A MM of sorts to Chester's Mail Order Bride. I have another idea dealing with this episode but we'll see how this one turns out. EnjoyJ

Dear Anne

Disclaimer: I don't own 'em.

Chester Goode moved down the boardwalk as quickly as his stiff leg would allow him. He had just picked up the mail and the newest edition of the Cupid's Messanger had been in it and he couldn't wait to get back to the jail and read it. Mister Dillon was out of town and that would give him the opportunity he would need to read the ads and answer any that he thought sounded promising.

As soon as he reached the office he took a chair and opened the paper to begin to persue the ad's there. He had just made it to the second page when he heard footsteps outside the door and he quickly rushed across the room to shove the paper under the pillow on his bunk. He would receive a terrible rawhiding if anyone knew that he was reading such a paper.

When Doctor Adams walked into the office a few seconds later he found Chester sitting at the table busily persuing the newspaper that was spread out on the table in front of him. "Hello Chester." Greeted Doc.

"Doc. What brings you by?"

"Oh well I was looking for Matt. Do you know where he's at?"

"He's not here Doc. He had to go over to Spearville this morning and said he wouldn't be back until after dark."

"Oh. In that case, I'll see ya later Chester."

"Bye Doc." Chester said. He sat patiently waiting for the doctor to make his exit and he was just standing up, ready to go and get his magazine once again when the door opened and the Doctor reappeared again. "Oh and Chester, what in the world are you doing sitting in here? It's a beautiful day outside! Doesn't Matt have something for you to do? Or is he just paying you to sit around all day?" before he disappeared once again.

Chester had the strong urge to stick his tounge out at the closed door but didn't. He got up again and made his way to his bunk and was just about to pull the magazine out when again he heard footsteps and then the creak of the old door as it opened. Expecting Doc again he said without looking, "Oh stop harrasing me Doc. I know what I need to do and when I need to do it!"

"Oh. I'm sorry Chester." Kitty said. She had come to invite Matt to lunch and seeing that he wasn't there and that Chester wasn't in the mood to socialize she said, "I just came to see if Matt wanted to have lunch with me but I guess he isn't here huh?"

Turning around Chester began to apologize. "I'm sure sorry Miss Kitty. I didn't mean to bite your head off."

"Oh it's ok Chester. But might I ask where Matt's at?"

"He had to go over to Spearville and said that he wouldn't be back until after dark tonight." Chester said. "Do you want me to tell him you stopped by?"

Kitty shook her head. "No that's alright Chester. I'll see him tomorrow maybe."

Chester watched as Kitty left and then made his way back to his bunk where he again pulled out the paper. "Third times the charm I guess." He snapped it open and began to persue the different ads until his eyes lit upon one in particular. He had seen it before, in the previous months Cupids Messanger and he had been tempted that time to write but had chickened out at the last moment. He read the ad again and felt his heart flutter before he stood and resolved himself to take out a pencil and paper and begin to write.

Sitting at the worn old table Chester carefully dated the top of the page before painstakingly writing in his best handwriting, Dear Miss Smithwright, pulling back he looked at what he had written and smiled. That was as good a start as any. He then got down to business and began to write, telling Miss Smithwright all about Dodge, Kansas and working for Mister Dillon. He finished out his letter by saying how he would like to hear from her. Then he signed it carefully before going over to Mister Dillon's desk and getting out an envelope. Then he addressed it and slid the letter inside before practically running across the street to the post office to mail it.

Now the hard part would come, waiting for a response.

To be continued….

Please let me know what you think, PLEASE!