Disclaimer: I do NOT own Bonanza nor any of the orignial Cartwright characters. Only thing I can lay claim to is the story line and the 'extra characters'

A/N I decided putting * and ^ by true facts and false ones was a royal pain. So I'll simply state the actual facts up front. According to the research I did the Royal Institute for Deaf and Blind Children was founded in Sydney, Australia on 22 October 1860. In 1852 there was an Influenza epidemic. Those things will be briefly mentioned in this story. Also, mining companies did plant pine trees.

To Dance Again

Chapter Three (Miss Emily/Mr. Kelly)

Scene Five

Adam followed Mr. Lee as they headed out of town. The older gentleman had said he needed to talk to Mr. Kelly anyway so he might as well take Adam along. While a few trees scattered the landscape it was mostly bushes that seemed to dot the place.

As if reading his mind Mr. Lee started talking, "If you want to see trees you can always travel another five miles. Brockville has lots of them. The mining company there planted pine trees years ago."

"I was under the impression the next settlement more than five miles away." Adam commented.

"Next real settlement is," the man shrugged his shoulders, "the mine has only an office and a couple of shacks. I don't know why Broken Arrow just doesn't make that area a part of it. It's stupid for it to have a name of its own."

"Well, all I need is a good horse and I'll be on my way. Maybe I'll take a look on my way out."

The other man had a funny feeling come over him but he kept his mouth shut. He seemed to have a way of knowing when someone's plans were going to change on them only he never said as much. After all; he'd learned through the years people seldom wanted to hear something like that from him. Come to think about it-he hadn't met very many who wanted to hear it from anyone.

When the Kelly home came into view Adam's jaw felt like it was going to drop to the ground and his face registered shock. The place was a mansion! It looked as if it could easily be three stories high only one look at the place told him it was only two stories. There were windows everywhere.

Mr. Lee couldn't help but crack up laughing again as he watched Adam's reaction. "That was originally supposed to be the school for the blind and deaf but something happened to stop it. I honestly can't remember what though. Still, when the Kelly's bought that place years ago they needed it. All seven children were still at home; they had his parents living with them and his brother and his family-and they had four children themselves!"

Adam shook his head. He loved his brothers but he couldn't imagine all of them having families and living under the same roof. "Is it still that full?" He chuckled as he thought that it might have been a good idea to buy armor beforehand.

"Not on an every day basis. His brother moved his family to the United States and both the Elderly Mr. Kelly and Jordan's wife have passed away. She died when their youngest was around three. The old man died back in 1852 when we had an Influenza Epidemic hit. In fact, Broken Arrow used to be quite the place. You'd never know it now I admit. That epidemic? I can't believe the number of people who died from it," due to the puzzled look that came onto Adam's face the gentleman added, "I know what you're thinking. Where are all their houses. Torn down most of them; quite frankly, most of them weren't that well built anyway."

Soon Mr. Lee was knocking on the front door. It wasn't very long before the door opened. An elderly grayed haired woman opened the door. She couldn't stood more than four feet ten...maybe five feet if she was lucky.

A smile spread across the old woman's face, "Well, good day mate! It's good to see you again! Whose your handsome friend?" She could tell by the way the stranger's eyes laughed and his mouth turned a bit upwards he was amused.

Dylan feigned shock, "His name is Adam Cartwright, Miss Emily. What would your son say if he heard you talking that way about a total stranger? "

The old woman busted up laughing, "Makes no difference to me, you should know that Dylan! His father was a stranger once! Besides, your friend is not a total stranger. His name is Adam Cartwright!" with that Adam couldn't help but laugh. He had to hand it to the woman. She had spunk! Mr. Lee and she both joined in laughing.

Once she got control of herself the old woman stepped aside allowing the men to enter, "Since I assume it is Jordan you need and not a seventy year old woman- come on in!"

SCENE SIX

Adam found himself in a front room that had to be a combination of his father's dining room and front room. 'My father is very successful in the breeding and selling of horses.' Carolyn's words came back to him. If the man had the means to provide for his large family, take care of this place and all the land he'd seen? He'd have to say the man had been more than successful.

"Wait here, sir," Miss Emily talked to Adam as she pointed to the couch, "My son is due back soon," she then turned to Mr. Lee, "Are you waiting with Mr. Cartwright or are you going into the kitchen to bother the cook?"

Mr. Lee crossed his arms as he lifted his right hand to his chin. He acted as if it was some great debate. Somehow Adam got the feeling that Mr. Lee was more than a family friend. He wasn't surprised when Mr. Lee answered, "Depends on what you're cooking."

0000

Little Jacob was laughing hard when Ben came down stairs. "What's so funny?" he looked from Adam to his young grandson. "I just finished telling him about my first trip out to his Grandfather Kelly's home and meeting Miss Emily." Adam was laughing too.

A smile quickly spread over Ben's face, 'I remember you writing to us about her and that Lee fellow on a number of occasions. I kept waiting for you to say the two had married."

Adam shook his head, "She flat out admitted she enjoyed the freedom to flirt. Said as much as she loved her husband-she had married so young. After her husband died? She told herself she was just going to have fun the rest of her life. She did too!"

"How long did you have to wait until you met Grandpa Kelly?" Little Jacob was practically on the edge of his seat; so eager was he to hear the rest of the story.

When Adam started talking again Ben sat down in his chair. Even though he knew the story? Mr. Cartwright still enjoyed it every time.

0000

Adam, tired of sitting on the couch, had gone over to one of the many windows in the place and was looking through the glass when he heard footsteps approaching. He turned to see a man who stood as tall as Hoss and shoulders that were just as broad. His light brownish gray hair was thicker and fuller though. Since the man appeared to be in his fifties Adam made an educated guess, "Mr. Kelly?

"Yes," Mr. Kelly walked over to the table and picked up a bottle of brandy and picked up a glass, "do you want some?" He held the bottle towards Adam after filling his own glass.

"Thanks." Adam took the offered bottle; along with the glass the gentleman offered him.

Never one to beat around the bush Mr. Kelly pulled the rug out from Adam when he began speaking, "Mr. Lee told me where you were heading and why. I can save you a whole of grief. After all, when you reach Tasmania Mr. Hill will either fill you with lies and take as much money from you as he can. Probably the closest thing to the truth he'll tell you is that he needs to sell his mine in Brocksville. Truth is, he needs to get out from under it but he has partner that you would have to agree to work with. Me."

Adam was glad he had already swallowed before the man started speaking. He was he would be choking if he hadn't. He stared at the man. When he'd told Mr. Lee of he was headed to Tasmania to buy a mine from a Mr. Hill? He'd never expected this. Mr. Kelly continued, "I won't lie to people, Mr. Cartwright and he is more than willing to. Truth is, if you just go to the law and ask questions you'll find out that Mr. Hill has a lot of trouble to deal with right now. He has to sell his share of the mine just to pay some major fines, debts and I'm sure his attorney is doing some fancy talking to a certain judge right now. I wish I had never gone into business with him. He about ruined me."

He had checked this Mr. Hill out thoroughly and found everything to be in order...Adam stiffened as what seemed to be three unrelated and unimportant 'events' pushed themselves up to the front of his mind.

First;he'd been standing in the San Francisco courthouse when he'd heard two men talking; both with thick Australian accents. One of them had handed the other one an envelope and he'd heard one of them say Mr. Hill as they headed out the door.

Second: He'd glanced in and seeing one of the same men pulling a file out and taking papers out and putting others in. He'd thought at the time that the man was just doing his job only... the clerk that had handed Adam the file he'd requested the next day had gone into the same room! Fraud! If there was any justice in the world the judge wouldn't listen to the man's attorney.

"So, are you willing to have another partner or are you just wishing you had a way to become sole owner?" Adam asked even though he wasn't even sure he wanted a partner himself. He had his own dreams he wanted to follow.

"I would not mind getting to know you a bit better if you have time to stick around. I don't want to have to deal with the mine by myself; not with the obligations I have with the horses. If it came right down to it I'd sell the mine and keep the horses."

"I have the time but I have no place to stay." As soon as Adam spoke the words he knew what was coming.

"We have plenty of rooms here. You are more than welcome to one."

Adam knew he had no "proof per say" only, somehow, he KNEW who it was keeping the school for the young ladies open. If Mr. Kelly would agree to his owning part of the mine he would gladly accept the partnership.