{"id":5456,"date":"2003-05-01T16:14:48","date_gmt":"2003-05-01T20:14:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=5456"},"modified":"2025-02-27T12:08:01","modified_gmt":"2025-02-27T17:08:01","slug":"mona-lisa","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=5456","title":{"rendered":"Mona Lisa (by deansgirl)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Summary: \u00a0A<\/span>\u00a0famous painting, a beautiful girl, and a lost memory reunite a man with his family. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Rated:<\/span>\u00a0K+ (5,810 words)
\n<\/span><\/p>\n

Mona Lisa<\/strong><\/p>\n

Mona Lisa, Mona Lisa
\nMen have named you
\nYou’re so like the lady with the mystic smile
\nIs it only cause you’re lonely
\nThey have blamed you
\nFor that Mona Lisa strangeness in your smile<\/p>\n

Do you smile to tempt a lover, Mona Lisa
\nOr is this your way to hide a broken heart
\nMany dreams have been brought to your doorstep
\nThey just lie there, and they die there
\nAre you warm, are you real, Mona Lisa
\nOr just a cold and lonely, lovely work of art<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cThis is one of the most ridiculous books I\u2019ve ever read!\u201d<\/strong> Little Joe Cartwright exclaimed, slapping \u2018The Fate of a Picture,\u2019 one of his paperback novels down on the couch.\u00a0 \u201cThe idea of a picture bringing a family together!\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cIt could happen, Joe.\u201d Adam Cartwright turned from the table where he sat opening a package that he had just bought in town.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cIn fiction, maybe.\u201d Joe retorted standing up and walking towards the table where the rest of his family sat.\u00a0 \u201cBut never in real life.\u00a0 Sometimes those stories just make me SO mad!\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben Cartwright looked up from Adam\u2019s purchases over at his youngest son.\u00a0 \u201cThen don\u2019t read that trash, Joe.\u201d He answered.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ve told you before that it will do you no good.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Little Joe tried to laugh it off.\u00a0 He knew his father was right but he loved the surge of emotions that those novels gave him.\u00a0 Besides, even Adam had admitted that he liked to read certain novels of that nature.\u00a0 \u2018Although they were never as graphic in my day.\u2019 Adam would always make sure to say.\u00a0 As if that would make it all right, Joe would sniff.\u00a0 Adam pulling back the wrapping on a picture and lifting it up for his family to see brought him back to the present.\u00a0 \u201cWhat do you think?\u201d Adam asked.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Little Joe looked at it for a few seconds, confused.\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s a very beautiful girl.\u201d He answered.\u00a0 \u201cHer smile is rather strange.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cAh love her hair.\u201d Hoss Cartwright cut in.\u00a0 \u201cBut her smile is so different!\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWho is that?\u201d Joe demanded.\u00a0 \u201cIs that some girl from around here?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam shook his head and ran his fingers gently over the picture.\u00a0 \u201cNo, Joe.\u201d He replied.\u00a0 \u201cThis is the Mona Lisa.\u00a0 She is one of the greatest works of art.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cShe might be very beautiful.\u201d Joe agreed.\u00a0 \u201cBut she is rather strange looking.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cShe is beautiful.\u201d Adam answered his mind on the picture.\u00a0 \u201cI always wanted a picture of her for my own.\u00a0 Yes, Joe, she is strange but therein lies her beauty.\u00a0 Many men have wondered about her smile and the look in her eyes.\u00a0 It remains a secret as to what she is smiling at.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cPerhaps to tempt a lover?\u201d Joe suggested his mind on a girl in town who had a nice way of smiling at the boys.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cOr perhaps to hide a broken heart.\u201d Adam mused.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhateva\u2019 \u2018tis,\u201d Hoss asked, \u201cWhatcha gonna\u2019 do wit it, Adam?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYou are more than welcome to let it hang down here, Adam.\u201d Ben cut in.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam smiled and picked it up.\u00a0 \u201cThank you, Pa.\u00a0 But I am going to hang her in my room.\u00a0 Joe and Hoss do not appreciate Mona Lisa as I do.\u201d and then he turned and headed towards the stairs.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

When he had disappeared Joe turned to Hoss.\u00a0 \u201cDid we not appreciate it?\u201d he asked.\u00a0 \u201cAll I said was that she had a strange smile.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cAnd so she does, Joe.\u201d Ben smiled standing up.\u00a0 \u201cBut let Adam have his little dream.\u00a0 The Mona Lisa is beautiful and dead.\u201d He smiled again.\u00a0 \u201cAnd I would rather he fall in love with her than with Cynthia Newcomb, that girl in the saloon who has been watching him so carefully.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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

 <\/p>\n

The picture hung in Adam\u2019s room for many years.\u00a0 His family finally got used to coming into the bedroom and seeing the picture on the wall.\u00a0 It had become a part of Adam.\u00a0 But then one day Joe and Hoss walked into his room to discover him taking the picture off the wall.\u00a0 At first they just stopped and stared.\u00a0 The wall would look so blank without her.\u00a0 Then finally Joe spoke.\u00a0 \u201cAdam, why are you taking Lisa down?\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam turned at the sound of his brother\u2019s voice.\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s no use, Joe.\u201d He answered sadly.\u00a0 \u201cI can\u2019t leave her up there any longer.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHave ya met another gal, purteir than yar Lisa?\u201d Hoss asked.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam smiled.\u00a0 \u201cNo, Hoss.\u201d He answered.\u00a0 \u201cThere is no other girl like Lisa.\u00a0 But I cannot just sit here and look at her picture.\u00a0 It\u2019s not that I don\u2019t love the West.\u00a0 I do.\u00a0 But I am going East.\u00a0 I want to see the world.\u00a0 I want to see the real Mona Lisa.\u201d He stopped and sighed.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cAh thought the real Lisa was dead.\u201d Hoss cut in.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cShe is.\u201d Adam replied.\u00a0 \u201cI meant the real picture.\u00a0 This is just a copy an artist\u2019s imitation.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Suddenly a thought hit Little Joe and he whispered, \u201cAdam, do you mean to say that you are leaving us?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cNot forever, Joe.\u201d Adam answered.\u00a0 \u201cOh, no, not forever.\u00a0 For a little while.\u00a0 But only a little while.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cDoes Pa know you are going?\u201d\u00a0 Joe asked.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam nodded.\u00a0 \u201cWe talked about it last night.\u00a0 Pa agrees to let me go.\u00a0 I\u2019ll be back, Joe.\u00a0 I promise.\u00a0 Meanwhile would one of you like to take care of Lisa for me?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cShe belongs in your room, Adam.\u201d Joe answered.\u00a0 \u201cI don\u2019t want her.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHoss…\u201d Adam offered.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hoss shook his head.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m wit\u2019 Joe.\u201d He replied.\u00a0 \u201cLeave her heer.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam smiled.\u00a0 \u201cI don\u2019t want you to be sad every time you see her.\u201d He said.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ll tell you what.\u00a0 I\u2019ll put her in the attic.\u00a0 We hardly ever go up there and soon you will forget my love for Lisa.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ll never forget your love for Lisa.\u201d Joe answered.\u00a0 \u201cIt is as much a part of you as you are.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam smiled and clapped his brother\u2019s shoulder.\u00a0 \u201cThanks, Joe.\u201d He smiled.\u00a0 \u201cI knew you would understand.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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

 <\/p>\n

It had been a long time since Hoss had gone up to the Cartwright attic.\u00a0 But as he climbed the stair with Jamie and Candy close he could not help smiling.\u00a0 There were so many memories here.\u00a0 There in the corner was an old trunk with all of Marie\u2019s clothes.\u00a0 The rocking chair that she had sat in when Joe was a baby rocked mournfully in the corner perhaps pushed by the wind that would occasionally sneak in through a chink in the wood.\u00a0 Games that he and his brothers had played with as a child intrigued Jamie, while Candy stopped in front of a picture covered by a large white sheet.\u00a0 \u201cHoss,\u201d he inquired, \u201cwhat is this?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hoss turned from the cracked vanity set where he had been standing looking in the mirror.\u00a0 He was smiling, but as he turned and saw what Candy was pointing at a sad look crept into his eyes.\u00a0 \u201cThat?\u201d he answered slowly.\u00a0 \u201cThat \u2018twas Adam\u2019s gal.\u00a0 Do ya want to see \u2018er, Candy?\u00a0 Ya can pull off the sheet but be very careful.\u00a0 She was a part of \u2018im.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Candy reached up and very carefully pulled the sheet off of the picture.\u00a0 Staring back at him was a very lovely but mysterious girl.\u00a0 \u201cThe Mona Lisa!\u201d Candy drew in his breath sharply.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cDo you know her?\u201d Jamie inquired.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cNo.\u201d Candy laughed.\u00a0 \u201cThe Mona Lisa is the name of this picture.\u00a0 The girl has been dead for many years.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cOh,\u201d Jamie smiled running his fingers over the picture.\u00a0 \u201cDid your brother love this girl, Hoss?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hoss smiled and rubbed Jamie\u2019s head.\u00a0 \u201cTat\u2019s right, Jamie.\u00a0 Ole Adam thought she was the putteiest girl around.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s it doing here?\u201d Candy asked.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cAdam moved it \u2018ere when he left for de East.\u201d Hoss answered.\u00a0 \u201cAh\u2019d most forgotten \u2018bout it.\u201d\u00a0 He smiled.\u00a0 \u201cWouldn\u2019t ole Adam be surprised ta know twas still \u2018ere?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Candy smiled.\u00a0 \u201cHoss, can I hang the picture in my room?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhael, shore.\u201d Hoss replied.\u00a0 \u201cBut why?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cIt is a very pretty picture.\u201d Candy answered evasively.\u00a0 \u201cI like it very much.\u201d\u00a0 Then he picked it up and headed towards the stairs.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sorry, Mister Cartwright.\u201d Candy repeated for what must have been the hundredth time that day.\u00a0 \u201cWe did everything we could.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI know you did, Candy.\u201d Ben Cartwright replied, \u201cand I am very grateful.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI saw him sink.\u201d Little Joe started his green eyes gazing lost into space.\u00a0 \u201cI tried to reach him but I couldn\u2019t.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben stood up from his desk and walked towards his son.\u00a0 \u201cJoe, it is not your fault.\u201d He tried to reassure his son although he knew that his own heart was breaking.\u00a0 \u201cHoss died the way he would have wanted to die; helping someone else.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe buried his face in his hands.\u00a0 \u201cOh, Pa!\u201d he whispered.\u00a0 \u201cPa!\u201d and then he burst into tears.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben gathered his boy in his arms as he had done when Joe was just a child.\u00a0 His own eyes filled with tears.\u00a0 Candy watched them for a minute then quietly went up the stairs to his own room.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

It was several hours before a knock on the door startled Candy.\u00a0 He walked to the door and threw it open to see Ben Cartwright standing there.\u00a0 Ben\u2019s eyes were red and swollen.\u00a0 \u201cJoe\u2019s just gone to bed.\u201d He whispered.\u00a0 \u201cMay I come in, Candy?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cOf course.\u201d Candy stepped aside and let Ben enter the room.\u00a0 \u201cAre you all right?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cNo.\u201d Ben answered honestly.\u00a0 \u201cI don\u2019t think that I ever will be.\u00a0 But I did want to stop by and thank you for everything you did for Hoss.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sorry I could not do more.\u201d Candy replied.\u00a0 \u201cAt least I could have looked harder for his body.\u201d He continued in self-reproach.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThe current was too strong.\u201d Ben assured him.\u00a0 \u201cYou could never have found him no matter how hard you had looked.\u201d He gazed around Candy\u2019s room for a minute and smiled.\u00a0 \u201cThat picture?\u201d he asked pointing to a picture above the head of Candy\u2019s bed.\u00a0 \u201cWhere did you get it?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThe Mona Lisa?\u201d Candy asked.\u00a0 \u201cHoss found it in the attic and let me have it.\u00a0 She is lovely, isn\u2019t she?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben nodded.\u00a0 \u201cShe certainly is.\u00a0 You know my son Adam loved her.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Candy smiled sadly.\u00a0 \u201cI know.\u00a0 Hoss told me.\u00a0 He was a good man, Mister Cartwright, a fine son.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cA fine son.\u201d Ben repeated.\u00a0 \u201cYes, he was.\u00a0 I could wish for no more.\u00a0 It is a fitting tribute to a man like Hoss.\u201d He stopped for a moment then turned to walk back out the door.\u00a0 \u201cThank you for talking to me, Candy.\u00a0 Good-night.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cGood-night, Mister Cartwright.\u201d Candy gently closed the door behind Ben and looked up at the Mona Lisa.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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

 <\/p>\n

There was a pounding in Hoss Cartwright\u2019s head and a ringing in his ears.\u00a0 Lights flashed before his eyes alternating with moments of blackness.\u00a0 He could hear voices and tried anxiously to sort them out.\u00a0 There was a woman talking and a man\u2019s voice answering her.\u00a0 Hoss could feel a cold rag being laid across a hot spot on his head and the woman saying, \u201cThat bump on his head looks so bad, Henry.\u00a0 Are you sure he\u2019ll be all right?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cFaith an\u2019 of course \u2018ell be, Maggie.\u201d The man answered.\u00a0 \u201cOnce \u2018h wakes up \u2018ell be as good as \u2018eva.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hoss carefully opened his eyes.\u00a0 A stout balding Irishman sat next to him.\u00a0 Hoss was lying in the back of a wagon and bending over him her hand resting on his head was a lovely girl with green eyes and a fetching smile.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cSee, ma lassie.\u201d The Irishman smiled.\u00a0 \u201cHe\u2019s gettin\u2019 up niw.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hoss tried to smile but his head still ached and his mouth felt parched and dry.\u00a0 He licked his lips and the man immediately handed him a canteen.\u00a0 \u201c\u2019Though I dinna know why you want it, laddie.\u201d His green eyes twinkled.\u00a0 \u201cAfter you must \u2018eve swallowed \u2018alf of the river.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hoss pulled himself into a sitting position and drank greedily from the canteen.\u00a0 \u201cThank you very much.\u201d He smiled at them.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWell, lookee \u2018ere, Maggie.\u201d The man teased.\u00a0 \u201cIt talks after all.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHenry, don\u2019t be silly.\u201d She looked over at the man then back at Hoss.\u00a0 \u201cMy name is Maggie O\u2019 Conner and that joker is my husband Henry.\u00a0 What is your name, young man?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s…it\u2019s…\u201d Hoss started, then paused.\u00a0 Why what was his name?\u00a0 I don\u2019t remember,\u201d he answered confused, \u201cI don\u2019t even know where I am from.\u00a0 You say I was in the river.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s right.\u201d Maggie nodded.\u00a0 \u201cHenry pulled you out.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t even remember how I ended up in the river.\u201d\u00a0 Hoss scratched his head trying desperately to recall the circumstances that had led up to this moment.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cPoor lad!\u201d Maggie exclaimed sympathetically.\u00a0 \u201cWhy you must have hit your head harder than we thought!\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cFaith, an\u2019 that you must.\u201d Henry agreed.\u00a0 \u201cWhy, Maggie, he must have \u2018mnesia.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201c\u2019Mnesia?\u201d\u00a0 Maggie repeated puzzled.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI think he means amnesia, ma\u2019am.\u201d Hoss answered.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ve heard of it.\u201d\u00a0 Somewhere in the back of his mind he thought that he was talking differently than normal but he could not place his normal.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cBut where are you from?\u201d\u00a0 Maggie asked.\u00a0 \u201cWho are you?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t remember.\u201d Hoss answered.\u00a0 \u201cThat is one of the conditions.\u00a0 You can\u2019t remember anything.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cOh.\u201d Maggie fell silent for a moment. \u00a0\u201cWell, we are moving back to Boston.\u00a0 Why don\u2019t you come along with us?\u00a0 Maybe something will trigger your memory and you can always return if it does.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cTat\u2019s a wonderful idear, Maggie.\u201d\u00a0 Henry agreed standing up and jumping off the wagon.\u00a0 \u201cYou come wit\u2019 us, laddie.\u00a0 An\u2019 ifn your memory never returns I have many friends in Boston who can \u2018elp you find a job and a \u2018ome.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThank you very much.\u201d Hoss replied gratefully.\u00a0 \u201cThat is very kind of you.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cBut we cannot keep calling you laddie.\u201d Maggie smiled as her husband walked towards the front of the wagon.\u00a0 \u201cWe must give you a name.\u00a0 Do you have a preference?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hoss shook his head.\u00a0 \u201cYou found me.\u201d He answered.\u00a0 \u201cYou name me.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHenry…\u201d Maggie turned to her husband.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s your idea, Lassie.\u201d\u00a0 Henry replied.\u00a0 \u201cYou name him.\u00a0 Get up, mule, get up.\u201d He clucked to his horse.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHow about Walter Mason?\u201d\u00a0 Maggie inquired.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI like that.\u201d Hoss answered.\u00a0 \u201cThank you very much.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cFaith, an\u2019 its a pleasure.\u201d\u00a0 Henry smiled.\u00a0 \u201cAfter ah saved yourn life you\u2019re almost like a son to us, or at least to Maggie.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Maggie smiled.\u00a0 \u201cGet up Henry.\u00a0 Get up.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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

 <\/p>\n

Boston was a big wonderful place to Hoss Cartwright now known by the name Walter Mason.\u00a0 The buildings were like none that he had seen as he, Henry, and Maggie rode the train through the great place that Maggie called the West.\u00a0 He could spend hours just standing on the corner of Main Street and watching all of the traffic hurry by.\u00a0 But he had promised the O\u2019 Conners that he would find a job and with his life story in his pocket, that Maggie had invented for him, he headed towards the first door that had a help wanted sign.\u00a0 It was an import business and they were looking for a man to do some deskwork.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hoss, in a suit tailored just for him, looked quite impressive as he walked into the office.\u00a0 The man sitting behind the desk looked Hoss over critically then offered him a chair.\u00a0 \u201cNew to Boston, are you, Mr. Mason?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s right.\u201d Hoss nodded.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ve been out West the last few years.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cAnd before that?\u201d the man inquired.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI was from New York.\u201d Hoss answered.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhat do you do?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cDesk work mainly.\u201d Hoss replied.\u00a0 \u201cI was a lawyer\u2019s assistant.\u201d\u00a0 Somehow this did not seem true.\u00a0 But he knew of no other life then the one that Maggie O\u2019 Conner had invented for him.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cTired of that?\u201d the man continued.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cJust looking for a change.\u201d Hoss replied.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWell, this is it.\u201d The man answered.\u00a0 \u201cMy name is Patrick Clyde and I own this business.\u00a0 I like you Mr. Mason.\u00a0 You are an honest looking man.\u00a0 I\u2019ll give you the job.\u00a0 It pays ten dollars a week, which is not much but right now it\u2019s the best I can offer you.\u00a0 You start next week Monday.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThank you very much.\u201d Hoss stood up and shook the outstretched hand of his new employer.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Patrick Clyde smiled as Hoss walked out the door.\u00a0 \u201cThat\u2019s a nice young man.\u201d He remarked to the walls.\u00a0 And if the walls could talk I am sure they would agree.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Lisa Burns was the type of girl who had that very special and mystic smile.\u00a0 The first time she met Hoss Cartwright they were both walking down Main Street.\u00a0 Hoss\u2019 head was in the clouds.\u00a0 He had just been promoted from his lowly desk job to first assistant to Patrick Clyde.\u00a0 He had a nice little amount of money in the bank and, despite the fact that he still could not recall his life before his accident, he was happy.\u00a0 Lisa was looking down at the street, angry that her boyfriend of three years had sent her a letter from England saying that he had met another girl and that he no longer loved her.\u00a0 The two collided into each other.\u00a0 Hoss almost knocking the girl down.\u00a0 He put out a hand to steady her and looked down into the darkest eyes he had ever seen.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cOh, Miss, I\u2019m sorry.\u201d Hoss exclaimed.\u00a0 \u201cAre you hurt?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cNot much.\u201d She laughed nervously.\u00a0 \u201cJust startled.\u00a0 Its not every day I get run over.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI truly am sorry.\u201d Hoss leant down to pick up her pocketbook that had dropped to the ground.\u00a0 \u201cCan I help you?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cNo.\u201d She smiled.\u00a0 \u201cI just need a minute to catch my breath.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYou can catch it in the import company.\u201d He offered.\u00a0 \u201cI work there and we do have chairs.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Lisa smiled up at him again.\u00a0 Somewhere deep in his mind Hoss remembered seeing that smile but he could not place it.\u00a0 \u201cThank you very much, Mr…\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cMason.\u201d Hoss introduced himself.\u00a0 \u201cWalter Mason.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cLisa Burns.\u201d Lisa smiled again as Hoss took her arm and led her into the office.\u00a0 \u201cIt is very kind of you.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s the least I can do.\u201d Hoss replied, leading her over to his desk.\u00a0 \u201cAfter all, I was the one that was not paying attention.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t blame yourself.\u201d Lisa laughed, it was a pretty golden laugh and Hoss liked it.\u00a0 \u201cI had my mind on other things and was not watching where I was walking.\u00a0 I should have seen you coming.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cAW shucks!\u201d\u00a0 Hoss blushed and Lisa smiled.\u00a0 \u201cThere is quite a bit of me to see isn\u2019t there?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Lisa cocked her head and looked carefully at the big man.\u00a0 \u201cWell,\u201d she smiled.\u00a0 \u201cThere is enough for me to have seen you.\u00a0 But…\u201d she stopped for a moment, \u201cI like it anyway.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhy, thank you, ma\u2019am.\u201d Hoss helped Lisa into a chair.\u00a0 \u201cI like you, too.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Lisa smiled.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

There was a pause for several moments while Hoss shuffled some paper on his desk and Lisa watched him.\u00a0 \u201cDo you like me well enough to have dinner with me?\u201d Hoss finally looked up and asked her.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

She clapped her hands.\u00a0 \u201cI though you would never ask!\u201d she confessed.\u00a0 \u201cI would love to have dinner with you, Mr. Mason.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hoss smiled at her.\u00a0 She was a very pretty girl and this looked like the start of a new life for him.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI, Walter Mason, take you Lisa Burns for my lawful wedded wife to have and to hold from this day forward for better or worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, till death do us part.\u201d\u00a0 Hoss looked deep into the eyes of the girl standing next to him.\u00a0 It had been two years since he first ran into Lisa on the street of Boston.\u00a0 Together they had decided to make a new life together.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The bride\u2019s eyes were radiant and her smile, although still mysterious, lit up her whole face.\u00a0 She was marrying the man of her dreams, tall, strong, handsome in his own way and a successful businessman.\u00a0 Yes, Hoss had come far since the accident.\u00a0 He now managed the Import Company that had first given him a job when he came to Boston.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Maggie O\u2019Conner leaned over to whisper in her husband, Henry\u2019s ear.\u00a0 \u201cAren\u2019t you glad you rescued him?\u201d she inquired.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Henry smiled.\u00a0 \u201cAh\u2019d rescued \u2018im, anyways.\u201d He replied.\u00a0 \u201c\u2018E Shore does look \u2018appy, don\u2019t \u2018e?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Maggie nodded.\u00a0 \u201cI wonder who his family is.\u201d She whispered.\u00a0 \u201cI bet they would be glad to see him now.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Henry watched Hoss carefully.\u00a0 \u201cAh bet \u2018e was a rancher.\u201d He finally replied.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cImpossible!\u201d Maggie retorted.\u00a0 \u201cLook at what a good businessman he is.\u00a0 I\u2019m willing to place my money on him being a college educated man.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhateva.\u201d Henry grinned.\u00a0 \u201cAh\u2019m just glad \u2018e looks so \u2018appy.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

And Hoss was thinking, \u201cHow beautiful Lisa is!\u00a0 She has such a lovely smile.\u00a0 I think the happiest day of my life was when she said \u2018yes.\u2019\u00a0 God, make me a good husband to her.\u00a0 And whatever I was in my past life before the accident don\u2019t let it be anything she would be ashamed of.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Lisa, her eyes dancing with some sort of supernatural happiness, was thinking too.\u00a0 \u201cIs this just some wonderful dream?\u00a0 Will I wake up and find that I never even knew a Walter Mason?\u00a0 There he\u2019s said it…It\u2019s over.\u00a0 I\u2019m Mrs. Walter Mason, I\u2019m his wife!\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cLisa,\u201d Hoss whispered, and she turned her face up to him.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cOh, Walter, I\u2019m so happy.\u201d She breathed and he smiled.\u00a0 Surely, he had never done anything wrong, with a bride like Lisa, with this little piece of heaven on earth, he could not have.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cLisa, I feel horrible for you.\u201d Hoss spoke coming into the house one spring day.\u00a0 \u201cThis is the second time in three years that out wedding tour has been cancelled.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cOh, Walter, darling, don\u2019t be concerned.\u201d Lisa looked up from the floor where she lay with their baby.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m just so happy now that I don\u2019t mind not having a wedding tour.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cBut I did so want to take you to Europe.\u201d Hoss threw his hat on a chair and dropped to his knees beside his wife and daughter.\u00a0 \u201cI know you said you always wanted to go to the Old Country.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cSo I do.\u00a0 So I do.\u00a0 But I can wait.\u201d She smiled.\u00a0 \u201cMy parents did not get to go until just before my father died.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWell, I don\u2019t want to wait that long.\u201d Hoss gently placed his finger in his daughter\u2019s hand.\u00a0 Millicent\u2019s tiny fingers curled around his.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWalter, its all right.\u201d Lisa smiled.\u00a0 Her smile had not changed with marriage.\u00a0 She still had that mystic, questioning smile that had enchanted Hoss in the first place.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m so happy that I don\u2019t mind if I never see Europe.\u00a0 So long as I have you and Millicent.\u201d She stood up and gathered the baby in her arms.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWait, a minute, love.\u201d Hoss stood up too and gently laid a hand on her arm.\u00a0 \u201cMaggie said she would take care of Millicent and Patrick is willing to let us go to Europe.\u00a0 Do you want to go?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cOh, Walter, I\u2019d love to.\u201d Lisa exclaimed her eyes dancing.\u00a0 \u201cWhen can we go?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cAs soon as you\u2019d like.\u201d Hoss replied.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cBut Millicent…\u201d\u00a0 Lisa started.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cMaggie will take good care of her.\u201d Hoss promised.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know, Walter.\u201d Lisa said sadly. \u201cI don\u2019t want to leave her.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cOh, darling,\u201d Hoss smiled.\u00a0 \u201cDon\u2019t ruin your wedding tour.\u00a0 Come on.\u00a0 Two weeks surely cannot hurt.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Lisa smiled.\u00a0 \u201cAll right, Walter.\u00a0 You win.\u00a0 I\u2019ll be glad to get out of Boston and see the world with you.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI love you, Lisa.\u201d\u00a0 Hoss leant in for a kiss.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI love you, too, Walter.\u201d She smiled and returned it.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI can\u2019t believe that we\u2019ve been gone for a week.\u201d Lisa exclaimed as their train came to a halt just a few blocks from the Louvre in Paris. \u201cWith everything we have done, Walter, it seems so much longer.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hoss stepped down from the train and grabbed his wife\u2019s hand.\u00a0 \u201cI know.\u00a0 Isn\u2019t this lovely?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cOh, yes.\u201d\u00a0 Lisa agreed happily.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m so glad we decided to do this while we were still young, Walter.\u00a0 I love this trip so much.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sorry it could not have been sooner.\u201d\u00a0 Hoss whispered to her as they walked towards their hotel.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t be silly, Darling.\u201d She answered.\u00a0 \u201cIt means so much when you have to wait for something.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hoss smiled.\u00a0 \u201cShall we drop our bags off here and then go to the Louvre?\u201d he inquired.\u00a0 \u201cThat is, if you like art.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI love art.\u201d She answered.\u201d And there is one particular picture that I want to see.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhich one is that?\u201d Hoss asked opening the door to the hotel.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThe Mona Lisa.\u201d Lisa replied.\u00a0 \u201cEveryone has said that I resemble the lady in that famous picture.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

A strange look crept into Hoss\u2019 face as though he was trying to remember something from long ago and far away.\u00a0 Lisa looked at him, concerned.\u00a0 \u201cWalter, are you all right?\u201d\u00a0 She inquired.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hoss laughed strangely.\u00a0 \u201cYes, I\u2019m fine, Lisa.\u201d He replied.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWe don\u2019t have to go to the Louvre if you are not feeling well.\u201d Lisa assured him.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m fine.\u201d Hoss repeated.\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s just what you said about the Mona Lisa…Somehow I remember that.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWell, you should.\u201d Lisa laughed.\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s one of the worlds most famous paintings.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cNo, No, not that.\u201d Hoss answered.\u00a0 \u201cSomething about my past life.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYou mean before your accident?\u201d Lisa whispered.\u00a0 She had been told everything including the amnesia and lived in a sort of fear that one day her husband\u2019s memory would return and he would forget the life they had led together.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hoss nodded.\u00a0 \u201cBut I still cannot place it.\u00a0 There was a man…\u201d he murmured, \u201cHe had dark hair and eyes.\u00a0 He had the picture.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Lisa\u2019s heart leapt up to her throat.\u00a0 But then Hoss laughed.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m all right, darling.\u00a0 Come on, let\u2019s store our bags here and go to the Louvre.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Lisa saved the Mona Lisa for last.\u00a0 Not because she loved it more as it was that she realized that it might trigger her husband\u2019s memory.\u00a0 She wanted every moment she could with Walter.\u00a0 Who knows, Lisa, shuddered, he might be a wanted criminal.\u00a0 But somehow as she looked up at this broad shouldered, kind man she could not believe that he was a criminal.\u00a0 \u2018I\u2019ll always love him.\u2019 She thought fiercely.\u00a0 \u2018No matter what he was.\u2019<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Finally, though, the couple stopped in front of the lovely painting by Da Vinci.\u00a0 Lisa stared at it for a moment without really seeing it.\u00a0 She was watching her husband.\u00a0 Hoss was going through an interior struggle.\u00a0 The painting looked so familiar and yet he could not place it.\u00a0 At the same time he did not want to place it.\u00a0 What if it did bring back his memory and he found he had another wife or he was a wanted criminal?\u00a0 His struggles were so great between wanting to know and not daring to find out that beads of sweat broke out on his brow.\u00a0 Lisa, looking up, saw them, and handing her husband her handkerchief she smiled, \u201cFind out, Walter.\u00a0 I will love you no matter what.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hoss took her in his arms, thinking to himself how like the Mona Lisa his wife was.\u00a0 Then he dropped his arms from around her and stared back at the picture.\u00a0 His clenched hands rolled the handkerchief into a little ball and his eyes closed.\u00a0 Then he whispered as if it came from far away and at a great effort, \u201cAdam!\u201d and suddenly it all came back to him.\u00a0 Of course that was it!\u00a0 He was Hoss Cartwright of the Ponderosa in Nevada and he was helping a poor settler and his family cross the river.\u00a0 He opened his eyes expecting to see the rushing river around him and the settler thanking him for his help.\u00a0 What he saw was Adam\u2019s picture, a pretty girl watching him anxiously and a room full of pictures.\u00a0 \u201cWhat happened?\u201d he asked.\u00a0 \u201cWhere\u2019d everybody go?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Lisa smiled sadly.\u00a0 His memory had returned but he had forgotten the life he led with her.\u00a0 \u201cMy name is Lisa Mason.\u201d She started.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cLisa.\u201d He repeated.\u00a0 \u201cLike the Mona Lisa?\u00a0 Ole Adam alway\u2019 was fond of her.\u201d\u00a0 Pardon me, ma\u2019am.\u201d He smiled.\u00a0 \u201cMy name is Hoss, Hoss Cartwright.\u00a0 My Pa owns the Ponderosa.\u00a0 Could you tell me where I am?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Lisa placed her hand on his arm.\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s a long story.\u201d She answered.\u00a0 \u201cThere is a cafe just outside here.\u00a0 Why don\u2019t you come with me and I will tell you everything.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYa mean to tell me ah\u2019ve been livin\u2019 in Boston for nigh on six years?\u201d Hoss asked when Lisa had finished.\u00a0 \u201cMy Pa ne\u2019er knew wha\u2019 happened?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m afraid not.\u201d Lisa answered.\u00a0 She did not want to tell him that his family had probably given him up for dead.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cAnd Ah was married to you.\u201d Hoss asked.\u00a0 \u201cAnd we had a baby gurl?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Lisa nodded.\u00a0 \u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhael, whateva ah was ah sure had good taste.\u201d Hoss smiled at her.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Lisa laughed.\u00a0 \u201cThank you.\u00a0 As for what you were, Wal…Hoss, you were a businessman.\u00a0 And a very successful one, too.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cMe a successful business man?\u201d\u00a0 Hoss repeated.\u00a0 \u201cAh shore can\u2019t believe it.\u00a0 Ah never did take to figures and such stuff.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Lisa laughed again.\u00a0 \u201cWhy you really are Western aren\u2019t you?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201c\u2019Fraid so, ma\u2019am.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHow wonderful!\u201d Lisa clapped her hands.\u00a0 \u201cI always did want to go West!\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhael, Ma\u2019am, Lisa…\u201d Hoss started and blushed.\u00a0 \u201cIfn you don\u2019t mind the fact that ah ain\u2019t a successful businessman any more and once ah get my head on straight ah\u2019d be more than happy to have you come out and meet my Pa and my brothers.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI would like that very much, Hoss.\u201d\u00a0 Lisa smiled and placed her hand in his.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cPA!\u201d Joe Cartwright called running into the house.\u00a0 \u201cThere\u2019s a lady out here.\u00a0 Says she wants to talk to Ben Cartwright.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben Cartwright stood up from his desk.\u00a0 No matter how hard he tried he was not getting any younger.\u00a0 Even with Adam home again he still felt old and useless.\u00a0 Ever since Hoss died his wanderlust had returned and he found himself going for more and more long walks, leaving the ranch business to Adam and Joe.\u00a0 They were capable boys.\u00a0 Adam was the brains and Joe the legs but they desperately needed Hoss who was always the brawn.\u00a0 Still if a lady wanted to see him he had better look at least half way ready.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

He walked to the door and stepped outside.\u00a0 A very pretty young lady, looking something like Adam\u2019s Mona Lisa, stood beside a wagon a baby in her arms.\u00a0 \u201cMy name is Lisa.\u201d She said.\u00a0 \u201cMr. Cartwright, I have a gift for you.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben looked interested.\u00a0 Here was a strange girl offering him a gift.\u00a0 Behind him he could hear Joe and Adam admiring the girl\u2019s figure and he shook his head.\u00a0 When would those two grow up?\u00a0 But he turned back to the girl and asked, \u201cWhat is it?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Lisa turned and beckoned up the road behind her.\u00a0 A man riding a horse came cantering into the open space in front of the house.\u00a0 It took Ben a few moments to realize that the wide smile and big man was his son Hoss.\u00a0 But once he realized it there was no stopping him.\u00a0 He was young as a schoolboy again as he gathered his son in his arms, thrilled and delighted at the return of his boy.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

When Hoss finally released himself from his fathers embrace he put his arm around Lisa and said, \u201cPa, Adam, Joe, I\u2019d like you to meet my wife Lisa and our daughter Millicent.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s a miracle!\u201d Candy exclaimed bouncing Millicent on his knee.\u00a0 \u201cYou must have floated farther down river than we thought.\u00a0 No wonder we never found your body.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hoss laughed and hugged his wife close.\u00a0 \u201c\u2019Twas a miracle, all rite.\u201d He agreed.\u00a0 \u201cBest miracle of all.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cBut how did you ever recover your memory?\u201d Adam demanded, eagerly.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWe were at the Louvre on our delayed wedding trip.\u201d Lisa furnished the information.\u00a0 \u201cThe picture of the Mona Lisa brought back his memory.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cAh remembered that picture ya had, Adam.\u201d Hoss took up the story,\u00a0 \u201cAnd suddenly twall came back.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWell, we are very glad.\u201d Ben Cartwright exclaimed looking as though he had sped ten years.\u00a0 \u201cAnd very grateful to the people who rescued you.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Lisa smiled.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYou know.\u201d Joe remarked.\u00a0 \u201cLisa, your smile is so much like the Mona Lisa\u2019s.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYou think so, Joe?\u201d she asked.\u00a0 \u201cMany people have told me that.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cAh think \u2018tis.\u201d Hoss smiled at her.\u00a0 \u201cShe\u2019s my Mona Lisa, Joe.\u00a0 The bright picture that led me home.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHome?\u201d Ben asked.\u00a0 \u201cDo you plan to stay here then?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhael, ah can\u2019t go back to the business.\u201d Hoss answered.\u00a0 \u201cSo ah might as well move back home.\u00a0 That is if ya can take me back, Pa, and Lisa is willin\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cLisa is willing.\u201d She wrapped her arm around his neck.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cAnd I can always take you back in.\u201d Ben smiled.\u00a0 \u201cOf course we want you back, son.\u00a0 We have missed you so much.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cAh wish ah could say the same.\u201d Hoss frowned.\u00a0 \u201cBut seein\u2019 as ah did not know who ah was missin\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI think he missed you.\u201d Lisa cut in.\u00a0 \u201cHe would sometimes get a look in his eyes that when I asked him about it he would tell me that a part of him was missing.\u00a0 That part,\u201d she smiled, \u201cis right here on the Ponderosa.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben\u2019s eyes filled with happy tears and that night when he took his walk, this time with his son and daughter-in-law, he made it a point to walk down by the river.\u00a0 While Hoss and Lisa sat on the banks and threw pebbles in from the shore, Ben stopped a moment and thanked the river for giving him back his precious son.\u00a0 \u201cYou took my boy.\u201d Ben whispered, \u201cand you give me back a man with a lovely wife and daughter.\u00a0 I\u2019ll never forget what you have done and I am grateful.”<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

He turned to see his son kissing Lisa.\u00a0 Ben smiled and turned back towards the river.\u00a0 He could no longer yell at Hoss for kissing his girl.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

THE END<\/p>\n

Disclaimer:\u00a0All publicly recognizable characters and settings are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. No money is being made from this work. No copyright infringement is intended.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

<\/div>\n

<\/g><\/svg><\/i> \"Loading\"<\/p>\n

<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Summary: \u00a0A\u00a0famous painting, a beautiful girl, and a lost memory reunite a man with his family. \u00a0<\/p>\n

Rated:\u00a0K+ (5,810 words)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":170,"featured_media":3741,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"template-full-width-post.php","format":"standard","meta":{"_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":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[23],"tags":[17],"class_list":["post-5456","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-drama","tag-hoss","wpcat-23-id"],"a3_pvc":{"activated":true,"total_views":901,"today_views":0},"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/Hossb.jpg?fit=444%2C339&ssl=1","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":2272,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=2272","url_meta":{"origin":5456,"position":0},"title":"Found Love (by Rona)","author":"Rona","date":"February 22, 2005","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary: \u00a0Love comes to one of the Cartwrights. \u00a0 A What Happened Next for \"Found Child.\" Rated: \u00a0T \u00a0 (3,715 words)","rel":"","context":"In "Drama"","block_context":{"text":"Drama","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=23"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/10\/feature-4.jpg?fit=387%2C387&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":3407,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=3407","url_meta":{"origin":5456,"position":1},"title":"Eenie, Meenie, Miney, Mo (by karilyn)","author":"karilyn","date":"November 17, 2008","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary: There's a new dressmaker in town, and she wreaks havoc at a town social to meet the Cartwright brothers. \u00a0 Rated T (3,590 words)","rel":"","context":"In "Drama"","block_context":{"text":"Drama","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=23"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":3416,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=3416","url_meta":{"origin":5456,"position":2},"title":"Love Cuts Both Ways (by karilyn)","author":"karilyn","date":"November 19, 2008","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary: \u00a0\u00a0This is a What Happened Instead for Candy and Lisa Campbell from \"The Stalker.\" \u00a0 Rated K (8,890 words)","rel":"","context":"In "Drama"","block_context":{"text":"Drama","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=23"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/bonanza2.jpg?fit=720%2C475&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/bonanza2.jpg?fit=720%2C475&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/bonanza2.jpg?fit=720%2C475&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/bonanza2.jpg?fit=720%2C475&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":5230,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=5230","url_meta":{"origin":5456,"position":3},"title":"A Second Chance At Love (by Adams Lover)","author":"Adams_Lover","date":"August 30, 2008","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary: After the break up with long time girlfriend, Lisa, Adam heads out to the cattleman's convention at Dallas, Texas where he meets a spicy Dallas Assistant District Attorney, Jennifer Devereux. The two have an instant connection and fall in love, but not without drama and intrigue throughout and of\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Alternate Universe"","block_context":{"text":"Alternate Universe","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=7"},"img":{"alt_text":"stories\/21\/images\/image002.jpg","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.bonanzabrand.info\/efiction\/stories\/21\/images\/image002.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":3860,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=3860","url_meta":{"origin":5456,"position":4},"title":"Home! (by No1butJoe)","author":"No1butjoe","date":"April 26, 2014","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary: \u00a0A misunderstood tragedy brings a man home for the first time in years. \u00a0 Rated:\u00a0K\u00a0 (1,750 words)","rel":"","context":"In "Drama"","block_context":{"text":"Drama","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=23"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/frontporch.jpg?fit=439%2C305&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":25478,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=25478","url_meta":{"origin":5456,"position":5},"title":"First Christmas in Boston, 1848 (by Indiana)","author":"indiana","date":"December 25, 2019","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary:\u00a0 Adam's spending his first Christmas away from his family. Rating:\u00a0 G Word Count:\u00a0 565","rel":"","context":"In "Drama"","block_context":{"text":"Drama","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=23"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/advent.jpg?fit=480%2C413&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5456","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/170"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=5456"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5456\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/3741"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=5456"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=5456"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=5456"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}