PT.
2
After sitting thinking about the Note she had received,
Kitty then looked at the envelope, and remembering what Burke had said ,.. that
Barney told him that there was a delay in receiving it …Now she realized
Francine would be arriving Today at Noon…
Kitty and Francine , hadn’t seen one another in so many
years… they grew up together in New Orleans when they were little girls,..
before Kitty’s Mother had died. Then, Francine who came from an Upper Class
family ,.. was sent off to Paris, France to a Proper boarding school as her
Mother put it . a Proper place to prepare her daughter to take her place in New
Orleans Highest Society. But the girls just wanted to be little girls… Kitty
figured from the signature on the Note that Francine ,Franny as she called her..appearently
married … Kitty knew Francine
,(Franny ) as Francine Lewis-Ashton.
Kitty realized it was almost Noon now. She hurried into the bar ,… Sam, I have
something I need to do .. you be alright here for a bit? With a questioning look ,.. Sure Miss Kitty
.. is everything alright?
Realizing he looked worried,… Oh Yes ,.. I have to meet the noon Stage…
Sam , were going to have a guest. A Guest Miss Kitty? He questioned. Smiling back at him ,.. Yes, an old
friend, Francine ..
Kitty was waiting at the stage depot wrapped in her Cloak
,.. the cold wind was picking up…. She was trying not to think what it
must have been like for Matt riding out to Fort Dodge…after all it had only
been not quite two weeks since Doc removed yet another Bullet from his upper
chest and stitched up some cut he had,.. this ride could prove to be … Long and
Uncomfortable ,.. and the weather changing wasn’t going to help ,… Kitty knew
how Matt’s Leg bothered him... during the long cold Winter’s. She even figure this would have kept him
around Dodge for Christmas.
She was in such deep thought , she almost didn’t hear the
Stage approaching…?
As it pulled into the Depot,.. Carl spotted Kitty,… whoa! He
yelled out trying to rein in on the Horses, Afternoon Miss Kitty… quite a chill
in the air today!... Afternoon Carl, yes
there is.. we just might have Snow for Chrismas! Carl , climbed down while his helper began
untying the bags on top … and tossing them down,… Carl unhooked the stage
door,… First to get off were an elderly couple , Kitty knew them from Dodge,..
they were returning from a visit they took to St.Louis… Afternoon Miss Kitty
the man said as he stepped out and turned to help his wife. Then , stepping out of the stage ,.. Kitty
noticed a woman Tall,
Slender, with Dark chestnut hair, deep
Brown eyes with very pale skin,.. wearing a Maroon traveling suit. With a matching hat … Kitty knew right off
this had to be Francine! She looked
extremely elegant … Nothing she usually saw in Dodge. As Kitty looked at her ,.. she
inquisitively said…. Francine? Francine Lews-Ashton?
As the woman turned, Kitty knew those eyes and that smile….
Francine … surprised to see her , she stepped forward , Kathleen ? Kathleen, is that you? Smiling , yes It’s me ,.. Carl looked on …
he wasn’t use to anyone calling Kitty, Kathleen… Kitty reached out and hugged her childhood
friend , Franny, it’s so wonderful to see you! Wow! No one has called me Franny in so
long …. Mother never thought it to be proper.
Well, I, I My friends here
all call me Kitty
Kitty?she said stunned. Yes, It
was something father always called me .. and well ….the two woman Hugged ,… let’s get you over
to my place…Oh, no Kath, Kitty… I couldn’t
impose … Your not and I insist!
Festus’ saw Kitty talking to Franny and came up to inquire … Kitty knew
he would want to know what was happening…. Miz Kitty ,.. here’a let me git them
there fur ya? Franny , This is a Festus’ Hagen,.. Festus’ this is My good Friend Francine Bousselot’ how do Ma’am? Festus’ you
can take them to the Long Branch… if you will? Yes’um
Miz Kitty I’ll do ur Directly…
Thank You Festus’ Festus’ always like
helping a pretty lady… especially when one of them was Kitty.
As the two woman walked to the Long branch ,… Franny
inquisitively asked … Long Branch? Kitty smiling ,but now realizing she wasn’t
aware of what business she was in…. Yes, It’s my Business … It’s a Saloon…
Kathleen ? ahh you own a Saloon? Watching Franny’s Face ,.. Kitty very firmly stated … Yes I do! And it does very well…. But Kitty,.. is that
a Proper thing for a lady to do?
Choosing her words carefully,… Franny,.. we need to talk… it’s been a
long time since we were little girls…. Kitty now more then ever realized
just how different their lives had
been. Let’s get you settled and
comfortable…
It was a longer than usual ride for Matt,.. his body wasn’t
really ready to be on a horse and for such a distance… but, he just prayed it
would be over sooner than later,… he finally made it into Fort Dodge. As he enter the Fort, he
could tell they had prepared for the on set of the winter weather…, riding in
to where they stabled horses, .. he noticed two young soldiers… May we help you
? I’m Matt Dillon out of Dodge ,.. you
boys new here? Yes Sir … just
transferred in… nodding Matt asked , Looking to see Colonial Tucker…then one asked.
And is he expecting you Sir? Then the
young soldier noticed Matt’s Badge… You the law? Yeah Son, I’m a United States Marshal… Yes
Sir,.. right this way… The Young soldier
lead Matt to the Colonial office … as they entered ,.. Colonial Sir,.. you have
a visitor… Thank You,.. that will be
all Private. After the door
closed,.. Matt , what brings you
out? Well, Ben I wanted to talk with you
about the Gold shipment… coming here through Dodge… with such a large amount , I think it best to
have your troops escort it back with me.
If you think it best Matt. It’ll
be safer that way,.. Matt, Whiskey? Yeah
Ben ,.. sounds good … looks like snow out there. Almanac is calling for it.. for sure.
Here sit ,.. try some of this… handing him a glass of a fine whiskey he
just had shipped in. Matt sat sipping the whiskey from the glass …
enjoying the warmth it gave him…. Matt , How’s Miss Russell?... haven’t been in
town in so Long… still as pretty as ever,.. Matt smiled. Yeah that she is
Ben! Heard you were injured not to
long ago? Ahh Yeah ,.. took a Bullet to
the upper chest and a few knife wounds… Matt Buddy you are one tough Bull! Should you have rode out here ? Ben your starting to sound like Kitty… Ben
just laughed…. What’da say we get some
supper? Nodding , Yeah sure sounds good
to me …. As they left Colonial Tucker
office ,.. Matt just looked up and thought to himself,… Hope it holds off ….
TBC
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