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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Silver Moon" data-source="post: 3800203" data-attributes="member: 8530">Chapter Two-hundred-four, “Earps Again”, Saturday, June 17th, 6:30 A.M.In the morning Kate and Janet got up early and went out to the ranch for her lesson. Instead of trying to saddle and get on the stallion Kate fetched the little buggy instead and drove. They arrive out at the Ranch on the peaceful Saturday morning. Sonoma and Flint both greet them upon their arrival. Flint calls Kate aside and says, "I heard that they caught Earp, that's a crying shame, he was only trying to bring about justice."Kate replies, “I'm not sure how I feel about it myself. He was dangerous, Flint. He's teetering on the edge of insanity and it might not have been long before innocents started getting hurt just for being in his way. He had a magical thing that made him invulnerable, he would have just kept going and going. We were taking down the last of the vampires in town when he took advantage of the chaos and went after his enemies. Either he or Palmer used something near the dynamite shed that blew it. That's how he got caught."Flint states, "Well it's a crying shame is what it is. He didn't do anything different than we did when we went after Pete's killers." Kate answers, "Not so different than quite a few things I've done since then. There are things the law is just not prepared to handle. I can't imagine what this place would be like if there weren't people defending it on their own. It was his instability that got him caught." The dwarf replies, "Yeah, I guess, but I'd say that is a crying shame."While Flint and Kate are conversing Sonoma is assisting Janet Fly with her tack and saddle. "Are you trying to suggest something, Flint?" Kate asked, looking over her shoulder at the others. Flint replies, "Nah, it would be too risky to try to bust the guy out. I didn't mind helping him here with the horses but I won't be going out of my way to help him. I'm just saying it is too damned bad he got himself caught." Kate nodded. "We have far too much to lose now to think about that kind of thing. Some of those Cartwright men are back in town in case you were interested."She went over to the other women and hugged Sonoma. "I can't wait until all this business in town is finished and I can spend more time here with you. I'm afraid I won't be able to help much today, my arm was hurt last night." She filled Sonoma and Flint in on what had happened at the play and added, "If either of you wants to get into town to see it I'm sure we have enough help now to take care of the place. Mr. Morand was very thorough about that."Sonoma asks a few more questions about the play, glad to hear that her father is participating as part of the orchestra. When Kate mentions that Dorita plans to attend the Sunday matinee Sonoma decides that she will attend that performance. Flint helps Kate get her horse saddled and she then sets off with Janet Fly for the riding lesson.Since Kate was on her own horse instead of holding a guideline for Janet's, she didn't have Janet do much new, just continue practicing what they had already gone over without the safety of someone else guiding. The two women roamed over the ranch practicing the commands Janet already knew and just letting her get more comfortable in the saddle and in her ability to command the horse. Near the end they went a bit faster letting the horses work out some of their energy in the early morning ride. They were out about an hour when they rode back to the main buildings.Upon their return Kate notes that Flint has returned to his mining machine up on the hill. Sonoma assists the two women with unsaddling the horses and gettng out the grooming tools. Janet says, "I know we haven't been doing this for very long but I will miss it when I go out to join Roger in California." Kate replies, "There will be liveries in California, although there won't be an open space like this to ride in. I'm certain there are some lovely parks there though, and the society people must be riding somewhere."Kate was quiet for a moment. "There is something about riding that makes you feel serene, independent, and strong. I always feel I can face anything when I'm riding." Janet Fly says, "I understand completely. Before I leave I will speak to the sewing circle about it and maybe get you a few more customers for riding lessons. I doubt that Peg Watkins or Helen Cook would even consider it, but some of the others who have now warmed to you such as Beth Eaton and Clarisse Townsend might wish to give it a try.""I'd appreciate that. Until we sell the first of the livestock and get a crop in things are pretty expensive here. It's still a strange thing; even some of the women in the sewing circle not absolutely hating me." She laughed. "Even if it took a goddess to do it." Janet replies, "'They're not a bad bunch, you just got off on the wrong foot. I met your mother when she visited the town, she's not all that different in temperament and personality than those in the sewing circle.""I never believed them to be a bad bunch; I figured they didn't know what to do with someone like me," Kate said lightly, shaking her head. "Maman has always been just a bit uncomfortable with how much I took Papa's lessons to heart. She still does things so society knows she's doing right. Papa and I just do right without worry about others. I suppose Maman's kept him from getting in too much trouble." Janet answers, "It sounds like they provide a good balance for each other. That's what I thought that Roger and I had, with me helping keep his more impulsive ideas in check, until I learned about this other life he had been living behind my back.""You're absolutely right to be upset that he was lying to you. When you're together again, you might consider letting his impulsive side pull you along now and then. Not to do anything you'd be uncomfortable with of course, but if he feels he can indulge a bit with you I doubt you'll find him playing piano in a saloon again. Not that he would since he knows how much that upset you. So if he ever comes home one day and suggests getting on a train, going to San Fransisco and seeing a show then going to a ballroom for dancing, say yes," Kate smiled. "Tom and I used to go down to New York on a whim now and then. I needed his sense of fun and adventure."Janet replies, "Yes, I will have to learn how to trust him again. But I am willing to try." Kate says, "Trust yourself too. Your instincts won't lead you astray." Janet says, "Thank you Katherine, and thank you for letting me stay with you this week. The short time apart has allowed me to regain a fresh perspective. But now that I've decided that my life is with Roger again there is no reason to delay. I'm planning now to leave on the stagecoach tomorrow morning provided that we make it back today before the bank closes so that I can empty mine and Roger's account."Kate says, "Oh. It's been a pleasure to have you, I've enjoyed having an adult around again. I'm going to miss you," she said and embraced the other woman. "I'd hoped to spend more time with you. I need to be back early myself, so it should be no problem to get you to the bank." Flint and Sonoma see the pair off, Sonoma adding "Tell my mother and great grandfather that I will be back for a visit tomorrow." Kate nodded and she and Janet were off back to town.She returned the little buggy to Drover's and they stabled and brushed down the horses. When Janet was ready to go to the bank she asked, "Would you like someone to walk with you to the bank and back to the house? You'll be carrying a lot of cash." "Yes, that would be a good idea," Janet replies. They arrive back in town at 9:45 A.M. on the Saturday morning."Why don't you finish up here and I'll go inside and talk to Dorita." Kate slipped through the stable door and into the Cantina's kitchen. "Dorita, Sonoma said to tell you she's coming into town to visit tomorrow. I think she's planning to go to the play tomorrow afternoon as well. Do you think you could lend me someone to walk Janet Fly and I over to the bank? We don't want to be walking alone with any real amounts of cash.” Dorita tells Grant Keebler to accompany them.Kate and Grant walked over to the bank with Janet and waited near the door as she did her business. They walked back to the El Parador first, then back to Kate's house just so it wouldn't be quite certain where they'd left the money Janet had taken out. It was probably more than necessary but Kate didn't relish the idea of any late night visitors thinking there was money to be found in the house. Janet tells Kate that she will spend the next hour or so packing and then go visit the members of her sewing circle to say goodbye. Kate nodded. "I'm sure they'll be as sorry to see you leave as I am. I have to go out in a little while, so I may not be back until later."She filled a basin and took it upstairs to her room, then warmed the water with a prestidigitation spell and washed up. A long soak would have to wait until later. After last night's finery she put on her prim blue down and left her hair loose, just pulling a ribbon through to hold it back from her face. Once she was ready she went downstairs to the kitchen to read and nibble until Edwin Booth arrived.At 10:30 A.M. there is a knock on Kate's door. Kate looked at the little clock on the shelf, noting that it was only 10:30. She went to the window and looked between the curtains to see who was there before opening the door. Kate sees Virgil Earp standing on her doorstep. She resisted the urge to go fetch a gun. Instead she took a deep breath and opened the door. "Good morning, Marshall. What can I do for you?" she said flatly.He states, "Good Morning Mrs. Kale, I'm sorry to disturb you this early in the morning. I'll get right to the point, I have spoken with my brother and he indicated that you are a very trustworthy individual. He has also indicated that you currently operate a ranch. If I should need to discreetly obtain a mount or two, with tack and saddles, would I be able to count on your for assistance?" Kate stepped outside and shut the door behind her. "I have a houseguest," she said, looking up to make sure Janet's window was closed. "Forgive my bluntness, but considering our past history what possible reason could I have to risk myself for you?"Virgil states, "I haven't asked you to undertake anything of risk, I'm not planning anything without the approval of Judge Isby. I just don't want the people who want Wyatt dead to know about this, which is why I've asked for some discretion. As for why, well, my brother saved your brother's life during the Tombstone fire. Isn't that enough for you?"Kate replies, "When all you tell me is that you want horses and quiet it sounds risky. You didn't mention Judge Isby. As for your brother, he also jailed my friends on obviously false charges in order to squeeze information out of me. Lucky for you he knows how to admit when he's wrong, tell the truth, and apologize. Where do you need the horses to be and when? My weekend is busy so I'd need to find time to get to the ranch and make the arrangements."Virgil says, "Monday as soon as the trial gets over, assuming my brother is acquitted. I'm optimistic that will happen, but getting him out of this county alive is another matter. That's why I need the horses, and for Frank Leslie and his buddies to not know that I have them available." She asks, "And where did you want them? I usually stable my animals at the El Parador, but I don't want to bring trouble down on their heads."Virgil replies, "I don't care where you put them just so they're available as soon as the trial is over. Let me know what they cost, you'll be well paid for your assistance." She states, "I'll take care of it. Something built for stamina without sacrificing too much speed. Where are you staying so I can get word to you?" Virgil replies, "I'm staying with Deputy Rodriguez in his room over by the Tolucca house. Thank you."She asks, "How impossible would it be to get to see your brother before the trial? I had thought of it before, but they're keeping the jail so heavily guarded I thought they wouldn't let me." He replies, "Not very likely, they let me in because he's my brother. Other than me I think the only one they'll let in is his lawyer." "As I suspected. I'll choose some animals for you. Was there anything else?" Kate asked. He replies, "No, that's it for now. Thank you for your time." He walks away and Kate notes that his arm and hand are still crippled from the injury he sustained last December.Kate went back inside but couldn't settle back down to her snack. Instead she went through and started pacing up and down the long schoolroom. It was hard to tell which was more worrisome, how aggravated that man could still make her, or the fact that she couldn't seem to forgive him. His injuries and the loss of his brothers should illicit her sympathies but the only feeling she had toward Virgil Earp was relief at seeing him walk away. She wiped away the few tears that stubbornly insisted on gathering in her eyes and tried to collect herself before Edwin Booth could arrive.Out her window she sees Chumbley heading down East Street carrying a stack of newspapers. Kate got a nickel and went outside. "Mr. Chumbley, may I have one of those please?" He sells her the paper. The main headline reads "Watson Attempts Booth Assassination". Also on the front page is the headline "New Douglas Gang Escape from Colorado Prison". The final front page story, on the bottom right of the paper reads "Van Horne Tournament Begins Today"."Can't anyone keep those people in prison?" Kate said, shaking her head. She thanked Mr. Chumbley, then went back inside and sat back down with her snack. Her calm was still disturbed but the newspaper might help her put Earp's visit in it's proper perspective.The main story is a rather accurate account of the shooting at the play the previous night, crediting Watson with shooting Edwin Booth, Katherine Kale and Rolf Larson. It quotes Helen Barker admitting to having accidentally shot Earl Hogan. It says that Mr. Watson will go to trial on Monday morning, that Judge Isby anticipates a short amount of time after the names are drawn for the jury to gather the jurors during which time he can take care of Watson's trial.The tournament story mentions that thirty gamblers registered to play and that there will be $ 50,000 in prize money split as $ 30,000 for first place, $ 15,000 for second place and $ 5,000 for third place. It says that Saturday the tournament will run from 12:00 noon until 2:30 A.M. with half-hour meal breaks at 4:30 PM and 9:30 PM. It will then resume at noon on Sunday.The jail break article states that on Thursday evening there was a prison break at one of the three cell blocks in Canon City Colorado. Two guards were killed and six were wounded. Nine prisoners were killed attempting to escape and eleven more made it over the walls. Of those, five were recaptured on Friday. Of the six still at large three were members of the New Douglas Gang, namely Mongo Bailey, Pamela Yeats and Sally Fox.Kate spent another moment being grateful that she would never be allowed to sit on Wyatt Earp's jury. The story about the escape of the New Douglas Gang members held her attention. Bailey and Fox she couldn't care less about, but her only real memory of Pamela Yeats was of a woman in tears over the death of her husband. She hoped the woman would take whatever money she had and fade away rather than keep running with the Douglas Gang.Kate is interrupted by the sight of Ginnie bouncing down the stairs from the second floor. She is wearing her very best dress, polished her shoes, and her freshly washed hair is tied back with lace and ribbon. She hurries towards the doorway saying "Goodbye Ma'am Kate, I will see you later." Kate exclaims, "Wait, Ginnie! Where are you going? At least come over here for two seconds and say goodbye."Ginnie hurries over and says, "I'm off to the Lucky Lady. They've asked myself, Colleen, Cathleen, Melvin, Nakomo and Burt Hoover all help out today with waiting on people during the Tournament. Mr. Van Horne asked us to all come early for instructions and to wear our better clothes, that we'll get higher tips if we look professional." "Ah. And I see you took him seriously, you look quite lovely."Kate kissed her cheek and gave a loose hug so as not to muss her. "I guess they'll want me to wear something a little nicer than this dress then, I'll have to change after I run my errand. love you, honey. I'll see you in a little while. I'm very proud of you, you know." "Thanks Ma'am Kate, yes you should look nice too, but you always do anyway." Ginnie kisses her cheek and hurries out the door. Kate had to reach into her pocket for her handkerchief and wipe her eyes. Ginnie had been almost like a ghost lately, it was a relief to see her, even for a moment, looking happy and confident.Ginnie bounds down the steps and westward towards Main Street, almost knocking Edwin Booth over in the process. He has his arm in a sling and is carrying a small suitcase in the other hand. He exclaims, "My, where is your little one off to in such a hurry?" Kate replies, "Mr. VanHorne has recurited Ginnie and a few other children to help out during the tournament. Ginnie has worked there since she moved here to live with me and she's excited about the potential for good tips,"Kate laughed. "She lived on her own for a time and once you've been responsible for yourself it's hard to let someone else take care of you." Edwin replies, "I understand. Even though I was with my parents in the theater they were often busy with productions and my brothers and I often had to learn to fend for ourselves."</blockquote>

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