Chapter 19
March 1896
Every Hartford native was familiar with the Brown Thomson Company on Temple and Main Streets, in the heart of the downtown shopping district. It was the largest department store in the city. Like its competitors, G. Fox and Sage Allen, Brown Thomson had its humble origins, decades before, as a dry goods dealer. These days, the store reminded one more aptly of an elegant lady primped and ready for callers. On previous visits Concordia had marveled at the polished floors, gleaming counters, and neatly arranged displays, laden with goods from the world’s four corners. Today, she walked by it all without a glance, her meeting with Annie uppermost in her mind. Her heart pounded in anticipation. What did Annie have to tell her? Could she answer her questions about
