Em Chron. 12

Emily's Chronicles: Part 11 "The Search" (PG)
Co-Written by Trish, Tammy, and Liddy

Disclaimer: The following is a work of fanfiction based up on the characters
and places in the Emily of New Moon book by L.M. Montgomery and the tv
series. No infringement upon the rights of the estate of L.M. Montomery, her
heirs, or anyone connected with the television series is intended.


"Emily! What are you doing?" Ilse begged urgently as she watched her

best friend climb up into the back of the wagon. The two girls had gone

outside to help load the wagon, and found themselves momentarily alone.


"Ilse, I have to go along to." Emily informed her.


"But your Aunt Elizabeth said no," Ilse reminded her. "You're gonna get
in more trouble..." She announced, sneaking a look at the house to make

sure no one was coming.


"Come on Emily, get down!"


"It was my letter, I should give it to Mr. Carpenter." Emily said
matter-of-factly.


"Yeah, but Stovepipe Town. Do you know what kind of people go the

Stovepipe Town?" Ilse reminded her. "Thieves, and murderers, and..."


"And Me!" Emily declared. "...and hopefully Mr. Carpenter."


Ilse let out an exasperated sigh, how many times had Emily gotten them

both into hot water? Still Emily was her best friend, and she was determined

to go wherever she went. "All right then, move over." Ilse commanded

starting to climb up into the wagon.


"And, just where do you think you're going?" Emily said sternly.


"With you of course." Ilse answered.


"Oh no you don't." Emily reproached. "Getting myself killed is one

thing, but I won't have your life on my conscience. You stay here."


"But, Emily..." Ilse whined.


"Stay here Ilse." Emily repeated. "This is my family, it's my job to

go. Besides I'll need someone to watch things here, and to tell them I've gone

to the Disappointed House. Tell them I was so mad I just marched right off,

and you don't know when I'll be back." Emily had planned it all out. She would

go with the men to Stovepipe Town, find Mr. Carpenter, and be back before

anyone knew she was gone.


Ilse began to pout. "I never get to do anything exciting." She yelled

at Emily.


" Shhhh, Ilse, will you pipe down, or they'll hear you." cautioned a

worried Emily. "Besides, Ilse, it'll be exciting here too. You could be

like a secret agent." Emily tried to reassure her friend.


"I don't want to be a secret." Ilse replied.


"Ilse, please, I think someone's coming." Emily begged, practically

shoving Ilse out of the wagon.


"Alright, Emily Starr, but you'll see, if you go to Stovepipe Town and

get yourself killed, I'll never talk to you again for the rest of your

life." Ilse spouted in a whisper as Emily quickly covered herself with the big

empty burlap feed sack in the back of the wagon.


Jimmy, John, Perry, and Dr. Burnley emerged from the barn, with Laddie

at their heels, carrying canteens, blankets, and other items that may be

needed for trip at the same moment the ladies stepped from the front door

of the house. Each groupconverged on the wagon, and Ilse who was wearing a

guilty grin.


"Now where did Emily get off to?" Elizabeth asked looking around annoyed.


"Huh, she was really mad. Yeah, she said she was going to the
disappointed
house." Ilse nervously informed them. Emily silently thanked her friend from
her
hiding place under the feed sack.


"Oh good grief." Elizabeth rolled her eyes. "We don't have time for her

temper tantrums.


"Perhaps, we better go look for her?" suggested Laura.


"Oh no, Miss Murray," said Ilse, trying not blow Emily's cover. "The

Disappointed House is...is like a..a kind of a club house. Yeah, that's

it, a club house."


At that moment, Perry hoisted a large coil of rope over the side of the

wagon, aiming for the feed sack.


"No!" Ilse screamed, pushing his arm away.


"Good Lord, girl, what's got ahold a you?" Perry questioned.


"Uhhh. Don't put that there." Ilse commanded thinking fast. "It'll fall

right out of the wagon."


"Gees, girl, the way you was actin' like I was about to throw it on

somebody." Perry said.


Fearing the adults may put two and two together, Ilse broke into a fit

of over exaggerated laughter. "Ohhh, Perry, you're sooo funny. Throw it on

somebody. Imagine that."


"Ilse, are you feeling alright?" Her father asked, feeling her

forehead.


"Of course, I'm fine." Ilse nervously assured everyone.

At that the adults turned their attention back to matters at hand.

Jimmy, and John finished loading the wagon. Perry double checked the
harnesses and hitching on the team, Elizabeth and ladies put the packed
food into the wagon. Finally, it appeared that the small search part was
ready to leave in the foggy darkness that had descending in the early
hours of night.


As Jimmy took Eve in his arms to kiss her good-bye, she said--"Darling,
you

be careful now, and remember that I love you. I'll be prayin' that you

*all*...including Francis Carpenter, come home safely." as she hugged him

back.


"You can count on that, my precious Queen of Romania!" said Jimmy, as he

planted one more kiss on Eve's lips.


As John and Sarah hugged and kissed each other good-bye, she said--"I'll
be

hoping and praying that you all get home safely, and that for Isabel's

sake...Francis can be found. I'm such a lucky woman, having you for my

husband, Johnny darling."


John smiled back at his wife. "I'm the lucky one." He laughed. Than

he turned to Isabel was standing with Laura and Dr. Burnley near the wagon,

her hands calming the ache in her lower back. "Don't worry about a thing,

Isabel." He assured her. "We will find him."


With that Isabel stepped up to the wagon, and placed her hand on the

side. "Thank you,... all of you." She said gratefully. She couldn't find

the words to say all she wanted to, but knew that the look in her eyes said

all she needed to.


As the three men climbed aboard the buckboard wagon, and as Jimmy took the

reins in his hands and was about to signal Fred and Maud, the gray gelding

and mare with his familiar "cluck-cluck" --the three men, reassured Isabel

that no stone would go unturned until they found Francis.


Eve, afraid that Laddie would try to follow the wagon, as the three men

were driving away, she bent down putting her comforting arms around her
starting

to whimpering dog, saying "There now, Laddie, things will be alright.

There's no need for you to worry so. Jimmy and *the* others, will be home

tomorrow, before you know it."


The wagon slowly lurched forward, and drove off into the night. Isabel

stood watching even after it had gone, praying that their trip would not be

in vain. It was possible that they could actually find Francis tonight.

She wondered what his reaction would to the news would be.


Then Eve, as much as she really hated to, took Laddie into the barn where

Princess is, and tied a rope around his neck, so he couldn't get away -
apologizing to him for having to leave him that way, but it is for his own

good.


Her face must have given away too much of her thoughts. Suddenly she

felt Laura's hand on her shoulder, reassuring her,"Now Izzy dear, keep a

positive thought and prayer in your heart, that our men folk will find

Francis."


"That's right, Isabel," agreed Sarah, "Listen to your cousin. If anyone

can find Francis, and bring him home, those three can. Just say a little

prayer, just before you go to bed tonight. I know I will."


"Oh, Sarah." Isabel said, bringing herself back to reality. "You can't

possibly go back to the inn alone at this hour. Please won't you stay with

us tonight? It wouldn't be any trouble, would it Elizabeth?"


"Of course not." Elizabeth agreed. "Sarah, you can stay with me in my

room. Ilse, you can stay with Emily, in her room tonight."


"Why thank you, Miss Murray," Sarah replied, "that's very kind of you. "

Hearing Elizabeth's suggestion, Ilse replied, "Yes, maam. Thank you."


Elizabeth took Sarah by the arm and turned toward the house. She

wanted to make sure everything would be impeccable for their guest. Isabel

was feeling very tired, and was glad that the eventful evening, although

promising, was nearly over. Eve, noticing the fatigue in her eyes stood

ready to help her to her room...


Eve had by now returned from the barn after tending to her animals.


"Sorry, that I disappeared for a while. I just felt that it was in

Laddie's best interest, for him to stay in the barn over night." Explained
Eve, to

Isabel. "I agree with Laura and Sarah, Isabel....for both the sake of your

baby as well as for yourself...now would be the time for you to think

positive thoughts...thoughts that you *will* see Mr. Carpenter again. I

just have this very strange feeling in my gut, dear, that our men will

return with him in tow."


Noticing how tired Isabel is, Eve added--"And it won't do any good for you

and the little one, knowing how exhausted his/her Mommie is, for you to

stay out here any longer." Putting her arm around her future cousin-in-law,
she

said, "It's getting too cold out here, why don't we both go back inside where
it's warmer?"


"You're right, Eve," Isabel smiled at her gratefully. "I will try to

keep my hopes up. I certainly do have a lot of support here. Beside...who
knows

what tomorrow will bring." She tried to make herself believe that the men

could find him. She took Eve's arm and the two women turned toward the

house, she was starting to shiver a little. She knew she needed rest and
vowed to

try to get some sleep tonight, no matter what pictures her mind tried to

paint for her.


As Isabel and Eve walked to the house they noticed that Dr. Burnley had

taken Laura aside, and the two were deep in conversation. Miss Murray and

Miss Kinch watched their cousin and the doctor for a few moments.


"Laura looks so happy, doesn't she?" Isabel reflected. "I'm glad, she

deserves happiness at last."


"Yes, I can see a budding romance taking shape here between your cousin and


Dr. Burnley. Hopefully, things will get to be more serious between them,

like are with Jimmy and me!?" said Eve grinning with agreement. "Wouldn't

it be wonderful, Isabel, if the three of us were to wind up having some

sort of a triple wedding in the very near future?"


"Oh, Eve!" Isabel declared. "That is a glorious idea." She could see all
of

the happy couples standing infront of New Moon exchanging vows. She prayed

that she and Francis would truly be among them. Then she remembered the

promise she had made to think positive thoughts, and laughed at

the thought that came into her head. Turning to her future cousin-in-law she

smiled and ran her hand over her growing belly. "That is if I can manage to

walk down the aisle." The two women laughed, happy for the momentary

lightening of the serious mood that had permiated the little house that

evening. Isabel realized how she much she enjoyed the growing friendship

between herself and Eve.


Ilse had walked a few steps up the drive, apparently lost in thought. "You

be careful, Emily." She whispered to herself. Finally she turned and ran into

the house. At least staying at New Moon tonight would make it easier for

her to hide the fact the Emily wasn't there. She had some preparations to take

care of so no one would become aware of Emily's absence. It was going to be

a long night.


The wagon pulled down the lane and on to the main road which led from

New Moon. Perry was offering to give directions to the hole-in-the-wall

shantytown he used to call home. He never thought he would ever go back

there. There were too many bad memories. But this was for a good cause, and

if he could help Isabel then there was no way he could have refused. They

traveled along the road that followed the shore. Perry figured that would

be the quickest way. JImmy kept the horses well paced, knowing that they too

would have a long night. John was strangely quiet, seeming lost in thought.

He was praying they would find his brother. If he wasn't in Stovepipe Town,

he had very little idea where to look next, but look he would. In the back

of the wagon Emily grew very tired. The gentle swaying of the wagon on the

ruts in the road, and the timed jangle of the horse rigging lulled her to
sleep.

She was dreaming about all that she wanted to say to Mr. Carpenter when

they found him.


They traveled for hours in near silence. None of them wanted to voice

that they were afraid this trip would turn out to be a wild goose chase.

Jimmy could not allow himself even that possibility. He had seen Isabel's

face as they left. He hadn't seen her so hopeful in months. He just

couldn't disappoint her, not now. He was certain they would find what they
were

looking for, they had to. On through the chilly dark night the men went.

Suddenly, as they turned a sharp corner in the road the wagon hit a sharp

bump in the road that nearly sent everyone flying.


"Ooouuu!!" They heard a familiar and unexpected voice cry from the back

of the wagon. Perry, who was sitting in the back, threw back the old burlap

tarp to reveal a dazed and groggy Emily who sat up and rubbed the place on

her head she had just hit on the side of the wagon.


"Emily Byrd Starr!!! What' er ya' doin' here!?" asked a startled Perry.


"Whoooooa!!!" hollered Jimmy to the horses, as he pulled up on the reins,

then he alit to the ground. Knowing his cousin like a book, remarked--"I

shoulda known you were up to somethin', Puss." Then turning to the others,

he asked "What do you two think? Should we leave her here beside the road,

or since we're almost to Stovepipe Town...keep her with us for the rest of

the trip?"


John and Perry, turned to each other grinning as mischievous men do,

thinking the matter over for a couple seconds, and agreed, "Yeah, Jim, let's
keep

her with us. Heaven knows, the elder Miss Murray, would never forgive us, if

we left her here. Emily is, after all, on the same mission we're on."


"Yeah," agreed Perry. "Let her come a long with us."


"Yeah, I guess she can come with us." Jimmy smiled. Then his face

turned serious. "But, you gotta make sure you do what we say, and don't get
into

any mischeif. Understand, Sparrow?" he questioned her.


"Jimmy's right." Perry agreed. "Stovepipe Town ain't no place for

playin', you gotta watch yerself there."


"Oh, I promise. I'll be as good as gold." Emily grinned, happy to be

included." You'll hardly know I'm there." They all knew her too well to

believe that.


"Well then, Miss Starr. If, you're coming with us. I suppose you should

hold on to this for safe keeping. It is rightfully yours." John said

holding out the folded letter to her. As Jimmy climbed back into the wagon.
Emily

gleefully took the paper and tucked it safe into the pocket of her dress.


They could smell Stovepipe Town before they could see it. A thick muck

of wood smoke, stale alcohol, and other squalid stenced hung in the air for

miles. As the Murray wagon approached the first few shanties on the

outskirts of what could really only loosely be called a town, Emily and the

others fought the urge to cover their mouths and noses from the smell of

filth and poverty. Stovepipe Town was situated between a large hill, and

the ocean. The better houses, if they could be called that, where made of

random pieces of wood held together by anymeans possible. Others were made of

cardboard, corrugated tin, and anything else that would may keep out the

wind.


Perry looked at the scene spread out before with blank eyes. "Ah, home

sweet home." He said blankly recalling memories he hoped were buried. There

was no fondness in his voice.


It was nearly the middle of the night. Blair Water would be quite as a

ghost town by now. Everyone having retired for their sleep. This place

appeared to just be getting started. As they drove into town the occupants

of the small wagon could see dim light pouring through windows, and under

doors. They could hear the sounds of fighting, drinking, crying children,

loud men, and singing women coming floating from allyways. Emily

wondered why the ladies she saw were wearing so little clothing, and so much
paint.

It seemed that every other building was in the business of serving liquor.

She hated to think of Mr. Carpenter in a place like this.


At one of the crossroads Jimmy stopped the wagon to allow a couple of

men barely able to stay atop their horses go by. At that moment, another man

fell drunkenly against the wagon. Emily gasped, but Perry sprung to

action. He jumped out of the wagon, and grabbed the man to steady him. It
always

seemed that Perry had a soft spot for those down on their luck.


"You alright?" he asked the man.

The stranger just nodded his answer.


"Tell, me. Is the jail still on Fishbone Street?" Perry questioned him,

seizing an opportunity.


The man stared at him suspiciously, uneasy at the mention of the jail.

He had obviously had some experience with the place. "Why?" He asked, and

Emily saw Perry back away from the overwhelming smell of liquor.


"We're just lookin' fer somebody." Perry reassured him. At that the

stranger seemed to relax and nodded his head.


"Yeah, it's still over there. Thank the lord I'm not." His last

sentence apparently struck the man as hilarious and he broke up
into uncontrollable laughter.


"Yeah." Perry smiled. "Thanks Pal." Perry reached into his pocket and

pulled out the dollar he had been saving. He handed it to the stranger.

Somehow he seemed to need it more. Perhaps the man reminded him of

someone, possibly of where he might be if not for the kindness of others.


"Ok, Jimmy. I'll lead the way. Turn right up at the next street." Perry

announced jumping back into the wagon.


Perry led Jimmy through the tangled maze of streets to an unassuming

building that if not for the bars on the windows was undistinguishable from

the others the groups had seen. There was a light on in one of the

windows. Apparently being the constable of Stopepipe Town was a twenty-four
hour a day job. Jimmy steadied the horses, and Perry climbed down to tie
them to the hitching post. John stared at the jail a moment. He hoped that
his

brother was inside, but in a strange way he also wished he was not. This was
a hard

place, and if Francis had been for months, what would he find inside?


After a moment John was able to step down from the buggy and join Jimmy

on the narrow worn wooden sidewalk. But he still could not take his eyes

off the jail house. Perry and Emily began to climb out of the buggy.


"No. You two stay here." Jimmy ordered not wanting either of them to

see the inside of the jail. "If he's in there, we'll bring him out."


"But Jimmy..." Emily began to protest.


"He's right, It might be better for you to stay out here." John said.

"You can show him your letter out here. That is if he's there."


"Perry!" Jimmy looked at the young man with an intensity he had never

seen before. "You watch Emily. Don't let nothing happen to her, you hear?"


"You can count on me Jimmy." Perry assured him. Jimmy knew he could.


Emily and Perry quietly watched Jimmy and John disappear into the dimly
lit doorway. The constable's office was little more than a small hallway

in the front of the building. It needed a good coat of paint, and a good

cleaning. A doorway that they felt must lead to the cells stood directly

next to a large desk upon which the feet of an equally large man were

resting. By the badge on his chest Jimmy and John assumed that this was

the constable. It had apparently been a quiet night thus far, the man was

dozing.


"'Scuse me." Jimmy spoke up. "You the constable?"

"Huh, what?" The big man grumbled angry at being disturbed from his

nap.


"You the constable?" Jimmy repeated a little louder.


"Yeah, what'd you need?" He eyed them.


"We're sorry to disturb you sir. My name's John Carpenter and this is

James Murray." John waited for a proper greeting, but there was none.


"What'd you want?" The constable repeated growing annoyed.


"We're looking for someone." John informed him. "My brother. We were

wondering if he might be here. His name is Francis Carpenter."


"Don't bother telling me names." The constable said gruffly. "Half of

'em come through here are too drunk to remember their names, the other half

give fake ones. Follow me." He said taking the large key ring from his belt,
and

walking toward the door. "I 'spose you can recognize this person. Let's

have a look see if he's here."


Jimmy and John followed the man through the doorway. The back of the

jailhouse where the cells were housed was nearly pitch black. A few

candles burned in the aisle between the double row of tiny metal barred
rooms,
and some light filtered in through the barred window at the end of the aisle.
The smell of stale air, and filth nearly knocked them over. The three

walked slowly past each cell, John and Jimmy squinting to make out the
occupants,

studying each carefully afraid they would miss who they had come for. All

forms of human misery made up the population of the small jail. Most of

the men were dirty, most were angry, and most were drunk or recently had been

so.


Cell after cell, Jimmy and John found themselves disappointed. No one

had yet come even close to resembling Francis. They feared they would

return to New Moon emptyhanded. How disappointed Isabel would be. There were

only a few cells left to looked in. Then, in the farthest, corner cell John

spied a familiar looking figure sprawled across a filthy cot. He stopped
dead in

his tracks, and motioned for Jimmy to look that way. The constable also

stopped.


"That him?" The constable asked.


"Well, it could be but I need to see his face." John answered.


The constable unlocked the cell and stepped inside as Jimmy and John

followed. The big man kicked the cot roughly. "Get Up!" He ordered.


The man who lay in the cell raised his head, annoyed at being

disturbed.


He obviously did not want anyone around him. "Huh, What?" He slurred.


"Said, get up!" The constable repeated grabbing the back of the man's

shirt, and twisting him around. He pulled the inmate up to his
feet,revealing his face to the two searchers.


"Francis." John said unsurprised.


Francis recognized his brother immediately, but did not seem happy to

see him. "What do you want?" he asked unceremoniously. He did not see Jimmy

standing in the shadows.


"I want to help you." John pleaded.


"Leave me alone." Francis said disgusted. He thought there could only

be one reason John could be hear. To take him back to Charlottetown, and to

Hattie. He knew how close his brother and sister-in-law were to her. He

had nothing against her, infact he wished her all the best, but if he couldn't

be with Isabel, he didn't want to be with anyone.


John saw the contempt on his brother's face, and had to say something

to shock him into reality. He said the only thing he could think of.

"Hattie's dead."


"What?" Francis asked not beleiving his ears.

"You didn't even stay around long enough for her to tell you she was

dying of comsumption." John blurted at him.


Francis let the news sink in. It was true that any love he had felt

for her had disappeared long ago. Still he felt a saddness at her passing,
and

for the way he had treated her. Not the sadness one would feel for a lost

love, but the sad reflection one feels at the loss of a dear friend. "She

deserved better." He was finally able to say.


"Yes, she did." John agreed. "...and so does Isabel."


Francis felt the world suddenly lurch to a stop at what his brother had

just said. How did he know about her? Had he seen her? Was she alright? The

only mention of her name that he had heard these past months was his own

voice calling out for her when he felt his hearts would burst if he didn't

see her.


"You know her." He asked, his eyes holding both apprehension for what

John might say, and joy for any news of the woman he loved. "How?" he

asked.Then he noticed Jimmy standing in the darkness of the cell. "Jimmy?" He

said caught off guard.


Jimmy had been standing silently trying to size up the situation. He

looked at the man who stood before him, and wondered if this was the kind

of person he should take back to Isabel. Maybe she would be better off without

him. His anger welled up within him. The only thing he wanted to do at

that moment was drop Francis Carpenter flat to the floor with a good punch,
walk

out and leave him there, and tell Isabel they had found nothing. John was

right, she did deserve better. But he knew how much she loved this man, and

how she had suffered his absence.


"Isabel needs you." Jimmy informed him. "You got to come back to New

Moon with us."


"What? What wrong with her?" Francis asked, suddenly terrified at the

thought of something happenning to Isabel.

At that moment, the conversation was interrupted by an excited shout

from outside the cell. "Mr. Carpenter!" Emily yelled out of breath.


Everyone turned to see Emily's wide eyes staring at her former teacher,

and Perry running up a moment later. "Dang it girl." Perry yelled at her.

"Sorry, Jimmy she gave me the slip." Jimmy gave Perry a knowing look. It

wasn't the first time Emily had disobeyed her elders, and it wouldn't be

the last.


"Emily!" Francis yelled, surprised. He was also ashamed for her to see

him like this, and worried that she was in a place like this.


Emily ran to him and threw her arms around his waist to hug him. "Oh

you've just got to come back with us. It's cousin Isabel...she's." Emily

begged.


"She's what?" He urged frantically taking her by the arms. This was

second time someone had mentioned her. Something must be terribly wrong.


Then Emily remembered the crumpled letter in her pocket. She pulled it

out and shoved it into his hands. "Here I wrote you this, but your brother

go it by mistake."


There was just enough light in the small cell for Francis to make out

what was written on the paper he unfolded...


Dear Mr. Carpenter,



I hope that everything is fine with you. I really miss your teaching


and everything. Thanks for encouraging me to write. I will always
be grateful. Maybe you want to know what is is happening in Blair Water right

now? Well, I have big news for you. Cousin Isabel...I mean, Isabel

Murray is pregnant.


Ilse and I just learned about it (well, we were sort of spying -

listening to Dr. Burnley and Isabel's conversation). I know it is

wrong, but I think that we have to tell you.

I'm not sure of anything, but well--I know that you and Isabel were

in love...so, maybe, you are the father.



I think that Isabel won't write you, so I took the chance by writing

you myself. I think, that if you are the father - you will want to

come back to Blair Water, because Isabel will need your support, and

she will need you.


I'm hoping for an answer.


Sincerely,


Emily Byrd Starr


Francis's face went white with shock. Without thinking he sank to cot,

just barely catching the edge for a seat. His mind was spinning, and yet

all he could think of was Isabel. His beautiful Isabel. She was having his

baby. All these months, she had been alone. He should have been with her. He

should have spoken up when Hattie came. He should never have left her. He

would never forgive himself. "Isabel." He said to himself unaware that he

spoke it aloud.


"How is she ?" He begged, coming slightly back to his senses.


"So far she's been pretty good." Jimmy spoke up. "But, Dr. Burnley says

she probably won't have it too easy."


"Does she even want to see me?" He asked realizing she may well hate

him now. He wouldn't blame her if she couldn't stand the sight of him.


"More than anything." Emily reassured him.



"I have to go to her." Francis realized, a glimmer of hope returning to

him.


John turned to the constable. "What'll take to get him out of here?" He

asked.


"Just pay his bail." The constable replies.


"How much?" John inquired.


"Twenty dollars." Was the answer.


Luckily John had thought of this possibility. He had been through this

before. He reached into his pocket and pulled out two worn ten dollar

bills, handing them to the constable. He was saving it for the downpayment on
one

of those foot powered sewing machine that Sarah had her eye on. Somehow this

seemed more important now. He knew Sarah would understand, there would be

time to get it later.


"Alright. He's a free man. Now get him out of here we'll probably need
the bed before the night's over. " The constable stood aside as the group

left the cell. He then escorted them down the aisle, and out of the jail.


Out on the street the group climbed into the wagon. Francis was

understandably silent. All he could think of was Isabel. Emily and Perry

sat with their old teacher in the back of the wagon as John and Jimmy took
the front seat. As they drove out of Stovepipe Town in the darkness they

relayed the events of the past few months in Isabel's life to Francis.

With every word, he hated himself more for what he had done.

As they drove along the rode to Blair Water in the moonlit darkness he made

a silent vow to the stars. He would never leave her again.

To Be Continued....