Summary:  Margaret Roberts was always the ugly Roberts daughter–the quiet one who could never find a boyfriend.  But the the doctor told her she was dying and she decided to have some fun before it happened.

Rated: K+ (6,215 words)

 

The Ugly Duckling

When Christina Roberts was married Margaret Roberts was there. Margaret was only sixteen then so no one was concerned. When Jane Roberts was married Margaret Roberts was there. Margaret was twenty then and she still did not have a boyfriend. Now her family was starting to get concerned. When Margaret’s younger sister Mary Roberts was married Margaret was twenty-two and still alone. When the youngest Roberts girl was married, eighteen year old Emily, Margaret had just celebrated her twenty-sixth birthday.

Most of the guests had the same thing to say to Margaret at Emily’s wedding. It was, “Marg, when will we be invited to your wedding?” OR “Marg, you’re not getting any younger.”

John and Nicole Roberts, Margaret’s parents were concerned by their daughter’s apparent lack of suitors. Margaret was a quiet, obedient girl, a little taller than her eldest sister with almond eyes and mouse colored hair. Her coloring was much too pale but she refused to make it up. She tried to act as though she did not care about the lack of men in her life, but she did care, she cared very much. And although, she held her head high and smiled at all the snide remarks people made that day, inside she was burning.

The pain first started at Emily’s wedding. Margaret was drinking a glass of punch and watching her sister when she felt it. It started in her chest and quickly spread through the rest of her body. It was a warm piercing pain that almost caused Margaret to pass out. There was a pounding in her temples as though all her blood had rushed to her head. But she was a lady to the end. She set her glass down and excused herself to no one in particular and ran up the stairs to her room. She almost made it to the bed but collapsed on the floor.

It was several hours before she revived. She stood weakly up and poured herself a glass of water from the pitcher beside her bed. The pain had gone. She carefully made her way to the head of the stairs and looked down. The party was still in full swing. No one had noticed that she had gone. She walked down the stairs, patted her hair, which she wore high on her head and reentered the room. Her father had ordered musicians for the wedding and they were getting ready for the dance. Margaret sat down with a sigh. She would never be asked to dance.

What was her surprise, then, when Hoss Cartwright walked over to her and stood shyly beside her, he asked her for the honor of the dance. Margaret looked at Hoss for a moment. Surely he was jesting! Why would a Cartwright want to dance with her? But she accepted his invitation with a smile and Hoss took her hand and led her onto the dance floor.

“Ya know, Miss Margaret.” Hoss looked at her. “Ya’re mighty purty when ya smile.”

She nodded her head gratefully. “Thank you, Mr. Cartwright.” No one had ever told her that before. She was always the ‘ugly Roberts daughter.’ But she decided to enjoy the dance while she could. She had taken so many dance lessons, why let them go to waste?

She had the same pain two days after Emily’s wedding. It started in her chest and quickly spread to the rest of her body. It was a warm piercing pain that always caused Margaret to pass out. There was always a pounding in her temples as though all her blood had rushed to her head. So far she had been lucky enough to avoid fainting in front of anyone. This day, though, her mother was entertaining guests when Margaret first started to feel it. She hastily excused herself and walked stately up the stairs her hand on her heart. She managed to get to the bedroom and shit the door before she passed out on the floor.

As it always was, Margaret awoke after several hours. She had been lucky this time and no one had seen the incident. But there may come a day when it was not so. Margaret knew that she needed to see someone about the pain. Since it was around her heart, she knew she had to see a professional man, a doctor—Dr. Paul Martin.

Dr. Martin did not say much as he listened to Margaret Roberts’ story. Occasionally he asked a brief question such as, “When did you first notice the pain?” But for the most part he was silent.

When Margaret had finished her story Dr. Martin leaned back in his chair and pressed his fingertips together. He closed his eyes dreading having to tell the young girl what he had to tell her—what he suspected was wrong with her. He took her thin white wrist in his hand and placed his first tow fingers over her pulse. As he had feared, it was weak and thready. “How do you feel, Miss Roberts?” Dr. Martin searched her too white face.

“A little sick, Doctor.” She answered.

“Like you were going to faint?” he pressed.

“No.” She replied. “Not that kind of sick. I have a pain in my heart before that happens. And my heart starts to beat awfully fast. I have this feeling in my head as though all my blood was up there.”

Doc Martin nodded and stood up. He dropped her wrist and stared out the window for a moment. He could not bring himself to speak. Margaret had a heart condition—something that Doc martin could do nothing about, except perhaps give her a pill to ease the attacks.
“Doctor, how bad is it?” Margaret asked anxiously.

Dr. Martin turned to look at her again. Everyone in town called her the ‘ugly Roberts daughter’ but Paul Martin thought her to be very beautiful that day. She wore a blue dress with lace at the collars and neck. Her matching hat and veil covered her face when she had first arrived. But she had removed it to see him and her brown hair had fallen to her shoulders. It framed her pale face as though it was a darker halo. Doctor Martin could not tell her. But he knew that he had to. He cleared his throat and looked at her. He sat back in his chair and took her hand in his again. If he had to tell her he could at least try to soften the blow. “Miss Roberts,” he answered slowly, “Miss Roberts, you have a very serious heart condition.”

A look of fear crept into Margaret Roberts’s brown eyes. A new sort of pounding started in her temples. But this was not a painful pounding, this was a pounding of fear. She moistened her lips carefully and looked at Doc Martin again, “Tell me honestly, Doctor, how long do I have?”

Doctor Martin felt her hand tremble within his grasp. “Maybe six months,” he answered, “maybe six weeks. I don’t know.”

Tears glistened in her eyes. She lowered her head. “Thank you, Doctor.” She carefully shook his hand loose and picked up her hat.

“Margaret,” it was the first time anyone outside of her family had used her first name in more than six years, “Margaret, what are you going to do?”

“Do, Doctor?” she replied standing up. “I’m going to live life like I have never lived it before.” She carefully placed her hat on her head and looked at him. “I would appreciate it, Doc, if you did not mention this to anyone. Especially not my family.” And then she left his office.

Hoss Cartwright was shocked to walk into Charlie’s Saloon and discover the new barmaid. She wore a low cut pink dress with white stockings and black shoes, typicall of barmaids. She wore her hair long and a pink flower just above her right ear. She smiled at him and walked over to him, “Hello, Hoss,” she smiled. “Would you like to buy me a drink?”

“Margaret Roberts!” Hoss exclaimed removing his hat. “What’s a nice girl like ya doin’ in a place like this?”
“I want to have some fun, Hoss.” She answered, a sad look creeping into her eyes.

“Whadda ya’re family think?” Hoss demanded taking her by the arm and leading her to one of the tables.

She shrugged her shoulders and rolled her eyes. “What do you think?” she answered. “They kicked me out of the house.”

“Where are ya livin’?” Hoss asked consternation written on his face.

“Upstairs.” She nodded towards the staircase. A saloon girl in green was walking up them one of the patron’s on her arm.

“Oh no!” Hoss exclaimed. “Miss Roberts, ya live there?”

“Calm down, Hoss.” She laughed. “I said I was going to have a good time. I don’t call that a good time.”

Hoss sighed. “Ah was worried.”

“Don’t worry about me.” Margaret looked at him. No one had ever worried about her before. “I can take care of myself.”

“If ya eva cain’t, Miss Roberts,” Hoss stood up, picked up his hat, and clumsily took her hand, “Ya come and find me. Ah’ll do anythin’ for ya, anythin’.” He kissed her hand like he had seen Adam do and placed his hat on his head. Then he walked out the door.

Margaret watched him for a long while after he left. Then she got up and walked upstairs. For the first time since she had decided to live life this way she felt dirty. There was surely cleaner ways to enjoy her last few days.

Margaret Roberts sat in her room above the saloon for several moments deep in thought. What could she do? she picked up a stack of letters. They all begged her to be sensible and return home. One was from her mother asking, “Marg, how do you expect us to live down the disgrace of you living in at the saloon? The Roberts name is tarnished and your father and I tried so hard to teach you girls clean living.” Margaret frowned. The Roberts name was always the only thing that ever mattered. Another letter caught her eye. It was Dr. Paul Martin and he said that he was worried about her. Would she come and see him? He wanted to help her.

Margaret viciously tore off her pink saloon dress and threw it in a corner. She walked over to a black trunk and dug around in it for several seconds before she found her old blue dress with the lace trimmings. She pulled her hair into a loose bun and looked in the mirror. She was much prettier with her hair down. So she shook her hair loose and placed her hat over it. Then she walked stately down the stairs and towards Dr. Martin’s office.

Dr. Martin was alone in his office when Margaret knocked on the door. He was a little surprised to see her. After hearing how she refused to listen to her family’s pleas he did not expect to see her but there she stood pale in her dark blue dress clutching a black handbag. “Dr. Martin,” she said softly, “you wrote me a letter.”

Dr. Martin smiled and took her arm, gently leading her into the room. “I wanted to talk to you, Miss Roberts.” He answered.

“Are you going to talk me into returning home?” Margaret asked suddenly becoming defensive. “Because if you are then I am leaving right now. I’m dying, Doc, remember? All my life I had to be the ‘ugly Roberts daughter.’ I was always the meek quiet one that always did everything I was told. I want to have some fun now, Doctor? Please?” Her eyes had a pleading look in them.
Paul Martin was enchanted by the look in her eyes. She was so beautiful when she was frightened. “Calm down, Margaret,” he helped her into a chair. “I’m not going to tell you not to enjoy your life. But don’t you think that maybe you are overdoing it just a little bit?”

“Do you mean working in the saloon?” Margaret asked lowering her eyes.

Paul Martin scratched his chin and looked away from the girl. “Wael, yes, Miss Roberts, yes.” He finally answered.

Margaret Roberts had tears in her eyes as Doctor Martin turned to look at her. “I know, Doc, I know. I saw Hoss Cartwright at the saloon today. I never saw him look so hurt. You know he asked me to dance at Emily’s wedding. He’s the only man that ever has.”

Paul Martin looked at her carefully. Margaret was dying. He knew that. But he thought the way she was trying to live was much too dangerous. He surveyed her from the tip of her hat to her pointed black boots, barely visible under the hem of her skirt. She was pretty in a quiet way. He understood why she was the ‘ugly Roberts daughter.’ She did not have the flashing beauty of Emily or the cheap beauty of Christina. Nor did she have the “Eastern beauty” of Mary. She was a natural girl, not beautiful but pretty. Her eyes, though, were tired and old looking. They had a despondent sad look in them. It was said that the eyes are the windows of the soul and if this was true then Margaret needed a serious uplifting and some truthful flattery. So Doc Martin cleared his throat and sat down next to her. He took one of her gloved hands in his large ones and patted it gently. “Margaret, I think you underestimate yourself.” He told her carefully choosing his words. “You are very beautiful and desirous. Just because you are older than your sisters were when they got married does not make you any less wanted. I know men who want you, Margaret. Perhaps some men are not ready to talk about it, yet, but there are men out there still. Don’t do anything rash, Margaret. Wait a little longer.”

“How much longer?” she asked some of the hurt gone from her eyes. “I don’t have much more time, Doctor. Remember?”

Paul released her hand and stood up again. “I know, Margaret.” He answered. “I know

“I’m going home.” She stood up. “I felt dirty working at the saloon. But it was the only excitement I could think of. My parents will be angry for awhile but if I am going to die, I’ll die at home. My family need never know I’m dying. In fact I don’t want them to know.” she smiled and headed towards the door. “Thank you, Doctor. Good afternoon.”

“Good afternoon, Margaret.” Doc Martin watched her leave.

Stroking his chin Paul Martin walked out into the street. He saw Hoss Cartwright walking down the broadwalk towards his office. Hoss saw him standing outside and called, Doc, Doc Martin, cin I talk to ya?” he hurried towards his friend.

“Sure, sure, Hoss. Come on in.” Doc Martin closed the door behind the bulky Cartwright man. “Now what can I do for you, Hoss?”

“Did ah jist see Margaret Roberts leaving here?” Hoss asked, sitting down in the seat Margaret had just left.

Doc Martin nodded his head. “Yes, Margaret was here.” He answered.

“Is somethin’ wrong wit her?” Hoss asked.

“What makes you think so?” Do Martin suddenly became defensive.

“Ah saw ‘er at the saloon earlier.” Hoss answered. “She is a wonderful gurl. Ah caint believe she is workin’ there. Unless she ‘as a reason.”

“She has a reason.” Doc answered thinking of the day he had to tell her that she was dying, “She wants to have some excitement.”
“She calls that excitement.” Hoss demanded. “That’s pretty low.”

“She never had a boyfriend, Hoss, remember?” Paul Martin said softly. “She has to find fun another way.”

“She’s worried ‘cause she never ‘ad a boyfriend!” Hoss was surprised. “Why?”

“Well, she is the ‘ugly Roberts daughter.’” Doc Martin answered watching Hoss’ face.

“Who calls ‘er that?” Hoss demanded.

“Everyone.” Doc Martin answered.

“She’s a very lovely gurl.” Hoss replied. “Hardly ugly.”
“To people like you, Hoss, and me she is lovely. But to others she is not pretty at all.” Doc Martin could hardly believe his ears at what he was saying. True he was alone but he never thought that he would fall in love with Margaret Roberts either. As he sat there looking at Hoss and thinking over what he had just said he realized that he had fallen in love with Margaret Roberts the first time she had come to his office with her heart pain. He had a catch in his throat as he remembered that the girl was dying.

But Hoss was talking and Doc Martin snapped his attention back to his friend. “So tat’s why she’s workin’ at the saloon?” Hoss asked. “She don’t have a boyfriend and she’s worried ‘cause of it?”

“That’s part of it, Hoss.” Doc answered.

“Thar’s more?”

“Yes.” Doc Martin nodded. “But as a professional man I can’t talk about it. You understand that don’t you, Hoss?”

Hoss nodded a little confused. “Shore I understand, Doc. But if its a boyfriend she wants why don’t she git one?”

“It’s not that easy, Hoss, and you know it.” Doc Martin answered. “I told her that there were men who liked her. I think she took comfort in that.”

“Aren’t thar?” Hoss asked.

“I know one at least.” Doc Martin answered thinking of himself.

“Ah think thar should be more.” Hoss stood up.

“Hoss, what are you going to do?” the doctor detained his friend.

“Ah danced with Margaret at Emily’s weddin’.” Hoss answered. “Ah think ah’ll pay a visit on ‘er.”

“Do you love her?” Doc demanded. He had to know.

Hoss smiled. He thought of how beautiful Margaret looked to him the day they danced. “Yes, Doc. Ah think ah do.” and then he was gone.
Doc Martin sat alone in his office for a long while after Hoss left. He loved Margaret, too. And she was dying. She wanted to have a boyfriend. Would it be wrong for her to have two?

Margaret Roberts was lying facedown on her bed. Her face was streaked with dried tears. Her heart was once again causing her pain and she poured herself a glass of water to take one of the pills Doc Martin had given her. She heard her mother’s heels tapping lightly across the floor to her room. She hid the pill bottle under her pillow and lay back on her bed. Her mother knocked on the door and Margaret weakly called, “Come in.”

Her mother opened the door and walked towards the bed. “Marg, honey, are you feeling all right?”

Margaret turned towards her mother. The pain had been getting worse lately and she knew she was nearing the end of her life. She nodded. “I’m fine, Mother, fine.”

“You’ve been so quiet since you came back to live with us.”

Margaret smiled slowly. “You should be glad I’m back, Mother. The Roberts name is unsullied. I never took one of the patron’s upstairs.”

“I’m not worried about that.” Mrs. Roberts answered. “You’ve been so quiet. You’ve been staying in your room and not even coming down for meals.”

“I’m just tired, Mother. Very tired.” Margaret turned her face away.

“All right, Marg.” Her mother looked sadly at her daughter. “I just came to tell you that Hoss Cartwright is here. He wants to see you downstairs.”

“Hoss Cartwright is here!” Margaret sat up quickly. “What is he doing here?” she demanded gazing in the mirror across from her bed.

“He said he came to see you.” Her mother answered.

“Me?” Margaret asked. “Why?”

“I saw him dance with you at Emily’s wedding.” Her mother answered. “Maybe he cares about you.”

“Me?” Margaret repeated. “I’m not the type of girl a Cartwright would like.”

“Hoss is not like his brothers.” Nicole Roberts answered. “He’s the type that would like a sweet girl like you, Marg. Now why don’t you go down and see him?” she offered her daughter her hand.

Margaret sat up listlessly and took her mother’s hand. “All right I’ll go down and see him but only to make you and Daddy happy.” It wouldn’t matter to her.

Hoss Cartwright looked up to see Margaret walking down the stairs. She wore one of her light blue dresses and a strand of pearls was braided into her long hair.

Hoss shyly smiled at her. “Miss Margaret, you are beautiful.” He exclaimed. “If ya donna mind I’d like ta take ya to Ellie’s fur supper.”

Margaret smiled. She had never been asked out before. “Thank you, Mr. Cartwright. I would love that.” She answered.
Ellie had a diner at the corner of Virginia City’s Main Street. She looked up a little surprised to see Margaret Roberts and Hoss Cartwright. “Table for three?” she asked.

Hoss looked over at Margaret’s father. He smiled. “Two, Ellie, and a single near by for me.”

Ellie nodded. Despite the accepted practice that the girl’s father accompany his daughter when she went out with a young man John Roberts always let his daughter and her friend sit alone.

“Miss Margaret, ah meant to tell ya at ya’re sisters weddin’ but ah think ya’re a very lovely lady.” Hoss was suddenly very shy.

“Thanks you, Hoss.” She answered. She wanted to enjoy this time she had left but knowing that she was going to die kept her from having fun. But then again she did want to live life before it happened. So she smiled at Hoss and he smiled back.

It was two days since Hoss Cartwright had first asked Margaret Roberts out to supper. He had seen her every day since, then. But then one day when Hoss came to pick Margaret up she locked her self in her room and refused to come out. Hoss was shocked. He and Margaret had such a good time together. He could not understand her suddenly strange attitude.

Her mother walked up to her room and knocked on the door. Margaret did not answer. Her mother tried the door and called her name. Still Margaret did not answer.

When Margaret’s mother returned to where Hoss stood in the foyer downstairs she reported that Margaret did not answer.

“Why would she be avoidn’ me?” Hoss asked, puzzled. “Ah knew she saw me comin’.”
“I know she saw you, too.” Nicole Roberts answered.

“Does she perhaps not want me?” Hoss asked puzzled. “Tat’s da only reason ah could think of.”

Nicole Roberts smiled sadly. “She was so much in love with you, Hoss.” Nicole answered. “But I reckon that if she’s avoiding you she doesn’t want to see you again. I’ll tell you what, though, Hoss, when she gets out of this mood I’ll have a talk with her.”

“Thanks, Mrs. Roberts.” Hoss shook his head sadly and left.

Margaret Roberts saw Hoss Cartwright enter the house. She was so happy to see him. Although she was dying being with Hoss almost made her forget that—almost. So she was ready to run down and meet him. Just as she reached the head of the stairs she started to feel that awful, old pain. She could not let Hoss see her in a faint—see her the way she appeared when she got those spells. She rushed into her room and locked the door. This time she was lucky—she made it to her bed.

She was out only a few minutes. She did not hear her mother pounding on the door or calling her name. But when she awoke she immediately went to the door and slipped into the hall. She heard her mother and Hoss talking below her.

She could hear Hoss talking. “Does she perhaps not want me? Tat’s da only reason ah could think of.”

Her mother had a sad note to her voice as she replied “She was so much in love with you, Hoss. But I reckon that if she’s avoiding you she doesn’t want to see you again. I’ll tell you what, though, Hoss, when she gets out of this mood I’ll have a talk with her.”

Hoss turned towards the door. “Thanks, Mrs. Roberts.” He left.
Margaret went slowly back to her room and shut the door. She had to explain everything to Hoss. She had to tell him why she did not see him that night. But she could not leave now. Her father and her mother were still up. She would have to wait until they fell asleep.

It was almost midnight before John and Nicole Roberts went to bed and Margaret was finally able to slip out. Her father’s horse was kept in the livery. She had to get it. She dressed hastily in a red riding outfit and, as an afterthought she slipped her pills into her purse that she tied to her wrist. Then she hurried out the front door closing it silently behind her.

The livery stable was dark. She stopped at the door and tried it. It was locked. She had to get in. She had to see Hoss. Margaret walked to the back of the stable. The door there was locked too but there was a window open. She found a box nearby the stable and climbing on the box she crawled into the window.

Her father’s horse was in the last stall nearest the big front doors. Margaret saddled her father’s horse then pushed open the big front doors. She was just riding out when she heard a man’s voice shouting, “Hey, you come back with that horse!”

Margaret looked back just once. She saw the man, the owner of the livery stable. And then she spurred the horse and disappeared into the shadows of the night.

The last thing Ben Cartwright was expecting that night was a visitor. But just as he was dimming the lights and preparing to go upstairs to bed he heard a horse thunder into the yard. Since his sons were all upstairs and the ranch hands did not have the night off, Ben decided it must be important. He rushed to the front door and threw it open. He saw a girl’s figure tying a horse to the hitching post then Margaret Roberts walked stately towards the front door.

“Miss Roberts!” Ben exclaimed as she stopped before him.

“May I come in, Mr. Cartwright?” she asked as though it was noon instead of almost one in the morning.

“Of course, of course.” Ben answered stepping aside to allow her to enter. “Please forgive me. I did not expect to see you this late.”

“I normally do not travel this late.” She smiled. “But something happened tonight that I must talk to Hoss about.
“Is it the fact that you did not come down when he arrived?” Ben asked.

“He told you?” there were tears in Margaret’s eyes. “Yes, Mr. Cartwright, that is what it is about.”

“I’ll call him.” Ben headed towards the stairs.

“Was he upset much?” Margaret bit her lower lip.

Ben stopped and looked back at her. “I’m afraid so, Miss Roberts. He thinks quite a bit of you.”

Margaret blinked her eyes. “And I of him. But it would never work, Mr. Cartwright, never.”

“Why not?” Ben asked puzzled. “I think Hoss made a good choice in you.”

“Thank you.” She answered. “But please let me explain why to Hoss.”
Ben nodded. “Of course.” Then he headed up the stairs and disappeared.

Hoss was not asleep when his father entered his room. He was lying with his eyes open staring at the ceiling and trying to figure out why Margaret had seen him but had not come down. She must have had a good reason.

Then his father entered the room. “Hoss,” his father called softly.

Hoss sat up. “Ah’m not sleepin’, Pa.” He answered. “Is somethin’ wrong?”

“Margaret Roberts is here.” Ben answered.

“Margaret!” Hoss breathed her name. “Why?”

“She said she must talk to you—to explain to you about tonight, err last night.” Ben corrected himself remembering the time.

“What is thar to explain?” Hoss rubbed his eyes. “She saw me and yet she turned back into ‘er room.”

“Perhaps she has a good reason.” Ben tried to reassure his son.

“Or a good excuse.” Hoss replied a little bitterly.

“Now, Hoss, that does not sound at all like you.” Ben admonished his son. “Go down and talk to her. I think she cares alot about you but for some reason she said it would not work.”

“Would not work?” Hoss asked stunned. “Why not? She’s jist the kind of gurl that Ah get along wit’.”

“I know.” his father replied. “But she would know the answer, son, not me. Come on.”

“All right, Pa.” Hoss answered. “Ah’ll be down. Jist let me throw on some clothes.”

Hoss Cartwright stopped at the head of the stairs and looked down. Margaret Roberts sat on the settee, her handbag open on her lap. She held one hand over her heart and the other hand fumbled in the bag and came up with a bottle of pills. She pulled her hand away from her heart and poured two little pills into it. Her face was extremely pale and she shook slightly. Hoss could not understand and he walked down to where she sat.

She looked up at him. Her eyes were wide with fear and pain. Her lips moved silently for a moment and then she managed to ask for “water.”

Hoss rushed to the kitchen and brought her a glass of water. When he reentered the living room, she was paler than she had been before. Her lips had started to turn blue and she swayed where she sat. She reached her hand for the water and then she collapsed.

“PA!” Hoss screamed. “PA!”

Ben Cartwright appeared at the head of the stairs. “Hoss!” he exclaimed rushing down the steps. “What happened?”

“She fainted, Pa.” Hoss answered.

“That’s an understatement.” Adam appeared at the foor of the stairs pulling on his shirt. “Hoss, go and get Doc Martin quickly.

“What’s happened to her?” Hoss asked as he rushed to the door.

“I’m not sure.” Adam replied but as Hoss closed the door behind him, Adam turned to his father and said softly, “Pa, I think she’s dying.”

Doc Martin rushed into the Cartwright house his black bag clutched in his hand. “Where is she?” he asked.

Adam pointed to the sofa where Margaret was sill lying pale and quiet.

“Doc, what’s wrong, wit’ ‘er?” Hoss asked sitting on the table next to Margaret.

“It’s her heart, Hoss.” Doc Martin answered without looking at his friend as he rolled up his sleeves. “It’s been bothering her for some time.”

“Why didn’ she tell me?” Hoss demanded.

“She wanted someone to love her.” Doc Martin answered bending over her and brushing a stray lock out of her face.

“Can ya ‘elp ‘er?” Hoss demanded turning almost as pale as Margaret.
Paul Martin looked up. “I’ll do the best I can, Hoss. I promise.”

“Come on, boys.” Ben looked at his sons. “Let’s leave Doc alone.”

Doc Martin opened his bag and looked at Ben. “You had better send someone for her parents.” He said gently. “I don’t think Margaret is going to make it.”

When Margaret opened her eyes two hours later Doc Martin was alone with her. Her brown eyes looked around the room for a moment and then focused on the doctor. “What happened?” she managed to ask.

Paul Martin took her hand in his. “You had another attack, Margaret, much worse this time.”

Margaret nodded. “I remember now. I was going to tell Hoss that it would never work out when I felt it coming on.”

“Oh, Margaret,” Paul sighed heavily.

Margaret looked at him. “What’s wrong, Doctor?”

“You know it already, I think.” He answered. “At least part of it.”

“That I’m dying?” Margaret asked. “Yes, I know. But it does not seem that bad anymore, Doc. I have had someone love me.”

Paul bent closer to her. “Remember when I told you that there were men who loved you, Margaret?” he asked.

She nodded slowly. “And shortly after that Hoss asked me out.” She smiled at the memory.

“I know.” he answered slowly. “Margaret, I have to tell you this. I cannot let you leave without first knowing how much I care about you.”

“You, Doctor?” her eyes were heavy but she was at least alert enough to hear him. “You cared for me?”

“Very much.” He answered pressing his lips against her hand. “I was going to ask you to be my wife but then Hoss asked you out.”

“Paul,” she whispered and he looked at her.

Her eyes were full of a childish look. “Margaret,” he answered and leaning over her his lips closed over hers. She made no move to stop him. It was a moment they would both treasure forever.

Paul Martin walked into the kitchen where the Cartwrights and Margaret’s parents sat nervously. It had been two hours since he had arrived. While he worked tirelessly to save Margaret’s life, Little Joe had ridden into town and awoken the Roberts bringing them to the Ponderosa.

Nicole Roberts looked at the doctor as he slowly rolled up his sleeves. “What happened?” she wanted to know.

“How’s she?” Hoss pleaded.

“She is very weak.” Paul answered. “But she wants to see you, Hoss.”

“Me?” Hoss asked.

Paul nodded. “She said she want to explain everything.”

Hoss stood a moment in thought. “Go on, son.” Ben urged.

“She needs you, Hoss.” Nicole Roberts gently placed her hand on Hoss’s shoulder.

If Margaret’s mother had said that two hours ago Paul Martin would have felt a twinge of jealously. But as it was he and Margaret had shared a kiss and Doc almost felt sorry for Hoss.

Hoss nodded at last. “All right. Ah’ll go.” And he walked into the living room where she still lay.

Her eyes were closed as Hoss approached the settee. Her lashes were long and black against her white face. Hoss sat on the table beside her and took her hand. She opened her eyes, then, and smiled at him.

“Do you understand now, Hoss, why it would never work?” she asked gently and there were tears in her eyes.

“How long hav ya known dis?” Hoss was felling choked up but he had to know.

“Since several days after Emily’s wedding.” Margaret answered softly.

“Why didn’t ya tell me?” Hoss asked gently.

Margaret closed her eyes and sighed. “I was selfish, Hoss.” She answered. “I wanted to have some fun before…before it happened?”

“Did ya have any fun?” Hoss asked. His voice was huskier than usual.

She opened her eyes and smiled at him. “It was the best time of my life, Hoss.” She answered honestly.

“Margaret,” Hoss leaned towards her.

She smiled again but gently putting her hand on his chest she kept him from coming any closer. “Don’t, Hoss.” She looked at him. “I’m not going to make it through the night. I don’t want you to hurt any more than you already do.”

Hoss smiled at her. Dear sweet, Margaret. Oh, if only she would live! Then she gave a little cry and Hoss turned towards the kitchen.

“Doc! Doc!” and Doc Martin rushed into the room.

The rest of the Cartwrights and the Roberts were right behind him. They watched in silence as he took Margaret’s hand in his and brushed aside a stray lock of hair. “You know this is the end, don’t you, Marg?” he asked gently.

She nodded. “Yes, Doc, yes I know.” she looked over at her parents. “Good bye Mother, Father. You were the best. I will miss you very much.” Her gaze shifted to Ben Cartwright. “You were very kind, Mr. Cartwright. Thank you.” Her sight was diminishing but she could still hear her mother weeping. “Hoss,” she whispered and he bent down to her, “thank you for making my last days so wonderful.” She could barely see anything now but she reached her hand up and gently stroked Doc Martin’s face. “Thank you, Paul, for teaching me a most valuable lesson. I’ll miss all of you.” And then her eyes closed and Margaret was silent forever. But on her face there was a smile.

The minister looked down at the body of the girl that lay before him. “Margaret Roberts was a girl who was loved by her family and friends. And although she had few men who loved her she will always be remembered as the gentle, sweet Roberts daughter.”

Doc Martin smiled sadly over at Hoss Cartwright. The ugly Roberts daughter had found peace at last. It was too late for her but the town had given the girl a new name—the gentle sweet Roberts daughter. The Ugly Duckling had indeed turned into a swan.

THE END