Disclaimer: I do NOT own 'Little House on the Prairie'. The only thing I can lay claim to is the story line and the 'guest star/s'.

Chapter Five (Revelation)

Scene Eight

The night sky was filled with sparkling white stars and the full moon smiled down upon Walnut Grove. The music Charles Ingalls and a few others were playing rang through the churchyard. It was such a beautiful evening they'd decided to turn the 'indoor social' into an outdoor activity.

While some couples danced other people just sat and talked. It all seemed a bit foreign to Elizabeth. After all; she'd moved around so much in the past ten and a half years that gatherings like this had become practically non-existent to her.

Caroline walked up to where Elizabeth sat visiting Anna Alden. "May I sit down?" Caroline looked at the empty chair next to the schoolteacher.

"If you trust me not to bite you." Elizabeth answered with a straight face. Anna and Caroline only laughed; which, of course, got Elizabeth to laughing too.

"I'm glad you came out," Caroline smiled, "I was hoping to see you."

Elizabeth's eyebrows raised slightly, "You were?"

"Yes, Alice Garvey and I wondered if you'd be interested in helping us put a quilt on tomorrow afternoon. We'd like to get to know you better."

Before she could answer Albert, Laura and Andrew walked up. Caroline was surprised. She thought for sure Alice had told her they would not be at the social. "Hey, ma," Albert was grinning from ear to ear, "Is it alright if Laura and I sleep over at the Garvey's?"

"I thought you had company that wasn't leaving until tomorrow morning." Mrs. Ingalls looked at Andrew.

"We did but they wound up leaving early," Andrew answered, "ma and pa said it was okay if they slept over. That is, if it was okay with you."

"Go ask your father. I don't mind if he doesn't." Caroline smiled as the children let out joyful hollers and ran towards Charles. She turned back to Elizabeth only to find the woman had left.

"Where is Miss Elizabeth?" Caroline had quickly adjusted to calling the woman by the name she preferred, "Did I scare her off?" She didn't see how it was possible. After all, what was wrong about putting on a quilt and chatting?

"I doubt seriously it was you that chased her off. She probably just remembered something." Anna answered but her mind dwelt on the reaction she'd seen in Elizabeth's eyes when the children approached. It had not passed her by that it was Albert that Elizabeth's eyes were glued too. For the first time Anna began wondering just why Miss Elizabeth Elder had decided to extend her visit to Walnut Grove.

Scene Nine

The wind was starting to blow as Reverend Alden stepped out onto the porch. He should be in bed but the sound of their guest moving around outside had awoke him. Elizabeth sat on a chair looking off at nothing particular.

"Want to talk?" the good Reverend smiled as he sat down on the only other chair setting on the porch.

"Papa was a good, honest, hardworking man who stressed the importance having a strong family AND getting an education. He may have been strict at times but he always meant well. He was also never afraid to admit when he was wrong." Elizabeth kept her head turned.

"Was? Your father has passed away?" Robert Alden wasn't really too surprised. After all, he and Mr. Elder were not really all that far apart in age. He sometimes wondered how much longer he, himself, had on this earth.

She turned her head and gave him a slight smile, "He passed away near thirteen years ago. Mama dealt with her grief as most anyone would. Rebecca leaned on her husband to help her through her grief..." her voice trailed off.

Rebecca, Elizabeth...what was the third sister's name...he looked at Elizabeth; the puzzlement he felt shown in his face, "What about Sarah and yourself?"

She sighed, "Sarah was young. She's was papa's little girl. She didn't handle it well at all. She met a good enough man. I mean, he wasn't afraid of hard work and he was honest. Unfortunately, his family had not put a great deal of stress on education. They'd only stressed the need for hard work among family members. Education was seen as a luxury. Mama and I tried to tell her that. We told her while he may be a good enough man, she and her children were suffer. We told her an education makes it possible for a person to have something in their lives besides hard work and an occasional social gathering to help release the stress of every day living. That and, while papa was strict, the man she was looking at meant well but he was on the harsh side. We told her there was a difference."

"She would not listen I assume." Reverend Alden stated.

Elizabeth shook her head, "Nope. Her need to have someone take care of her clouded her reasoning. Finally, when she turned fifteen mama gave in and consented for the two to wed. I will give him this much. While, true to our words, her education came to an abrupt halt? He never did hit her or say anything downright mean. They were married for five years before a child arrived. She died within a week after giving birth." She turned her head back towards the darkness.

Reverend Alden leaned a bit foward, "Is there more?"

She turned back and looked at him. He was surprised to see the pure pain that shown in her eyes, "It is YOU and DR. BAKER who have ASSUMED my last name is still Elder. It is an assumption that everyone else has accepted. I have NEVER had anyone call me anything but Miss Elizabeth. My last name... is Quinn." she watched as her friend's mouth dropped open out of shock.