Timepiece

Timepiece

<I>"Of all, clockmakers and morticians should bear the keenest sense of priority-their lives daily spent in observance of the unflagging procession of time... and the end thereof."</I> <br>-DAVID PARKIN'S DIARY. JANUARY 3, 1901 <P> So begins <I>Timepiece</I>, the unforgettable story of hope and the source of the wisdom MaryAnne Parkin shared with Richard in <I>The Christmas Box</I>. With the help of David Parkin's diary, Richard discovers the mystery of the timepiece and the significance of MaryAnne's request. <P> <I>Nineteen years previous, only eleven days before her death, MaryAnne Parkin had bequeathed a beautiful rose-gold timepiece to my keeping. <P> "The day before you give Jenna away," she had said, her voice trembling as she handed me the heirloom, "give this to her for the gift." <P> I was puzzled by her choice of words. <P> "Her wedding gift?" I asked. <P> She looked at me sadly, then forced a fragile smile. <P> "You will know what I mean."