The next morning she managed to push back the tears and look presentable. At 1:00 A.M. she made her way over to Erik's hotel, luggage in one hand and train ticket in the other.

As she came within a block of the hotel she suddenly felt someone's arm quickly wrap around her waist and a hand cover her mouth. She tried to kick and punch them as they pulled her into a nearby alley way, but it was a lost cause.

Finally the person gently turned her around to face them. She suddenly frowned at the sight of Pieboy. His eyes were puffy, from crying, and he obviously lost a few pounds.

He hadn't looked this bad at the races that day. Maybe Spot told him that he had seen me. Of course Spot had told him. That's why he's here, to try and prevent me from going. - Anne quickly awoke from her thoughts to find herself tightly hugging Pieboy with gentle tears grazing her pink cheeks.

Coming back to reality she pushed him away. "I'm leaving for Chicago now. Goodbye," she said between sniffs as she turned to leave.

"Wait Anne. Jist hear me out. Jist hear me out okay? I love you and I will surely die if you eva' leave me again. I'm only gunna find true love once before I die and dat love is you."

He nervously bent down on one knee. Anne quickly reached down and tried to pull him up, "No Pieboy! No...no...Get up! Get up!"

"I want you," he whispered as he took her head in his heads so that they would be face to face.

She quickly jerked away and stood up, "No Pieboy, I can't. I'm sorry," she yelled as she ran from the alleyway.

Pie sat there in the same position staring blankly at the brick wall in front of him, still in disbelief from her refusal of his proposal.

Spot walked into the darkened alley and saw Pie sitting there with the most horrible expression spread across his face. "Damn!" Spot cursed as he kicked the wall. Suddenly Pie got up, though still dazed, and began to run to the hotel.

As he turned the corner of he heard the sounds of two horses clomping off into the distance. He saw the beautiful blond hair billowing in the incoming fall wind and began to weep. Before the carriage turned the corner of Pickett Street he whispered, "I love ya Anne."

Those words came and left as soon as the next gust of wind arrived. She was gone as sure as the summer had gone. And his life was once again filled with sorrow for his beloved Anne.

Well, that's it. But what happened to Anne and Pieboy you say. Well, you're just gunna have to wait until I post the sequel, Trouble in the Metropolis. He he he...I hope you enjoyed the story. Feel free to give criticism. Any is very appreciated. And you should know how much delight a review gives an author. Well, thanks for reading. If ya wanna visit my web site the addy is

http://www.geocities.com/gozatabby7/GozatabbysNewsies.html