Collinwood 2001 Part 31
From: N.E. Collins
Date: Tue, 31 Jul 2001 06:24:52     

"That's a sad shame about Mrs. Stoddard.  You may not believe this, but way back in the day I dated Miss Elizabeth Collins." 

Willie stopped in mid bite to give his pa an unbelieving gaze. 

Joe laughed at his son's dismay.  "Yep.  It was afore your time back when Grand pappy Loomis was still alive and the Loomis Dairy was still churning out the old butter." 

The Loomis Dairy had been a large operation and the second largest industry in the area with the Collins Shipping being the first.  Why, even the Collins Cannery fell in line behind the Loomis Dairy and so the Loomis family was in the same social class as the Collins'.  But Willie's father, Jeb, Jebidiah, had seen to the ruin of all that.  He had gambled away the profits and dug a shameful hole of debt for the once fine family name.  Joe skipped through the unpleasant parts of the past and came up for more fresh air. 

"So tell me about the elderly Miss Collins.  What happened to her?  DID someone try to kill her or was that just gossip?"  

Willie took a refreshing drink of buttermilk and wiped the milk moustache off with his napkin.  "Well, no one can really say, pa.  She swears that someone put a pillow over her face and there's a doctor in Collinsport that will back up the story, but everybody has been questioned and everybody has an alibi and there was no sign of a forced entry.  But there is a chance that maybe Mrs. Stoddard did it when she was out of her mind.  But no word on that yet,  But you would think that Miss Collins would be all scared and everything.  She is having a field day.  She's been getting calls from reporters and TV people and magazines, and they all want to get her side of the story.  Why she had David Collins sent to school in town and she took Miss Winters, the governess, and has made her be her personal secretary!  Roger Collins didn't like it one bit, but the old lady said to him, 'Now that Lizzie is not herself I am the matron of Collinwood and I shouldn't have to tell you what THAT means!"

"Well, I would have to run the idea by her.  If you could just hold the line I will see if she is available."  Victoria Winters set the phone down on a small pillow to muffle the noise. 

She turned excitedly to Nora Collins who was once again back home in her bed of too many pillows eating forbidden bon-bons.  "Miss Collins, I have Entertainment Tonight on the phone and they want to come here and do an exclusive interview with you!  I know you've been telling me to say no to everyone, but this is Entertainment Tonight.  ET!" 

Nora Collins smiled at the young girl.  She was pleased with her and could not find fault with her naive eagerness.  "You did good, my dear.  Tell them to set it up and then you make the arrangements.  I suppose I better throw a bone or two to the dogs or we never will get any rest around here."  She took a big juicy bite out of a bon-bon and turned on the TV. 

Vicky concluded the call and stood up and waved her arms about her. 

"Oh, I'm getting a bit stiff.  Would you mind if I took a stroll on the beach?  I could use some exercise.  Or better yet, why don't you let me take you out in the wheelchair.  We could go along the path near the cliffs.  Oh, it's so lovely and it's such a nice day.  Please say yes!"  Nora couldn't resist the child.

Matthew Morgan was trimming the hedges that line the walls of the cottage.  He saw the governess wheel old lady
Collins out and down the garden path to the woods beyond.  He didn't like it, those two together, not after what he had heard the old woman say to Mrs. Stoddard that time.  That old woman was crazy and no good would come of her lies.  He threw the shears down in disgust and followed after the pair to hear what they may be plotting. 

Vicky steered the wheelchair adroitly down the well beaten path.  She had worked as a volunteer in an old folk's home on many occasion so she knew her around the type of device it was, and this was a nice one, an expensive model.  Nora was enjoying herself in the warmth of the sun and the chirping of the birds made her feel young and gay like a child again.  "You know, it looks much the same as when I was a little girl growing up here.  They say that when you grow up it doesn't look the same, that everything looks smaller, but they are wrong.  The Collinwood estate has never looked small.  It has always been grand.  It is a majestic castle on the edge of the sea and we are the royalty who guard against the night." 

Vicky liked to listen to Nora Collins talk.  Mrs. Johnson had warned her not to take anything the old woman said seriously.  She had said that she was addled and had been known to tell untruths.  "They say she's been that way ever since she was knee-high." 

But Vicky thought Sarah Johnson was wrong and had just not wanted to take the time to listen to the older woman.   She had brought the chair to a stop and was applying the brakes when Nora put her hand delicately on Vicky's shoulder.  Vicky looked up into her eyes and Nora said the most wonderful thing.  "I have been wanting to tell you something for a long while now.  I wanted Lizzie to tell you, but she wouldn't and now that she is away and I have secured you to myself I think it is safe to say what I have to.  What I must!  I am glad you asked me on this little walk because we will be away from prying eyes and ears.  This moment should not be shared with too many too quickly for it is liable to stir up quite a commotion.  Victoria Winters, you are not an orphan and you were not brought here out of hand.  You are not a proper Collins, but the Collins' family blood runs through your veins.  You are my niece and I can prove it, and that, my dear, THAT is why someone tried to kill me!"

Dark Shadows is a Dan Curtis Production.