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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Silver Moon" data-source="post: 3749245" data-attributes="member: 8530">Chapter One-hundred-ninety-three, “Early Evening”, Friday, June 16th, 5:30 P.M. Kate started poking her head into rooms, looking for Janet. Janet is busy on her spinning wheel. She smiles and looks up at Kate and says, "Good news. I got a letter today from Roger. He's all settled in Los Angeles." "That's wonderful news," Kate said and sat down. "What else does he say? That you can share, of course. A letter is private after all.” Janet replies, "Yes, but I have to share the high points with you. Kate asks, “Does he find it to his liking?" Janet says, "Yes, he says he misses me but not this town. He's already decided that his brother can keep the boarding house, and he wants me to join him as soon as it is feasible." Kate smiled gently at Janet. "While that's not good news for me, it's good news for you. I assume feasible means that he has a home set up for you to live in? And what are the highlights? I'd love to hear them." Janet says, "I think feasible means at a point when I'm no longer angry with him. I'm not there yet. The highlights are that he is back with his mentor and they have reestablished their former relationship." Kate answers, "I wish I had some advice for you, but I know from my own marriage that no but you and your husband can work that out. But you are welcome here as long as you need to stay. And you're always welcome down in the schoolroom too. I saw you today listening to our guests. It's nice that he was able to slip back into an old friendship so easily." Mrs. Fly replies, "Yes, and I think the change of scenery will do us both well. But first I would like to try that horse riding again. Would we have a chance to go back out to your ranch this weekend?" Kate says, "That probably depends on how early in the morning you're willing to get up. I'm not sure when they'll need me at the Lady tomorrow, but the tournament doesn't get started until noon. So If we get out to the ranch early we should have plenty of time for riding." Janet says, "I'm an early riser, I had to be to make breakfast for all of the boarders before they headed off to work in the morning." Kate says, "I've learned to get up early since I came here. Before that I lived in big houses with people to make breakfast for me, and do just about every other chore as well. I do miss that sometimes, but this is the far better life. So we'll rise tomorrow with the sun and have a nice ride out to the ranch. I think you'll be able to handle that. I have two riding horses here in town; you can ride Meribel and I'll take the stallion.” Kate then asks “Now, are you coming to the play tonight?" Janet replies, "I wasn't planning to, it's not proper for a married woman to go out evenings without her husband. I might attend the Sunday matinee at the Town Hall, that would meet society's standards." Kate answers, "I don't meet many of society's standards myself, but as long as you're going to go to one of the performances I won't argue with you. But don't let society's standards stop you from living, Janet. If I'd followed them I'd be back in Boston, still swathed in black seeing no one but my family. I don't need to wear grief on my sleeve to feel it, and Tom didn't want it. I concern myself with being moral and don't worry so much about whether anyone else knows it." Janet answers, "I admire that about you Katherine but it just isn't in me to go against tradition, it's too ingrained in my background." Kate says, "You've already begun. Riding lessons may be acceptable, but it's a step toward independence and doing something just for the joy it brings you. You're right; my way isn't for everyone. You must be true to who you are. Maybe now and then that means breaking just a little tradition," Kate smiled. "I admit, I thought in my condition my reputation was going to be completely lost, which does make it easier to go my own way. Diana seems to have changed that, but breaking tradition seems to be ingrained in me now." Janet replies, "The Goddess including the Eaton's will go a long way. James isn't very well liked in this town but he is well respected. I sincerely hope that he does win a seat on the Town Council next week, it would be the best for you and the baby as well if he does." "Why do you think so?" Kate asked curiously. "What will be different for me with the Doctor on the council?" Janet replies, "He would wield more influence on the Council than not. I don't know what the future holds but the lives of you and your child will be intertwined with several aspects of this town, the church and the school being just two of them. The Town Council will be making decision regarding both the church and school, far better to have a man who was present when the Goddess spoke to throw his support your way." Kate replies, "Perhaps. I'm still having difficulty thinking this affects anyone's life but my own and those close to me. Those who love me still will and I'll still have my ranch no matter what else happens." Janet replies, "Yes, but wouldn't things be better if you didn't feel it necessary to have to go hide on your ranch?" Kate says, “Oh, I wouldn't hide there Janet. I'd still have my friends at the El Parador and the Lucky Lady and a few others around town. But if I had to give up teaching I would still have plenty of work to do and a full life. You are right that things will be easier for me if the town understands. But I don't want to be an object of religious interest or curiosity either." Janet answers, "Yes, it might be a bit much if Diana followers start to make pilgrimages to your ranch." Kate says, "Exactly. I just want to live my life quietly, the best way I know how. But that cat is out of the bag now, so I will have to deal with perhaps a small amount of fame. Diana told me something that might help just a bit. There'll be a rash of births in Promise City around the new year, so many people will be too busy with their own babies to worry about mine." Janet says, "Ah, so if your Priestess friend draws attention to all of the births and says that they are all gifts of the gods, that the town has been blessed, that will make yours stand out less." Kate answers, "I hadn't really thought of Minerva making some announcement, just that people would be busy with their own families. But this is all far in the future. For today most of the town is still blissfully ignorant. I'm glad Roger is settled," Kate said and stood up. "I should be getting ready for the play. Has Ginnie been back yet? I wanted to take her with me, but she sometimes loses track of time working." Janet says, "She was in and out like a whirlwind a half hour back. I didn't even get a chance to say Hello." "She does that," Kate said ruefully. "Ginnie was so independent before she came to live with me that I don't like to take that away from her. You can't un-grow-up. Hopefully after the election is over things will quiet down and we can get back to our cozy nights here with our bowls of popcorn. I should go get ready. If I don't see you this evening, I'll see you tomorrow morning." She went into her own room, wishing she had time for a real bath. Instead she settled for a prestidigitation spell. She took the time to brush out her hair and pin it up in the most complex style she could manage without help. The dress she put on was icy blue with a narrow skirt in front and a multi-layered bustle in the back. The fabric shimmered and made a crisp, rustling sound when she moved. It was off-the shoulder, and long white gloves would cover her ams leaving only a couple inches of skin exposed between them and the sleeves. Kate kept her jewelry simple; a thin chain supporting an oval pendant of aquamarine, with dangling earring featuring the same stone. As a last touch she put on the perfume she rarely wore now. It was still a little early, so she went downstairs to wait a bit. As Helen Barker leaves the Marshall’s Office Earp's Lawyer Elihu Upton appears at the door and asks to speak with his client. Chester opens the door and escorts Upton in. "Afternoon, Mr. Upton. Come on in. I'm going to have to frisk you before you can go into the cell. OK?" Upton says, "I understand, Deputy. Go ahead. Marshall, once you let me in, please give us some privacy." Berg replies, "Not a problem, Mr. Upton. We accorded the same respect to Mr. Hardin." Berg and Chester lock Upton in the cell and then head to the opposite side of the room. Berg says, "Let's pull up a few chairs and chat, that way they'll realize we're not trying to eves-drop on their conversation while we still get to watch them." Berg begins the conversation with "So, are you still interested in running for Town Marshall? It might be a quiet job with all of the outlaws now either caught, imprisoned or hung." Chester answers, "You bet. It's important for the town to have a choice. It's just me and Hank Hill left, right? Berg answers, "No, there are still four of you. Adair's party still has Prosper McCoy and then there's that Independent guy Moss Johnson. Although the rumor is that he was seen going into the Great Western Boarding House an hour ago, so he might be Ashley King's replacement on the Law and Order ticket." Chester states, "Well, that won't change the number of candidates, so I'm not too worried. The Law and Order party's reputation has to take a hit from this masked rider business." Berg states, “I would say so. It'll be interesting to see how Frank Condon frames things for the debate Sunday night. They're gong alphabetically so he will get to speak first." Chester says, “Okay, yeah, it'd be nice to have things quiet around here." Berg says, "I couldn't agree with you more. I'm thinking you should try to keep the current deputies on if you win although Eduardo might be a hard sell." Chester answers, "Of course. They've lived here longer than me, so they know the town better. If Eddie has been a deputy for all this time already, convincing the committee to keep him on won't be hard. I may offer a deputy's badge to Hill if I win, though. So, are you going back to the lawyer job after the election?" Berg replies, "Yep, I'm just going to be an attorney. I think offering Hill a deputy spot is a good idea. You might want to have that conversation with him, and make sure that he does the same if he wins. As for Eduardo, he's now been almost killed twice on this job and hasn't physically recovered from what that undead monster did to him. But quite frankly, I think it's his having to guard his long-time friend and the man who hired him that has him down the most. I doubt that will get any better either if Earp gets the noose." Chester says, "If Eduardo still wants the job, it's his. I'll understand if he wants to take an easier line of work. Clarisse always worries about me out there. Seeing a friend headed for the gallows can't be easy. Good idea about talking to Hill about wanting to stay on if he wins. It hadn't crossed my mind." Berg says, "I wasn't too sure about him at first but him and his friends seem to be making an effort to become more legitimate and they sure did right catching the hooded riders. You might want to suggest to Hill that Helen and Neil should also be retained if he wins." Chester replies, "I was thinking that. Seems like he won't need too much convincing from what I've seen. Any\way, if I'm going to the play, I'm going to need to get going. I'll catch you later, Marshall." Chester stops by Gilson's Bath House to wash the stink of the hung bodies. He takes a long hot soak before drying off and changing into fresh clothes. He walks to the Double Eagle and sees Clarisse waiting for him in the sitting room. He kisses her and says, "Hey, dear. Been waiting long?" She says, "Not at all, Chet. Were you at the hanging today? Nasty business, but they were bad men." "I was. It's hard keeping law and order in town without the threat of the noose." Clarise says, "It will be different if the others lose their appeal, many in town won't feel the same way about Icabod, Jason and Kirby as they had about Koontz and Skull." "They tried to burn the town down. I was at Tombstone when they had their fire, and that was an accident. They'd been riding around for a while. If they didn't want to swing, they should have gotten out before that." She replies, "I know, but....well...you don't know them. They're not bad people, they just got carried away with how to go about accomplishing what they wanted. Peg Watkins feels that Kirby should have been given the same option as Porter, he's still just a boy. It's not fair." Chester says, "This isn't the first time Kirby's been in trouble, Clarisse. He's been hanging out with the Cowboy Gang. Judge Isby has let him off before, so he probably feels like Kirby didn't learn his lesson. Tell me about them, though." She says, "According to Peg Kirby was ashamed of what he did before. This was his way of making it up to his father, ensuring that the Law and Order Party got into office." Chester states, "This probably damaged the party, having a candidate's son involved in the whole mess.” She replies, "Bill Watkins was already off the ticket due to his debate performance, but some of the other candidates are thinking of withdrawing as well now. Frank Condon is trying to convince his brother Morgan to fill any gaps that might appear." Chester taps his chin. "Hmm. If he enters, he'll be a wild card. He hasn't spoken in any of the debates, so we don't know how he stands, unless you know him personally. I do know he doesn't like me. That's for sure." Chester says, “Does Kirby have anyone outside of his family who will speak for him, like Dr. Eaton did? Otherwise Judge Isby isn't going to go for a deal." She replies, "No, not really. Kirby working with the Ringo's Cowboy Gang a few months back which burned all of those bridges." Chester pulls Clarisse closer to him. "Then I doubt the judge is going to go easy on him. I'm sorry." Clarisse replies, "Well, the most important thing is that they have been stopped. I was so worried that you would get hurt Chet." He replies, "I know. You always worry about me and I appreciate it. I love you, Clarisse Townsend, and wouldn't want to do anything to hurt you. When I win this election, things will be quieter around here. Wyatt's in our jail, there aren't many Cowboy Gang members left, and the masked riders have been caught. I don't see why the peace and quiet shouldn't stick." Minerva, busies herself with church affairs and makes her way back to the jail to see if Chester is in. Minerva is frustrated by her failure to get into the jail to speak with Wyatt Earp and so instead goes home to bathe and get dressed to attend the play. Nakomo comes into the room and asks "What shall I wear to the play Miss Minerva." "I have just the thing" she says and rifling through the wardrobe pulls out the beautiful suit that Nanuet wore the night of the ball. She lays it out on the bed remembering how handsome and out of place he looked the night he wore it to please her. She tells the young man, “This belongs to your cousin, but since he cannot be with us today I am sure that he would not mind your wearing it."</blockquote>

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