The Following Morning

A slightly overweight man with light brown hair and a moustache rode into Dodge wearing a marshal's badge on his shirt. Three other men rode in along with him wearing deputy badges. He walked into the Marshal's office, as the other three waited outside. Festus was sitting with his feet on the desk. He sat up as the door opened.

"You must be Festus Haggin. I heard about you from Mr. Dillon. I'm Marshal McMann."

The man extended his hand, which Festus shook reluctantly.

"Well, Marshal McMann, would you mind telling me where Matthew's at?"

"Mr. Haggin, I don't know the whereabouts of Mr. Dillon. I did ask him why he resigned and all he told me that he just didn't want the job anymore. I can understand that Mr. Haggin. It's a hard job and Mr. Dillon had done it for a long time. Must be wearing on a man. He said wanted to be out of town when he quit so folks wouldn't try to talk him out of it. Here are my credentials, in case you're interested."

McMann handed Festus some papers. Festus pretended to look them over carefully and handed them back.

Mc Mann took the papers back, folded them and put them in his pocket, "Mr. Haggin, Mr. Dillon said that you were a good deputy. I'm sure you are, but I'm afraid I won't need your services. I brought my own deputies along. Please clear out any belongings that you have in the office. I'm going to stable my horse and I'll be back. I expect you and your things will be gone by then."

McMann turned to leave but turned back, "One more thing. I have a letter from Mr. Dillon to give to a Kitty Russell. Do you know where I might find her?"

"She'd be at the Long Banch Saloon. She owns the place."

"Thank you. I'll deliver it there."

Festus gathered together the few things he kept at the office, and walked outside deciding to go and have a talk with Doc.

"Doc, this McMann came with three deputies – three. How does that make sense Doc? Matthew just had me and sometimes Newley as deputies – well Burke helped out now and agin, but that ain't having 3 deputies – nowheres near.

"Well Festus, maybe the authorities decided they were asking too much of one man. Anyway, what did he say about Matt?"

"He jus said Matthew just didn't wanna do the job no more. That's it. He don't know where Matthew went to or nothin."

"Festus, are you sure this McMann fellow is the real thing?"

"He showed me his – wha'd ya call it - credits"

"Credentials Festus, but I don't have to remind you that you can't read. How do you know what they said?"

"Doc, it was the fancy feelin paper with the fancy writin just like Matthew's. Oh – one other thing. This Peter McMann fella said he had a letter for Miss Kitty from Matthew. I told him he'd find her over at the Long Branch"

Doc picked up his hat, "Let's get over there."

Meanwhile

Peter McMann walked into the Long Branch and up to the bar. "Barkeep, I'm Marshall McMann, I'm taking over for Matt Dillon. I have a letter for a Kitty Russell. Where can I find her?"

Sam looked McMann up and down, "Upstairs, first door on the left."

McMann walked up the stairs and knocked. He tipped his hat when Kitty opened the door, "I have a letter for you maam from Mr. Matthew Dillon."

Kitty took the letter and shut the door.

It was written in Matt's clear, strong handwriting.

Dear Kitty,

I know I should be telling you this in person. After all the things I've confronted head on, facing you with this decision is the one thing that I'm too much of a coward to do. Please forgive me for that.

All the years of responsibilities have taken a toll on me. More than even you know. I need to be alone and to make simpler life for myself. To do that, I have to put my past behind me and move on.

I know that this will upset you, but I also know that some day soon, you will find happiness with a man who is better for you than I ever was.

Thanks for all the wonderful years.

Matt

By the time she read Matt's name Kitty was shaking. The mix of emotions was almost too much – hurt, anger, despair, pain, sorrow. She let out a scream as she tore the letter in two, and threw the pieces on the floor.

She paced back and forth not knowing what to do, finally throwing herself on her bed and hugging her pillow as she sobbed into it.

Festus and Doc had entered the Long Branch as Kitty screamed. Doc hurried up the stairs.

"Kitty, open up. It's Doc."

"Go away Doc."

"Kitty, I'm not going away, so you may as well open up now."

"Doc, stand there all night, I'm not opening the door." She continued crying and then spoke in a painful whisper. "Doc, Doc please, just please, please let me be."

Doc walked sadly down the stairs. He went over to Festus, "I'll try again in the morning. I can just imagine what that letter said."