{"id":13939,"date":"2007-12-12T14:01:58","date_gmt":"2007-12-12T19:01:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=13939"},"modified":"2025-02-27T12:11:14","modified_gmt":"2025-02-27T17:11:14","slug":"to-be-or-not-to-be-by-susan-g","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=13939","title":{"rendered":"To Be or Not to Be (by Susan G)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Summary<\/strong>:\u00a0 A traveling medicine show arrives in Virginia City.<\/p>\n

Word Count: \u00a038,000 \u00a0Rated: \u00a0T<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

To Be or Not to Be<\/strong><\/p>\n

Joe Cartwright heard the shouting and swearing before he ever saw the garishly painted wagon. Riding toward the top of a hill on the short-cut to north pasture, Joe could hear the voices. One was shouting instructions while another seemed to be swearing in frustration at trying to follow the orders. Joe pulled his pinto to a halt at the top of the hill and looked down to see what all the commotion was about.<\/p>\n

A box wagon \u2013 the kind used by traveling shows \u2013 was sitting in the middle of the road to Virginia City. The wagon was painted bright red, with yellow curlicues sprinkled across the crimson. Bright blue letters proclaimed the wagon to belong to \u201cHarris and Company\u201d. The wheels of the wagon were painted bright yellow also. Three of the wheels were in place, but the fourth wheel was missing from the wagon, causing it to tilt severely to one side. Three men stood near the wagon, pointing at the wagon as well as each other. Joe figured the missing wheel was reason for all the commotion.<\/span><\/p>\n

Chucking his horse forward, Joe started down the hill. He could see the men gesturing and could hear their increasing loud voices. Two of the men seemed to be arguing over how to get the wheel back on the wagon, while the third stood a little ways off, holding the offending wheel. The three men were one of the oddest groups Joe could ever remember seeing. One looked to be about 40, wearing loud tan and brown checked pants and a small bowler hat which was pushed back on his head. A pair of bright red suspenders looped over the man\u2019s white shirt, holding up the pants that were almost as garish as the wagon. The second man was tall, well over six feet, but as thin as the proverbial bean pole. Joe doubted if the man weighed over a hundred pounds. The man holding the wheel was as short as the other man was tall. His head barely cleared the top of the wheel. As Joe rode toward the wagon, he wondered about the strange group.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHello,\u201d shouted Joe as he neared the wagon. \u201cCan you fellows use some help?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The man in the checked pants turned in surprise. He had been so busy shouting orders that he hadn\u2019t noticed Joe\u2019s approach. Now, as he saw the well-built cowboy perched on the pinto, his face broke into a smile. \u201cAh, a knight, come to rescue us from our peril,\u201d said the man theatrically. \u201cIndeed you can be of help, young man. As you can see, we are temporarily stranded by the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Amused by the man\u2019s words, Joe smiled. \u201cI\u2019m not sure about slings and arrows,\u201d Joe replied as he dismounted, \u201cbut it looks like you lost a wheel.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYes, we have,\u201d acknowledged the man, agreeing with Joe\u2019s practical assessment of the situation. \u201cUnfortunately, we have found that no combination of the two of us are strong enough to lift the wagon while the third slips the wheel back on. Perhaps you would be good enough to lend us some of your muscles to rectify the situation.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Smiling at the man\u2019s flowery prose, Joe walked closer to the wagon. He wasn\u2019t surprised that the men were having difficulty. The one in the checked pants looked to have more flab than muscle on his body, and the tall man seemed to have barely enough flesh to cover his bones. The small man was evenly proportioned for his size but his build would have been considered average on even a normal sized individual.<\/span><\/p>\n

Kneeling by the wagon, Joe inspected the axle. \u201cDoesn\u2019t look like there are any cracks or breaks in the axle,\u201d he commented as he looked under the wagon. \u201cThe wheel must have come loose.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYes, yes, it did,\u201d agreed the man in the checked pants. He looked pointedly toward the tall man. \u201cIt was supposed to have been tightened before we left Cedar Flats, but somebody forgot to take care of it.\u201d The tall man looked toward the sky, suddenly finding a fascination with the clouds over his head.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIf we can lift the axle and get the wheel back on, you should be in good shape,\u201d Joe advised, standing and brushing the dirt off the knees of his pants. \u201cI don\u2019t suppose you have a wheel jack?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAh, no,\u201d answered the man in the checked pants regretfully.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDidn\u2019t think so,\u201d Joe replied with a nod. He pulled on the axle a bit, testing the weight of the wagon. He could tell the wagon was heavy, very heavy. \u201cI don\u2019t know if we can lift the wagon even with the three of us,\u201d he said doubtfully. \u201cWe might have to unload it.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cCould we give it a try?\u201d suggested the man in the checked paints. \u201cUnloading the wagon and then loading it back up again will take us all day. I want to try to get to Virginia City by dark.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSure, we can try,\u201d Joe agreed with a shrug. He turned to the small man holding the wheel. \u201cWe may not be able to hold up the axle for very long, so as soon as we get it off the ground, you slip the wheel on.\u201d The small man nodded.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAll right,\u201d said Joe turning back to the other two men. \u201cLet\u2019s give it a try.\u201d The three men grabbed the axle, Joe on the left side and the other two on the right. Joe took a firm grip on the middle of the axle as the other two wrapped their hands around the shaft on either side of his. Joe took a deep breath and tightened his grip. \u201cNow, lift!\u201d he ordered.<\/span><\/p>\n

Three backs strained with efforts as three sets of arms pulled the axle from the ground. The wagon groaned as the axle rose slowly from the dust. Joe turned his head to shout at the small man, but saw the man was already moving the wheel toward the wagon. The axle wasn\u2019t quite high enough off the ground for the man to slip on the wheel. Joe took another deep breath and pulled harder on the wooden shaft in his hands. The axle rose another few inches. Joe could see the wheel coming closer, but the hole in the center was still an inch or two higher the axle. Joe closed his eyes and pulled once more, his face grimacing with the effort. He heard, rather than saw, the wheel snap into place.<\/span><\/p>\n

Blowing out a puff of air, Joe dropped his hands from the axle, letting his arms dangle for a minute at his side. He bent over a bit and took several deep breaths, bringing his breathing back to normal after the exertion of lifting the wagon. Then he straightened and looked across the wheel.<\/span><\/p>\n

The tall man was breathing heavily also, his face red and sweaty. The man in the checked pants, however, looked as fresh as when Joe rode up. Joe suspected that he hadn\u2019t done much lifting.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cLooks like you\u2019re all set,\u201d announced Joe with a nod toward the wheel. \u201cJust put the wheel nut on and make sure it\u2019s tight. You should get to Virginia City without any more problems.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThank you, thank you, young man,\u201d said the man in the checked pants. His eyes suddenly darted about nervously. \u201cI, ah, I don\u2019t have anything with which to pay your for your services\u2026.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe waved off the payment. \u201cNo payment needed. I\u2019m just glad I could help.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The man seemed relieved. \u201cWe appreciate your help, Mr\u2026Mr\u2026<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cCartwright,\u201d supplied Joe. \u201cJoe Cartwright.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The man\u2019s eyebrows rose in surprise. \u201cCartwright? Any relation to Ben Cartwright of the Ponderosa?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMy father,\u201d acknowledged Joe with a brief nod.<\/span><\/p>\n

A thoughtful look crossed the man\u2019s face. \u201cWe must do something to repay you,\u201d he said forcefully. \u201cA kind gesture shouldn\u2019t go unrewarded.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNot necessary,\u201d repeated Joe.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou must come to our show when we get set up in Virginia City,\u201d urged the man. \u201cPerhaps our small entertainment will amuse you.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Glancing at the letters on the wagon, Joe asked, \u201cHarris and Company? Are you Harris?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYes, indeed,\u201d replied the man with a bit of a bow. \u201cBert Harris, at your service.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat kind of show do you do?\u201d Joe asked curiously.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe try to entertain the whole family,\u201d answered Harris. He pointed to the small man. \u201cBob here does a puppet show which the children and even some adults enjoy.\u201d Cocking his head toward the tall man, Harris continued, \u201cFrank does the comedy \u2013 funny dances and silly walks. I do the singing and the patter.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe patter?\u201d asked Joe with a bit of a frown. \u201cWhat\u2019s that?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI tell the folks about Harris\u2019 Fine Tonic,\u201d Harris explained. \u201cGuaranteed to cure what ails you. Gives your energy if you\u2019re tied and helps you sleep if you need it. Calms the nerves and brightens the outlook. And all for just fifty cents a bottle.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Oh,\u201d said Joe, his face clearing as understanding dawned. \u201cA medicine show. Well, thanks anyhow, but I don\u2019t think\u2026.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou haven\u2019t met the star of our show,\u201d interrupted Harris. He turned and walked around end of the wagon. \u201cBeth! Beth,\u201d called Harris around the back of the wagon. \u201cCome here, girl. We\u2019ve got the wagon fixed.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Taking a step toward the end of the wagon, Joe looked in the direction at which Harris was shouting. He saw a girl sitting under a tree a short distance away, reading and apparently totally uninterested in the activities on the road.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBeth!\u201d Harris shouted again. \u201cWe\u2019re ready to go!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

This time the girl looked up. She closed the book, marking her place with a finger and slowly got to her feet. Joe watched her rise gracefully, and he wondered what kind of a person would show such a lack of concern for her fellow travelers and their plight. But as the girl walked slowly toward the wagon, Joe\u2019s criticism faded from his mind.<\/span><\/p>\n

The girl was tall, with thick black hair that hung loosely to her shoulders. She was wearing a long-sleeved white blouse with the collar turned up. The blouse hugged her ample breasts, and was tucked into the waistband of a dark blue skirt which framed her slim waist and hips. The girl moved with grace and ease, almost gliding rather than walking toward the wagon.<\/span><\/p>\n

As she drew closer, Joe could see her face — a perfect oval with a small nose and thick lips. But it was her eyes that fascinated Joe. Joe had never seen such blue eyes. They were bluer than the water in Lake Tahoe and looked just as deep. Framed by dark lashes, her eyes drew Joe\u2019s gaze like a magnet.<\/span><\/p>\n

As the girl walked up to the wagon, she gave Joe a look that was full of both curiosity and caution.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBeth, my dear,\u201d said Harris. \u201cThis is Joe Cartwright. He was kind of enough to help us repair the wagon.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The girl looked boldly at Joe, making a frank assessment of the young cowboy who stood in front of her. Apparently pleased with what she saw, the girl smiled. \u201cThank you, Mr. Cartwright,\u201d Beth said in a gracious voice.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cPlease, call me, Joe,\u201d Joe replied, his eyes never leaving the girls face. Beth bowed her head a bit in acknowledgment.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBeth is a pretty name,\u201d added Joe. He immediately kicked himself mentally for such an inane comment. Joe was proud of his ability to charm the ladies, but with this girl, he suddenly found himself babbling like an idiot.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI like it,\u201d noted Beth with an amused smile.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat do you do in the show?\u201d asked Joe, desperately trying to get his suddenly mushy brain to come up with an intelligent question.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI dance a bit,\u201d answered Beth vaguely.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBeth is a fine dancer,\u201d Bert explained. \u201cThe star of our show. Dances like an angel, moving with the grace of a deer. She does the dance of Salome, draped in veils and guaranteed to grab your undivided attention.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cShe already has my undivided attention,\u201d Joe admitted, giving Beth his most winning smile.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBert exaggerates,\u201d said Beth, smiling back at Joe. \u201cI\u2019m not really that good of a dancer.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI guess I\u2019ll just have to come and see for myself,\u201d Joe countered, his smile widening.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJoe\u2019s father is Ben Cartwright,\u201d said Bert in a sly voice. \u201cOwner of the Ponderosa, the biggest ranch in Nevada.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHow nice for Joe,\u201d replied Beth, her eyes twinkling as her smile seemed to brighten.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI suggested we pay him for his help by inviting him to our show,\u201d continued Bert.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYes, that would be nice,\u201d Beth agreed with a nod. \u201cI hope you will come. I think I might dance exceptionally well if I knew you were in the audience.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhen do you open?\u201d asked Joe in an eager voice, his eyes still riveted on Beth\u2019s blue eyes.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cTomorrow night,\u201d Bert told the young cowboy. \u201cWe\u2019ve rented a building on the edge of town. An old freight terminal, I believe. Our show starts at seven.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll be there,\u201d promised Joe. He stared at the attractive girl, seemingly unable to pull himself away from her presence. \u201cCould I take you to dinner after the show?\u201d Joe asked Beth in a hopeful voice.<\/span><\/p>\n

A strange look crossed Beth\u2019s face and she suddenly lowered her eyes. \u201cI don\u2019t know,\u201d she answered in a voice that sounded almost frightened. \u201cI\u2019m not sure that\u2019s a wise idea.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sure you\u2019ll be perfectly safe with young Mr. Cartwright,\u201d urged Bert.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAbsolutely,\u201d agreed Joe in a solemn voice. \u201cYou can ask anyone in Virginia City. I\u2019m known as a perfect gentleman.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Looking up at the handsome young man, Beth\u2019s smile returned. \u201cI\u2019m sure I could get an opinion from a number of young ladies in Virginia City,\u201d she teased.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell, maybe a few,\u201d Joe admitted with a wry grin. \u201cHow about it? Dinner tomorrow night?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cPerhaps,\u201d said Beth in a reluctant voice. \u201cCome by the wagon after the show. I\u2019ll let you know.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cTomorrow night after the show,\u201d acknowledged Joe with a nod. He stared at the girl for a moment longer. \u201cWell, um, I better be getting back to work,\u201d he added.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThank you again for your help, young man, \u201c said Harris, sticking out his hand. Joe took the offered hand and shook it briefly. He turned to take one last look at Beth. Joe put his hand to his hat brim and tugged on it. The girl smiled and cocked her head a bit in reply.<\/span><\/p>\n

After walking over to his horse, Joe vaulted into the saddle. \u201cSee you tomorrow night,\u201d he called as he turned his horse. His words were said to the group, but his eyes were on Beth as he spoke. Joe kicked his horse lightly and started riding toward the north pasture. He didn\u2019t realize he was whistling as he rode.<\/span><\/p>\n

**********<\/span><\/p>\n

His stomach was grumbling for food as Joe descended the stairs toward the breakfast table the next morning. He had missed dinner last night, coming home when the sky was practically black. Joe knew it was his own fault that he was late. He had checked the water holes in the north pasture as he was suppose to, but he had done it with a distracted air. Twice he found himself staring into the water with no idea how long he had been sitting on his horse by the small pond. His mind was filled with the image of silky black hair and blue eyes, not the muddy water in front of him.<\/span><\/p>\n

When he finally reached home, his father and brothers had already finished their evening meal. Joe walked into the house to see Ben Cartwright in his chair by the fire and Adam and Hoss playing chess. His half-hearted apology had been greeted by a brief lecture from his father about being on time. Hop Sing also had scolded him in a spate of Chinese as the cook put a plate of warmed up stew in front of Joe. Joe had barely heard the stern words from both men, and had barely tasted the few bites of stew he had eaten. His thoughts were still on a blue-eyed beauty named Beth.<\/span><\/p>\n

Making an excuse of being tired, Joe had left his almost untouched dinner and headed straight to bed. Joe had eagerly sought the privacy of his room and his bed so he could go over for what seemed the hundredth time his meeting with Beth. He was sure he slept with a smile on his face as his dreams were filled with her image.<\/span><\/p>\n

But while images of black hair and blue eyes pleasured Joe\u2019s soul, those images did little for his stomach. Now, as the sun began to rise, thoughts of Beth were nudged to the back of his mind. Joe\u2019s thoughts were on food and easing the hungry growling of his stomach.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMorning,\u201d said Joe with a nod as he slipped into his chair.<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam and Hoss nodded their greeting to him. Both were sipping coffee as they waited for Hop Sing to bring breakfast.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cGood morning,\u201d replied Ben briefly as he also began to sip his coffee.<\/span><\/p>\n

Hop Sing emerged from the kitchen with a platter of scrambled eggs and bacon. He stopped next to Joe\u2019s chair and shoved the platter in front of Joe.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou eat,\u201d demanded the cook. \u201cYou no eat dinner. Not good for you to not eat.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t worry, Hop Sing,\u201d said Joe in a soothing voice as he began to scrap some of the eggs onto his plate. \u201cI\u2019m hungry enough to out-eat Hoss this morning.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019ll be the day,\u201d commented Adam wryly.<\/span><\/p>\n

Standing silent by the table, Hop Sing watched Joe fill his plate with eggs and bacon. He snorted with satisfaction as Joe forked a large piece of the eggs into his mouth.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHop Sing, you going to stand there all day holding those eggs or are you going to feed the rest of us?\u201d complained Hoss.<\/span><\/p>\n

Hop Sing set the platter on the table. \u201cMr. Hoss like Hop Sing\u2019s cooking,\u201d he said. \u201cMr. Hoss always eat.\u201d Hop Sing looked pointedly at Joe. \u201cMr. Hoss never miss dinner.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cUm, Hop Sing, I won\u2019t be here for dinner tonight,\u201d Joe told the cook almost tentatively.<\/span><\/p>\n

Immediately, Hop Sing\u2019s nose went into the air. \u201cLittle Joe not like Hop Sing\u2019s cooking,\u201d he declared in an insulted voice. \u201cHop Sing not wanted. I leave.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNow calm down, Hop Sing,\u201d said Ben in a reasonable voice. \u201cI\u2019m sure Joe loves your cooking.\u201d Ben looked at his youngest son. \u201cDon\u2019t you?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOh, I love your cooking Hop Sing,\u201d agreed Joe, trying to hide a smile. \u201cI think it\u2019s the best cooking on the Comstock. I wouldn\u2019t miss dinner if it wasn\u2019t something real important, I promise you.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Looking mollified, Hop Sing nodded. \u201cYou eat big breakfast,\u201d he ordered Joe. \u201cEat good so you not get thin and sick.\u201d With that remark, Hop Sing turned and walked into the kitchen, mumbling in Chinese as left the dinning room.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cPa, I bet you never figured you were hiring a mother hen as well as a cook when you took on Hop Sing,\u201d said Joe with a chuckled.<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben didn\u2019t answer. He was watching as Hoss emptied half the platter of eggs onto his plate. \u201cHoss, would you mind leaving something for the rest of us to eat?\u201d he asked in an aggravated tone of voice.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat?\u201d replied Hoss. \u201cOh, yeah, sorry, Pa.\u201d He quickly handed the platter to Ben.<\/span><\/p>\n

After filling his plate, Ben handed the platter down the table toward Adam. \u201cNow, what\u2019s this about missing dinner tonight?\u201d asked Ben as he began to eat.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI want to go into Virginia City,\u201d replied Joe as he continued to eat. \u201cI\u2019ll have dinner there.\u201d Joe glanced at his father. \u201cIf that\u2019s all right with you.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOf course, it\u2019s all right with me,\u201d Ben agreed in an indulgent voice. \u201cIf you\u2019ve finished checking the north pasture,\u201d he added in a sterner tone.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYep, all done,\u201d Joe answered. \u201cThe only water hole that\u2019s low is the small one near Granite Point. We probably should dig that one deeper,\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s so important about going into Virginia City?\u201d asked Adam curiously. \u201cOn a Wednesday night, I wouldn\u2019t imagine much is happening.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOh, I just want to see something,\u201d Joe explained vaguely.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSee what, little brother?\u201d asked Hoss.<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe sighed. He had hoped that he wouldn\u2019t have to explain to his brothers about the medicine show, but he knew they would question and probe until they found out why he was going to town. \u201cThere\u2019s a traveling show opening tonight. I thought I\u2019d go in and see it.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cA show,\u201d said Adam with a frown. \u201cI didn\u2019t see anything about a show opening at the Opera House.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell, it\u2019s not exactly at the Opera House,\u201d Joe admitted.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat kind of show isn\u2019t presented at the Opera House?\u201d pressed Adam.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cUm, well, it\u2019s kind of a medicine show,\u201d said Joe in a low a voice.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cA medicine show?\u201d exclaimed Hoss. \u201cWhy do you want to see a medicine show, Joe?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Looking down at his plate, Joe didn\u2019t answer. He simply forked another bit of egg into his mouth.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOh,\u201d said Adam as realization came to him. \u201cThere\u2019s a girl in the show. A pretty one, I\u2019ll bet.\u201d He looked at Joe with a puzzled expression. \u201cBut how\u2019d you find out about it? You haven\u2019t been in town for a week?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Shrugging his shoulders, Joe tried to look unconcerned. \u201cTheir wagon broke down on the Virginia City road. I happened across them on the way to the north pasture. I helped them fix the wagon and they invited me to the show.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAnd met a pretty little gal in the process,\u201d added Hoss with a grin. \u201cJoe, how did you manage to find a pretty girl in the middle of nowhere?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJust a talent, I guess, \u201c replied Joe with a grin.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019d watch yourself around those people,\u201d Adam warned his brother. \u201cThose medicine shows are filled with con men and hucksters. You better make sure this girl doesn\u2019t pick you pocket before you leave town.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cShe\u2019s not like that!\u201d said Joe defensively.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOh?\u201d Adam replied. \u201cAnd just how do you know that?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cShe\u2019s a nice girl,\u201d Joe stated. But even to his ears, his reply sounded a bit lame. \u201cShe dances in the show, that\u2019s all.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDances in the show,\u201d repeated Adam. \u201cAnd what else?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAdam, you\u2019re accusing this girl of something when you don\u2019t even know her,\u201d said Joe heatedly.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAnd you\u2019re trusting this girl when you don\u2019t even know her,\u201d replied Adam. \u201cA pretty face and a sweet smile doesn\u2019t mean she\u2019s not a con artist.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAll right, all right,\u201d interrupted Ben, hoping to forestall an argument. He turned toward his oldest son. \u201cAdam, you know better than to label someone you haven\u2019t even met.\u201d Adam looked down at his plate, chastised by his father\u2019s words. Ben turned back to Joe. \u201cAs for you, Joe, I would suggest you get to know this girl before you start her side against your brother.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s just what I plan to do,\u201d agreed Joe with an impish smile.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHow late do you think you\u2019ll be tonight?\u201d Ben tried to make the question sound as casual as possible.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know,\u201d admitted Joe. \u201cI\u2019m going to see the show and I hope Beth will let me take her to supper.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBeth?\u201d asked Ben with a cocked eyebrow.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s the girl,\u201d said Joe. His eyes took on a faraway look as Joe remembered the meeting with Beth yesterday. \u201cShe\u2019s got the bluest eyes I\u2019ve ever seen,\u201d added Joe softly.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cTry not to make it too late,\u201d advised Ben, trying to hide a smile at what he considered to be Joe\u2019s latest infatuation. \u201cWe have a full day of work tomorrow.\u201d Ben looked around the table and saw the plates in front of his sons were empty. \u201cIn fact, we have a full day of work today, also. I suggest we all get busy.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

***************<\/span><\/p>\n

It didn\u2019t take Joe long to find the building on the edge of town where Harris was staging his show. The milling crowd and the squeals of delighted children led him right to the old warehouse. Joe had stabled his horse, betting that he would be in town for quite awhile. Now he walked up the street of Virginia City toward the building where Harris and Company were performing.<\/span><\/p>\n

As he walked, Joe did a mental check on his appearance. Clean white shirt, polished boots, new tan pants, and brushed green jacket were all ticked off in his mind. He had endured the gentle kidding from Hoss on his \u201cduded up\u201d look before he left the house, as well as the reminder from his father not to stay out too late. Adam hadn\u2019t said a word. His oldest brother had just looked at Joe and shook his head. Joe had felt irritated with all of them. He hated it when his family treated him as if he were 12 instead of 22. But his irritation had been quickly forgotten as he rode to town. A pretty girl with black hair and blue eyes were all that was on Joe\u2019s mind right now.<\/span><\/p>\n

As he approached the building, Joe could see a small stand surrounded by children. Puppets were performing on the top of the stand, obviously manipulated by the diminutive Bob from behind. Several adults stood on the edge of the circle of children, laughing indulgently as the puppets amused the younger members of the audience. Harris was standing a few feet from the puppets, near a table covered with bottles. As Joe walked up, Harris was just beginning his spiel. Joe heard him begin to extol the wonders of the \u201cmedicine\u201d within the bottles.<\/span><\/p>\n

Standing a few feet away, Joe watched and listened for a minute. Harris was a smooth talker, and he could see several of the adults looking interested. Occasionally, Bob would interrupt Harris, making a comment or a joke in a high squeaky voice that seemed to come from one of the puppets. Both the children and their parents laughed at the jibes. Joe could tell it was a well rehearsed act, designed to keep the audience from getting restless.<\/span><\/p>\n

Skirting the crowd, Joe walked toward the door of the building. Harris spotted him as he walked by. The pitchman acknowledged Joe with a short nod and a smile, but continued his smooth talk. Joe smiled briefly at Harris and continued toward the building.<\/span><\/p>\n

A large poster with the drawing of a dancing girl was tacked to the wall near the door of the building. The girl was dressed in an exotic outfit \u2013 full red pants, a gold top and a bare midriff in between. A veil covered the girl\u2019s face, showing only a pair of eyes. Her body was twisted in a seductive pose, with hands twined over her head. \u201cThe Dance of Salome\u201d was written in bold letters across the top of the poster. The poster was old, worn and crinkled from much used. Nevertheless, Joe stopped and stared at the picture.<\/span><\/p>\n

He couldn\u2019t see any resemblance to Beth in the girl on the poster. It was either a drawing of someone else or just a representation of a girl dancing. But Joe\u2019s eyes got a gleam in them as he looked at the poster. The dancing girl looked seductive and welcoming. A warm feeling ran through Joe as he pictured Beth in the same pose.<\/span><\/p>\n

Someone brushed Joe\u2019s arm as they passed him, waking him from his daydream. Joe hurried toward the door of the building.<\/span><\/p>\n

The tall man, Frank, was standing near the door selling tickets to the show. Frank\u2019s face lighted up with a smile as he saw Joe approaching.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell, well, hello there, Mr. Joe,\u201d said Frank in genuine pleasure. His voice had a trace of a cockney accent. \u201cGlad you could make it to our show. I\u2019ll be sure to tell Beth you are here.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHello, Frank,\u201d Joe greeted the man in return. Joe started to dig into his jacket for some coins. \u201cHow much?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Frank held up his hand. \u201cNormally, it\u2019s two bits, but for you, no charge. Bert said you were to get in free anytime you came.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThanks,\u201d replied Joe, with a nod.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cGo right on in,\u201d continued Frank, sweeping his arm toward the door. \u201cTake a seat in the third row center. That\u2019s where you can see best.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThanks again,\u201d said Joe, and he walked into the building.<\/span><\/p>\n

A small stage had been assembled at the front of the building. Benches were scattered around the stage, six or seven rows deep. About twenty men were seated on the benches in various places. Joe saw only a few women. The poster on the building made it clear what to expect in the show, so very few women had bought tickets. The few that did had their hands firmly around their escorts\u2019 arms.<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe nodded hello to a few people he recognized as he made his way to the front of the benches. He took Frank\u2019s advice and found a seat on the middle bench in the third row.<\/span><\/p>\n

As he waited for the show to begin, Joe looked around. The stage was nothing more than a platform, raised a few feet off the ground. A curtain was draped to the side, tied to a rope that hung from the ceiling, and slanting down to a far wall. Joe assumed that the curtain was used to create a \u201cbackstage area\u201d. The cloth looked frayed and worn. At one time, it must have been a deep red, but now the color was faded to a dull rust. Small patches were clearly visible throughout the cloth.<\/span><\/p>\n

Lamps scattered around the platform lit the stage. The lamps were widely spaced, and two or three didn\u2019t seem to be working. The platform was covered with a mottling of light and dark areas from the uneven lighting.<\/span><\/p>\n

The audience hummed with low talk and a few loud laughs. Joe wondered how long he would to wait for the show to start. He had a feeling that the people around him would get restless very soon. Joe was already getting anxious for the show to start, but his reason wasn\u2019t boredom.<\/span><\/p>\n

Harris had the timing of a veteran performer. Just as the crowd seemed to have reached the limits of their patience, Harris bounded onto the stage from behind the curtain, greeting the audience with a loud, \u201cWelcome friends!\u201d Every head in the audience immediately turned toward the stage.<\/span><\/p>\n

Beginning the show, Harris sang a song filled with bawdy lyrics that brought laughter from the crowd. Even Joe felt himself smiling. Harris moved around the platform as he sang, his voice loud and slightly off key. He finished with a flourish, and bowed to the applause.<\/span><\/p>\n

As Harris exited, Frank came on stage. He had a banjo in his hands, and immediately began playing. He stopped to tell a few jokes, only some of which drew laughter. He played the banjo a bit more, then began to dance. His long legs bent and moved into seemingly impossible steps, causing the crowd to whistle and clap in appreciation. Frank kicked his legs high into the air as he began strumming the banjo again. The crowd cheered as he moved around the stage. He finished with a series of quick, high kicks. Frank strummed the banjo quickly as he bowed to the applause.<\/span><\/p>\n

Next Harris returned to the stage, this time holding a bottle in his hand. He once again began to talk about his wonderful medicine, and reminding the audience they could purchase a bottle on their way out of the building. Harris was brief; he knew he could only hold the crowd\u2019s attention for a few minutes. He walked to the edge of the stage and handed the bottle to someone behind the curtain. Then showman moved to the middle of the platform.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAnd now, ladies and gentlemen, the star of our show,\u201d announced Harris. \u201cThe lovely Fatima will dance the dance of Salome. This dance is thousands of years old, and is known by only a few artists in the world. It is said to have so inflamed the passions of King Herod that he promised Salome anything she wanted in the world. You are indeed among the privileged few who will see this dance performed once more. I give you the lovely Fatima!\u201d Harris spread his arms toward the curtain and slowly backed off the stage.<\/span><\/p>\n

A low, wailing sound came from the side of the stage. Joe, as well as the rest of the audience, hadn\u2019t noticed Frank slipping from behind the curtain and standing to the side of the platform. Now Frank began to play a long, black clarinet. The music was exotic, almost eerie.<\/span><\/p>\n

Frank had played for only a few seconds when a figure emerged from the curtain, stepping lightly toward the middle of the stage. She was dressed in the red harem pants depicted on the poster. The pants hugged her waist and hips tightly, then flared out around her legs. The bottom of the pants were tied around her ankles. Gold slippers covered the girl\u2019s feet.<\/span><\/p>\n

As in the poster, the girl\u2019s midriff was bare. But instead of a gold top, the dancer wore a red vest-like covering. The red top had a silky look, and hugged the girl\u2019s breasts tightly. The vest was cut low, meeting in a v just above the breasts. Sleeves of gauzy white material covered the dancer\u2019s arms, billowing as she moved.<\/span><\/p>\n

The girl\u2019s black hair was braided and coiled around her head. Gold ornaments were stuck in the braids, surrounding the dancer\u2019s head and giving the impression that she was wearing a crown. Thin strands of gold chain hung across her forehead, the ends of the chain evidently attached to the braids. A veil covered the dancer\u2019s face. Only her eyes were visible.<\/span><\/p>\n

At first, Joe couldn\u2019t believe the girl on stage was the same girl he met on the road. The girl he remembered seemed sweet and pleasant. The dancer seemed exotic and seductive. But then he saw her eyes, her deep blue eyes, peeking over the veil and there was no doubt in Joe\u2019s mind that the dancer was Beth.<\/span><\/p>\n

As the clarinet wailed, the girl began to move in the middle of the stage. Her arms waved slowly, and her hips began to sway. The movements were in perfect time to the music.<\/span><\/p>\n

The beat of the music changed, and the wailing turned into a slow melody. The dancer moved across the stage, and began to dance.<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe watched in fascination as Beth moved across the stage. Her dance was a combination of ballet steps and slow waltz movements. Occasionally, she would stop and move her hips seductively before moving on to the next series of steps. Joe held his breath as he watched her move with grace and ease.<\/span><\/p>\n

The music began to pick up a faster beat, and Beth moved in quicker steps. Her feet seemed to cross and uncross. Her left foot came up to her right knee as her body turned and her hands bent at the wrists, pointing to something to her side. She kicked out her leg and twirled. As she landed, her left leg bent slightly while her right leg was stretched out behind her. Beth\u2019s arms raised slowly until they were above her head, and she twisted her hands slowly around.<\/span><\/p>\n

The audience watched in silence as Beth dropped her arms and brought her legs together. She turned slowly to face the audience, dropping her head a bit and coming to the front of the stage in swaying movements. She brought her hands together as if in prayer and bowed, then took several steps back.<\/span><\/p>\n

Beth stood on the point of her toe in the center of the stage, and began to spin. The movement caused her pants and sleeves to billow out even more. Three quick turns finished the move. She then swayed her hips seductively again as she reached out her arms, as if pleading for something. The music got louder as her pleas seemed to become almost desperate. With a sudden movement, she pulled her arms to her back, an action which thrust her breasts forward. She held the pose for only an instant. Beth twisted her right leg over her left, and with a spinning movement, collapsed to the stage in a heap. Her hands dropped to her side and her chin fell to her chest. Beth stayed in her huddled pose as the music came to an end.<\/span><\/p>\n

The men in the crowd began to shout and whistle in appreciation as they realized the dance was over. Several jumped to their feet as they clapped and whistled. Joe found himself clapping so hard that his hands and arms hurt.<\/span><\/p>\n

Uncoiling herself from the middle of the stage, Beth walked slowly forward. She brought her hands together in the prayer pose as she bowed to acknowledge the applause. Her eyes seemed to be searching the crowd as she bowed. Beth\u2019s eyes stopped moving as she saw the handsome face she sought. She bowed again, this time in Joe\u2019s direction. The veil hid the girl\u2019s face so Joe wasn\u2019t sure if she was smiling at him. But the crinkles around her eyes led him to believe she was.<\/span><\/p>\n

Beth backed slowly from the front of the stage to the center, then turned to glide behind the curtain. The whistles, shouts and applause continued until she had disappeared.<\/span><\/p>\n

Immediately Harris bounded back onto the stage. The audience greeted him with a chorus of good natured boo\u2019s. Harris smiled, expecting the audience\u2019s unhappiness that he and not the dancer was now center stage. He began to sing again, and this time, his song was a lively tune that praised the benefits of his \u201cmedicine\u201d.<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe watched Harris perform but his attention wasn\u2019t on the stage. He was counting the minutes to himself, trying to figure how long it might take Beth to change out of her costume. About five minutes had passed when Joe decided he couldn\u2019t wait any longer. Harris was still singing as Joe slipped out the row of benches and headed for the door of the building.<\/span><\/p>\n

Once outside the door, Joe hesitated. He realized he wasn\u2019t sure where Beth might be. He didn\u2019t know if there was a room behind the curtain or if she left the building to return to the wagon. And he didn\u2019t know where the wagon was.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cShe\u2019s in the wagon, \u2018round the side of the building,\u201d a voice a Joe\u2019s elbow said.<\/span><\/p>\n

Turning, Joe saw Bob setting up some bottles on a table near the door. Bob cocked his head, indicating the direction that Joe should go. Joe nodded briefly and headed around the building.<\/span><\/p>\n

The gaudy red wagon was parked toward the back of the building, the traces facing away from the structure. Joe figured the building must have some type of back door so Beth could slip out of it and go directly to the wagon.<\/span><\/p>\n

As he neared the wagon, Joe saw he wasn\u2019t the only man interested in the garish vehicle. Someone was knocking on the door of the wagon and calling for \u201cMiss Fatima\u201d. Walking closer, Joe recognized the man as Jack Slater, one of the new hands from the Flying M ranch. Slater was about Joe\u2019s age, and from what Joe had heard, the hand was building himself quite a reputation as a \u201cladies man.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMiss Fatima! Miss Fatima!\u201d cried Slater as he pounded harder on the wagon door. \u201cPlease open up. I sure would like to meet you.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cGo away,\u201d came a muffled response from within the wagon.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBut Miss Fatima, you haven\u2019t even seen me,\u201d said Slater with a confidence air. \u201cI\u2019m sure you would like me if you saw me.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cGo away!\u201d the muffled voice repeated.<\/span><\/p>\n

Strolling up to the wagon, Joe stopped a few feet behind Slater. \u201cJack, why don\u2019t you go what the lady asks and leave,\u201d he suggested.<\/span><\/p>\n

Slater turned in surprise. \u201cCartwright! I should have figured you\u2019d be here. Well, you\u2019re too late. I got here first. I\u2019m taking the lady out.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSeems like the lady doesn\u2019t want to go out with you,\u201d stated Joe in a even voice.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cA gal who dances like that?\u201d Slater declared almost incredulously. \u201cShoot, she\u2019ll go out with the first fellow who comes calling, and that\u2019s me.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe clenched his fists in anger. \u201cI think you\u2019d better leave, Jack,\u201d said Joe in a menacing tone. \u201cThe lady already has plans for the evening, and they don\u2019t include you.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Surprise followed by anger crossed Slater\u2019s face. \u201cOh, so that\u2019s how it is,\u201d he sneered. \u201cShe\u2019s going to get a piece of the rich boy first. Well, fine. When she\u2019s finished with you, she\u2019ll come looking for a real man. I\u2019ll be around when that time comes.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Grabbing Slater of the front his shirt, Joe pulled the man away from the wagon. \u201cI asked you to leave,\u201d said Joe in an angry voice.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJoe, let him go!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Both Slater and Joe turned toward the voice. Beth was standing in the door of the wagon. She was wearing a simple print dress with a scoop neckline and her hair was hanging loose around her shoulders. There was no evidence of \u201cFatima\u201d who had danced so seductively only minutes before.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJoe, please, I don\u2019t want any trouble,\u201d pleaded Beth. \u201cLet him go.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Releasing his hold on Slater\u2019s shirt, Joe gave the man a shove. \u201cGet out of here, Slater,\u201d growled Joe.<\/span><\/p>\n

Slater looked to Beth and then to Joe. \u201cI see how things are,\u201d he said in a sullen voice. The cowboy pulled his hat down lower on his forehead. \u201cI\u2019m leaving. But this ain\u2019t over. This ain\u2019t over by no means.\u201d Slater whirled and stalked away from the way.<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe watched Slater walk away. He took a deep breath, to both cool his anger as well as clear his head. He didn\u2019t want to repeat his performance on the road when he had managed to say such stupid things. Joe turned and flashed a smile at Beth. \u201cHello, Beth,\u201d he said gently. \u201cHow about that dinner.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOh, Joe, I\u2019m so sorry,\u201d replied Beth in dismay as she swung herself down from the wagon. \u201cI\u2019ve caused trouble for you. Now that man is angry with you.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSlater? Don\u2019t worry about him,\u201d answered Joe with a careless shrug. \u201cHe\u2019s all talk.\u201d Joe moved closer to Beth. \u201cHe\u2019s not a man of action, like I am.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

At first, Beth looked almost frightened by Joe\u2019s words. But then she saw the twinkle in his eye and she burst into laughter.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSo, how about it?\u201d asked Joe, when Beth\u2019s laughter subsided. \u201cDinner?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know, Joe,\u201d replied Beth hesitantly. She looked around, almost as if she expected to see someone.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAre you expecting someone else?\u201d asked Joe, the disappointment evident in his voice.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOh, no,\u201d Beth assured him quickly. \u201cIt\u2019s just that, well, I\u2019m not sure if\u2026I\u2019m just not sure.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m perfectly harmless,\u201d Joe told the girl solemnly. Then a smile crossed his face. \u201cLook, I\u2019m hungry and I\u2019m sure you\u2019re hungry. We both have to eat. Seems silly for us both to eat alone.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

A wry smile crossed Beth\u2019s lips. \u201cI could use a bite,\u201d she admitted. She cocked her head and looked at Joe, her smile widening. \u201cYou do look rather harmless. I suppose I could survive having dinner with you.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNot exactly the ringing endorsement I had hoped for,\u201d replied Joe with a grin. He held out his arm. \u201cMiss Fatima.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Beth took his arm. \u201cI really dislike that name,\u201d she said with a shake of her head. \u201cBert thought it up. He thinks it sounds romantic or something. I think it sounds kind of silly.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat is your name?\u201d asked Joe as he walked with Beth toward the front of the building.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBeth.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYes, but Beth what?\u201d pressed Joe.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBeth will do for now,\u201d she replied in airy tone.<\/span><\/p>\n

Sighing, Joe led Beth through the crowd of people who were exiting the building. The show was over, and people were spilling out onto the street. A few stopped to buy a bottle of Harris’ elixir, but not many. No one paid any attention to the girl clinging to Joe\u2019s arm.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo one recognizes you,\u201d commented Joe as they passed through the crowd.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s just the way I like it,\u201d replied Beth. \u201cThat\u2019s why I wear the veil and that outlandish costume. No one would ever know it\u2019s me up on that stage.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI knew it was you,\u201d said Joe softly.<\/span><\/p>\n

Beth looked at Joe in surprise.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAh, how about dinner at the hotel?\u201d suggested Joe quickly. \u201cThe food is pretty good.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe hotel is a bit\u2026public,\u201d said Beth in a hesitant voice. \u201cCouldn\u2019t we go someplace where\u2019s there no so many people around?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSure,\u201d replied Joe in surprise. He thought for a minute. \u201cPolly Morgan has a little caf\u00e9 over on A street. It\u2019s small and this time of night, I doubt if there will be more than one or two people in there. Polly\u2019s meals are simple but they taste great.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cPerfect,\u201d said Beth enthusiastically. She tightened her hand on Joe\u2019s arm and moved a bit closer to him.<\/span><\/p>\n

The two walked in a comfortable silence toward Polly\u2019s caf\u00e9 a block or two away. Beth looked around, as if she was seeing Virginia City for the first time. Joe couldn\u2019t take his eye\u2019s off Beth.<\/span><\/p>\n

All too soon \u2013 at least in Joe\u2019s mind \u2013 the couple came to a building with a small sign proclaiming simply \u201cPolly\u2019s Caf\u00e9\u201d. A bell tinkled as Joe pushed the door open for Beth.<\/span><\/p>\n

The restaurant was small, no more than a half a dozen tables covered with checked tablecloths. All six of the tables were empty.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJoe Cartwright!\u201d exclaimed a large woman wearing an apron as she came into the dining room from a rear door. The woman was in her forties, and her face was glowing with pleasure. \u201cHow nice to see you!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHello, Polly,\u201d replied Joe with a smile. He looked around the empty caf\u00e9. \u201cYou still open?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI am for you and your lady friend,\u201d Polly declared. Her smile was both indulgent and maternal. \u201cI\u2019m always open for you.\u201d She turned to Beth. \u201cHello, dear. Please sit down and make yourself at home.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Beth and Joe seated themselves at a table in the middle of the caf\u00e9 as Polly brought over napkins and silverware. As she set the table, Polly smiled. She could see the look of fascination on Joe\u2019s face as he stared at the girl across the table from him. \u201cThat girl\u2019s got him hooked already,\u201d she said to herself. She wondered who the girl was. Polly thought she knew just about everyone in Virginia City, but the girl with Joe was a stranger.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNow, I have some nice ham and green beans I can bring you, \u201c announced Polly in a brisk voice. \u201cAnd I\u2019ve just made some biscuits. How does that sound?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cFine,\u201d agreed Joe in a distracted voice. He was still looking into Beth\u2019s eyes. He would have agreed to cut glass and sand if Polly had suggested it. Joe had no idea what he was going to be served for dinner.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThat sounds lovely,\u201d replied Beth in a gracious voice. \u201cI hope we\u2019re not putting you out.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNot at all, dear,\u201d Polly answered. \u201cYou two just make yourselves comfortable while I dish up your dinner. I\u2019ll put on a pot of fresh coffee for you, too.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou have the bluest eyes I\u2019ve ever seen,\u201d said Joe as Polly left the room.<\/span><\/p>\n

Beth blushed a bit. \u201cThank you,\u201d she replied. She grinned impishly. \u201cYou have nice eyes, too.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

With a twinkle in his eyes, Joe continued. \u201cYour hair is so thick and pretty when it\u2019s down like that.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Beth quickly fell into a teasing mood. \u201cNow that you have your hat off, I can see you have lovely hair also.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYour face lights up when you smile,\u201d said Joe grinning.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou have a wonderful smile,\u201d replied Beth with a grin.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAnd you dance so wonderfully,\u201d added Joe, his grin widening.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2026\u201d Beth suddenly stopped in confusion. \u201cYou ride your horse nicely,\u201d she finished lamely.<\/span><\/p>\n

Both Beth and Joe burst into laughter at the comment and their silly little game. Polly came back into the room carrying two plates, and looked at the two young people who were giggling at the table. \u201cWhat\u2019s so funny?\u201d she asked as she set the plates in front of them.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cPolly, I can\u2019t begin to explain,\u201d said Joe, still laughing.<\/span><\/p>\n

Polly shook her head as she headed back to the kitchen. She returned in only a minute with a plate of biscuits, a pot of coffee and two cups. She set everything on the table, then took a step back. \u201cI\u2019ve got some dishes to wash, so if you need anything else, just yell.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Beth nodded and began to eat. Joe simply looked at the girl across the table and grinned. Polly shook her head and left the table.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAren\u2019t you going to eat?\u201d asked Beth as she began to cut the ham slice on her plate into small pieces.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat?\u201d answered Joe in a startled voice. \u201cOh, yeah, I\u2019m going to eat.\u201d He also started cutting his ham. \u201cWhere did you ever learn to dance like that?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIf I told you, you wouldn\u2019t believe me,\u201d said Beth, mysteriously. \u201cTell me about your ranch. Bert says your family has the biggest ranch in Nevada.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

For the next hour, Joe talked about the Ponderosa, his family, his life on the ranch, and even his pinto Cochise. Beth asked questions and seemed interested in his answers. But every time, Joe asked Beth a question, she neatly sidestepped it, and brought the conversation back to Joe.<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe didn\u2019t even realize he had eaten when Polly came back through the door to collect the plates. \u201cCan I get you two some pie,\u201d suggested Polly as she picked up the dishes.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNot for me,\u201d said Beth with a smile. \u201cBut the dinner was excellent. Thank you.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Studying the girl, Polly asked, \u201cAre you new in town, dear? I don\u2019t think I\u2019ve seen you around here before.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m just passing through,\u201d replied Beth vaguely.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWill you be here long?\u201d asked Polly, her curiosity piqued.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ll be leaving on Monday,\u201d Beth answered.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOh, you\u2019re here with your family?\u201d suggested Polly.<\/span><\/p>\n

Beth gave a small sigh. \u201cNo, I\u2019m with the traveling show that\u2019s performing here this week.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOh, I see,\u201d said Polly. Suddenly the image of the poster she had seen flashed into Polly\u2019s mind. \u201cOh,\u201d she repeated with a frown. \u201cYou\u2019re that\u2026dancer.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYes,\u201d admitted Beth in a small voice.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAnd she dances wonderfully,\u201d added Joe with a smile.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHmm, yes,\u201d said Polly in a tight voice. \u201cI\u2019ll just clear these away.\u201d Polly quickly left the room.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m afraid she doesn\u2019t approve of my dancing,\u201d said Beth in a sad voice.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cShe hasn\u2019t seen you dance,\u201d countered Joe. \u201cI have. And I certainly approve.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Polly bustled back into the room and put a slip of paper on the table. \u201cThat\u2019ll be four dollars,\u201d she stated in a tight voice.<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe reached into his pocket and pulled out a five dollar piece. \u201cHere, Polly,\u201d he said, putting the coin on the table. \u201cKeep the change.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Both Beth and Joe pushed back their chairs and stood to leave. As Beth walked toward the door, Polly grabbed Joe\u2019s arm. \u201cJoe, do you what kind of girl she is?\u201d hissed Polly in a low voice.<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe patted Polly\u2019s hand. \u201cI do, Polly,\u201d he said in a soft voice. \u201cShe\u2019s a very nice girl.\u201d Joe gently removed Polly\u2019s hand and walked to the door where Beth was waiting. As the couple walked out the door, Polly shook her head and frowned.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cPolly doesn\u2019t approve of me,\u201d said Beth as she stood outside of the door of the caf\u00e9.<\/span><\/p>\n

Taking Beth\u2019s hand in his, Joe smiled. \u201cPolly doesn\u2019t know you. I do. And I definitely approve of you.\u201d Joe bent his head forward to kiss Beth, but she took a step back, avoiding the kiss.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s getting late,\u201d she said softly.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAll right,\u201d Joe acknowledged with a sigh. \u201cI\u2019ll walk you back to the hotel.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m not staying at the hotel,\u201d said Beth. \u201cI found a rooming house just down from the hotel.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMrs. O\u2019Brien\u2019s?\u201d said Joe in surprise.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYes, that\u2019s the one,\u201d replied Beth.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s not the best place to stay in Virginia City,\u201d Joe advised in a cautious voice.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBert finds the living quarters for us, and he can\u2019t afford to get fancy hotel rooms for us. Besides, it\u2019s clean and it\u2019s private. That\u2019s all that matters to me,\u201d Beth answered with a shrug.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cFor someone who dances in public, you sure like your privacy,\u201d said Joe with a puzzled expression.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat I do on stage has nothing to do with my life off stage,\u201d explained Beth. \u201cI don\u2019t like being around a lot of people.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t get it,\u201d admitted Joe. \u201cYou don\u2019t seem to mind all the people at the show.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe people at the show can\u2019t see my face, and they think they are looking at the lovely Fatima,\u201d Beth explained. She shivered a bit. \u201cIt\u2019s getting cool.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe took the hint and started down the street, his hand still holding Beth\u2019s. As they walked down the almost deserted street, Beth seemed to be watching and looking for something. Joe noticed her distracted air, but didn\u2019t comment.<\/span><\/p>\n

The couple stopped in front a large house with a sign in the window announcing \u201cRooms to Let\u201d. Beth nodded toward the door. \u201cThis is where I\u2019m staying.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll see you to your room,\u201d suggested Joe.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThat won\u2019t be necessary,\u201d said Beth quickly. She smiled. \u201cThank you for dinner. It was lovely.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cCan I take you to dinner tomorrow?\u201d asked Joe.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t think Polly will want to stay open for me tomorrow,\u201d Beth replied with a wry grin.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s other places to eat in Virginia City,\u201d said Joe. His face grew serious. \u201cPlease. Let me take you to dinner again tomorrow.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Beth hesitated, then smiled. \u201cAll right.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe bent forward for a kiss. This time, Beth didn\u2019t pull back but she turned her head slightly so that Joe\u2019s lips met her cheek. Joe looked at her with a questioning gaze.<\/span><\/p>\n

Beth looked back at Joe, her face sad and her eyes bright with tears. \u201cYou\u2019re sweet, Joe,\u201d was all she said. She reached up and stroked his cheek gently. Then Beth turned and walked quickly into the house.<\/span><\/p>\n

For several minutes, Joe just stared at the closed door. He was confused by Beth. She seemed to like him, and enjoy his company. But at the same time, she seemed afraid to let him get too close to her. He realized he didn\u2019t even know her last name.<\/span><\/p>\n

Taking a deep breath, Joe headed toward the stables. He promised himself that he would find out more about Beth tomorrow. As he thought about seeing Beth again tomorrow, Joe smiled.<\/span><\/p>\n

**************<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHow was the show?\u201d asked Ben as his youngest son slid into his chair at the table for breakfast the next morning.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt was good, Pa,\u201d Joe answered, reaching for the coffee pot. \u201cA lot better than most of the other medicine shows I\u2019ve seen. A lot of singing and dancing, and they even had some puppets for the kids.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAnd your young lady?\u201d Ben deliberately made the question ambiguous.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBeth and I had a dinner at Polly\u2019s after the show,\u201d replied Joe slowly, not quite sure how to answer his father\u2019s question. He poured himself a cup of coffee. \u201cWe had a good time.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat does Beth do in the show?\u201d pressed Ben<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cShe dances,\u201d said Joe. He sipped his coffee and didn\u2019t elaborate.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cCharlie and a couple of the boys from the bunkhouse saw the show last night,\u201d commented Adam. \u201cThey told me that there was a girl who did quite a dance in the show. According to them, it was a pretty risqu\u00e9 performance.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe looked at Adam in surprise. \u201cCharlie was at the show?\u201d He didn\u2019t remember seeing the veteran ranch hand at the old warehouse, but then Joe couldn\u2019t have named anyone who had been in the audience with him. He had had eyes only for Beth last night. \u201cBeth did a real nice dance,\u201d Joe added, feigning indifference.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNice isn\u2019t exactly the right word for what I heard she did on stage,\u201d said Adam, arching an eyebrow.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHow can you say that, Adam?\u201d demanded Joe heatedly. \u201cYou weren\u2019t even there.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo, I wasn\u2019t. But I heard Charlie describe it,\u201d replied Adam.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cCharlie would think a dancer was shocking if she showed her ankles,\u201d said Joe with a disgust. \u201cYou can\u2019t judge anything by what he says.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat are you getting all hot and bothered about, little brother?\u201d asked Hoss in a puzzled tone. \u201cYou saw her dance and you had dinner with her. A couple of days, she\u2019ll be gone. I don\u2019t see what difference it makes what Charlie said.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Looking down at his plate, Joe didn\u2019t reply. He couldn\u2019t explain why it was important to him what people thought of Beth. He only knew that it was. \u201cI\u2019m taking Beth to dinner again tonight,\u201d said Joe in a low voice.<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben looked at Joe in surprise. He had thought that Joe would spend an evening with the girl and that would be the end of it. But now he had the uneasy feeling that there was something more brewing between his youngest son and the girl from the medicine show. He wasn\u2019t sure he liked the idea of this budding romance. \u201cYou\u2019re having dinner with her again tonight?\u201d he asked, trying not to sound critical.<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe looked up at Ben. \u201cYes, I am,\u201d he answered in a voice that almost dared his father to object. \u201cIs there any reason why I shouldn\u2019t?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Sipping his coffee, Ben chose his words carefully. \u201cNo, there\u2019s no reason why you shouldn\u2019t. It\u2019s just that we have a lot of work to do getting that north pasture ready for the herd. I need a full day\u2019s work out of you.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019ll get it,\u201d declared Joe, his voice rising in anger. \u201cI do my share around here, you know.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t use that voice with me, young man,\u201d said Ben sharply. He felt his temper starting to rise and took a deep breath to calm himself. \u201cI just meant that I don\u2019t want you spreading yourself too thin,\u201d he continued in a more reasonable voice. \u201cWorking all day and going to Virginia City in the evening — that\u2019s burning the candle at both ends. Something is going to suffer. I just don\u2019t want it to be the Ponderosa.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Pursing his lips, Joe looked down at this plate again. Right now, a raven haired girl with blue eyes was much more important to him than the north pasture. But Joe knew better than to say that to his father.<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe took a bite of toast and chewed it slowly. \u201cDon\u2019t worry, Pa,\u201d he said in what he hoped was a normal voice. \u201cI\u2019ll get my work done.\u201d He looked up again at Ben, and this time his expression was almost pleading. \u201cBut I promised Beth I\u2019d take her to dinner tonight. I have to go to town. I can\u2019t just not show up.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Looking at the earnest expression on Joe\u2019s face, Ben felt himself relenting. \u201cIf you told her you would be there, I suppose you have to go. But,\u201d Ben\u2019s voice grew stern. \u201cI think it would be wise if you didn\u2019t make any plans for tomorrow night.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Sipping his coffee, Joe didn\u2019t answer. He had every intention of seeing Beth tomorrow night. However, he didn\u2019t think it was wise to tell his father that just yet.<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam and Hoss glanced at each other, both trying to figure out what to say. Finally, Hoss\u2019 face showed a wry smile.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJoe, if you\u2019re going to have dinner in town, will you do me one favor?\u201d asked Hoss.<\/span><\/p>\n

Looking up in surprise, Joe said, \u201cSure. What?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWill you wait until the rest of us are out of the house before you tell Hop Sing you won\u2019t be here again for dinner?\u201d said Hoss with a grin.<\/span><\/p>\n

*************************<\/span><\/p>\n

It was well past seven when Joe rode into Virginia City. He had been kept busy working in the north pasture all day, and by the time he cleaned up, he knew he would miss the beginning of the show. Not that Joe really cared. There was only one act in the medicine show that Joe was interested in seeing again.<\/span><\/p>\n

As he turned over the reins of his horse to the stableman, Joe flexed the muscles in his shoulders. He was stiff from cutting weeds and thistles in the pasture all day. Joe suspected that his father had given him the worse job in cleaning up the pasture, hoping that Joe would be too tired at the end of the day to go to Virginia City. What his father didn\u2019t understand was that Joe would have gone to Virginia City if he had to crawl on his hands and knees.<\/span><\/p>\n

Bob, the small puppeteer, was standing by the door to the old warehouse as Joe walked up. He was setting up the table for the medicine bottles and selling tickets to any late arrivals. He smiled and gave a small wave as Joe approached him. \u201cGo on in, Joe,\u201d said Bob pointing toward the door. \u201cNo charge, of course.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Standing in the back of the building, Joe saw that Frank was just finishing his act. He waited impatiently for Beth to arrive on stage. Joe wondered a bit what he would think of Beth\u2019s dance when he saw it again. Adam\u2019s comments from breakfast nagged at him .<\/span><\/p>\n

When Beth finally arrived on stage, Joe tried to watch her dance with a critical eye. He didn\u2019t see anything particularly scandalous about the way the girl moved on stage. Joe decided that anyone who thought her moves were suggestive was looking for something to criticize. He didn\u2019t admit to himself, though, that his judgment might be colored by his feelings for the dancer.<\/span><\/p>\n

As soon as Beth finished her dance and bowed, Joe slipped out of the building and headed toward the wagon. After finding Slater at the wagon last night, Joe wanted to be sure he discouraged any other would-be suitors. He didn\u2019t want to take the chance that Beth might find someone else a more attractive dinner partner.<\/span><\/p>\n

As he turned the corner of the building, Joe had a brief glimpse of a red costume climbing into the wagon before the door shut. He took his time walking to the wagon, figuring Beth would need a little time to change. He was surprised when he knocked on the door to announce his arrival that Beth called out, \u201cBe there in a minute, Joe. I\u2019m almost ready.\u201d He was even more surprised when the door opened only a few minutes later, and Beth stepped out, dressed in a white blouse and dark skirt.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou know, you\u2019re amazing,\u201d said Joe with a smile as Beth climbed out of the wagon.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThank you,\u201d she replied with a smile. \u201cAny particular aspect of me you find particularly amazing?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI find all of you amazing,\u201d Joe declared, his face softening. Then he grinned. \u201cBut the fact that you can change clothes in under five minutes is truly astounding. You must be the only woman on earth who can do that.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cA trick I learned at school,\u201d explained Beth with a wide smile. \u201cI love to sleep late, and getting dressed in record time was the only thing that kept me from being late for class.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAt school?\u201d said Joe in surprise. \u201cWhere did you go to school?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

A frightened look crossed Beth\u2019s face. \u201cIt\u2019s not important,\u201d she replied quickly. \u201cForget I mentioned it.\u201d She grabbed Joe\u2019s arm and gave him a smile that seemed falsely bright. \u201cNow, where are you going to take me to dinner tonight.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Once more, Joe was struck by the fact that Beth seemed not to want to talk about herself. He wondered why briefly, but his curiosity quickly faded as he looked into the blue eyes that were gazing up at him. \u201cHave you ever eaten Chinese food?\u201d he asked. \u201cHop Sing, our cook, has a cousin that runs a small restaurant over on E Street. It\u2019s nice and private, just like you prefer, and the food is pretty good.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cChinese food?\u201d said Beth a bit doubtfully. Then she smiled. \u201cWell, I\u2019m willing to try anything once.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

In Joe\u2019s mind, the dinner was a rousing success. The restaurant was empty, just like Polly\u2019s caf\u00e9, at that late hour. Hop Sing\u2019s cousin made a special effort to ensure Joe and Beth enjoyed their dinner. He refused to show them a menu, and promised to bring them a dinner they would enjoy. Beth and Joe agreed that man was as good as his word as they savored the chicken with special sauce, rice and egg rolls.<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe couldn\u2019t remember when he enjoyed a meal more. He and Beth both laughed heartily at her attempts to eat with chopsticks before giving in to using a fork. They told each other silly stories. Beth talked of all the funny things that had happened to \u201cHarris and Company\u201d in their travels, and of the practical jokes she had played on Frank and Bob. Joe told of some the rather ridiculous situations he and his brothers had found themselves, many of which Joe had instigated. Both laughed at each other\u2019s stories and declared the other to be the most outrageous person they knew.<\/span><\/p>\n

Looking at Beth across the table, Joe couldn\u2019t help but wonder about her. He couldn\u2019t take his eyes off Beth, and Joe knew his feelings were growing stronger for a girl about whom he knew absolutely nothing.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBeth,\u201d said Joe with a shake of his head, \u201chow did a girl like you end up in a medicine show?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u0093You mean how did a nice girl like me end up in a place like this?\u201d replied Beth in a teasing tone. \u201cJoe, that\u2019s the oldest line in the book!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe\u2019s expression grew serious. \u201cNo, I really mean it. How did you hook up with Harris? And why a medicine show? I would think you would be a teacher or a dressmaker or something like that.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Looking away, Beth bit her lip and didn\u2019t answer. She seemed to be thinking about what to say. \u201cIt\u2019s a long story, Joe. I won\u2019t bore you with it.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI won\u2019t be bored, I promise,\u201d said Joe.<\/span><\/p>\n

Beth sat silently, then shook her head. \u201cNo, not tonight,\u201d she finally replied. \u201cI don\u2019t want to spoil a wonderful evening.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAll right,\u201d agreed Joe with a sigh. He smiled suddenly. \u201cYou know, I don\u2019t even know your last name. Will you at least tell me that?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s\u2026Johnson,\u201d said Beth in a hesitant voice. Then she grinned. \u201cBut you can call me Fatima if you\u2019d like.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe knew Johnson wasn\u2019t Beth\u2019s last name and that she was trying to distract him from talking about her. Once again, he wondered what secrets she was keeping. \u201cBeth\u2026\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJoe, it\u2019s getting late,\u201d Beth interrupted. \u201cWe best be going.\u201d She started to push back her chair.<\/span><\/p>\n

Grabbing her hand, Joe stopped Beth. \u201cBeth, you can trust me. If there\u2019s something wrong, tell me about it. Maybe I can help.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo one can help,\u201d said Beth with a catch in her voice. She looked at Joe almost sadly. \u201cI don\u2019t mean to sound melodramatic, but it\u2019s best if you don\u2019t get involved.\u201d Beth pulled her hand away from Joe, and pushed back her chair. \u201cI should be getting back to the rooming house.\u201d She stood and walked quickly to the door.<\/span><\/p>\n

Throwing some bills on the table, Joe hurried after Beth. He caught up with her as she stood outside the restaurant. She seemed to be scanning the street, her head turning as she checked the area around her.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBeth\u2026\u201d Joe tried again.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJoe, let it go. Please. Just walk me home,\u201d said Beth in an insistent voice.<\/span><\/p>\n

The two walked down the nearly deserted main street of Virginia City without speaking. Their silence was awkward, an invisible wall that separated them as they walked. The street was dark, lit only in small patches where lights shone through a window. Few people were on the street, and the only sound that could be heard was the distant tinkle of a piano from the saloon.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sorry I ruined your evening,\u201d Beth said, making the first dent in the wall after several long minutes of silence.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou couldn\u2019t ruin my evening,\u201d replied Joe. He reached over and took her hand, his grasp tentative. He was afraid she would pull away from him again. But Beth\u2019s hand tightened around his. \u201cYou might make me a little crazy sometimes,\u201d he added with a smile, trying to lighten the mood, \u201cbut how could I not enjoy an evening with the beautiful Fatima.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI bet you say that to all the girls who dance in medicine shows,\u201d teased Beth, her mood beginning to match Joe\u2019s.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOnly those who are brave enough to eat Chinese food with me,\u201d professed Joe solemnly.<\/span><\/p>\n

Beth laughed, and the frosty air that had surrounded the couple melted.<\/span><\/p>\n

Putting his hand lightly around Beth\u2019s waist, Joe pulled her closer. Beth didn\u2019t object.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat do you do all day?\u201d asked Joe curiously as the walked slowly toward the rooming house.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDo?\u201d said Beth in a puzzled voice.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI mean, what do you do when you\u2019re not dancing?\u201d clarified Joe. \u201cDo you spend time with Bert or Frank? Or what?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBert and the others are just\u2026the people I travel with,\u201d said Beth slowly. \u201cWhen we\u2019re in a town, I usually don\u2019t see them except when it\u2019s time for the show.\u201d Beth was silent for a moment. \u201cI really don\u2019t do much during the day. I usually stay in my room and read most of the time.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThat doesn\u2019t sound like much fun,\u201d commented Joe.<\/span><\/p>\n

Beth shrugged. \u201cI love books, Joe, especially the classics. Shakespeare, Chaucer, Hawthorne\u2026they\u2019re wonderful.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cRemind me to keep you away from my older brother Adam,\u201d said Joe, not entirely joking. \u201cYou two would get started on comparing books and I\u2019d never see you again.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t worry,\u201d Beth replied with a smile. \u201cI think I prefer having dinner with the youngest Cartwright to talking about books.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Grinning a bit smugly, Joe tightened his grip around Beth\u2019s waist. He felt a warm glow as her hand came up and rested on his back.<\/span><\/p>\n

The faint clop of an approaching horse broke the stillness of the night. Joe glanced up, barely noticing the rider coming toward the couple at a slow walk. If someone had asked him, all Joe could have described was a dark figure on a dark horse. To him, it was just another cowboy heading for home.<\/span><\/p>\n

But the rider evidently meant something to Beth. Joe could feel her body stiffen and hear the sharp intake of her breath. She practically dragged him a foot or so into the shadows of a narrow alley. Joe started to protest, but Beth silenced him by throwing her arms around his neck and placing her lips firmly against him.<\/span><\/p>\n

Circling Beth\u2019s body with his arms, Joe began to kiss her back. But instead of soft, yielding lips, Joe felt a taut mouth pressed against his. Joe expected her soft body to melt into his, but Beth remained stiff and rigid in his arms. He pulled her closer and pressed his lips harder against hers. Beth remained tense and unyielding.<\/span><\/p>\n

Pulling his head back, Joe looked at the girl with a frown. \u201cNot that I minded the kiss,\u201d he said in a puzzled voice, \u201cbut what was that all about\/\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Beth looked over Joe\u2019s shoulder, her eyes wide with fright, before answering. \u201cI\u2019m sorry,\u201d she answred softly. \u201cI\u2026I thought the rider was someone I knew.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWho?\u201d asked Joe, his frown deepening.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know his name,\u201d admitted Beth, her eyes still searching the street behind Joe. \u201cI just know he\u2019s looking for me.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Grabbing Beth around the shoulders, Joe forced her to look at him. \u201cWho is he?\u201d repeated Joe. \u201cWhy is he looking for you? Beth, what\u2019s going on?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDid it look like he was coming from the rooming house?\u201d asked Beth, ignoring Joe\u2019s questions.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know,\u201d admitted Joe. He gave me a small smile. \u201cI had my mind on other things.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

But Beth wasn\u2019t about to be distracted by his gentle jibes this time. \u201cHe must have been coming from the rooming house,\u201d she said in a voice full of panic. \u201cI\u2019ve got to move out of there right away. I\u2019ve got to find someplace else to stay.\u201d Her eyes started to fill with tears. \u201cI don\u2019t know where to go. I don\u2019t know where I can go so he can\u2019t find me.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Bursting into tears, Beth buried her head in Joe\u2019s shoulder. \u201cWhy?\u201d she sobbed. \u201cWhy did he have to show up now? I\u2019ve been so happy the last few days. Why did he have to come?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Stroking Beth\u2019s soft hair, Joe felt a number of emotions running through him. His heart soared with joy as Beth spoke of her happiness, but he was also moved by her tears and concerned at her obvious fright. \u201cIt\u2019ll be all right,\u201d crooned Joe softly, as he stroked her head. \u201cWe\u2019ll figure something out. Everything will be fine.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Taking a deep breath, Beth pulled back from Joe. She rubbed a finger under each eye, trying to dry her tears. \u201cI\u2019m sorry, Joe,\u201d she said with a sniff. \u201cI didn\u2019t mean to go to pieces like that.\u201d Beth swallowed hard and squared her shoulders. \u201cI\u2019ve got to get to the rooming house. I\u2019ve got to find someplace else to stay.\u201d She bit her lip. \u201cJoe, tell me where I can go. I don\u2019t know where to go.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhy don\u2019t you just come out and stay at the ranch?\u201d suggested Joe. \u201cWe\u2019ve got plenty of room.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo,\u201d said Beth quickly. \u201cI can\u2019t do that, Joe. I can\u2019t put you and your family at risk. I won\u2019t do that to you.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAt risk?\u201d repeated Joe. \u201cBeth, just what is going on?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Shaking her head, Beth said, \u201cJoe, I can\u2019t explain now. Please, just trust me. Help me find someplace in town to stay. Please help me.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAll right, all right,\u201d agreed Joe in a soothing voice. He thought for a moment. \u201cWhy don\u2019t you just move into the hotel?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Beth shook her head again. \u201cThat\u2019s no good. He\u2019d find me as soon as he took a look at the registration book. Besides, I can\u2019t afford it.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHe wouldn\u2019t find you if I signed the registration and paid for the room,\u201d said Joe.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI can\u2019t ask you to do that,\u201d Beth replied, lowering her eyes.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re not asking me,\u201d Joe stated firmly. \u201cI\u2019m offering. It\u2019s the best place for you. Besides, there\u2019s not another decent place for you to stay in Virginia City.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2026I don\u2019t know,\u201d said Beth hesitantly.<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe placed his finger under her chin and lightly lifted her head. \u201cWell, I do know,\u201d he declared with a small smile. \u201cLet\u2019s go down to the rooming house and get your things. I\u2019m moving you into the hotel.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

It took only a few minutes for Joe and Beth to walk rapidly to the rooming house. Joe waited by the door as Beth explained to an astonished Mrs. O\u2019Brien that she was moving out immediately. Her explanation of why was deliberately vague.<\/span><\/p>\n

As Beth rushed up the stairs to back her things, Mrs. O\u2019Brien turned to look at Joe standing by the door. She frowned and her eyes narrowed.<\/span><\/p>\n

Crushing his hat in his hands, Joe shifted her weight back and forth as he stood. He felt awkward and uncomfortable under Mrs. O\u2019Brien\u2019s icy glare. \u201cUm, nice weather we\u2019re having,\u201d said Joe trying to make small talk.<\/span><\/p>\n

Mrs. O\u2019Brien didn\u2019t answer. She continued to stare him with a look of suspicion on her face.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s really warm for this time of year,\u201d continued Joe nervously. He played with the hat in his hands, and his feet shuffled a bit.<\/span><\/p>\n

Mrs. O\u2019Brien simply crossed her arms and scowled at Joe.<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe fidgeted by the door for what seemed a lifetime before Beth hurried down the stairs. She had a small valise in her left hand, and her right arm was holding several books.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThank you for everything, Mrs. O\u2019Brien,\u201d Beth said in a rush as she hurried toward the door. \u201cI know Bert paid for the room through Monday. Please, just keep the money. It\u2019s the least I can offer you for your trouble.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou won\u2019t be needing the money to pay for another room?\u201d asked Mrs. O\u2019Brien, her scowl deepening.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo, no, I won\u2019t,\u201d Beth answered in a distracted voice as she handed her valise to Joe. \u201cCome on, Joe. Let\u2019s go.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

As Beth pulled open the door and walked out, Joe suddenly realized what Mrs. O\u2019Brien must be thinking. He opened his mouth to explain, but couldn\u2019t think of anything to say without revealing where Beth was going and why. And anything he said to Mrs. O\u2019Brien might be repeated and endanger Beth. Finally, Joe just shrugged and mumbled, \u201cGood night\u201d as he hurried out the door after Beth.<\/span><\/p>\n

Beth was already half-way up the street as Joe came out of the rooming house. He ran to catch up with her. \u201cBeth,\u201d he said as reached her, \u201cabout Mrs. O\u2019Brien\u2026\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat about her?\u201d replied Beth in a breathless voice as she turned to Joe. Even in the dim light of the street, Joe could see the fright in her eyes.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNothing,\u201d said Joe, putting his arm around Beth. \u201cLet\u2019s get to the hotel.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

As they neared the hotel, Beth suddenly stopped. \u201cI don\u2019t know if this is a good idea, Joe,\u201d she said in a doubtful tone. \u201cWalking through a crowded lobby everyday isn\u2019t exactly the way to stay out of sight.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t worry,\u201d Joe assured her. \u201cThere\u2019s a back staircase. I\u2019ll get you a room near that. And I\u2019ll make sure the hotel sends breakfast up to your room every morning.\u201d Joe smiled. \u201cI\u2019ll see that you get dinner every night.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The tension seemed to drain from Beth as she let out a sigh and her shoulders sagged a bit. \u201cThank you, Joe,\u201d she said softly. \u201cThank you for everything.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe pulled Beth toward him and hugged her tight. He kissed her lightly on the forehead as he released her. \u201cCome on. Let\u2019s get you settled.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The hotel lobby was deserted as Beth and Joe entered. Even the desk clerk was gone. \u201cWait here by the door,\u201d said Joe, dropping Beth\u2019s valise by her feet. Joe walked over to the desk and slapped a bell with his palm. The bell tinkled, making a seemingly loud noise in the quiet of the lobby.<\/span><\/p>\n

A door opened on the other side of the lobby and a man hurried out. He quickly crossed the lobby and walked behind the desk. \u201cHello, Joe,\u201d said the man. \u201cHow can I help you?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cVince, I need a room,\u201d replied Joe.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSure,\u201d replied Vince, his eyebrows rising in surprise. \u201cJust for the night?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo, I need it until Monday,\u201d explained Joe. \u201cIs that suite near the back stairs available?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Vince suddenly noticed Beth standing by the door. He looked at her and then back to Joe. \u201cUm, yes,\u201d answered Vince in a hesitant voice as he continued to glance at the girl a few feet away.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cGood,\u201d said Joe. He picked up the pen and the signed the registration book, then reached into his jacket. Joe slapped a $5 piece on the desk. It was all the money he had with him. \u201cI also want you to take breakfast up to the room every morning, too. This<\/span><\/p>\n

should cover the first day. I\u2019ll pay for the rest tomorrow.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJoe, breakfast shouldn\u2019t be too early,\u201d suggested Beth from the door.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, that\u2019s right,\u201d agreed Joe, remembering that Beth would be returning to the hotel late each evening. He turned to Vince. \u201cCan you have breakfast sent up late \u2013 maybe 9:30 or 10:00?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cUm, eh, sure,\u201d agreed Vince. He glanced at the girl. \u201cBreakfast for\u2026.how many?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJust one,\u201d said Joe. He gave the desk clerk a hard stare. Vince looked down at the register and nodded his understanding. \u201cAnd Vince, don\u2019t say anything to anyone about this,\u201d added Joe.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo, no, of course, not,\u201d agreed Vince. He bit his lip nervously. \u201cJoe, are you sure you want to do this?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sure,\u201d Joe answered in a firm voice. \u201cJust hand me the key.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Vince nodded, and turned to a shelf filled with pigeon holes behind him. He pulled a key out of one, and handed it to Joe. \u201cNumber 11,\u201d he said. \u201cTop of the stairs and all the way to the end of the hall.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI know where it is,\u201d Joe replied. He walked across the lobby to Beth, and picked up the valise. \u201cCome on,\u201d he said to her.<\/span><\/p>\n

As Joe escorted Beth up the stairs, Vince called after them. \u201cJoe, what should I tell your Pa if he asks about this?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t say anything to anyone,\u201d repeated Joe. \u201cEspecially my Pa and brothers.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Vince frowned at Joe\u2019s reply.<\/span><\/p>\n

***************<\/span><\/p>\n

Sprawled comfortably in the sofa in the sitting room of the suite, Joe waited for Beth to finish unpacking her things. Joe had told her that he wanted to wait until she was settled, to make sure everything was all right, before he left. That was only partially true. Joe was determined to get an explanation from Beth. He wasn\u2019t going to leave without one.<\/span><\/p>\n

A door opened to Joe\u2019s left. He looked over and smiled as Beth walked out of the bedroom. She smiled back at him, and walked over to the sofa. Beth lowered herself onto the sofa and settled her head comfortably on Joe\u2019s shoulder.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThis is the nicest room I\u2019ve had since\u2026well, since I\u2019ve been traveling with Bert,\u201d said Beth in a contented voice. She looked up at Joe. \u201cThank you,\u201d she said softly. \u201cThank you so much.\u201d She kissed Joe lightly on the cheek.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI like the way you say thank you,\u201d murmured Joe. He bent down and kissed Beth on the lips. This time, her mouth was soft and yielding. Joe\u2019s kiss was long and passionate.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019d better go, Joe,\u201d Beth suggested when the two finally parted. \u201cIt\u2019s getting late.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo,\u201d said Joe shaking his head. \u201cI\u2019m not leaving until you tell me what\u2019s going on. Beth, I want to help you. But I can\u2019t help you unless I know what you\u2019re afraid of.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNobody can help me,\u201d replied Beth with a sigh.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cTry me,\u201d urged Joe.<\/span><\/p>\n

Beth got up and walked a few steps from the sofa. She stood with her back to Joe. He waited patiently while she decided what to say.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI suppose you deserve an explanation,\u201d acknowledged Beth without turning around. \u201cIt\u2019s the least I can do to repay you.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t want you to tell me because you feel you owe me something,\u201d said Joe earnestly as he sat forward on the sofa. \u201cI think we have something special between us. I hope you\u2019ll tell me because, well, because you feel the same way.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Turning, Beth studied Joe for a minute. Then she gave him a tentative smile. \u201cJoe, I\u2019m not sure what my feelings are. I haven\u2019t allowed myself to feel anything for a long time. But I know being with you makes me feel safe and warm.\u201d A sad expression crossed Beth\u2019s face. \u201cI\u2019m sorry I can\u2019t offer you anything more than that, at least right now.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

It wasn\u2019t exactly the answer Joe had hoped for, but he was willing to accept it. He smiled encouragingly at the girl across the room.<\/span><\/p>\n

Beth took a deep breath. \u201cIt\u2019s hard to know where to begin.\u201d She walked back to the sofa and sat down, this time on the end of the sofa where she could look at Joe. \u201cA year ago at this time, I was attending school at a Ladies\u2019 Academy back East. Besides the usual academic subjects, they also taught ballet, ballroom dancing, and what they called \u2018free dance\u2019.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSo that\u2019s where you learned to dance,\u201d commented Joe.<\/span><\/p>\n

Beth nodded. A wry smile crossed her face. \u201cMy teachers at the Academy would be shocked if they saw how I\u2019m using all the steps and moves they taught me.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHow did you end up in the medicine show?\u2019 asked Joe.<\/span><\/p>\n

Beth\u2019s face grew grim. \u201cMy father was a very wealthy and powerful man,\u201d she said slowly. \u201cHe started out with a small shop many years ago. But he also grubstaked a number of miners. A couple of those mines hit paydirt. He used those profits to expand his business and acquire several companies. By the time I left for school, he was the head of a large corporation. But he also was one of the kindest and most loving men in the world.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWas?\u201d asked Joe.<\/span><\/p>\n

Nodding, Beth continued. \u201cWhile I was at school, I got a telegram from my mother. My father was killed in an accident. I was devastated. I think I cried for two days. I knew I couldn\u2019t get home in time for the funeral, so I decided to take a little time to recover. I also knew once I left school, I wouldn\u2019t be coming back. So I wired my mother, and followed up with a long letter. I waited almost two months to go home.\u201d Beth shook her head. \u201cIt was the biggest mistake I ever made,\u201d she added bitterly.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhy?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBecause by the time I got home, I found my mother had married my uncle, my father\u2019s brother,\u201d explained Beth grimly. \u201cAnd because he married my mother, my uncle took over running my father\u2019s businesses.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYour father left everything to your mother?\u201d asked Joe.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHalf of his shares went to my mother,\u201d amended Beth. \u201cThe other half went in trust to me, to be given to me on my 21<\/span>st<\/span> birthday. I\u2019m sure my father thought we would sell our shares and use that as our inheritance.\u201d Her voice turned bitter again. \u201cI know he never thought my mother would marry his brother and that his brother would take over the business.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhy not?\u201d asked Joe. \u201cI mean, I know it happened fast, but if he\u2019s your uncle\u2026\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMy uncle is just the opposite of my father,\u201d insisted Beth. \u201cHe\u2019s hard, and power-hungry. I\u2019m sure he married my mother just to get control of my father\u2019s businesses. My father never trusted his brother, and he never let him get too close to either his family or his business.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe shook his head. As much as he argued with his brothers, he never distrusted them. He knew it happened, but he always found it difficult to understand how brothers ended up hating each other. \u201cI still don\u2019t understand,\u201d said Joe. \u201cHow does this all relate to your ending up in a medicine show?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhen I first returned home, I was too grief-stricken and upset to pay much attention to what was going on,\u201d explained Beth. \u201cBut then I started to hear comments. Things like maybe my father\u2019s death wasn\u2019t an accident, and that my uncle was hiding profits from the company. I started asking questions, and the more I found out, the more suspicious I became of my uncle. I couldn\u2019t find any hard evidence to prove my father\u2019s death wasn\u2019t an accident, or that my uncle was cheating me. So I decided to try another tactic. I confronted my uncle and told him what I suspected. I also told him that since that as soon as I turned 21, I was going to exercise my rights as a shareholder to get involved in running the company.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThat probably wasn\u2019t a wise decision,\u201d said Joe slowly.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re right,\u201d agreed Beth, nodding. \u201cBut I was na\u00efve. I thought if he knew I was on to him, he would be frightened. But instead, he just laughed at me. At least, at first he laughed. Then he got angry.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAngry? Why?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBecause I started telling people what I suspected,\u201d answered Beth. \u201cI started telling people I suspected that my uncle had arranged for my father\u2019s death, and had married my mother so that he could take control of the company and cheat me.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI can see why he might be unhappy about that,\u201d said Joe with a wry smile.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMy uncle was furious with me,\u201d continued Beth. \u201cHe swore he would get me \u2018out of the way\u2019.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSo he sent someone to kill you,\u201d suggested Joe.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo, Joe,\u201d Beth replied with a shake of her head. \u201cHe did something worse. He found a judge he could buy, and he had that judge declare me insane.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cInsane?\u201d said Joe in surprise. \u201cWhy would he do that?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI suppose he thought another death would look really suspicious,\u201d said Beth with a shrug. \u201cEven my uncle would find it difficult to buy his way out of murder charge. But if I was declared insane, he could have me put away. My shares of the company would revert to my mother and ultimately to him, because I wouldn\u2019t be judged competent to own those shares.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat about your mother?\u201d asked Joe. \u201cDidn\u2019t she object to all this?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMy mother is a sweet and wonderful person,\u201d answered Beth. \u201cBut she simply doesn\u2019t know how to deal with something like this. My father adored her, took care of her. He protected her from anything difficult or ugly, and I suppose I did the same thing. I\u2019m sure she married my uncle because she simply didn\u2019t know what else to do when my father died. She kept telling me not to cause trouble, to try to get along with my uncle. When I told her what I suspected my uncle had done, she just stood there, wringing her hands and telling me I was wrong.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBut that still doesn\u2019t explain how you ended up in Virginia City, \u201c said Joe.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOne of my father\u2019s friends told me about the insanity decree and what my uncle planned to do,\u201d replied Beth. She closed her eyes and shuddered. \u201cJoe, I just couldn\u2019t face the thought of being forced into one of those awful asylums. I wouldn\u2019t be able to stand it. I really would go crazy. So I decided to run away.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAnd you ran away to a medicine show,\u201d Joe said with a nod.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBert was doing his show in town when I decided to run away,\u201d Beth replied. \u201cI hid in his wagon. I was sure my uncle and his men would never look for me there, and I was right. Bert didn\u2019t discover me in the wagon until he was a day away from the town. I convinced Bert to help me. He had an old poster from a dancer who used to be in his show, and part of a costume. We worked out an act, and I became the mysterious Fatima. It was the perfect way to hide. No one would dream that I would be dancing in a medicine show. When I\u2019m on stage, the veil hides my face. When I\u2019m not performing, I stay out of sight. I didn\u2019t think my uncle\u2019s men would ever find me.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBut they have,\u201d said Joe.<\/span><\/p>\n

Beth nodded. \u201cI\u2019m sure the man I saw in the street is one of my uncle\u2019s men. I\u2019ve seen him before, both at home and once in another town. The show left town the day he showed up, so I thought I had escaped him. But I was wrong.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBut why is your uncle after you?\u201d asked Joe in a puzzled voice. \u201cIf you\u2019re gone, you can\u2019t cause him trouble.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBefore I left, I met with my father\u2019s lawyer, the man who is holding my shares in trust,\u201d explained Beth. \u201cWe agreed on how he should vote my shares. He\u2019s a good man, and an honest one. I\u2019m sure he is making my uncle\u2019s life miserable, questioning every decision and asking for audits. My uncle needs to find me so he can have me formally declared insane and put away. Until he finds me, the judge\u2019s order can\u2019t be put into effect.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBut, Beth, you can\u2019t hide from him forever,\u201d said Joe.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t have to,\u201d Beth replied. \u201cI only have to stay hidden for a few more months. Then I\u2019ll turn 21 and have control of the shares.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat good does that do?\u201d asked Joe. \u201cHe can still have you declared insane, can\u2019t he?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHe can, but once I\u2019m 21, I can decide what to do with my shares,\u201d explained Beth. \u201cThe day I get those shares, I\u2019m going to sell them to my father\u2019s friends, people I trust. My uncle will never be able to control these men. They\u2019ll find out what he\u2019s been doing, and force him out of the company, maybe even have him jailed.\u201d Beth turned to Joe with an earnest expression. \u201cYou can see why I\u2019m so afraid, Joe. My uncle must be getting desperate. Time is running out for him. I turn 21 in four months. If he doesn\u2019t find me before then, he\u2019ll be ruined.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe whistled softly. \u201cYou sure have yourself a heap of trouble,\u201d said Joe sympathetically. \u201cDoes Bert know all this?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Beth stood and walked a few feet from the sofa, seeming unsure how to answer Joe\u2019s question. \u201cHe knows most of the story, but not all,\u201d she answere slowly. \u201cHe knows someone is after me, and that I need to stay hidden. But he doesn\u2019t know who or why. Frankly, Bert doesn\u2019t want to know. But he\u2019s been a good friend. He arranges messages for me to my lawyer from various places. He knows how to get the messages sent so they don\u2019t get traced back to me.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMessages?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJust a brief phrase I send every month to reassure my lawyer that I\u2019m alive and all right,\u201d explained Beth. \u201cThat way my uncle can\u2019t declare me dead.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBeth, what\u2019s your uncle\u2019s name?\u201d asked Joe.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhy do you want to know that?\u2019 asked Beth, almost in fright.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMy Pa has lots of influential friends,\u201d replied Joe. \u201cHe knows people. He knows how to get things done. Maybe he can do something to help.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Walking back to the sofa, Beth sat down and took Joe\u2019s hand. \u201cThank you, Joe,\u201d she said softly. Her eyes filled with tears. \u201cBut there\u2019s nothing he can do to help. No one can help me.\u201d Beth put her face in her hands and began to cry.<\/span><\/p>\n

Putting his arm around her, Joe pulled Beth closer to him. He kissed her forehead softly. Beth lowered her hands and turned her face to Joe. Joe lowered his head and kissed her lips.<\/span><\/p>\n

Her lips eagerly sought his. Their kiss was deep and passionate. Her hands stroked his neck and moved to stroke his head. Joe\u2019s lips moved to her soft, white neck.<\/span><\/p>\n

Beth pulled herself away slowly. \u201cIt\u2019s getting late, Joe,\u201d she said softly. \u201cYou should go.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t want to go,\u201d murmured Joe, his eye shining.<\/span><\/p>\n

Beth pulled herself from Joe\u2019s grasp and stood. \u201cGo home, Joe,\u201d she said firmly, take a few steps away from Joe.<\/span><\/p>\n

Sighing, Joe stood. \u201cI\u2019ll go,\u201d he agreed reluctantly. He walked next to Beth. \u201cWill you be all right?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Beth nodded. \u201cYes, I\u2019ll be fine. I\u2019ll stay in the room until I need to be at the show, and I\u2019ll use the back stairs.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll come and walk you to the show,\u201d offered Joe.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo, you don\u2019t have to do that,\u201d said Beth quickly. \u201cYou\u2019ve done so much for me already. You\u2019ve got your ranch to take care of. I can\u2019t keep taking you away from that. I\u2019m used to making myself invisible. I\u2019ll manage.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll be at the wagon after the show,\u201d promised Joe. \u201cI\u2019ll walk you back here and we can have dinner in the suite.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019d like that,\u201d agreed Beth with a warm smile.<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe bent down and kissed her lightly again. Beth returned the kiss, then pushed him gently away. \u201cGo home, Joe,\u201d she said softly.<\/span><\/p>\n

Nodding, Joe walked to the door and pulled it open. He turned to kiss her again, but Beth pushed him out the door with a laugh. \u201cGo!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

With a grin, Joe stepped out into the hall. \u201cLock the door,\u201d he ordered. Beth nodded and closed the door. Joe waited in the hall until he heard the lock click. He stood staring at the door for a minute, reluctant to leave Beth alone \u2013 for a number of reasons. He wanted to be with her, to protect her, to hold her. He wanted to hear her laugh and comfort her when she cried.<\/span><\/p>\n

A seed of doubt nagged at Joe, though. He knew how he felt about Beth, but he didn\u2019t know for sure how she felt about him. She had seemed eager to send him home.<\/span><\/p>\n

Sighing, Joe turned and walked slowly toward the stairs.<\/span><\/p>\n

***************<\/span><\/p>\n

After the third time Hoss pounded on his bedroom door and yelled for Joe to get up, Joe reluctantly crawled from his bed. He felt tired, and leaving the soft mattress was a difficult task. His body was tired from the hard work in the pasture yesterday and from lack of sleep. He had gotten home very late, and once he had climbed into bed, he had laid awake for a long time, thinking about Beth.<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe felt drained in many ways. His emotions had been on a roller coaster ride as he had reviewed his evening with Beth. He was elated as he thought about their dinner, their tender kisses, and their holding each other in their arms. But he also felt discouraged as he remembered how quickly Beth seemed to push him away. He had thought about the story Beth told him, and felt frustrated at her unwillingness to let him help her more. Joe\u2019s thoughts were still in turmoil when he finally drifted off to sleep.<\/span><\/p>\n

As he dressed, Joe felt dull and listless. The last thing he wanted to do was join his family for breakfast. But he knew that Hoss would be back again if he didn\u2019t show up at the table soon.<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben, Adam and Hoss had already finished their breakfast when Joe finally arrived downstairs. Three pairs of eyes watched Joe when he finally slid slowly into his chair at the table.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNice of you to join us this morning,\u201d remarked Adam dryly. Joe ignored him and poured himself a cup of coffee.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cLittle brother, you look like something the cat dragged in,\u201d added Hoss.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m just tired,\u201d answered Joe as he began to drink his coffee.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou got home pretty late last night,\u201d commented Ben.<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe nodded dully and sipped his coffee.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJoe, I don\u2019t mind you seeing this girl,\u201d continued Ben. \u201cBut remember what I said about burning the candle at both ends?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

To tired to argue, Joe simply looked at his father. \u201cI remember,\u201d he said.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI think it would be best if you stayed home tonight,\u201d suggested Ben.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI can\u2019t do that, Pa,\u201d replied Joe with a shake of his head. \u201cI have to be there to walk Beth home after her show.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Frowning, Ben said, \u201cJoe, I don\u2019t think\u2026.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cPa, you don\u2019t understand,\u201d interrupted Joe. \u201cI have to be there. Beth is in danger. I have to be there to protect her.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIn danger? How?\u201d asked Ben in surprise.<\/span><\/p>\n

Biting his lip, Joe wondered what to say. Beth hadn\u2019t told him not to repeat her story, but he knew she assumed he would keep it to himself. As Joe looked at the three men around the table who were watching him with expectant looks, he wondered if he should tell him what Beth said.<\/span><\/p>\n

Could he trust his father and brothers? Joe didn\u2019t even have to think about the answer.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBeth is hiding from her uncle,\u201d Joe began. He told them the whole story: what Beth had told him, what he had done to help her, and why he needed to go to town that night He told them everything except how he felt about Beth. He wasn\u2019t sure he could have put those feelings into words.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cPoor little gal,\u201d said Hoss in sympathy as Joe finished talking. \u201cShe sure has a load of troubles.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI can see why you feel you need to go to town, Joe,\u201d agreed Ben in a cautious tone.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell, at least she\u2019s a well-read little con woman,\u201d Adam added, shaking his head.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat do you mean by that, Adam?\u201d snapped Joe angrily.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThat story she told, Joe, didn\u2019t you recognize it?\u201d Adam asked. \u201cShe put a bit of a spin on it, but basically, she told you the story of \u2018Hamlet\u2019.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHamlet?\u201d said Joe with a frown.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cShe comes home from school to find her father dead, her mother re-married to her uncle, and her uncle basically usurping the throne,\u201d continued Adam. \u201cThat\u2019s the plot of Hamlet. She even threw in the insanity angle and the strolling players for good measure. I\u2019m surprised she did tell you the ghost of her father talked to her.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Looking down into his coffee cup, Joe\u2019s frown deepened. Now that Adam had pointed it out, he could see the parallels to Shakespeare\u2019s story. \u201cJust because it sounds a bit like Hamlet doesn\u2019t mean it isn\u2019t true,\u201d said Joe slowly.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOh, come on, Joe, wake up,\u201d Adam\u2019s voice held a trace of disgust. \u201cDid she tell you anything you use to verify her story? The name of her uncle? The town? Even her real name? Did she tell described this so-called henchman of her uncle that\u2019s chasing her?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cShe said she didn\u2019t want me to get involved,\u201d answered Joe a bit too defensively.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cShe didn\u2019t want you to get involved because there\u2019s nothing for you to be involved in,\u0094 stated Adam. \u201cShe\u2019s running a con, Joe. She\u2019s already got you to pay for a suite at the hotel for her. It\u2019s only a question of time before she asks you for more money to send to her lawyer or maybe to help her escape from this mythical man who is chasing her. Or maybe she\u2019s going to ask you to buy some of those non-existent stocks of hers.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s not true, Adam,\u201d Joe replied heatedly. \u201cBeth\u2019s not like that. You don\u2019t know what you\u2019re talking about.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJoe, she dances in a medicine show,\u201d said Adam in a patient tone of voice. \u201cShe\u2019s not an heiress or hiding from her uncle. She\u2019s a con artist.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re wrong, Adam, you\u2019re dead wrong about her,\u201d declared Joe angrily. \u201cBeth is sweet, and funny, and wonderful. She\u2019s only dancing in that medicine show because she\u2019s afraid of her uncle. As soon as turns 21, she\u2019ll leave that show.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJoe, you\u2019re getting all hot and bothered about a girl you\u2019ve only known a couple of days,\u201d commented Hoss. \u201cMaybe you ought to slow down and take a hard look at things.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t need your advice,\u201d snapped Joe as he glared at Hoss.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cCalm down, all of you,\u201d boomed Ben. He could see that Joe wasn\u2019t about to be persuaded that the girl might be anything other than what he thought — or wanted \u2013 her to me. Continuing the discussion now would serve no purpose except to make Joe dig his heels in deeper.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhether the girl\u2019s story is true or not is of no concern to us,\u201d said Ben in a firm voice. He looked at his youngest son. \u201cJoe offered her help and she refused. That\u2019s the end of it. There\u2019s no need for any of us to get involved further. We have a ranch to run. As soon as Joe has finished eating, Hoss, I want you and he to finish getting that north pasture ready. Adam, you get the men started on rounding up the herd. I want to move those cattle next week.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Draining his coffee cup, Joe stood. \u201cI\u2019m not hungry,\u201d he said in an abrupt tone. \u201cI\u2019ll go saddle my horse.\u201d Joe took a few steps from the table, then stopped and turned back to Ben. \u201cIt\u2019s not over, Pa,\u201d he said in a determined voice. Joe stared at his father for a moment, then added, \u201cTell Hop Sing I\u2019ll be having dinner in town tonight.\u201d Joe turned and walked away.<\/span><\/p>\n

Three men sat in stunned silence for a moment as they heard the front door slam.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll go after him, Pa,\u201d offered Hoss, pushing himself away from the table. Ben nodded distractedly as Hoss left the room.<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam and Ben sat in silence for several minutes, both lost in their thoughts. Finally, Adam said, \u201cPa, you know that story she told Joe is just a bunch of baloney. She\u2019s going to keep him on the string until she gets what she wants from him. And then she\u2019ll disappear faster than a jack rabbit.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe don\u2019t know that for sure,\u201d replied Ben, but his voice was full of doubt. \u201cIf her story is true, Joe could find himself in the middle something that he can\u2019t handle. Her uncle sounds like a man who could be dangerous.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI wouldn\u2019t worry too much about that,\u201d said Adam. \u201cI think the only danger Joe is facing is losing all his money.\u201d Adam looked speculatively at his father. \u201cWhat are we going to do about the girl?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben sat in silence for a moment, then shook his head and sighed. \u201cI don\u2019t think there\u2019s anything we can do, Adam. We can\u2019t lock Joe in his room and refuse to let him go to town. He\u2019s not a schoolboy any longer. He\u2019s a young man, old enough to make his own decisions.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAnd his own mistakes,\u201d added Adam. \u201cPa, Joe may not be a schoolboy any longer, but I have a feeling that girl is going to give him quite an education.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

***********************<\/span><\/p>\n

The streets of Virginia City were crowded as Ben guided his horse into town late that morning. He had told himself that the mail really did need to be picked up and that the feed order had to get in today. But Ben knew he was lying to himself. Any of his sons, or even one of the hands, could have easily handled these small chores. Ben knew he was in Virginia City to find out more about the girl.<\/span><\/p>\n

He stopped his horse outside the warehouse that was being used for the show. The place was deserted at this time of day. Nothing except signs announcing the show each evening at 7:00, and the poster of the dancing girl gave any indication that the building was in used. Ben studied the poster for a minute. It told him nothing about the girl, and very little about the show.<\/span><\/p>\n

After taking care of his business at the feed store and picking up the mail, Ben stood near his horse in the street, unsure exactly what to do next. He knew he couldn\u2019t barge into the girl\u2019s room at the hotel and demand to know her intentions toward his son. He wondered where he could find out more about the girl. When Sheriff Roy Coffee walked up the street and greeted him, Ben felt as if heaven were sending an answer to a prayer.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cRoy,\u201d said Ben, his voice tinged with relief. \u201cI\u2019m glad to see you. I wanted to talk with you for a few minutes.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s up, Ben?\u201d asked Roy cautiously. \u201cTrouble on the Ponderosa?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo, nothing like that,\u201d Ben assured his old friend. \u201cI just wanted to get some information.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Nodding his head, Roy suggested, \u201cI\u2019m heading over to Polly\u2019s for a cup of coffee. Want to join me?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Two of the tables in Polly\u2019s Caf\u00e9 were occupied when Ben and Roy entered. When Polly saw the two men come in and sit down, she hurried over to the table.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBen, I\u2019m sure happy to see you,\u201d said Polly. \u201cI suppose you know what Joe is doing?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Frowning, Ben shook his head. \u201cNo, Polly. What is Joe doing?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s keeping company with that dancer from the medicine show,\u201d declared Polly, her voice filled with righteous indignation. \u201cHe\u2019s been seen all over town with her. And Mrs. O\u2019Brien told me he moved her out of his rooming house.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI know he\u2019s had dinner with the girl,\u201d said Ben cautiously. \u201cAnd he did help her move her things.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAnd you don\u2019t object?\u201d asked Polly incredulously . \u201cBen, you and I both know what kind of girls dance in those shows. Joe shouldn\u2019t be seeing a girl like that.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJoe says she\u2019s a very nice girl,\u201d Ben replied patiently. \u201cHe tells me she\u2019s only dancing in the show because of\u2026circumstances beyond her control.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sure that\u2019s HER story,\u201d said Polly with a sniff. \u201cBen, if I were you, I\u2019d put a stop to it right now. She\u2019ll lead that boy astray, mark my words.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cPolly, why don\u2019t you bring Roy and me some coffee,\u201d suggested Ben pointedly.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBen, Polly\u2019s just saying what I\u2019ve been hearing all over town, \u201c said Roy as Polly walked away. \u201cThe gossips are having a field day speculating about what\u2019s going on between Joe and that girl.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cPeople should learn to mind their own business,\u201d snapped Ben. He immediately gave Roy an apologetic look. \u201cI\u2019m sorry, Roy. I didn\u2019t mean to take it out on you.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo need to apologize,\u201d answered Roy. His eyes twinkled as he added, \u201cNot that I blame Joe. I\u2019ve seen that dance she does. If I was a younger man, I\u2019d be standing outside her wagon right along side Joe.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben smiled briefly at his friend, then asked, \u201cRoy, what do you know about the people in this medicine show?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Roy didn\u2019t answer immediately. He waited while Polly put the coffee cups on the table, and spooned some sugar into his cup before speaking. \u201cBen, I\u2019ll be honest,\u201d said Roy. \u201cI don\u2019t know anything about them.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNothing?\u201d pressed Ben. \u201cNothing at all?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo a thing,\u201d repeated Roy with a shake of his head. \u201cI had Doc Martin check out that medicine they\u2019re selling, and he told me that it\u2019s just herbs and such. Probably won\u2019t help anyone but it sure won\u2019t hurt them. I checked to see if there were any wanted posters on them, but there\u2019s not. Other than that, I don\u2019t know anything about them.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHave you talked with them?\u201d asked Ben, looking for any tidbit of information.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI met that Harris fellow when he came into town,\u201d admitted Roy. \u201cWarned him that I wouldn\u2019t stand for anything shady. He assured me that all they were doing was putting on a show. And I believe him. I haven\u2019t heard about them doing anything except entertaining folks and selling that patent medicine of theirs.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Sitting back in his chair, Ben let out a sigh of frustration. He had hoped Roy could tell him something that would give him an idea of what the girl might be up to. \u201cWhat have they been up to since they\u2019ve been in town?\u201d asked Ben. \u201cI mean what do they do when they\u2019re not performing?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know,\u201d replied Roy with a shrug. \u201cI\u2019ve seen that Harris fellow playing poker over at the Silver Dollar a couple of times. As far as I can tell, he plays an honest game. The tall one spends most of his time over at the pool hall.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat about the girl?\u201d asked Ben.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI haven\u2019t seen her at all, except on the stage,\u201d answered Roy with a shake of his head.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cA couple people told me that saw Joe with her after the show, but that\u2019s it.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Rubbing his finger across his chin, Ben wondered what to tell Roy. \u201cThe girl told Joe that she\u2019s in some kind of trouble,\u201d said Ben slowly. \u201cThat\u2019s she hiding from someone. Have you heard anyone asking about her?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Frowning, Roy shook his head. \u201cNo, I haven\u2019t. What kind of trouble is she in? Trouble with the law?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo, nothing like that as far as I can tell,\u201d admitted Ben. \u201cShe claims she\u2019s run away from her family, and is hiding so they don\u2019t take her back.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIf that\u2019s the case, it\u2019s not a matter for the law,\u201d said Roy with a shrug.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat if she doesn\u2019t want to go back?\u201d asked Ben. \u201cCan\u2019t you prevent it?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s not kidnapping if her family forces her to go home, if that\u2019s what you\u2019re asking,\u201d explained Roy. \u201cUnless she files some kind of legal complaint, there\u2019s nothing I could do.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Stirring his coffee, Ben asked in a cautious voice, \u201cWhat if the girl isn\u2019t what she claims she is?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cA pretty girl lying to a man isn\u2019t against the law,\u201d said Roy dryly. \u201cIf it was, my jail would be full. Now if she lies to get some money out of Joe, that\u2019s a different story. You have any proof she\u2019s done that?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo, she hasn\u2019t done anything like that,\u201d admitted Ben. \u201cIn fact, she\u2019s refused help from Joe. It\u2019s just that I can\u2019t quite believe the story she told him, or that she\u2019s what she claims to be.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou sure you\u2019re not just being a father?\u201d asked Roy with arched eyes. \u201cShe\u2019s not exactly the kind of girl I suspect you\u2019d want Joe to be courting.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cRoy, I don\u2019t know what I think,\u201d acknowledged Ben, shaking his head. \u201cAll I know is that I have a feeling that I need to protect Joe. I just don\u2019t know what I\u2019m trying to protect him from.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

*******************<\/span><\/p>\n

Hoss and Joe had ridden out to the north pasture in silence. Joe was lost in thought, trying to sort out his feelings for Beth, her feelings for him and the suspicions that Adam had planted his mind. Hoss, for his part, was waiting patiently for Joe to use him as a sounding board. Hoss knew that Joe would talk with him when Joe was ready.<\/span><\/p>\n

As the two worked to fix a fence designed to keep cattle from straying into a gully, Joe continued to be deep in thought. He knew when he was with Beth, everything seemed so right. She made him feel happy, protective and strong. But at the same time, he knew Beth kept him at arm\u2019s length, never letting him get close enough to penetrate the protective shell she seemed to have built around herself. What Joe didn\u2019t know was whether she had built that shell because she was afraid, or because she was hiding something from him.<\/span><\/p>\n

As Joe lifted fence posts and pounded nails, he reviewed every conversation he had had with Beth, searching for something that would prove to him without a shadow of a doubt that Adam\u2019s allegations were wrong. The problem was he couldn\u2019t find anything. Looked at in the cold light of day, everything Beth had told him could be true \u2013 or could be interpreted as a fantastic story. Joe had no way of know which was right.<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe finally broke his silence as he and Hoss sat under a tree to each lunch. After a whole morning of virtual silence, Hoss was trying to figure out how to bring up the subject that he knew was on Joe\u2019s mind. He was relieved when Joe made the first overture.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHoss, how do you tell whether someone is being honest with you?\u201d asked Joe somewhat abruptly as the two relaxed in the shade.<\/span><\/p>\n

Hoss scrunched up his face in thought before answering. \u201cI don\u2019t know that there\u2019s any way to tell that for sure,\u201d he admitted. \u201cWith some people, you can see it in their eyes when they\u2019re telling you a story. They kind of shift around, you know, not really looking at you. But other people, well, they can look at you straight in the eye and lie their heads off, and you\u2019d never know it.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re a big help,\u201d said Joe with a sigh.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re still thinking about that gal, ain\u2019t you,\u201d suggested Hoss in a sympathetic voice.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHoss, I can\u2019t stop thinking about her,\u201d admitted Joe. \u201cShe\u2019s so pretty \u2013 her eyes are the bluest I\u2019ve ever seen. When we\u2019re together, we talk and laugh like we\u2019ve known each other all our lives. I just want to be with her all the time.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s how it should be,\u201d agreed Hoss cautiously. \u201cIf you\u2019ve got some feelings for this girl, you should want to be with her. If she feels the same way about you, I reckon she\u2019ll let you know it.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s just it, Hoss,\u201d said Joe, shaking his head. \u201cI don\u2019t know what she feels. She keeps everything, including her feelings, to herself. When we\u2019re together, she seems to want to be with me. But at the same time, she doesn\u2019t seem to want me around too much. She keeps saying that she doesn\u2019t want me to get involved in her troubles. I keep hoping that she\u2019ll say or do something that let will let know inside that wall she\u2019s built around her. But I don\u2019t know if she will.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou know what I think, little brother?\u201d offered Hoss. \u201cI think you\u2019re over-thinking this. You getting to be just like Adam, trying to figure out what\u2019s coming around the next bend. Why don\u2019t you just wait and see what happens. Maybe she just needs some time. She ain\u2019t known you but a couple of days. I always figure these things work themselves out.<\/span><\/p>\n

If it\u2019s meant to be, it\u2019ll feel right to both of you.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMaybe you\u2019re right,\u201d said Joe, rubbing his forehead. He blew out a breath of air. \u201cMaybe I am over-thinking this.\u201d Joe gave his brother a tired smile. \u201cI just wish things weren\u2019t so complicated.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou look beat,\u201d commented Hoss, noting the lines of fatigue around Joe\u2019s eyes.<\/span><\/p>\n

Stifling a yawn, Joe nodded. \u201cYeah, I am. I didn\u2019t get much sleep last night.\u201d Joe rubbed his eyes and added, \u201cI\u2019m not sure what tires me out more – doing all the work Pa\u2019s given us or trying to figure out what\u2019s going with Beth.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhy don\u2019t you take a nap?\u201d suggest Hoss.<\/span><\/p>\n

Grinning, Joe said, \u201cYou know, big brother, that\u2019s the smartest thing you\u2019ve said yet.\u201d Joe leaned back against the tree and pulled his hat down over his face. \u201cWake me in an hour.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe drifted off almost immediately, but his sleep was a troubled one. He dreamt of a dark-haired girl with blue eyes who kept rushing toward him only to turn and run away as he reached out for her. Dark, sinister figures seemed to be standing near him, watching as he tried to reach the girl. They seemed to be preventing him from getting to the girl, but Joe wasn\u2019t exactly sure how they were doing it. Finally, the figures approached him and started to shake him.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJoe! Joe, wake up!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Sitting up with a start, Joe realized Hoss was shaking him. He shook his head, trying to clear away both the sleep and his troubled dream. “Has it been a hour already?\u201d he asked sleepily.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMore like a couple hours,\u201d answered Hoss.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat?\u201d exclaimed Joe. He scrambled to his feet and looked toward the fence. The rails were all nailed to the posts, and the fence stood ready. \u201cYou finished the fence, \u201c said Joe in surprise.<\/span><\/p>\n

Shrugging, Hoss answered, \u201cThere wasn\u2019t that much left to do, and you were all tuckered out. I figured it was better to let you sleep.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThanks,\u201d said Joe gratefully.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t worry, little brother,\u201d Hoss replied with a grin. \u201cI\u2019ll think of a way for you to make it up to me.\u201d His face turned serious. \u201cJoe, do me a favor, will you? Don\u2019t do anything without talking to Pa or Adam first.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat do you mean?\u201d asked Joe with a frown.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know if Adam is right about this girl or not,\u201d explained Hoss. \u201cBut I do know you can go off half-cocked sometimes. Promise me you\u2019ll talk to Pa or Adam before you do something you might regret. They can be right useful in helping a fellow sort out things.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m not going to do anything foolish,\u201d said Joe firmly.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s what you say now,\u201d Hoss replied. \u201cBut I\u2019ve seen the look you get on your face every time you talk about that gal. I got a feeling you might not be thinking too clearly when you\u2019re with her.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019ve got a point there,\u201d agreed Joe with a grin. His face sobered when he saw the serious expression Hoss\u2019 face. \u201cI promise,\u201d he added solemnly. \u201cI won\u2019t do anything without talking to Pa first.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Hoss studied Joe for a minute, then nodded. \u201cGood,\u201d he said, his voice tinged with relief.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m going to hold you to that promise, little brother.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI told you I would,\u201d Joe declared a bit heatedly. He immediately regretted his tone. Joe knew Hoss was just trying to help. He took a deep breath, then smiled. \u201cDon\u2019t worry, Hoss. I won\u2019t forget. It\u2019s least I can offer in exchange for you finishing that fence.\u201d Joe looked up at the sun. \u201cCome on, it\u2019s getting late. I want to get back to the house and get cleaned up. I\u2019ve got to get to town.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou know, I had a feeling you\u2019d say something like that,\u201d said Hoss with a sigh.<\/span><\/p>\n

******************<\/span><\/p>\n

The clock above the bank showed the time as a little after six as Joe rode into Virginia City. He hadn\u2019t taken much time back at the house — just enough time to wash, put on a clean shirt and fill his wallet with money from the pouch he kept with his socks. The pouch held money he kept aside for something really important. Joe considered Beth to be that something.<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe had left the house quickly because he wanted to get to town in time to walk Beth over to the warehouse. But that wasn\u2019t his only reason. He also wanted to avoid his father and his brother Adam. He wasn\u2019t in the mood for their disapproving looks and dire warnings.<\/span><\/p>\n

After stabling his horse, Joe hurried to the hotel. The lobby again was empty. Joe wasn\u2019t surprised. At this time of day, most people were eating dinner. Joe walked up to the desk where Vince stood watching him. Joe reached into his pocket and pulled out some money. He counted out some bills and put them on the desk.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cVince, this is to cover the room and meals I arranged last night,\u201d said Joe. Even though the lobby was empty, Joe was cautious with his words.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou don\u2019t have to do this, you know,\u201d Vince told the youngest Cartwright. \u201cYour father has an account here. I can just bill everything to that.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t want this on my father\u2019s account,\u201d replied Joe.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOh, I see,\u201d said Vince with a frown. He picked up the bills. \u201cThis should be more than adequate,\u201d he added, his voice formal and somewhat distant. \u201cDo you wish to have a receipt?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo, that\u2019s not necessary,\u201d said Joe with a wave. \u201cBut I do want to arrange for dinner for two in the room tonight. About 8:30 should be the right time.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cFor two?\u201d replied Vince, the disapproval evident in his voice. \u201cVery well. I\u2019ll arrange it. Will chicken be all right?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s fine. Whatever you choose will be fine, I\u2019m sure,\u201d agreed Joe with a nod. \u201cAnd Vince, make sure it includes a nice bottle of wine.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Vince\u2019s frown deepened. \u201cOf course,\u201d he said briefly.<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe started toward the stairs, aware of Vince\u2019s disapproval but not really caring. His mind was filled with the happy thought of seeing Beth.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe young lady is not in her room,\u201d Vince called to Joe.<\/span><\/p>\n

Stopping, Joe turned to Vince. \u201cWhere is she?\u201d he asked with a frown.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cShe left a little while ago,\u201d replied Vince. \u201cI saw her come down the stairs.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cShe came through the lobby?\u201d said Joe in alarm. \u201cAlone?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo, she wasn\u2019t alone,\u201d said Vince, with a hint of a gleeful smile on his face. \u201cA fellow was with her.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat did the guy look like?\u201d asked Joe, his alarm growing.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cTall, very tall, and thin as a rail,\u201d answered Vince.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOh,\u201d said Joe with obvious relief. \u201cIt\u2019s all right then. Did they say where they were going?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t poke my nose into my guest\u2019s business,\u201d stated Vince, his back stiffening a bit. \u201cAll I do is rent the rooms. What people do when they\u2019re not in their rooms is none of my business.\u201d He looked pointedly at Joe. \u201cWhat they do in their rooms is none of my business either.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe ignored Vince\u2019s remark, his mind too busy to catch the implication. He was thinking of Beth. Frank obviously had come by to get her. He probably was walking her over to the warehouse. Joe was disappointed that he hadn\u2019t been able to escort Beth, but he was glad that someone from the show had made sure she got there safely. He thought briefly about walking over to the warehouse, but knew Beth and the others would be busy getting ready for their performance. He\u2019d rather see Beth when she wasn\u2019t distracted by the preparations \u2013 and when he could have her all to himself.<\/span><\/p>\n

A rumble from Joe\u2019s stomach reminded him that he hadn\u2019t eaten much today — no breakfast and a sandwich for lunch. And he knew he wouldn\u2019t have dinner with Beth for several hours. Maybe some men could live on love alone, Joe told himself, but he need<\/span><\/p>\n

a bit more to tide him over until dinner. He headed for the hotel bar to get a sandwich and a beer.<\/span><\/p>\n

Leaning against the wood bar, Joe was popping the last bit of sandwich into his mouth when Jack Slater walked into the bar. Joe ignored the cowboy as he washed down the sandwich with a drink from the beer mug in his hand. Slater, however, had stopped and stared at Joe when he entered the bar. The expression on Slater\u2019s face wasn\u2019t pleasant as he walked up to Joe.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHello, Cartwright,\u201d said Slater. \u201cI\u2019m surprised to find you here.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHello, Slater,\u201d Joe replied in a neutral tone.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI thought you\u2019d be holed up someplace with that Fatima girl,\u201d continued Slater. \u201cIt\u2019s all over town how you\u2019ve got her hidden away in some love nest. What\u2019s the matter? She get tired of you?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe tried to keep his rising anger in check. His father was unhappy enough with him without adding a barroom brawl to the situation. \u201cYou\u2019d better watch what you say,\u201d snarled Joe, his voice dangerously low. \u201cSomebody might actually think you know what you\u2019re talking about.\u201d Joe turned his back on Slater.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI knew you wouldn\u2019t be man enough for her,\u201d sneered Slater. \u201cYou tell your little \u2018soiled dove\u2019 to come see me if she wants a real man.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Whirling to face Slater, Joe\u2019s eyes blazed in anger. \u201cYou shut your filthy mouth,\u201d snapped Joe. \u201cOr I\u2019ll shut it for you.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat are you getting so hot about?\u201d said Slater with a nasty laugh. \u201cWe all know what kind of girls dance in those shows. I\u2019ll bet she\u2019s had a man in every town between here<\/span><\/p>\n

and Denver. You\u2019re just the latest scalp on her belt.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

In a rage, Joe swung and punched Slater in the jaw. The cowboy staggered back a step. Joe swung again, hitting Slater in the mouth and knocking him to the floor. Joe stood over the cowboy, fists balled and breathing hard. \u201cYou keep your mouth shut about Beth,\u201d demanded Joe angrily. \u201cShe just dances in the show, nothing more. I hear you saying anything different, I\u2019m going to make you regret it.\u201d Joe turned and stalked out of the bar.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cRegret it, uh?\u201d said Slater to Joe\u2019 retreating back. He rubbed his face with his hand. \u201cYou\u2019re the one who\u2019s going to regret this, Cartwright. You and that girl both.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

****************<\/span><\/p>\n

The medicine show was over by the time Joe knocked on the door of the wagon. Most of the crowd had left. Joe hoped Beth had waited for him.<\/span><\/p>\n

After the heated confrontation with Slater, Joe had spent a long time just walking. He walked to cool his anger but he also walked to help him think. He knew Beth wasn\u2019t the kind of girl that Slater had claimed. She wouldn\u2019t have kept him at arm\u2019s length like she did if she was just looking for a man. But Slater\u2019s comments added another doubt in his mind. Joe knew he liked Beth a lot, maybe even was falling in love with her. But she was a mystery to him. All he knew about her was the story she had told him. And even then, she hadn\u2019t been specific. He wanted to defend her, to tell people she wasn\u2019t what they thought. But what could he tell them about Beth? That she was sweet, and funny, and beautiful? And what if her story was just that \u2013 a story?<\/span><\/p>\n

By the time Joe had made his way to the warehouse, he had resolved in his mind that he was going to find out the truth about Beth. And he was going to do it tonight.<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe knocked again on the wagon door, and this time it opened. Beth was wearing a plain white blouse and dark skirt, similar to the outfit she had worn when Joe first saw her. She looked like any other girl in Virginia City. She certainly didn\u2019t look like someone who danced in a medicine show.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHello, Joe,\u201d she welcomed him with a warm smile. \u201cI was wondering where you were.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSorry, I\u2019m late,\u201d replied Joe, his smile matching hers in warmth. Just looking at Beth made Joe feel good. \u201cReady to go?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNot quite,\u201d she replied, stepping down from the wagon. \u201cI need to see Bert.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

As if she had called him, Harris came walking around the side of the wagon. \u201cHere you are, my dear,\u201d he said handing her an envelope. \u201cYour portion of the profits from our stay so far in Virginia City.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Opening the envelope, Beth pulled out three bills. \u201cFifteen dollars?\u201d she said in dismay. \u201cIs that all?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m afraid so,\u201d answered Harris, shaking his head.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSeems like you\u2019ve been getting pretty good crowds,\u201d commented Joe, looking at Harris through narrowed eyes.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAverage, my boy, just average,\u201d replied Harris. \u201cDon\u2019t forget we have expenses. I have to pay the rent on the warehouse as well as lodging for me, Bob and Frank as well as\u2026well, I paid Mrs. O\u2019Brien for the week. And I have to divide what\u2019s left four ways. Fifteen dollars is all there is.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI was hoping for at least twenty-five,\u201d said Beth sadly.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell, there\u2019s still tomorrow,\u201d suggested Harris cocking his head. \u201cSaturday night crowds are usually our largest. I might be able to come up with another five if we do a good business tomorrow.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAll right,\u201d agreed Beth, her voice filled with resignation. She turned to hand the envelope to Joe. \u201cI\u2019ll pay you the rest as soon as I can.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s this for?\u201d said Joe in surprise, looking at the envelope in Beth\u2019s outstretched hand.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cFor the hotel room and meals,\u201d answered Beth.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou don\u2019t have to pay me for that,\u201d said Joe, shaking his head. \u201cI want to do that for you.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo, Joe,\u201d Beth declared firmly. \u201cI\u2019m not the kind of girl who takes money from men. I know what people say about someone who dances in a medicine show. There\u2019s nothing I can do about that, and frankly, I don\u2019t care what most people think of me. But I do care what you think, Joe. And I won\u2019t have you thinking that I\u2019m that kind of girl. Now take the money.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t want your money,\u201d insisted Joe.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou have to take it,\u201d replied Beth equally as insistent. \u201cIf you don\u2019t, I don\u2019t think we can keep seeing each other. I won\u2019t have you thinking you bought my affection.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t think that,\u201d protested Joe. \u201cIt never even crossed my mind.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cTake the money, Joe,\u201d Beth said again, her voice even more insistent. \u201cTake it or leave.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019d better take, my boy,\u201d Harris advised with a hint of a smile. \u201cShe\u2019s as stubborn as mule when she\u2019s made up her mind.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAll right,\u201d said Joe with a sigh. He took the envelope and stuck it inside his jacket. \u201cBut I\u2019m only taking it because you threatened me with a fate worse than death.\u201d He saw Beth\u2019s quizzical look. \u201cNot seeing you again is just about the worse thing that could happen to me,\u201d he explained with a smile.<\/span><\/p>\n

Smiling back, Beth hooked her arm around Joe\u2019s. \u201cI\u2019m glad you took the money,\u201d she said softly. \u201cI would hate not seeing you again, too.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Whatever doubts Joe may have had about Beth quickly melted away. He saw her eyes smiling up at him, open and trusting. He felt the envelope of money inside his jacket. How could he have thought that she was other than what she said she was, Joe wondered.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDid you dance good tonight?\u201d asked Joe as he and Beth walked toward the hotel.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI suppose,\u201d she replied indifferently. She smiled up at Joe. \u201cI dance better when you\u2019re there.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHow did you know I wasn\u2019t there?\u201d teased Joe.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBecause I looked, silly,\u201d answered Beth. She snuggled closer to Joe. \u201cI always look for you.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The warm glow inside Joe burned with new intensity.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019d thought we\u2019d eat in the suite tonight,\u201d said Joe. \u201cI ordered dinner to be brought up.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOh, all right,\u201d agreed Beth. She sounded disappointed.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t you want to eat there?\u201d asked Joe solicitously.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo, no, it\u2019s fine,\u201d said Beth quickly.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI thought it might be safer,\u201d added Joe.<\/span><\/p>\n

Stiffening, Beth quickly looked around the streets. \u201cFor a little while there,\u201d she said slowly. \u201cI forgot all about my uncle\u2019s thug.\u201d She sighed. \u201cIt was nice to be happy if only for a little while.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sorry, Beth,\u201d apologized Joe, his voice filled with regret. \u201cI didn\u2019t mean to\u2026\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo, Joe, I\u2019m the one who\u2019s sorry,\u201d Beth interrupted him. \u201cI\u2019m sorry we can\u2019t act like normal people.\u201d She gave Joe a shaky smile. \u201cAlthough, I guess I\u2019ve never been accused of being normal.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe took a step back and studied Beth with mock seriousness. \u201cI think I like you just the way you are,\u201d he observed with a smile. He put his arm around Beth\u2019s shoulder and hugged her close. She rested her head on his shoulder.<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe\u2019s arm was still around Beth when the two walked into the lobby of the hotel. They walked past the disapproving looks of Vince as well as several other people sitting in the lobby who knew Joe. The disapproving looks turned to frowns and whispers as Joe led up the stairs to the suite.<\/span><\/p>\n

As soon as they were in the suite, Joe kissed Beth. His kiss with deep and full of feeling. Beth eagerly returned Joe\u2019s kiss. The two were still locked in a passionate embrace when there was a loud knock on the door. Beth pulled back, her face suddenly filled with fright. \u201cWho\u2019s that?\u201d she asked in a wavering voice.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJust dinner,\u201d Joe reassured her. He bent his head and gave her a quick kiss. \u201cTheir timing is pretty lousy.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Despite Joe\u2019s assurances, Beth crossed the suite and stood near the bedroom as Joe opened the door. She stayed near the bedroom as the waiter rolled in a cart with covered dishes and plates. The waiter rolled the cart near the sofa and began to set up the dinner. Beth seemed nervous as the waiter uncovered the dishes and opened the wine. Joe noted her edgy movements. He quickly tipped the waiter and dismissed him. Beth waited until the man had left the room to come back across the suite.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI hope you like chicken,\u201d said Joe, deciding not to comment on Beth\u2019s nervousness. He peeled off his jacket, and unbuckled his gunbelt. Both went onto a table next to the sofa with his hat. Joe sat on the sofa and took an exaggerated sniff. \u201cSmells good.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Giving Joe a grateful smile, Beth walked across the room and sat down on the sofa next to Joe. \u201cI like chicken,\u201d she acknowledged.<\/span><\/p>\n

If someone had asked Joe later what was discussed over dinner, he couldn\u2019t have told them. All he knew is that he talked and laughed with Beth, and that he enjoyed himself thoroughly. Beth ate everything on her plate, while Joe simply picked at his food.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOh dear,\u201d said Beth with a laugh as she suddenly noticed the differences between the plates. \u201cMy teachers at the academy would be appalled. They always taught us that ladies were suppose to eat lightly and leave something on their plate. And here I am, cleaning my plate.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI like a girl with a good appetite,\u201d Joe told the young woman.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou didn\u2019t eat much,\u201d chided Beth.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m not very hungry\u2026for food,\u201d replied Joe, his eyes shining. He moved closer to Beth on the sofa, and put his arm around her shoulders. She seemed to melt into his body. Joe kissed her, tenderly at first, and then with more meaning. Beth put her arms around his neck and pulled him closer. A loud knock once again interrupted them. \u201cNow what?\u201d said Joe with a frustrated sigh as the knock came again.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAre you expecting someone?\u201d ask Beth. Her voice reflected her fear.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo,\u201d Joe replied. He reached over and pulled his gun from his holster. \u201cWho is it?\u201d he called in a loud voice.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s me, Bert,\u201d came the somewhat muffled reply through the door.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWere you expecting Bert?\u201d Joe asked Beth. She shook her head.<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe walked over to the door, his gun still in his hand, and opened the door cautiously. He relaxed when he saw Harris on the other side.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSorry to interrupt,\u201d said Harris as he edged his way into the suite. \u201cI just need to see Beth for a minute.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat is Bert?\u201d asked Beth from the sofa, her displeasure evident in her voice.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI forgot to tell you that I\u2019m riding over to Gold Hill tomorrow,\u201d Harris explained. \u201cGoing to put up some posters for next week\u2019s show. I just wondered if you want me to\u2026to send a message.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cFrom Gold Hill?\u201d said Beth. \u201cThat wouldn\u2019t be wise.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo, of course not from Gold Hill,\u201d answered Harris. \u201cI\u2019ll arrange to have it sent from someplace else. I always do.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sorry, Bert,\u201d apologized Beth. \u201cI know you do. Yes, please send the message.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSame wording as always?\u201d asked Harris. Beth nodded.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell then, I\u2019ll go,\u201d said Harris. He nodded to Joe. \u201cSorry to have interrupted your evening.\u201d Harris put his hand on the door to open it, then stopped. He turned back to Beth. \u201cYou know, I still think it would be better for you if you went back East where you could be safe.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t, Bert,\u201d said Beth in a warning tone.<\/span><\/p>\n

Ignoring the warning, Harris turned to Joe. \u201cYou know if she had the money, she\u2019d be able to leave this heathen land. She\u2019s got a place to go where nobody could ever find her. Except she can\u2019t afford to get there.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBert, I\u2019m warning you,\u201d Beth said, her voice full of anger.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHow much would it take to get her there,\u201d asked Joe warily.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThree hundred, maybe four hundred dollars,\u201d replied Harris. He shook his head. \u201cThere\u2019s no way for us to raise that kind of money with our little show. You\u2019ve seen how we live hand to mouth.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s enough, Bert!\u201d yelled Beth, jumping to her feet. She rushed across the room and opened the door. \u201cGoodnight, Bert,\u201d she said in a voice cold as ice.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI was only trying to help,\u201d said Harris with a shrug.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cGoodnight, Bert,\u201d repeated Beth, her eyes blazing with anger.<\/span><\/p>\n

Harris studied Beth\u2019s face for a moment, then casually walked out the door. As he stepped over the threshold, he turned back to Beth. \u201cDo you still want me to send the message?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The life seemed suddenly to drain from Beth. Her shoulders sagged, and her face seemed to pale. \u201cYes,\u201d said Beth in a discouraged voice. \u201cYes, Bert, send the message.\u201d She closed the door in Harris\u2019 face.<\/span><\/p>\n

Leaning her back against the closed door, Beth closed her eyes. To Joe, she seemed to have suddenly turned to stone.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIs it true what Harris said?\u201d asked Joe in a quiet voice. \u201cIs there someplace you could be safe if you could get there.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know, Joe,\u201d replied Beth, her eyes still closed. \u201cI don\u2019t know if there\u2019s anyplace where I could be really safe.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBut this place Harris mentioned,\u201d pressed Joe. \u201cYou think you may be safe there?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Beth opened her eyes and looked at Joe. \u201cLet\u2019s not talk about it.\u201d She walked across the room and sat on the sofa.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo, Beth,\u201d said Joe. \u201cNot this time.\u201d He walked over and sat next to her on the sofa. \u201cYou\u2019re not going to put me off this time. I want to know what\u2019s going on. I\u2019m not leaving until you tell me.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI told you,\u201d Beth answered, her voice sounding tired.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou told me,\u201d agreed Joe. \u201cBut you didn\u2019t tell me everything. Why won\u2019t you give me your uncle\u2019s name? Or even your real name? Don\u2019t you trust me?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Beth\u2019s eyes widened. \u201cOh, Joe, I do trust you,\u201d she said, her eyes filling with tears. \u201cI trust you more than anyone I know. But if I tell you everything, then you\u2019ll want to get involved. And that means nothing but trouble for you. I don\u2019t want you involved in my troubles.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Frustrated, Joe pounded his fist into his knee. \u201cBeth, I want to help you, don\u2019t you understand that?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI understand that, and I love you for it,\u201d replied Beth. \u201cBut there\u2019s nothing you can do to help.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Springing to his feet, Joe walked around the room. He could feel his frustration building. \u201cAll right,\u201d he said, turning to Beth. \u201cWhat about this safe place? Where is it?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Beth looked away, then turned back to Joe. \u201cIt\u2019s a convent, Joe,\u201d she replied softly. \u201cA convent in Boston. The mother superior is a friend of my mother\u2019s. She\u2019s offered to help me, to hide me there. But I can\u2019t afford the fare to Boston.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat if I paid your fare for you?\u201d said Joe.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo!\u201d answered Beth angrily. She stood and walked over to Joe. \u201cYou think I\u2019d take the money from you?\u201d she demanded. \u201cFour hundred dollars? Never. I wouldn\u2019t take four dollars from you, Joe Cartwright.\u201d Beth turned her back on Joe.<\/span><\/p>\n

Confused, Joe stood staring at Beth\u2019s back. The small doubts that had melted away earlier came back. It seemed too coincidental that Harris had mentioned Beth needing a large sum of money just as \u201cHarris and Company\u201d were getting ready to leave town. Beth had seemed genuinely angry and upset about his offer. But that could be part of the act. She would reject taking the money and he would keep insisting. And finally she would take it. And a convent? That was straight out of Hamlet again. The line \u201cGet thee to a nunnery\u201d was one of the few from the play that he remembered.<\/span><\/p>\n

The sound of Beth weeping softly changed Joe\u2019s mind once more. His heart was probably ruling his head, he knew, but he didn\u2019t care. If she was lying to him, Joe didn\u2019t want to know. Joe put his hands on Beth\u2019s shoulders. \u201cBeth, I don\u2019t want us to fight,\u201d he said softly.<\/span><\/p>\n

Turning, Beth looked up at Joe. Her eyes were red and her cheeks were streaked with tears. \u201cI don\u2019t want us to fight, either.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe kissed the tears from her cheeks. \u201cThe offer for the money is on the table, and it will stay there,\u201d he continued. He could feel Beth\u2019s body stiffening. \u201cIt\u2019s up to you if you want to take advantage of it,\u201d Joe added quickly. \u201cI just don\u2019t want you to feel trapped. I want you to feel like you have a choice.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThank you, Joe,\u201d replied Beth, her eyes filling with tears again. \u201cBut I won\u2019t be accepting the offer.\u201d She turned and walked away from Joe. \u201cI\u2019m sorry, Joe. I shouldn\u2019t have gotten angry at you. I know you were only trying to help. I don\u2019t know what\u2019s wrong with me.\u201d Beth looked to the ceiling and sighed. \u201cMaybe all this running and hiding is starting to get to me.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou know what\u2019s wrong with you?\u201d suggested Joe walking over to her. \u201cYou\u2019re just stuck in this room too much. You need to get out and get some fresh air. What you need is a buggy ride with a handsome cowboy.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAnd just where would I find this handsome cowboy?\u201d teased Beth with a smile.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOh, I think if you looked around hard enough you might find one around,\u201d offered Joe dryly.<\/span><\/p>\n

Laughing, Beth said, \u201cYou know what I would really like, Joe? I want to go riding. Not in a buggy. On horseback. I used to do it all the time with my father. I miss it.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAll right,\u201d agreed Joe. \u201cOn horseback. I\u2019ll be here at noon to pick you up. I\u2019ll show you some of the prettiest country you\u2019ve ever seen.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI have to be back by six to get ready for the show,\u201d warned Beth. \u201cCan we see it in six hours?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe don\u2019t have that much pretty country,\u201d replied Joe with a smile.<\/span><\/p>\n

Beth laughed and threw her arms around Joe. \u201cI do like having you around, Joe Cartwright.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI like being around,\u201d replied Joe as he kissed her.<\/span><\/p>\n

**********************<\/span><\/p>\n

Two hours later, Joe was walking past the Silver Dollar Saloon on the way to the stable. He had wanted to stay longer with Beth. If truth be known, he had wanted to stay all night. But Beth had sweetly but firmly showed him to the door when the clocked chimed eleven, claiming she needed her beauty sleep. When Joe had protested she didn\u2019t need any more beauty, Beth had laughed and swore she turned into a pumpkin at midnight. Joe was still trying to think of an argument to counter that comment when Beth had handed him his hat and shown him out the door.<\/span><\/p>\n

Now Joe walked down the street whistling softly, his mind filled with images of Beth. He was surprised when the saloon doors opened in front of him and Harris lurched out onto the sidewalk.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHello there, Bert,\u201d said Joe, catching Harris as he staggered a bit. It was obvious Harris had had more than his share of drinks.<\/span><\/p>\n

Harris peered at Joe through bloodshot eyes, as if trying to remember who he was. \u201cAh, yes, our young knight,\u201d acknowledged Harris finally recognizing Joe. \u201cCome to rescue me as you have our damsel in distress, have you?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI wasn\u2019t looking for you,\u201d said Joe with an amused smile. \u201cBut you do look like you could use some rescuing. Come on, I\u2019ll help you home.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThank you, lad, thank you,\u201d replied Harris, patting Joe on the arm. Harris looked around the street. \u201cI wonder where home is?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhere are you staying?\u201d Joe asked, doing his best to keep Harris steady.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t know, lad,\u201d Harris said almost cheerfully. \u201cAll these towns look the same to me. Can\u2019t tell one from another.\u201d Harris frowned in concentration, then shook his head. \u201cI haven\u2019t any idea of the name of the place I\u2019m staying.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHow about I take you back to the wagon?\u201d suggested Joe. \u201cYou can sleep it off there.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cGood idea, good idea,\u201d Harris agreed. He looked around the street once more, then turned to Joe. \u201cYou wouldn\u2019t have any idea where the wagon might be, would you?\u201d he asked.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll take you there,\u201d said Joe with a smile.<\/span><\/p>\n

Leading the tottering Harris by the arm, Joe turned and began walking toward the warehouse.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re a good lad,\u201d said Harris with an approving nod as the two walked down the street. \u201cBeth thinks highly of you, and she\u2019s got a good eye. She don\u2019t let any riffraff near her.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHas Beth seen many men,\u201d Joe asked tentatively as he helped Harris down the street.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cA few,\u201d admitted Harris. \u201cShe don\u2019t let many get close to her. And nothing like you. A few late suppers here and there, that\u2019s all. And mostly just once. She don\u2019t seem to want them fellows hanging around her. Not like you. She can\u2019t stop talking about you.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Smiling to himself, Joe felt a sense of relief. He had been afraid Harris would paint a different picture of Beth with his tongue loosened by drink.<\/span><\/p>\n

Harris pulled himself to a stop suddenly. \u201cGot to do something,\u201d he said with a frown. \u201cI\u2019m suppose to do something but I can\u2019t remember what.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cGo to Gold Hill in the morning,\u201d suggested Joe.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAh,\u201d said Harris in a relieved voice. He started walking again. \u201cThat\u2019s right. I\u2019ve got to go to Gold Hill. Put up posters and arrange for the message.\u201d Harris shook his head. \u201cStrange message she sends.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat does it say?\u201d asked Joe curiously.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJust two words,\u201d replied Harris. \u201c \u2018Ophelia lives\u2019. That\u2019s all there is to it.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOphelia?\u201d said Joe, suddenly disturbed. \u201cLike in Hamlet?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAn educated lad!\u201d exclaimed Harris. \u201cWhat a rare find. Yes, like in Hamlet. It\u2019s some sort of code. Let\u2019s that lawyer fellow know she\u2019s alive and well.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDoes she ever get an answer?\u201d asked Joe.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNone that I\u2019ve ever known about,\u201d admitted Harris. Harris looked up and spotted the wagon parked near the warehouse. \u201cAh, home sweet home.\u201d He turned to Joe. \u201cI can make it from here, lad. Thank you for your help.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAre you sure?\u201d asked Joe doubtfully.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sure,\u201d said Harris. \u201cYou go home and have yourself sweet dreams of our fair Ophelia. Or Fatima. Or Beth. Or whatever.\u201d Harris seemed to be confused as to what name to use. He shrugged. \u201cYou go home and have yourself some sweet dreams.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe stood and watched as Harris tottered toward the wagon. He waited until the man had opened the door and stumbled inside. Then he turned to walk back to the stable, more confused and disturbed than ever. He wondered why everything Beth said seemed to come straight from Shakespeare\u2019s play. Was it a bizarre coincidence? Or was Beth playing some kind of game with him? Was she genuinely frightened of some mysterious man or was that simply a ploy to eventually get money from him? When Joe was with Beth, he had no doubts. She seemed so genuine and honest to him. Harris had confirmed that he sent the messages she had told him about. But why did the doubts keep creeping back as soon as he was away from Beth?<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe shook his head. He had a feeling he wasn\u2019t going to get much sleep tonight, and if he did, his dreams were going to be anything but sweet.<\/span><\/p>\n

******************<\/span><\/p>\n

Beth riding across the meadow was about the prettiest picture Joe had ever seen. He sat on his horse and watched as she kicked her horse into a gallop. Her hair streamed back from her head as her body moved in easy motion with the horse. Her white blouse<\/span><\/p>\n

waved in the air as she rode, and black trousers she wore seemed almost to blend into the dark of the saddle. But it was the expression on Beth\u2019s face that made Joe smile. On her face was a look of pure joy.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cCome on!\u201d Beth shouted over her shoulder to Joe. He nodded and kicked his pinto into a gallop. His horse easily caught up with hers and soon the two were racing across the field, the wind blowing into their faces. They rode their horses for several hundred yards, both enjoying the speed of their ride. As the horses neared the river, Beth pulled her mount to a trot and then a walk. Joe did the same.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJoe, that was wonderful,\u201d enthused Beth. \u201cI can\u2019t remember when I\u2019ve had such a feeling of freedom.\u201d She patted her horse on the neck. \u201cHe\u2019s a terrific horse.\u201d She smiled at Joe. \u201cThank you.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re welcome, ma\u2019am,\u201d replied Joe with exaggerated politeness. He smiled at Beth\u2019s happiness. \u201cI\u2019m glad you\u2019re having a good time.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThis is the best day I\u2019ve had in years,\u201d said Beth, her voice filled with excitement. \u201cThe scenery is lovely. I can\u2019t believe how blue the lake is, or how green the trees are. And it\u2019s so wonderful to be riding again. I\u2019ve missed it. There\u2019s not a single thing about this day I would change.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cEven the company?\u201d prompted Joe.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cEspecially the company,\u201d Beth said with a smile.<\/span><\/p>\n

The warm feeling inside Joe had nothing to do with the heat of the day. He looked at Beth, glowing with happiness, and his heart skipped a beat. Joe wanted to keep that look of happiness on her face forever.<\/span><\/p>\n

Looking around, Joe spotted a clump of trees growing on the river bank. \u201cWe\u2019d better give the horses a rest,\u201d he said. \u201cWhy don\u2019t we head toward those trees? We can let the horses rest in the shade and stretch our legs a bit.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

As the two walked their horses toward the trees, the questions that Joe had been wrestling with last night came back to him. Now that he was with Beth, the questions seemed a bit ridiculous. Joe wondered if he should ask Beth about some of the things which, at least right now, seemed to be odd coincidences.<\/span><\/p>\n

Stopping their horses under the trees, both riders dismounted. Three tall, thin birches grew close together, forming a rough half circle. Joe took the reins of both horses. \u201cI\u2019ll tie them up and loosen the cinches a bit,\u201d he offered.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThanks,\u201d said Beth, stretching a bit. She looked around. \u201cI\u2019m going to walk over by the river.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBe careful,\u201d warned Joe. \u201cThat bank is slippery, and the current is pretty swift. If you fell in, the river would probably carry you all the way to Reno.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll be careful,\u201d promised Beth.<\/span><\/p>\n

It took Joe only a few minutes to tie each rein around a tree low enough so the horses could crop the lush grass, and to loosen the cinches on both saddles. When he finished with the horses, Joe looked for Beth. He saw her sitting on a large rock by the river, staring into the water. Joe watched her for a few minutes, struck once more by the fact<\/span><\/p>\n

that just looking at Beth made him feel good. Then he walked slowly toward her.<\/span><\/p>\n

As Joe waked up to Beth, he could see the expression on her face was pensive, almost sad. \u201cWhat are you thinking about?\u201d asked Joe as he lowered himself to join her on the rock.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHow happy I am,\u201d answered Beth without looking at him. \u201cHow I\u2019m going to miss this place.\u201d She turned to look at Joe. \u201cAnd you.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Sliding his arm around Beth\u2019s shoulder, Joe said, \u201cBeth, I don\u2019t want you to leave.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI have to leave, Joe,\u201d she replied. \u201cYou know that.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBeth, don\u2019t go,\u201d pleaded Joe. \u201cStay in Virginia City.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAnd do what?\u201d said Beth, arching her eyebrows. \u201cWork in a dress shop? Or maybe wait tables at Polly\u2019s? Joe, I\u2019m a girl who dances in a medicine show. No one in Virginia City would give me a job, except maybe in the saloon. And despite what people think, I wouldn\u2019t work in a place like that.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou could stay at the ranch,\u201d suggested Joe.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOh, really?\u201d said Beth. She shook her head. \u201cI\u2019ve seen the looks and heard the whispers, Joe. Half the people in Virginia City already think we\u2019re lovers. If I moved out to the ranch, they\u2019d be sure of it.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell, if half the people in Virginia City already think we\u2019re lovers\u2026.,\u201d said Joe with a suggestive grin, pulling her closer.<\/span><\/p>\n

Beth slapped Joe\u2019s hand lightly. \u201cBehave yourself,\u201d she ordered with a smile. Then her face sobered. \u201cEven if I wanted to stay, I couldn\u2019t. If I stayed in Virginia City, my uncle\u2019s men would find me within a week. I don\u2019t want you around me if they do. I can\u2019t bear the thought that something might happen to you because of me.\u201d Beth pulled herself from Joe\u2019s grasp and stood. She turned to stare into the river.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhy don\u2019t you give it up?\u201d said Joe quietly.<\/span><\/p>\n

Turning back to Joe, she looked at him with surprise. \u201cGive up what?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cGive up this\u2026this quest of yours to get control of your father\u2019s company, and to punish your uncle,\u201d answered Joe. \u201cIt\u2019s not worth what you\u2019re doing to yourself.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Turning back to look at the river, Beth didn\u2019t answer. She stared at the rushing water for several minutes. \u201cI\u2019ve thought about it,\u201d she admitted without looking at Joe. \u201cThere have been a lot of times when I\u2019ve been tempted to just send a message to my lawyer, telling him to make a deal with my uncle so he can have my shares. But I can\u2019t do that, Joe. My father spent his life building up that company. He would hate what my uncle is doing. My father would want me to fight it. Sometimes, late at night, it almost seems as if my father\u2019s ghost is almost talking to me, telling me I have to do this.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThere you go again!\u201d said Joe in an exasperated voice. \u201cMy brother Adam said it would be a matter of time until you brought up your father\u2019s ghost.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Beth turned to Joe with a puzzled expression. \u201cWhat are you talking about?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBeth, have you ever listened to yourself? Listened to that story you tell?\u201d said Joe, his aggravation evident. \u201cYour father dies, and your uncle marries your mother in order to take over. There\u2019s threats of insanity, a traveling show and your father\u2019s ghost. It\u2019s the story of Hamlet, isn\u2019t it. There\u2019s no uncle, is there? No company to be saved, no mysterious stranger. For some reason, you\u2019re trying to string me along by telling me the story of Hamlet!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Beth stared at Joe, her mouth agape.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBeth, you don\u2019t have to make up a story to keep my attention,\u201d continued Joe. \u201cI don\u2019t care that you dance in a medicine show. I don\u2019t care what you\u2019ve done before you came to Virginia City. All I care about is you.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Beth continued to stare a Joe, the surprise evident on her face. \u201cI never saw it,\u201d she said slowly. \u201cI never saw the parallel.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Seeing the look on Beth\u2019s face, Joe felt bad about his outburst. \u201cBeth, I\u2019m sorry,\u201d he apologized, his voice full of regret. \u201cI didn\u2019t mean to imply\u2026\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo,\u201d interrupted Beth, her face still full of wonder. \u201cIt\u2019s all right, Joe. Really, it is. Now that I think about it, I can see why you must have thought I was making up a story. It\u2019s almost eerie, isn\u2019t it. My life has turned into a Shakespearean tragedy. My life has become Hamlet.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI would prefer Romeo and Juliet,\u201d said Joe with a tentative smile, trying to make amends.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t think I care for the part about the lovers dying at the end,\u201d replied Beth with a distracted look. She shook her head. \u201cI can\u2019t get over it, Joe. What you said is so true. I\u2019m just amazed I didn\u2019t see it.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat about the message you send?\u201d asked Joe. \u201c \u2018Ophelia lives\u2019. That\u2019s pure Hamlet.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYes, yes, it is, isn\u2019t it,\u201d agreed Beth, her voice full of amazement. She shook her head. \u201cI thought I was picking that phrase simply because it would be unique. But maybe deep down somewhere, I realized the similarities.\u201d Beth looked at Joe. \u201cThere\u2019s no way I can prove to you what I\u2019ve said is true. It is, Joe, it really is. But I understand if you don\u2019t believe me.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBeth, I believe you,\u201d said Joe earnestly. \u201cBut I think it\u2019s time you stopped keeping things from me.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve told you everything, Joe,\u201d declared Beth. She hesitated. \u201cWell, almost everything.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhy won\u2019t you tell me your real name, where you\u2019re from, your uncle\u2019s name?\u201d asked Joe. \u201cWhat difference does it make?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt doesn\u2019t make any difference,\u201d said Beth sadly. \u201cThat\u2019s the problem.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat do you mean?\u201d asked Joe, puzzled.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat I mean is, knowing who I am won\u2019t make any difference,\u201d replied Beth. \u201cI still have to go. I have go on being Fatima, the girl who dances in the medicine show.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Walking up to Beth, Joe took her in his arms. \u201cDon\u2019t go,\u201d he begged her. \u201cPlease don\u2019t go. I want you to stay. I think I\u2019m in love with you.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Looking up at Joe, Beth shook her head. \u201cDon\u2019t be in love with me, Joe,\u201d she said sadly.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhy not?\u201d he asked<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBecause I can\u2019t love you back,\u201d she answered. \u201cNot the way you deserved to be loved.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAnd how\u2019s that?\u201d Joe said with a frown.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou deserved to be loved by someone who can come to you with open arms, with no conditions,\u201d Beth replied. \u201cI can\u2019t do that. What did you call it, a quest? I can\u2019t love you the way you deserve while I\u2019m on this quest.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThen give it up,\u201d said Joe.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI can\u2019t do that,\u201d answered Beth with a shake of her head. \u201cIf I did, I\u2019d feel like I\u2019m betraying my father. And that would always be between us. Every time I looked at you, I would think about how I chose you over my father. Making that choice would chip away at my soul; I know it would. We couldn\u2019t be happy, not really happy, with that hanging over our heads.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Sighing, Joe hugged Beth to him. \u201cWhat happens now?\u201d he asked almost in despair.<\/span><\/p>\n

Laying her head on Joe\u2019s chest, Beth said softly, \u201cI don\u2019t know what\u2019s going to happen. I have to go, Joe. It\u2019s the hardest thing I\u2019ve ever done, but I have to do it. All I want is that you remember me. Don\u2019t forget me, Joe. I need to know that you won\u2019t forget me.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll never forget you,\u201d he promised. Joe kissed her lightly on the forehead.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMaybe some day I\u2019ll feel like I can come back to you,\u201d said Beth. But her voice reflected the doubt she felt about that happening. \u201cWho knows? Maybe some day, you\u2019ll look up and there I\u2019ll be. Until then, just remember the girl who danced in the medicine show.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re more to me than just the girl who danced in the medicine show,\u201d replied Joe sadly. \u201cI\u2019ll always remember Beth, the girl with the bluest eyes I\u2019ve ever seen. The girl who made me laugh and who made me fall in love with her.\u201d Joe bent his head and kissed Beth on the lips, a passionate kiss which she returned wholeheartedly. Both of them knew it was a goodbye kiss.<\/span><\/p>\n

When they finally parted, Joe looked at Beth and saw his tears mirrored in her eyes. He swallowed hard and released her. \u201cI\u2019ll go get the horses,\u201d he said, his voice choked with emotion.<\/span><\/p>\n

As Joe walked back toward the trees, his mind was on the girl standing on the riverbank. He didn\u2019t see the dark figure behind the tree, or see it move as he approached. Joe did hear Beth scream his name in terror and warning. He heard her scream just before he felt the jagged bolt of pain in the back of his head. Then everything around Joe turned black.<\/span><\/p>\n

*************<\/span><\/p>\n

Awareness came back to Joe bit by bit, like pieces of a jigsaw puzzle being fitted together. The first thing Joe knew was that he had a throbbing pain in the back of his head, an ache so fierce that it made his stomach queasy. Joe laid still, with his eyes closed, as he tried to think through the pain. His brain felt sluggish, as if it were working at one-quarter speed.<\/span><\/p>\n

Feeling the grit of the sandy soil against the side of his face, Joe became aware of the face that he was laying on his side on the ground, but not on the soft grass of the meadow. The sand gave Joe the key clue. He figured he must be laying on the ground near the bank of the river. He wasn\u2019t sure how he got to the riverbank, and he wasn\u2019t sure he really cared.<\/span><\/p>\n

Moving his arms a bit, Joe found them pulled unnaturally behind him and restricted. The chafe of the rope against his wrists told Joe that someone had tied his hands together behind his back. The next piece of the puzzle fell easily into place as he tried to move his legs. His ankles were also tied tightly together.<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe\u2019s aching brain finally figured out the sounds he heard were voices. He couldn\u2019t quite understand the words, only that he was hearing a shrill voice being answered by a low, deep-throated one. He listened carefully, trying to force his brain to form the sound into words. After a few minutes of concentrated effort, his aching head finally began to make sense of the sounds.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m telling you for the tenth time that you have me mixed up with someone else,\u201d insisted the shrill voice.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t try that on me, honey,\u201d replied the deep voice. \u201cI know who you are.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re wrong, mister,\u201d said the shrill voice. \u201cI don\u2019t know who you think I am, but you\u2019ve got the wrong person.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSave your breath,\u201d answered the deep voice, dismissing the comment.<\/span><\/p>\n

Opening his eyes slowly, Joe tried to lift his head to see who was talking. He immediately regretted that move. A stab of pain streaked through his head like a bolt of lightning. Joe grunted and eased his head back down to the ground.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cLooks like Sleeping Beauty is starting to wake up,\u201d a new, third voice commented.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJoe! Joe, are you all right?\u201d asked the shrill voice in concern.<\/span><\/p>\n

It took Joe\u2019s foggy brain a minute to identify the shrill voice as belonging to Beth. The thought of Beth filled Joe with a sense of urgency to find the last pieces of the puzzle.<\/span><\/p>\n

Despite the pain that it caused, Joe lifted his head to look around.<\/span><\/p>\n

The vague image of two people sitting a few feet away was the first thing Joe saw. He blinked his eyes rapidly, trying to clear both his vision and his thinking. The images came into focus.<\/span><\/p>\n

One was a man about 40 dressed in a black shirt, black pants and black hat. Joe had no idea who the man was, but he knew the man wasn\u2019t a friend. The man in black was sitting on a log with a gun in his hand, and the gun was pointed in his direction.<\/span><\/p>\n

The second man was easily identified. Jack Slater sat with his knees up and his back against the log. He also had a gun in his hand, although his was held loosely and seemed pointed in no particular direction.<\/span><\/p>\n

Looking for Beth, Joe turned onto his back. He swiveled his head until he saw her sitting a few feet away. Beth was looking a Joe, her face showing a mixture of fright and concern. He could see her hands also were tied behind her back, and her legs also were bound.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s going on?\u201d asked Joe in a thick voice.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJoe, are you all right?\u201d asked Beth in a frightened voice.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know,\u201d admitted Joe, blinking his eyes again. \u201cMy head hurts.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019ll live,\u201d sneered Slater with a laugh. \u201cI didn\u2019t hit you that hard. Besides, you Cartwrights all have heads like rocks.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Shaking his head a bit, Joe asked again. \u201cWhat\u2019s going on?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThese men seem to think I\u2019m someone important,\u201d replied Beth. She glanced in their direction almost disdainfully. \u201cThey want to kidnap me for some reason.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re not kidnapping you,\u201d explained the man in black patiently. \u201cWe\u2019re simply escorting you back to your family.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t have a family,\u201d said Beth in a defiant voice. \u201cYou have the wrong girl.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t start that again,\u201d stated the man, shaking his head. \u201cYour uncle wants you back and I\u2019m going to see that you get there.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDo you think I\u2019d be dancing in a medicine show if I was this…this heiress you\u2019re after,\u201d said Beth.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI have to admit that I didn\u2019t figure out that\u2019s what you were doing,\u201d acknowledged the man in black ruefully. \u201cI kept finding people who had spotted you in different towns, but I thought you were just keeping on the move. I wouldn\u2019t have put it together about the medicine show unless Slater here had told me.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHe doesn\u2019t know what he\u2019s talking about,\u201d said Beth with a frown.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell, now, Miss Fatima or Miss Beth or whatever your name is, I wouldn\u2019t have figured it out either,\u201d sneered Slater. \u201cExcept Cartwright here called you Beth in the saloon the other day. Then I heard Anderson here asking about a girl named Elizabeth or Beth who kept moving from town to town. Things just kind of clicked into place when he described your blue eyes. You do have the bluest eyes I\u2019ve ever seen.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Listening to Slater, Joe cursed himself. He had lost his temper in the saloon and given away Beth\u2019s identify to the one man who was willing to use that information against her.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThat reminds me, Anderson,\u201d continued Slater. \u201cWhen do I get paid?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI told you,\u201d replied Anderson in an irritated voice. \u201cSoon as we get to Reno and I get the girl on the stage, I\u2019ll pay you. I want to make sure you stick around until then.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t you think people will think it\u2019s a little strange that you\u2019re taking a girl tied hand and foot on the stage?\u201d asked Beth. \u201cThey\u2019ll liable to ask questions.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou won\u2019t be tied up on the stage,\u201d promised Anderson. \u201cOnce I show the sheriff and the doc the judge\u2019s paper saying you\u2019re crazy, they\u2019ll be more than happy to agree to pumping you full of something to keep you quiet. Don\u2019t want to upset the other passengers, you know. You\u2019ll have a nice trip home, although you won\u2019t be able to enjoy the scenery much seeing how you\u2019ll be all doped up.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Beth\u2019s shoulders sagged in despair.<\/span><\/p>\n

The pain in Joe\u2019s head had eased to a dull throb. He was no longer dazed and confused, just mad. \u201cTell me, Slater,\u201d asked Joe angrily. \u201cWhat\u2019s the going rate for selling an innocent girl to a lowlife like this.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cA hundred dollars,\u201d replied Slater with a nasty grin. \u201cAnd she ain\u2019t so innocent. I think we both know that.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSlater, you\u2019re scum, you know that,\u201d said Joe in a disgusted voice.<\/span><\/p>\n

Ignoring Joe, Slater turned to Anderson. \u201cThat reminds me. What are we going to do with him?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOnce I get the girl on the stage, I don\u2019t care what you do with him,\u201d replied Anderson with a shrug. \u201cI want to him keep around until we get to Reno. If his father is an important as you say, he could be real useful as a hostage if we run into somebody who objects to our little trip. Once we get to Reno, you can do whatever you want with him.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cGood,\u201d said Slater. He turned to Joe. Pulling a hunting knife out of a sheath tied to the side of his belt, Slater showed the knife to Joe. \u201cI\u2019m going to have some fun with you, Cartwright. By the time I get done with you, your face ain\u2019t going to be so pretty. That family of yours may not even recognize you.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Swallowing the lump of fear that was forming in his throat, Joe gave Slater a defiant look. \u201cI should have beaten the daylights out of you when I had the chance.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell, you missed your chance,\u201d sneered Anderson. \u201cNow it\u2019s my turn.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cPlease, don\u2019t hurt him,\u201d begged Beth in a frightened voice. She looked at Anderson. \u201cIf I promise to go with you quietly, will you let him go?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAnd have him running to the law?\u201d laughed Anderson. \u201cNot on your life. We\u2019ll all going to stay here, one little happy group until morning. Then we\u2019re going to ride into Reno. And if you give me any trouble, missy, I\u2019m going to let Slater have his fun early. I don\u2019t think you\u2019ll like what he\u2019ll do to your boyfriend here.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhy do we have to stay here?\u201d complained Slater. \u201cWhy don\u2019t we just ride into Reno now?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBecause,\u201d said Anderson in a patient voice, \u201cI don\u2019t want to spend any more time in Reno than I have to. Somebody might ask some questions. We leave in the morning, we\u2019ll get there just before the stage leaves. I don\u2019t want to spend more than an hour in that town. That\u2019ll give me just enough time to see the sheriff and the doc, before I have to put the poor little crazy girl on the stage.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t like the idea of staying here until morning,\u201d grumbled Slater.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t care what you like,\u201d said Anderson in a heated voice. \u201cNow gather some wood and get a fire started. I\u2019m getting hungry.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

************************<\/span><\/p>\n

The clock by the front door of the ranch house was chiming eleven o\u2019clock. Ben looked up from the book he was pretending to read and glanced anxiously toward the door. He hadn\u2019t seen Joe since breakfast, and he wanted to talk to his son when he returned from Virginia City. Ben was hoping he could convince Joe to at least consider carefully about his relationship with the girl in the medicine show. He had spent the whole day thinking about what to say to Joe and how to say it. Ben wasn\u2019t sure he could convince Joe that the girl wasn\u2019t right for him. But he knew he had to try. He couldn\u2019t just stand by and let Joe be hurt. And Ben was sure that Joe\u2019s relationship with the dancer was going to end painfully for his son, one way or the other.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cPa, Joe hasn\u2019t been home before midnight for the last few days,\u201d said Adam, looking up from the chessboard. He and Hoss had been moving pieces around on the board for the last hour, neither one of them paying much attention to the actual game.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s right, Pa,\u201d agreed Hoss. \u201cYou can\u2019t be expecting him yet. It\u2019s liable to be awhile before he gets home.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI know,\u201d said Ben with a sigh. \u201cI was just hoping\u2026.\u201d He looked at Adam and Hoss. \u201cIt\u2019s getting late. Aren\u2019t you fellows ready to turn in?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cUh, soon as we finish this game,\u201d replied Adam, looking down quickly at the chessboard. Neither Adam or Hoss were willing to let their father sit and worry about Joe all by himself. They weren\u2019t sure what to do to help him, but both knew by just being with him, they eased Ben\u2019s concern a bit.<\/span><\/p>\n

The sound of footsteps on the porch pulled all three men\u2019s attention toward the door. They watched the door expectantly, anticipating that Joe would throw it open and walk in. All three were surprised when there was a knock on the door.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWho could that be at this hour?\u201d asked Ben with a frown.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know, Pa,\u201d said Adam, rising from the blue chair he had pulled close to the table. Adam walked over to the door and pulled it open.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMr. Ben Cartwright?\u201d asked a heavy-set man in a checked suit from the porch.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo, I\u2019m Adam Cartwright,\u201d replied Adam. \u201cCan I help you?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMy name is Bert Harris,\u201d explained Harris. \u201cI\u2019m looking for Joe Cartwright. Or rather, I\u2019m looking for a young girl who left town with Joe early this afternoon.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMaybe you\u2019d better come in,\u201d said Adam, pulling the door wide.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThank you,\u201d replied Harris, stepping into the house. He looked around briefly, admiring the furnishings, then turned to the two men on the other side of the room who were watching him anxiously. Harris guessed immediately that the older, gray-haired man was Joe\u2019s father.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMr. Cartwright,\u201d said Harris walking to where Ben was sitting. \u201cMy name is Bert Harris. I run the show that\u2019s in Virginia City. Beth, or rather Fatima as she\u2019s known in the show, left town with Joe earlier today. She didn\u2019t show up for the show tonight. I wanted to talk to Joe, to see if he knew where she was.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMy son hasn\u2019t come home yet,\u201d replied Ben, his anxiety growing. \u201cI haven\u2019t seen him since this morning.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Harris frowned. \u201cYou don\u2019t know where he is?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo,\u201d answered Ben with a shake of his head. \u201cHe said he was going riding with the girl, and left a little before noon.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDoes she do this often?\u201d asked Adam. \u201cI mean, does she not show up when she\u2019s spending time with a man?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Harris\u2019 frown deepened. \u201cBeth\u2019s a good girl,\u201d he said indignantly. \u201cShe usually doesn\u2019t spend time with the fellows. In the six months or so she\u2019s been traveling with us, this is the first time I\u2019ve known her to have more than one dinner with someone. And she never misses a show.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDo you think something\u2019s wrong?\u201d asked Ben in a worried voice.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know what to think,\u201d admitted Harris with a sigh. \u201cBeth never misses a show, but I also haven\u2019t ever seen her so taken with a fellow. She talks about Joe all the time. If I didn\u2019t know better, I\u2019d think she was in love with him.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIs there some reason why she couldn\u2019t be in love with him?\u201d asked Adam, raising an eyebrow.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBeth has some\u2026difficulties in her life,\u201d said Harris carefully. \u201cShe doesn\u2019t let anyone get close to her. Beth is afraid that her difficulties might put others at risk. If she cares about Joe, she wouldn\u2019t want to risk him getting caught up her troubles.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMr. Harris, Joe told us the story about those fellows looking for the girl. Is that true?\u201d Hoss asked.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOh, it\u2019s true all right,\u201d answered Harris. \u201cWe\u2019ve dodged a fellow looking for her a couple of times. I don\u2019t know all the reasons, but I do know she\u2019s hiding from someone.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSo you think that maybe this someone caught up with Beth and Joe?\u201d asked Ben in alarm.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMaybe,\u201d Harris replied, cocking his head. \u201cOr maybe Beth finally broke down and let someone into her life. Could be the two of them have run off together.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJoe wouldn\u2019t do that,\u201d stated Hoss in a positive voice.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou don\u2019t know that,\u201d said Harris. \u201cBeth is a pretty girl, and if Joe has some strong feelings about her\u2026\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJoe does have feelings for her,\u201d agreed Hoss. \u201cBut he also promised he wouldn\u2019t do anything about them without talking to us first.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHoss, Joe may have forgotten what he promised,\u201d said Adam. \u201cIf he got caught up in some emotional situation, he may not have thought about talking it over with us.\u201d Adam cocked his head a bit. \u201cWe haven\u2019t exactly been supportive,\u201d he acknowledged.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo, it wouldn\u2019t happen that way,\u201d said Hoss firmly, shaking his head. \u201cJoe made a promise to me and he wouldn\u2019t break it.\u201d Hoss turned to Ben. \u201cSomething\u2019s wrong, Pa. I know it is. Joe\u2019s in trouble and he needs our help. We\u2019ve got to go find him.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Staring into the fire, Ben didn\u2019t answer for several minutes. He thought about how fiercely Joe had defend the girl to him and to Adam and Hoss. Ben momentarily conceded to himself that it was possible than Joe and the girl had gone off somewhere together. Given Joe\u2019s feelings for the girl and the obvious disapproval of his family over his spending time with her, it wasn\u2019t impossible that Joe had decided to turn an afternoon\u2019s ride into a longer, more amorous event. It may have even been the girl\u2019s idea. Didn\u2019t Polly say something about her leading Joe astray?<\/span><\/p>\n

But almost as soon has these thoughts came to Ben, he dismissed them. Ben believed he knew his son. Despite Joe\u2019s reputation with the ladies, Ben felt sure Joe would never simply run off with the girl. For one thing, Joe had made a promise to Hoss, and he would honor that promise. And even if he had forgotten his promise, Joe wouldn\u2019t do something that would dishonor the girl or his family, no matter how much she encouraged him to do so.<\/span><\/p>\n

With a sudden start, Ben realized he had never even met the girl. He had been as bad as the gossips in Virginia City, assuming that the only danger Joe faced was having his heart bruised. Because she danced in a medicine show, Ben had given little credence to her story. With a sinking feeling, Ben realized that he made have terribly misjudged the whole situation.<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben turned to the three men who were watching him expectantly. \u201cAs soon as it\u2019s light,\u201d he said, \u201cwe\u2019ll go looking for Joe and the girl.\u201d He swallowed hard. \u201cI just hope we\u2019re not too late.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

******************<\/span><\/p>\n

A few feet from the dying fire, Beth snuggled as close to Joe as possible. Anderson and Slater had given little thought to the comfort of their prisoners. Anderson had untied Beth long enough to allow her eat a plate of burned beans and drink a cup of bitter coffee. Before untying Beth, he had yanked her boots from her feet, a precaution against her running away. While Beth choked down the food, Anderson had stood over a Joe with a gun, threatening to shoot if Beth made any attempt to escape. When Beth had discovered with dismay there was nothing left in the bean pot for Joe, Anderson had shrugged indifferently. He had grudging allowed her to hold a cup of coffee to Joe\u2019s mouth so he could drink some of the bitter brew. Then he had roughly tied her up again, not giving her a chance to put her boots on again.<\/span><\/p>\n

Too far from the fire to feel its warmth and without a blanket to ward off the night chill,<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe shivered a bit. He assumed Beth was trying to get close to him for warmth as well as comfort, although he had little of both to offer. He was surprised when she suddenly whispered in his ear.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJoe, can you swim?\u201d Beth asked in as soft a voice as possible.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat!\u201d exclaimed Joe. He looked quickly toward the fire. Anderson was asleep near the flames. Slater was suppose to be keeping watch but the cowboy was dozing, unconcerned that the pair who were bound hand and foot would cause any trouble. Joe\u2019s shocked comment hadn\u2019t disturbed either one.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cCan you swim?\u201d Beth repeated in a whisper.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYes,\u201d replied Joe softly. \u201cBut why do you want to know that?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBecause I think I\u2019ve figured out a way to get us loose,\u201d Beth answered in a voice that Joe could barely hear. \u201cBut once we\u2019re loose, we\u2019ve got to get away. We\u2019d never make it to the horses, and they\u2019d catch us if we tried to run. The river is our only chance.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Shaking his head, Joe whispered, \u201cWe\u2019d never make it across the river. The current is too swift. We\u2019d be carried downstream as soon as we hit the water.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s what I\u2019m counting on,\u201d replied Beth. Seeing Joe\u2019s surprised look, she continued. \u201cThe river will carry us away from here. They could never keep us on foot and by the time they got their horses, we\u2019d be a mile away.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAnd probably drowned,\u201d said Joe. \u201cNo, it\u2019s no good, Beth.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDo you have a better idea?\u201d she hissed almost angrily. Her whisper turned into a pleading one. \u201cJoe, we\u2019ve got to try. It\u2019s a chance, our only chance. And I\u2019d rather be dead than carried off to an asylum.\u201d She shuddered a bit and Joe knew the shudder wasn\u2019t caused by the cold.<\/span><\/p>\n

Thinking hard, Joe had to admit to himself he didn\u2019t have a better plan. Beth was right about the horses or trying to escape on foot. Joe doubted if he could take two armed men down by himself without a weapon. But diving into the river seemed sheer madness.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBert knows you missed the show,\u201d whispered Joe. \u201cMy family knows I didn\u2019t come home last night. They\u2019ll come looking for us. Maybe the best thing is to wait for some help.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat if they don\u2019t?\u201d Beth asked in a soft voice. \u201cThey might not think we need help. And even if they do come looking, they might not find us in time. Joe, the river is our only hope.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Looking away, Joe didn\u2019t want to agree with Beth. But he knew she was right. He had an idea what people would think when they discovered he and Beth were both missing. He hoped his father would have enough confidence in his integrity not to think he and Beth had simply run off together. But even if he did, how would his father ever find them?<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cLet\u2019s just get loose,\u201d Joe finally whispered to Beth. \u201cThen we\u2019ll figure out what to do.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Nodding, Beth whispered, \u201cKeep an eye on them.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Looking back toward the fire, Joe saw that Anderson and Slater were both still asleep.<\/span><\/p>\n

From the corner of his eye, he saw Beth begin to twist her body. He turned to watch her.<\/span><\/p>\n

Arching her back, Beth pushed her hands to the ground. Joe watched as she moved her hands under her body. Months of dancing had made Beth\u2019s muscles both limber and strong. Glancing occasionally toward the two men near the fire, Joe watched in fascination as she moved her tied hands under body, and then under her legs. She lifted her feet as she continued to slide her hands forward. In less time than Joe would have guessed, her hands slid over her feet.<\/span><\/p>\n

Her tied hands now in front of her, Beth reached into her left pants pocket and pulled out the smallest pocket knife Joe had ever seen. It looked no longer than her finger. The knife was attached to a small brass ring. Joe guess it was a key ring, although nothing was attached to it except the knife. Putting the pocket knife to her mouth, Beth pulled it open with her teeth.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThis was my father\u2019s,\u201d explained Beth when she saw Joe\u2019s questioning look. \u201cKind of good luck piece. It\u2019s not very sharp, but it does have an edge. Lean forward so I can work on your hands.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe scooted forward a bit, both to give Beth a better angle with which to work on the rope around his wrists as well as to try to block what she was doing from view. The two men sleeping by the fire seemed not to be concerned about their prisoners, but Joe didn\u2019t want to take any chances.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThis is going to take awhile,\u201d Beth whispered in Joe\u2019s ear.<\/span><\/p>\n

Beth sawed on the rope that bound Joe\u2019s hands for what seemed to Joe a very long time. He kept an anxious eye on the sleeping men a few yards away as Beth worked. Joe\u2019s anxiety increased as he saw the sky begin to lighten with the dawn. \u201cHurry, Beth,\u201d he urged. \u201cThey won\u2019t sleep much longer.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Not bothering to answer, Beth sawed and pressed harder on the rope. Joe pulled his hands apart, trying to weaken the rope even more. A minute later, Joe heard a satisfying snap and his hands were free.<\/span><\/p>\n

Flexing his fingers to restore the circulation, Joe bent forward and untied the rope around his ankles. He quickly turned and untied Beth. Both stood, making as little noise as possible. \u201cThe river! Let\u2019s go!,\u201d said Beth urgently.<\/span><\/p>\n

Beth\u2019s voice woke Slater. He saw the prisoners \u2013 and his hundred dollars \u2013 getting ready to disappear. \u201cHey!\u201d yelled Slater, still half asleep. They\u2019re getting away!\u201d He pulled his gun up and prepared to shoot.<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe ran forward and dove into Slater, knocking his gun from his hand. The two began to wrestle on the ground, both throwing punches which seemed to have little impact on the other man. Joe finally landed a fist on Slater\u2019s jaw, which stunned the cowboy for a moment. Seeing a small advantage, Joe followed up with two quick jabs to Slater\u2019s mouth. He pulled back his fist and landed a knockout punch on Slater\u2019s chin.<\/span><\/p>\n

Breathing hard, Joe rolled off Slater. He was still trying to catch his breath when he heard Beth\u2019s screams.<\/span><\/p>\n

In the dim light of the dawn, Joe could see Beth struggling against Anderson on the riverbank. Anderson had his hands on Beth\u2019s arms and was trying to pull her back toward the camp. Beth, for her part, was kicking and clawing at the man as she screamed for help. The more Anderson pulled at Beth, the more frantic her kicks and screams became.<\/span><\/p>\n

Searching the ground, Joe saw the gun that Slater had dropped. He crawled a foot or two across the ground and picked up the gun. He aimed the pistol at the struggling pair. \u201cLet her go, Anderson,\u201d shouted Joe. \u201cLet her go or I\u2019ll shoot!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Turning to the camp, Anderson froze when he saw the gun in Joe\u2019s hand. He seemed unsure what to do.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cLet her go!\u201d shouted Joe again. He knew he wouldn\u2019t shoot. Beth was too close to Anderson and he couldn\u2019t take the chance that he might hit her. He prayed Anderson wouldn\u2019t realize that.<\/span><\/p>\n

But Beth didn\u2019t seem to realize the fact that Joe wouldn\u2019t shoot, either. \u201cNo!\u201d she screamed. \u201cDon\u2019t, Joe!\u201d She yanked her hands from Anderson\u2019s grasp in a panic.<\/span><\/p>\n

In the dim light, it was hard for Joe to see exactly what happened next. In her frantic attempt to escape, he wasn\u2019t sure if Beth fell or jumped into the river. All he knew for sure was one minute she was running along the river bank, and the next minute she was gone.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBeth!\u201d yelled Joe. He started to scramble to his feet, but stopped as he saw Anderson reach for the holster on his hip. Joe turned the gun toward the man in black. \u201cDon\u2019t,\u201d he warned. Anderson ignored the warning and drew his gun quickly. Both men fired their weapons. Anderson\u2019s bullet went wide, missing Joe by several yards. Joe\u2019s bullet hit Anderson in the middle of the chest. Anderson crumpled to the ground.<\/span><\/p>\n

Stunned by Beth\u2019s sudden disappearance, Joe got to his feet slowly. He began walking toward the river. Joe had taken only a few steps when he heard his name called out in a roar of anger. Joe whirled just as Slater jumped him with the knife in his hand.<\/span><\/p>\n

Slater plunged the knife into Joe\u2019s left shoulder as he knocked Joe to the ground. The agonizing pain numbed Joe\u2019s arm, and the gun fell his hand. The pain seemed to double as Slater pulled the knife from Joe\u2019s shoulder.<\/span><\/p>\n

Through the haze of pain, Joe saw Slater kneeling over him. The knife, already dripping with Joe\u2019s blood, was in Slater\u2019s hand. Slater raised his hand high, as if preparing to plunge the knife into Joe\u2019s chest.<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe kicked out his leg, hitting Slater hard in the hip. Slater lost his balance and fell to the side but the knife continued its downward journey, albeit with much less force than had been originally intended. The knife sliced across Joe\u2019s chest and ribs as Slater fell away from him.<\/span><\/p>\n

Rolling on his side, Joe frantically searched for the gun with his right hand. He felt the hard metal in the grass and grabbed the pistol. He rolled again, landing on his back.<\/span><\/p>\n

Slater was almost on top of Joe when Joe fired the gun. The barrel was only inches from<\/span><\/p>\n

Slater\u2019s midsection when Joe pulled the trigger. Slater clutched at stomach, then fell forward, the knife still firmly grasped in his hand. Joe saw the knife coming toward him and managed to raise his left hand to try to ward it off. As he died, Jack Slater inflicted one last injury, slicing Joe\u2019s hand to the bone.<\/span><\/p>\n

Laying on his back with the weight of Slater\u2019s body across his, Joe felt the burning pain of the knife wounds. His shoulder and hand throbbed with agonizing waves of pain, and the cut across his chest and ribs burned. He could feel the blood running down his arm and body. Each beat of his heart seemed to send more pain and more blood through the wounds.<\/span><\/p>\n

Using almost the last of his strength, Joe pushed Slater\u2019s body off of him. He turned his head and saw four horses tied to the trees a few yards away, waiting patiently for a rider.<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe knew he had to get help, for his sake and for Beth\u2019s.<\/span><\/p>\n

Rolling once more, Joe pushed himself onto his stomach. He groaned at the new pain this move caused. Joe laid on his stomach for a moment, trying to gather enough strength to get to the horses. Pushing himself to his knees with his right hand, Joe began to crawl toward the horses.<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe managed to crawl four or five feet before the dizziness hit him. The ground seemed to be spinning around him, and the trees and horses appeared to be moving in some kind of drunken dance. Joe\u2019s arm buckled and he fell forward. He tried to push himself up again, but this time his arm had no strength. Joe lay in the grass, too weak and sick with pain to move. He could feel his life\u2019s blood ebbing out of his body. Beth had said no one would find them in time, thought Joe, and she was right. It was too late for both of them. The thought of Beth caused another pain to course through Joe, this one worse than anything caused by his physical hurts. As the curtain of darkness descended on Joe, he whispered, \u201cI\u2019m sorry, Beth.\u201d Then Joe allowed himself to be pulled into the dark land where he could feel no more pain.<\/span><\/p>\n

***************<\/span><\/p>\n

Senses alert for any sign, Ben guided his buckskin through the tall grass of Truckee Meadow. He tried to ride slow so he wouldn\u2019t miss even the smallest indication that Joe had come this way. But riding slow was difficult when he felt such a sense of urgency.<\/span><\/p>\n

The Cartwrights had spent the night working out a search pattern, or rather Adam had. In his typical methodical way, Adam had taken a map and marked out 14 grids, one of each of the Cartwrights and the 11 hands in the bunkhouse who would join in the search. Each man was to spend two hours searching his grid, and then meet up with the others at the lake. If someone found some sign of Joe in their area, they were to stay where they were. When the men came together, if someone was missing, the others would head for the missing man\u2019s area.<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben wasn\u2019t sure why he had asked for the meadow. Maybe it was because he felt that\u2019s where Joe would take a pretty girl for a ride. Or maybe because he wanted to search an area which he could cover quickly and then return to the lake. Ben only knew that he had felt pulled to the meadow.<\/span><\/p>\n

Harris had returned to town, to see if Beth showed up at the wagon and to notify Sheriff Coffee of the missing couple. Ben knew there was little Coffee could do to help except organize more men to search. That would take time, and Ben wasn\u2019t willing to wait.<\/span><\/p>\n

The original plan had been to start out at first light, but after spending hours pacing the floor in front of the fireplace, Ben had decided not to wait. Two hours before dawn, he had wakened Adam and Hoss, telling Adam to rouse the men in the bunkhouse and telling Hoss to saddle the horses. An hour later, with torches and lanterns lighting the night, the search party had left the ranch.<\/span><\/p>\n

Stopping at the edge of the meadow, Ben blew out his lantern and looked around. In the light of early morning, the meadow looked idyllic. The grass was wet with dew, and the wildflowers sprinkled through the grass made a colorful pattern. A few birds chirped a welcome. Ben cupped his hand to his mouth and yelled as loud as possible. \u201cJoe! Joe!<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe!\u201d The only answer was the chirping of the birds.<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben kicked his horse forward slowly. The meadow was large, covering several acres, and Ben was on the edge of it. He knew it had been foolish to expect to find Joe right away, or even to find him here at all. But he had hoped.<\/span><\/p>\n

Riding slowly, Ben searched with his eyes, with his ears, and with his heart. He was looking for some sign, some feeling that his son was near. More foolishness, Ben told himself. But that didn\u2019t keep him from searching his heart as he searched the meadow.<\/span><\/p>\n

Stopping, Ben once more cupped his mouth and yelled his son\u2019s name. At first, only silence answered his call. Then Ben heard the faint whinny of a horse.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJoe!\u201d shouted Ben again. Once more, the whinny of a horse answered him. Ben thought the sound came from the far end of the meadow. Joe had been riding Cochise, and the pinto knew Ben\u2019s voice. It could be any horse answering his call, but in Ben\u2019s heart, he knew it wasn\u2019t.<\/span><\/p>\n

Kicking his horse forward at gallop, Ben rode toward the end of the meadow. As he neared the river, he saw the trees with horses tied to them. Four horses, thought Ben with a frown as he neared the trees. He slowed his horse and pulled his gun from the holster on his hip.<\/span><\/p>\n

Walking his horse toward the trees, Ben couldn\u2019t see anything wrong. There was no sign of anyone moving around. As he got closer, he could see the remains of a camp near the bank of the river. Ben\u2019s eyes grew wide with fear as he saw a crumpled body on the riverbank.<\/span><\/p>\n

Pulling his horse to a stop, Ben dismounted and walked slowly toward the camp, gun at the ready. He walked first toward the body on the riverbank, his heart in his throat. He let out a sigh of relief as he neared the body and could tell it wasn\u2019t Joe. Ben flipped the body onto it\u2019s back. He didn\u2019t recognize the man, but he recognized the manner of his death. A gunshot wound in the chest had ended the man\u2019s life.<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben turned back to the camp, and his heart leaped into his throat again. From the riverbank, he could see what he hadn\u2019t been able to see from the trees. Two bodies were sprawled in the grass. One was wearing a familiar green jacket.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJoe!\u201d cried Ben in alarm as he ran from the riverbank. He barely glanced at the other body; the hole in the man\u2019s midsection told Ben in a instant that the man was dead. As Ben neared Joe, his fear increased. He could see the ground around his son was soaked with blood.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJoe!\u201d said Ben again as he knelt next to his son. Joe laid face down in the grass, unmoving. Ben could see the left sleeve of his son\u2019s jacket was soaked with blood. Ben felt Joe\u2019s neck, and gave a brief prayer of thanks as he felt the faint pulse in his son\u2019s neck. He turned Joe over as gently as possible.<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe\u2019s face was white as a sheet, as if all the blood had drained from his face. Considering the amount of blood that covered the rest of his body, Ben could almost believed it had. The front of Joe\u2019s shirt was smeared with blood, and Ben could see the jagged cut across Joe\u2019s chest and ribs through the rip in the cloth. Blood also was seeping slowly from the cut on Joe\u2019s hand. But it was the wound in Joe\u2019s shoulder that scared Ben the most. Blood was flowing from that wound freely.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHold on, Joe,\u201d urged Ben as if his unconscious son could hear him. Ben holstered his gun and almost ripped the kerchief from around his neck. He balled the cloth and pressed it hard against Joe\u2019s shoulder. As he pressed down on his son\u2019s wound, Ben looked around, searching with his eyes for anything that he could use as bandages. He saw a blanket laying near the remains of the fire. Pressing hard on the wound, Ben released the cloth in his hand and hurried toward the blanket.<\/span><\/p>\n

As he rushed across the grass, Ben\u2019s foot kicked a knife on the ground. Ben bent to pick it up. He shuddered as he saw it was covered with blood. A look of revulsion crossed Ben\u2019s face as he stared at the loathsome object. He steeled himself not think about whose blood had stained the knife. He told himself the knife was simply an object, and one that he could use. He tried not to think of the injuries the knife had caused.<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben took the knife over to the fire and picked up the blanket. He quickly began slicing the blanket into strips. The blade was sharp, and it took little time for Ben to finish his task. As soon as he was done, however, Ben flung the knife away from him, as if it were a deadly snake.<\/span><\/p>\n

Carrying the strips of cloth, Ben hurried back to Joe. As he knelt by his son, he saw the cloth on Joe\u2019s shoulder was already becoming soaked with blood. Ben pressed the cloth into Joe\u2019s shoulder and quickly tied one of the strips around the cloth to hold it in place. He tied the strip as tightly as possible.<\/span><\/p>\n

Another strip of blanket was wrapped tightly around Joe\u2019s hand and tied as tightly as possible by Ben. He pulled Joe\u2019s shirt open, looking for more wounds. He was both relieved and a bit puzzled when the only one he found was the cut across Joe\u2019s chest. He wondered briefly where the other blood, smeared lower on Joe\u2019s shirt, had come from. The question was quickly forgotten as Ben began to wrap the strips of blanket around Joe\u2019s well-muscled chest and ribs.<\/span><\/p>\n

As soon as he had Joe\u2019s wounds tightly bandaged, Ben hurried to his horse to get his canteen. He knew Joe was still bleeding. His efforts had only slowed the process a bit. Ben knew it was important to get Joe to drink, to replace some of the lost fluids. Ben prayed he could rouse his son enough to swallow from the canteen.<\/span><\/p>\n

Snatching the canteen from his saddle, Ben started back to Joe, then stopped. He tried to think how close someone else from the search party might be, but he couldn\u2019t remember. Nevertheless, Ben pulled his gun and fired two shots into the air. Then he hurried back to Joe.<\/span><\/p>\n

Raising Joe\u2019s head gently, Ben poured a trickle of water over his son\u2019s face. At first, Joe had no reaction to the water. But as Ben continued to pour the water, Joe began to stir. His head moved slowly, and a soft grunt of pain escaped from his lips. Ben quickly put the canteen to Joe\u2019s lips and forced some water into Joe\u2019s mouth. He watched carefully to make sure Joe swallowed the liquid.<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe\u2019s eyes fluttered open as Ben pulled the canteen back from Joe\u2019s mouth. The hazel eyes that Ben knew so well stared at him dully, as if they weren\u2019t registering the image in front of them. Joe blinked twice, then said in an almost inaudible voice, \u201cPa?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cEasy, Joe,\u201d crooned Ben in a soothing voice. \u201cDon\u2019t try to talk. Drink some more.\u201d Ben put the canteen to Joe\u2019s lips and forced more water into Joe\u2019s mouth.<\/span><\/p>\n

As Ben pulled the canteen away again, Joe struggled to talk. \u201cPa,\u201d he said weakly. \u201cHelp\u2026help\u2026Beth.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Frowning, Ben looked around. He had forgotten about the girl. He saw no sign of her in the meadow. Turning back to Joe, he asked, \u201cWhere is she, Joe?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

It took Joe a minute to answer. Ben wasn\u2019t sure if he was trying to remember or gathering his strength. Maybe both, he thought.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIn\u2026river,\u201d replied Joe, his voice so soft that Ben could barely hear the words.<\/span><\/p>\n

Looking toward the river, Ben shook his head. He could hear the water splashing and knew how swift the current was. If the girl had fallen in the river, there was nothing Ben could do for her.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHelp\u2026Beth,\u201d insisted Joe again, his voice stronger and filled with urgency. Joe reached up with his right hand and grabbed Ben\u2019s shirt. \u201cHelp\u2026.her,\u201d he pleaded.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAll right, all right,\u201d said Ben in a soothing voice. \u201cI\u2019ll go look. Drink some more water, and then I\u2019ll look.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Seeming relieved by Ben\u2019s promise, Joe eagerly drank from the canteen Ben put to his lips. As Ben once again pulled away the canteen, Joe looked up at his father. His expression was both expectant and pleading.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAll right, I\u2019ll look,\u201d sighed Ben. He lowered Joe\u2019s head to the ground, and put the canteen down. Ben rose and hurried to the riverbank.<\/span><\/p>\n

As he expected, Ben could see nothing in the river except water, rocks, and a few logs floating by. If the girl had gone into the water, the current had carried her away.<\/span><\/p>\n

Turning, Ben hurried back to Joe. \u201cJoe,\u201d he started, then stopped. Joe\u2019s eyes were closed, and his barely moving chest rose and fell evenly. Joe was unconscious again.<\/span><\/p>\n

Thoughts of the girl fled from Ben\u2019s mind as he saw the streaks of red soaking through the heavy woolen cloth of the makeshift bandages. Ben had slowed the bleeding, but he hadn\u2019t stopped it.<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben knew if he waited, the rest of the search party would eventually find him. But Ben also knew by the time the others showed up, it would be too late for Joe. His son was literally bleeding to death in front of him.<\/span><\/p>\n

If there was a decision to be made, Ben wasn\u2019t aware of it. He reached down and scooped Joe into his arms. Carrying his son as he had done when Joe was a baby, Ben walked grimly toward his horse.<\/span><\/p>\n

*****************<\/span><\/p>\n

Hoss paced in front of the fireplace, just as Ben had done hours earlier. He kept glancing toward the stairs, wanting the doctor to come down and tell him that his little brother was going to be fine. Hoss knew it was too soon for the doctor to come down. He had been upstairs barely twenty minutes, and the extent of Joe\u2019s injuries were such that it would take some time for Doctor Martin to patch up Joe.<\/span><\/p>\n

A new fear struck Hoss. What if the doctor did come down the stairs now? He knew that an appearance by the doctor now would mean the worst possible news. Hoss suddenly found himself praying that the doctor would stay upstairs.<\/span><\/p>\n

Turning to stare into the fire, Hoss replayed the events of the past few hours in his mind.<\/span><\/p>\n

When Adam, Hoss and the rest of the search party had seen Ben riding toward them holding Joe in the saddle in front of him, most of the men thought Ben was carrying a dead man. Joe\u2019s arms and legs hung limply at his side, and his head was bent forward, bobbing slightly at every step his father\u2019s horse took. He was covered with blood, and the parts of his body that could be seen had no color. Hoss had felt tears welling up in his eyes.<\/span><\/p>\n

But the tears disappeared as Ben began shouting at Adam to get the doctor and Hoss to get a wagon. Ben Cartwright had shouted that his son was still alive, and the tone of his voice told everyone that he meant to keep him that way.<\/span><\/p>\n

In his mind, Hoss could see Adam turning his horse and kicking it into a gallop as he headed for town. He remember how he had raced back to the ranch house, two of the hands following him, and how he had harnessed two horses to a wagon in record time while the hands threw blankets and mattresses into the back, along with the medical kit and bandages. Hoss had sped from the yard in front of the house and back to his father. As he thought about it now, Hoss shook his head. It was a small miracle that he hadn\u2019t crashed the wagon, as fast he had been driving it.<\/span><\/p>\n

The one picture Hoss couldn\u2019t shake was the sight of his Pa, hands and shirt splattered with Joe\u2019s blood, carrying his little brother to the wagon. The image was burned into Hoss\u2019 brain, and it was a picture he hated.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAny news?\u201d said a voice behind Hoss.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s too soon, Adam,\u201d replied Hoss without looking around. He glanced up at the stairs again. \u201cIt\u2019s way too soon for the doc to come down.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI talked with Roy Coffee after I sent the doctor from town,\u201d said Adam. \u201cRoy\u2019s going up to the meadow later to pick up the bodies. He\u2019ll to try to piece together what happened.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJoe will tell us what happened,\u201d declared Hoss in a stubborn voice. \u201cAll we have to do is wait a while, and he\u2019ll tell us.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI hope so,\u201d said Adam softly.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI know so,\u201d stated Hoss with a conviction he didn\u2019t feel.<\/span><\/p>\n

The two brothers sat for another hour staring into the fire, both of them silent the whole time. There were no words to express what they were feeling. They both sprang to their feet at the sound of footsteps on the stairs.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m just coming down for a cup of coffee,\u201d said Doctor Martin, forestalling questions as he descended the stairs. \u201cWe don\u2019t know anything for sure yet.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat are his chances?\u201d asked Adam.<\/span><\/p>\n

The doctor took a deep breath before answering. \u201cI don\u2019t know, Adam,\u201d he admitted. \u201cJoe\u2019s lost a lot of blood. He\u2019s very weak. And there\u2019s already signs of infection. Right now things could go either way.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDoc, you\u2019ve got to pulling him through,\u201d said Hoss in an insistent voice. \u201cYou\u2019ve got to.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou know I\u2019ll do everything possible, Hoss,\u201d advised Doctor Martin gently. He started toward the kitchen, then stopped. \u201cBy the way, who\u2019s Beth?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhy do you want to know?\u201d asked Adam cautiously.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo real reason,\u201d answered the doctor. \u201cJoe keeps calling for her. I just wondered who she was.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBeth is the name of the girl Joe was with,\u201d explained Adam. His expression grew grim. \u201cShe dances in a medicine show.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIn a medicine show?\u201d said Doctor Martin with raised eyebrows. His expression suddenly changed. \u201cOh, yes. I heard some talk about Joe and that dancer in Virginia City.\u201d He looked at Adam curiously. \u201cWhat happened to her?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know, doc,\u201d replied Adam, his voice growing bitter. \u201cAnd right now, I don\u2019t care.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAdam, don\u2019t say that,\u201d said Hoss with a frown.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhy not?\u201d asked Adam. \u201cThat girl\u2019s been nothing but trouble for Joe ever since he met her. And now this. I don\u2019t care if she\u2019s ever found.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou know what I think, Adam,\u201d said Hoss slowly. \u201cI don\u2019t think that girl caused Joe any grief. We were the ones who did that. You, me, Pa, those people in Virginia City, we\u2019re the ones who told Joe that she was lying to him. We\u2019re the ones who kept telling Joe that she was something other than she said she was. Well, turns out we were wrong.\u201d Hoss turned and looked toward the stairs. \u201cMaybe if we had spent less time making judgments and more time trying to help, this wouldn\u2019t have happened.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re not saying this is our fault?\u201d asked Adam in astonishment.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo,\u201d replied Hoss shaking his head. \u201cOf course not. What I\u2019m say is don\u2019t blame the girl, Adam. This ain\u2019t her fault either.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cShe shouldn\u2019t have dragged Joe into her troubles,\u201d insisted Adam.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cFrom what I can tell, she tried her best not to,\u201d said Hoss. \u201cJoe made the decision to get involved. Because he cared about her. That\u2019s the whole point, Adam. Nobody else cared about the girl. Not one of us gave two thoughts to how she felt or what might happen to her. Nobody cares about her except Joe. And that ain\u2019t right.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam stood quietly for a minute, thinking about what Hoss had said. \u201cI\u2019ll send Charlie over to the meadow,\u201d Adam replied at last. \u201cMaybe he and some of hands can find some sign of what happened to the girl.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cGood idea,\u201d said Hoss, nodding his approval. Hoss turned toward Doctor Martin. \u201cCome on, doc, I\u2019ll get you that coffee.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

*********************<\/span><\/p>\n

For three days, Ben sat by Joe\u2019s bed, watching the battle that his son was fighting within himself.<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben helped changed the bandages on Joe\u2019s arm, hand, and chest, and he wiped the sweat of fever away from Joe\u2019s face and neck. Ben dosed his son with medicine, and helped him to drink the broth that Hop Sing brought to the room. But for the most part, all Ben could do was watch and wait.<\/span><\/p>\n

Sometimes, it appeared as if Joe were winning. Joe would open his eyes and look at his father. The eyes were bright with fever, but Joe seemed to recognize Ben. That\u2019s when Ben said the soothing words of encouragement, and felt his heart soar with hope.<\/span><\/p>\n

Other times, it seemed the infection was winning. Joe would become delirious, thrashing about the bed and calling out for Beth, for his Pa, for help. That\u2019s when Ben had to restrain his son, holding Joe tightly so he wouldn\u2019t break open the stitches. Those were the times Ben thought his heart would break.<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben had grabbed snatches of sleep, and he remembered having a bite to eat here and there. But those times when he wasn\u2019t with Joe seemed unreal. For three days, Ben\u2019s world, his reality, was centered around his son\u2019s battle to live.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cPa?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The sound woke Ben with a start on the fourth morning. He hadn\u2019t even realized he had dozed off.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cPa?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben looked down into the bed. Joe\u2019s eyes were open and he was watching Ben. It took a minute for Ben to realize there was something different about Joe\u2019s eyes. He suddenly realized that his son\u2019s eyes no longer looked unnaturally bright. Ben reached over and put his hand on Joe\u2019s forehead. He closed his eyes and his shoulders sagged in relief as he felt the cool skin. Joe\u2019s fever had broken.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJoe, you gave us quite a scare,\u201d said Ben, stroking his son\u2019s head gently. \u201cBut you\u2019re going to be all right. Everything is going to be all right now.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI feel kind of shaky,\u201d admitted Joe.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m not surprised,\u201d said Ben with a smile. \u201cYou\u2019ve been a pretty sick boy.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe looked away for a minute, then turned back to Ben. \u201cPa, did you find Beth?\u201d asked Joe. Something in Joe\u2019s voice told Ben that his son wasn\u2019t sure he wanted to know.<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben sat back in his chair, thinking about his answer. Joe\u2019s fever had just broken, and his son was weak and vulnerable. He had no desire to hinder Joe\u2019s recovery by telling him upsetting news. At the same time, Ben wouldn\u2019t lie to Joe.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo we didn\u2019t,\u201d replied Ben slowly. \u201cWe don\u2019t know what happened to her.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe didn\u2019t look surprised at Ben\u2019s answer. He merely turned his head to stare at the ceiling. \u201cIt was true, you know,\u201d said Joe. \u201cBeth\u2019s story, the one Adam thought was a lie? It was all true.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI know,\u201d acknowledged Ben, his voice filled with understanding.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI tried to help her, Pa,\u201d continued Joe, his voice choked with emotion. \u201cWhy wouldn\u2019t she let me help her?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know, Joe,\u201d answered Ben. He could tell Joe was tiring. This wasn\u2019t the time for a weighty discussion. \u201cYou rest, Joe. We\u2019ll talk about it later.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhy wouldn\u2019t she let me help her?\u201d said Joe again as his eyes began to close.<\/span><\/p>\n

*******************<\/span><\/p>\n

It took two weeks for Joe to convince his father and the doctor to let him out of bed. He had wanted to leave his bed the first day, to go back to the meadow to look for Beth. Only a promise from Hoss and Adam to search the riverbanks once more had prevent Joe from dragging himself out from under the covers. Joe had waited with increasing agitation for his brothers to return. Doctor Martin was threatening Joe with a sedative by the time Adam and Hoss got back. When they told Joe that they found no sign of Beth, Joe wasn\u2019t sure if he was relieved or disappointed.<\/span><\/p>\n

When Sheriff Coffee came out to the ranch to take Joe\u2019s formal statement about what happen in the meadow, he told Joe that \u201cHarris and Company\u201d had left Virginia City the day after Joe had been injured. Joe wasn\u2019t surprised. There was no reason for Bert and the others to stay. But Joe regretted their leaving. They were his last link to Beth.<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe had been out of bed only three days when he disappeared from the house.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHop Sing!\u201d roared Ben when he discovered Joe was gone.<\/span><\/p>\n

The cook came padding out of the kitchen. \u201cWhat you want?\u201d he demanded.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhere\u2019s Joe?\u201d asked Ben, his voice reflecting his anger and his concern. \u201cWhere did he go?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cLittle Joe very sad,\u201d replied Hop Sing in a sympathetic voice.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI know he\u2019s sad,\u201d said Ben. \u201cBut he\u2019s also far from well. Where did he go?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cLittle Joe go to say goodbye,\u201d answered Hop Sing, his face impassive.<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben frowned at the cook\u2019s answer. His face cleared as suddenly understood where Joe was. Ben headed for the front door. \u201cTell Adam and Hoss I\u2019ll be back in a little while.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Riding to the meadow, Ben half expected to find Joe fallen to the ground along the way. Joe was barely well enough to be out of bed, much less making a long ride on horseback. What was that boy thinking? Ben asked himself in exasperation as he kicked his horse onward. Ben knew the answer, but knowing didn\u2019t cool his anger or his worry.<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben found Joe where he knew his son would be \u2013 sitting on the rock by the riverbank. His anger evaporated as soon as he saw Joe. His son looked so forlorn as he sat on the rock, just staring into the water. Joe\u2019s left arm was resting in a sling, his heavily bandaged hand peeking out the edge of the cloth. Ben saw a bunch of wildflowers in Joe\u2019s right hand.<\/span><\/p>\n

Dismounting, Ben tied the reins of his buckskin horse next to his son\u2019s pinto in the trio of trees. He walked slowly to the riverbank, deliberately ignoring the patch of grass that still looked rusty from dried blood. As Ben approached the rock on which his son was sitting, he saw Joe throw the flowers into the river. Ben didn\u2019t say a word. He simply sat on the rock next to Joe and put his arm around Joe\u2019s shoulders. The two sat in silence, watching the river flow.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI loved her, Pa,\u201d said Joe abruptly.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI know, Joe,\u201d replied Ben in an understanding voice. \u201cI only wished she would have loved you back.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe looked at Ben in surprise. \u201cHow do you know she didn\u2019t?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cShe couldn\u2019t have loved you, Joe,\u201d said Ben. \u201cShe kept too many things from you, kept too many secrets. If she had truly cared for you, she would have told you everything.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cShe was just trying to protect me,\u201d insisted Joe. \u201cShe didn\u2019t want me to get involved in her troubles.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s an aspect of love,\u201d Ben agreed slowly. \u201cWanting to protect someone. But there has to be more than that. Love means trusting the other person and helping each other through the bad times. Love means wanting to stay together, no matter what happens. Beth wouldn\u2019t let you help her. She wouldn\u2019t even tell you her real name. In the end, she chose to leave you. Beth may have been very fond of you, Joe, but she didn\u2019t love you.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Staring into the water, Joe sat silent for several minutes. Then he turned to Ben. \u201cShe said she couldn\u2019t love me. I don\u2019t think I believed her. Not really. I thought I could love her enough for both of us.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Turning back to the river, Joe watched as branches and leaves floated by. \u201cI wonder if she\u2019s still alive,\u201d mused Joe suddenly.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJoe\u2026\u201d said Ben, shaking his head.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cShe could be, Pa,\u201d interrupted Joe quickly. \u201cIt\u2019s not impossible. She could have found a way out of the river. Maybe grabbed a log or something. There\u2019s lots of ranches and farms nearby. She could have gotten help.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThen why hasn\u2019t she let us know she\u2019s alive?\u201d asked Ben. \u201cWhy stay hidden?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBeth doesn\u2019t know Anderson is dead,\u201d replied Joe. \u201cAnd even if she does know, her uncle could send someone else after her. She knows she\u2019s safer if everyone thinks she\u2019s dead.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBut you said if she was declared dead, her uncle would get her shares of the company,\u201d said Ben. \u201cThat defeats her whole purpose.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMaybe she only wants us to think she\u2019s dead,\u201d suggested Joe stubbornly. \u201cShe knows Harris\u2019 route. She could find him and have him send a message to her lawyer. She could even go back to being Fatima again. With Anderson and Slater dead, there\u2019s no reason why she couldn\u2019t be Fatima again.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJoe, you\u2019re grasping at straws,\u201d said Ben softly.<\/span><\/p>\n

Sighing, Joe agreed. \u201cI know. I just don\u2019t want her to be dead.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The two sat in silence on the rock as the river flowed by. Joe was wrapped up in his thoughts of Beth. Ben was struggling with finding the right words to comfort his son.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJoe, what if she wasn\u2019t dead?\u201d asked Ben. \u201cWhat if you found out she were still alive? What would you do?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know,\u201d Joe answered slowly. He thought about it for a minute. \u201cNothing, I guess. Beth made it pretty clear that she wanted to go on without me. She told me that the only thing she wanted me to do was remember her.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThen that\u2019s what you should do,\u201d said Ben. \u201cRemember her. Don\u2019t spend the rest of your life looking for her. She didn\u2019t want that.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI suppose,\u201d Joe replied. He shook his head. \u201cI just want her to be happy, Pa. All I ever wanted was for her to be happy. Even if I wasn\u2019t around to share it with her.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s a good thought, son,\u201d said Ben. \u201cMaybe she is. Wherever she is, maybe she is happy.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI hope so,\u201d wished Joe. He shook his head. \u201cIf I could only know for sure, then I\u2019d be satisfied.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJoe, there\u2019s no way you can know that,\u201d said Ben.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI know,\u201d Joe agreed sadly. \u201cBut I can wish, can\u2019t I.\u201d He turned to stare into the water once more.<\/span><\/p>\n

A cool breeze blew across the river. Joe shivered as he felt the cool air across his skin. Ben jumped to his feet, immediately concerned about his son. \u201cJoe, I\u2019m taking you home,\u201d he said in a firm voice. \u201cI\u2019m taking you home and you\u2019re going to straight to bed. No argument.\u201d Ben helped Joe to his feet and started to lead him toward the horses.<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe didn\u2019t fight his father\u2019s decision. The truth was he felt tired, drained. Joe stopped and turned, taking one last look at the river. Then he allowed his father to help him toward his horse.<\/span><\/p>\n

*****************<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHey, Joe, how you feeling?\u201d asked Hoss as he came into the house with a handful of envelopes. Two weeks had passed since Ben and Joe had talked by the river. With each passing day, Joe had grown stronger and more like himself. His family had watched with relief as Joe had seemed to find a way to deal with what had happened.<\/span><\/p>\n

Looking up from the book he was reading, Joe grinned. \u201cI\u2019m feeling fine. Another few days, and I\u2019ll be back to work.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJoseph!\u201d Ben called in a warning voice from his desk in the den. \u201cYou have at least another week before you go back to work.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAll right, a week,\u201d agreed Joe. He winked at Hoss. \u201cThat is, unless I drive Pa crazy first. Another few days of me hanging around the house, and he might just boot me out the door.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cGood,\u201d said Hoss, grinning. \u201cBecause me and Adam are sure getting tired of doing your work.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSomeone mentioned my name?\u201d asked Adam as he walked from the kitchen with a cup of coffee in his hand.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOnly in terms of doing my work, older brother,\u201d said Joe with a smile.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIf that\u2019s the case, I think I may just have to leave again,\u201d replied Adam as he sipped his coffee. He looked toward Ben in the den. \u201cPa, did you find out who owns that land we want to buy near the south fence line? I want to get an idea of how much they\u2019re going to want for that property.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know for sure yet,\u201d answered Ben with a shake of his head. \u201cI\u2019m waiting for confirmation from the land office. I\u2019m pretty sure it\u2019s Ralph Wilson we\u2019re going to have to deal with, though.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWilson?\u201d said Adam in dismay. \u201cThat man will try to con us like a medicine show barker.\u201d Adam suddenly stopped as he realized what he had. He turned to Joe with a guilty look. \u201cSorry, Joe,\u201d he apologized. \u201cI didn\u2019t mean\u2026\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s all right, Adam,\u201d said Joe. \u201cMost of the medicine shows are filled with con artists. We both know that.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMost, but not all,\u201d conceded Adam.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo,\u201d agreed Joe, \u201cnot all of them.\u201d He looked down, suddenly finding the page of his book to be fascinating reading.<\/span><\/p>\n

Clearing his throat, Hoss said, \u201cHere\u2019s the mail, Pa.\u201d He walked over and handed the envelopes to Ben.<\/span><\/p>\n

Sorting through the envelopes, Ben suddenly frowned. He pulled a small envelope from the rest and turned it over in his hand. \u201cJoe,\u201d Ben called across the room. \u201cThere\u2019s something here for you.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cFor me?\u201d said Joe in surprise, getting up from his chair.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s what it says,\u201d answered Ben. \u201c \u2018Joe Cartwright, Ponderosa Ranch, Virginia City\u2019. Only there\u2019s no stamp or postmark on it.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOh, yeah,\u201d said Hoss. \u201cStan at the stage depot gave that to me. He said some fellow got off the stage, handed the envelope to Stan, and then got back on the stage. Just dropping it off as a favor is what Stan figured.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Walking over to the desk, Joe took the envelope from Ben. He slit the envelope open with his finger, then pulled a folded piece of paper out of it. Joe\u2019s eyes widen in surprise as he read the paper.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat is it, Joe?\u201d asked Ben as he saw the look on Joe\u2019s face. \u201cWhat\u2019s wrong?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe stared at the paper in his hand for a long time before answering. \u201cNothing is wrong, Pa, \u201c he said slowly. Joe\u2019s face split into a grin. \u201cNothing is wrong at all.\u201d Joe looked down at the paper and read the brief message again.<\/span><\/p>\n

The paper contained only two words: Ophelia lives.<\/span><\/p>\n

*****End*****<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

<\/div>\n

<\/g><\/svg><\/i> \"Loading\"<\/p>\n

<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Summary:\u00a0 A traveling medicine show arrives in Virginia City.<\/p>\n

Word Count: \u00a038,000 \u00a0Rated: \u00a0T<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":10338,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"template-full-width-post.php","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[23],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-13939","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-drama","wpcat-23-id"],"a3_pvc":{"activated":true,"total_views":1276,"today_views":0},"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":14007,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=14007","url_meta":{"origin":13939,"position":0},"title":"Lady in Blue (by Susan G)","author":"SusanG","date":"December 13, 2005","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary:\u00a0 Taking an alternate route home with a wagon full of grain places Joe's life in danger.\u00a0 While waiting to be rescued he encounters a lovely lady. 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