PT.2

Gypsy Tales

After returning to Dodge, Doc sat in his office exhausted. Sitting, recording in his journal the happenings of the day, he stopped when he heard the door open.

"Doc?"

"Yeah, hi, Matt. I'll be right with you. Just finishing up here."

"Doc, you just getting back?"

"Yeah, I just let Kitty off at the Long Branch a little bit ago."

"We expected you two back earlier. Everything ok?"

"Well, Marshal, let me tell you. My job is never something you can plan on running smooth. See, on our way back we came across a gypsy family.

"Gyspy family?" Matt repeated.

"Yeah, that's what I said. They had a sick boy."

"Well, Doc, I'm sure you took care of things, didn't you?"

Now scrubbing his chin. "Well, Matt, as a matter of fact, I lost the boy. But what bothers me most is…" now shaking his head, "is, well, the old woman."

"Old woman?" Matt asked.

Doc was now pacing the room and nodding. "Yes. Yes, this old woman, Matt. She… well, she insisted, she down right insisted that Kitty was at fault."

"KITTY? Doc, I don't understand. Maybe you'd better explain."

"Matt, I wish I could. Come on, I'll buy you a night cap." He grabbed his hat and coat and nudged Matt towards the door.

The Long Branch was quiet. Sam was washing up a few glasses. Kitty was telling him about the day she and Doc had.

"Miss Kitty, I haven't seen gypsys in these parts in an awful long time. What do you suppose they're doing here?"

Shaking her head, "Ah, Sam, I have no idea. But that woman wanted to burn me at the stake or drown me."

Smiling, I can't imagine why, Miss Kitty."

"According to her it's because I'm a redhead and redheaded babies are evil and witches." Kitty answered smiling at her own words.

As they were talking, two cowboys entered. "Hey, pretty lady, can we get a drink?"

"Sure, fella's. What will ya have?"

"Whiskey!"

"Go on sit down. I'll bring it over."

As she walked over with the bottle one of the men grabbed her arm. "Say, why don'cha join us?"

"No thanks, Tiger. I have work to do and we're closing up soon so drink up. You look like you've had plenty already."

"Nah. Just a long trail ride, Red. Nothing this bottle and a bed, and maybe a soft woman won't cure."

Huffing and tossing her head. "Well, you got the first one and the second sounds like a good idea. Stick with that, why don'cha."

As he went to reach for her again he fell to the floor. Quickly, Sam and two others grabbed him.

"Miss Kitty, he's burnin' up."

"Sam, maybe you should get Doc."

Just then, "I'm right here."

"Doc, Sam says he's burnin up."

"Who is he?"

"I don't know they just came in."

"We've been on the trail. I'm not feelin' too good either."

Matt looked around. "Where you comin' from?"

"No place special."

"Where were you last?"

"Down Elkader way. But we were just riding and decided to head up this here way. We didn't have no special plan."

"Matt ,I need to get him up to my office." Doc spoke up.

"Ok. Couple of you boys help Doc, will ya?"

As they pushed through the batwing doors, Matt noticed the strange wagon pulling down Front Street.

Sitting on the front seat was a middle aged man with dark skin, dark hair, dark eyes, mustache colorful clothes with a small dog. Sitting just behind him, an elderly woman sat with pearl white hair with a silk scarf wrapped around her hair. She also had bright colored clothes and layered beads about her neck. She had dark eyes that pierced right through him when he made contact with his. Her eyes seemed cold as ICE!

They pulled up outside of Moss Grimmick's stable. Hank greeted them. "Hello. I'm Hank."

Nodding, "Names Basco, Nickolas Basco. This is my family. I will need a place to make camp and feed for my horses."

"Well, you can camp down the end of the street where there's an opening. I can supply them feed."

"I thank you, sir." Basco answered, nodding again.

As the men talked, the old woman with the dark cold eyes made her way down the street. She watched as she saw the men carry the sick cowboy from the Long Branch to Doc's stairway.

Something about this woman ran chills down Matt's spine but he wasn't sure why.

Inside the Long Branch, Kitty was talking to the second cowboy. She offered him coffee. He was sitting, laying his head back against the wall. She laid a cool cloth on his head as everyone stood talking and helping. Suddenly, all became quiet at the sound of the strange voice.

"SHE IS EVIL! She will bring evil to all around her. Beware of this woman. I knew you would be here. I will warn everyone."

"What are you babbling on about, old woman?" Kitty asked in surprise of seein the old gypsy woman.

"Our boy died. You killed him. Your presence killed him. You bring evil. BEWARE THIS WOMAN!"

"Sam, get her out of here. Please?"

Matt could hear the old woman screaming from the street. As he entered, the woman turned to him. "YOU! You need to protect these people from this woman and her evil."

Rolling his eyes, "Ma'am, what are talking about?"

"This woman. This woman is evil. She should be burned or drowned."

"WHAT?" Kitty yelled as she turned with both hands on her hips. "Get her out of here!"

"Kitty, calm down. Ma'am, come with me." Matt took her by the arm.

As he walked her out onto the boardwalk, she was still yelling, "That redhead is evil."

Several of the town gossips clustered together. "Well now, look at this." They muttered. "A stranger in town and they already know where the trash in town is."

Matt gave them a smirk. "Were you ladies listening? Mrs. Bryant, you too are a redhead. Are you evil?"

"UGHHHH! Marshal, how dare you?"

"Just making a point, Mrs. Bryant."

Matt made his way up to Doc's office. "Doc? How's he doing?"

"Not good, Matt."

Right behind Matt was the second cowboy walking in with Sam helping him. "Doc, Miss Kitty had me bring this one up to you too."

Suddenly Kitty appeared. "Doc? What's happening? First the little boy, now these two. I… I…"

TBC