the McAlisters since last year’s party.

She gazed at the vastness of the Atlantic Ocean and thought of all those who perished when the Titanic sank last spring. Priscilla prayed to see her beloved again. “Oh, Jeb, I miss you terribly. I love you and want to be your wife more than anything in the world. Please come back to me.”

The circling beams of the nearby lighthouse shone on a figure standing on the rocks. He looked like Jeb.

She blinked and thought her prayers were finally answered. Her heart knew the image she craved to see again belonged to her beloved, Jeb McAlister. She yelled, “Jeb!”

He stared without saying a word. He walked towards the house, and Priscilla followed. Thrilled to see him again, she wondered why he didn’t come to her now. After a year apart, his lack of response disappointed her. She wanted Jeb to take her into his arms because he missed her as much as she missed him.

Jeb headed towards the house, but she couldn’t keep up with his fast pace. He walked through the open front door, almost knocking over a late arriving guest. He didn’t even stop to greet him.

What happened to his manners?

Priscilla ran into the house and hollered, “Jeb, please wait, it’s me, Priscilla!”

“Did you see Jeb?” someone asked.

“Yes, he walked right through the front door a few seconds ago. Didn’t you see him, too?” Priscilla studied the crowded party and searched for Jeb.

“No, in fact no one has seen Jeb, Shelby, or their parents tonight,” another guest said.

“Look, there he is. Jeb is so tall. I can easily spot his top hat from here. But what’s that white thing around his neck? It looks like a life preserver,” Priscilla asked.

“Wouldn’t surprise me if Jeb decided to take a midnight sail by Castillo de San Marcos. But I don’t see him. Where is he?” Matthew asked.

“Look, he’s right there going out the back door. He’s probably headed towards his boat. It’s docked at the rear of the property.” Priscilla pointed towards Jeb.

“Hey, everyone, Jeb is taking us on a midnight sail in the harbor. Follow the man in a top hat and life preserver and grab a bottle of champagne,” Matthew said.

“Hurrah!” the party guests cheered in unison as they headed out the back of the mansion.

“Where is he?” everyone asked.

“He’s right there. How can you not see him? Everyone, follow me,” Priscilla said.
She led the party outside, and everyone screamed in horror at the sight before them. Four new granite gravestones now occupied the backyard. Priscilla immediately read the engraving on the third marker. She now knew why she never heard from Jeb again.

Here lies Jeb McAlister
Beloved Son and Brother
Born Jan 18, 1888
Lost at sea on the H.M.S. Titanic
April 15, 1912.


This is 1 of 118 short stories in my Elements Of Mystery Collection. Each story is titled after an Element from the Periodic Table. All my 20+ published books are available everywhere eBooks are sold worldwide. Print books are available on Amazon. Free shipping with Prime. Please visit my website https://www.elementsofmystery.com/