Rescue or Recovery
PT.4
Matt and Sam now watched as Kitty's facial expression froze.
"Kitty? What is it? Is something wrong?"
Swallowing hard, unable to speak, Kitty motioned for Sam to bring her a drink. "Matt, it's awful. It's just awful."
Holding her steady by the shoulders, "Kitty, what did the letter say?"
"William's parents. They were returning from Eachwege, Germany. They wanted to visit their homeland. William says that just before the ship docked, there was an explosion. John and Hilda. Oh Matt." Her eyes pooled with tears. She just laid her head on his chest then suddenly, she turned and headed upstairs.
Early the next morning, Doc made his way to the Long Branch for his usual morning coffee with his favorite redhead. "Morning, Sam!"
"Doc. Coffee? It's hot."
"Great!" He answered. "Kitty down yet?"
"Well, yeah, she was and now she's in her room packing."
Rubbing his chin, "Packing? Women! She leaves next week and she's packing now?"
"Oh, Doc, Miss Kitty is leaving tomorrow. She's had a change in plans. I guess you didn't hear about the letter?"
Surprised, tugging his ear, "No, no I didn't."
Just then Kitty appeared on the landing. "Morning, Curly."
"Well, morning, Honey."
Descending the stairs, Kitty looked at her bartender. "Sam, can I get a cup, please, to join Doc?"
"Yes, Ma'am, coming right up."
"Sam tells me you're leaving tomorrow?"
Nodding, "That's right. Change in plans. I received a letter from William Lemp. There's been an accident. His parents have been…" She now closed her eyes.
Doc reached over, squeezing her hand. "Honey, I'm sorry."
"We need to meet and discuss things, the board of trustees. News like this makes people…" She lowered her eyes.
"Kitty, Honey, you know Matt is really worri…"
"Et et, Curly. We settled all that. His job is his job."
Matt and Doc accompanied Kitty to the stage depot. "Kitty, you'll let me know when you get to St. Louis?"
"Of course, I will, Cowboy."
"Kit, you won't be gone long, will you?"
Doc leaned in. "Kitty, Honey, take care of yourself and hurry back."
Kissing his cheek, "I will, Curly. Cowboy, I'll be gone long enough for you to miss me." She said, winking at him.
Leaning close, "Oh, I'll miss you and I'll leave the light burning."
Winking again, "You'd better."
"Miss Russell, we're pulling out."
Matt held the door then lifted her by the waist into the stage, sliding his hand down her arm. Holding on to her hand, he mouthed the words, "Hurry home to me." As the stage pull down Front Street, Matt stood and watched till it was no longer in sight.
"Ok, Marshal, how about you buying me breakfast?"
"Huh?"
"Matt, staring down the street isn't going to make it come back." Pulling his arm. "Come on."
Joseph City, Missouri.
The stage pulled into Joseph City, Missouri. It was late. The driver announced they would be holding over till the next morning. Kitty, although she wanted to just get to her destination, was ready to stretch her legs also a bed sounded great about now. As she stepped down from the stage, she heard her name.
"Miss Russell, the hotel is just across the street. We'll be leaving at 8a.m."
Nodding through her exhaustion. "Thank you."
Two other passengers parted the stage. One was a salesman who had badgered Kitty with a myriad of questions along the ride along with sales pitches. The other was a stuffy banker. Both of which she would have rather just ignored the entire ride.
As she entered the hotel, the clerk greeted her. "May I help you, Ma'am?" The clerk asked.
Smiling, "Yes. I'd like a room for the night."
Wide-eyed, "Just the night?"
Staring back at him. "Yes. Just the night, if you don't mind." When she went to step back, she backed into the man from the stage, the banker. "Oh, excuse me." He was standing so close behind her, Kitty now realized how it must have looked to the clerk.
Taking the key and nodding and again looking at the man behind her, clearing her throat. "Excuse me. Please?" Then she grabbed the side of her skirt and brushed passed him and walked up the stairs, shivering to shake the chill from her spine.
The next morning, as Kitty walked down the hall of the hotel to check out, a voice sounded from behind her.
"So we meet again. Good morning!"
Furrowing her brow, "Excuse me? We never met a first time."
"Well then, allow me, Miss Russell, is it? Louis Shaw, Bank of St. Louis."
"Mr. Shaw." She nodded. "How'd you know my name?"
"Oh, the driver of the stage spoke it last night. I must say it's been a pleasure to have such a beautiful traveling companion."
Shooting him a smirky smile. Something rubbed her wrong about this man. Kitty always relied on her judgment of men.
"Maybe you'll do me the honor of having coffee with me, before the stage leaves."
"I'm afraid I have to get a wire off before we leave, so I don't believe I'll have time. But you might? So, if you'll excuse me, I am in a hurry." And she quickly hurried down the stairs not giving him a chance to say anything more.
Rushing across the street to a telegraph office she spotted, she entered. "Good morning. I'd like to send a wire to Dodge City, please. And another to St. Louis?"
"Yes, Ma'am. Just write them out and I'll send them.
Marshal Matt Dillon, Dodge City, Kansas
In Joseph City, headed to St. Louis this morning. Should arrive this afternoon. Will send wire when I arrive.
Kitty
William Lemp 3322 DeMonil Place, St. Louis, Mossouri.
Will be arriving in St. Louis this afternoon.
Kitty
The telegraph clerk took the two wires. "Marshal Dillon? Dodge City? Is this urgent? You're not in trouble are you?"
Shaking her head, "NO! Can you just send them both, please?"
"Yes, Ma'am."
She paid him then left. As she left, she noticed the stage driver.
"Ah, Miss Russell. We'll be leaving in just a few minutes."
"That's fine. I'm ready."
"Oh, well, you can board now, if you like." He told her and he opened the door helping her in.
For the remainder of the ride Kitty avoided talking to Shaw. Three new passengers had boarded, a woman with a young boy and another young woman. The young boy was reading a dime novel about cowboys. He was so excited. He kept trying to tell his mother all about it, all about the hero Marshal taking care of all the bad outlaws. Kitty couldn't help but smile.
His mother just shook her head then looked to Kitty. "Don't know what to do with the boy. His uncle gave him this book, when we came out here from back east for a visit. And now he wants to be a cowboy lawman."
Kitty couldn't hold back her laugh.
"I'm sorry to bother you with his foolishness, Miss…"
"Kitty, Kitty Russell."
"I'm Amelia Quinn. This is my son, Thomas."
"Awe, Mom. Ok? It's Tommy."
"Well, Tommy," Kitty said. "Those stories you read aren't all exactly how it is out here, ya know?"
"How so?"
"Well, sometimes those lawmen get hurt pretty bad too."
"They do?" He said looking at Kitty and now listening intently.
"Oh yes."
"Did you ever see any?"
Smiling back at this enthusiastic 8 year old boy. "As a matter of fact, I do."
Leaning in close to her. "Realllly?"
"Uh huh. He's a United States Marshal."
"You hear that, Mom? A United States Marshal. Wow!"
"Kitty, where is home for you?" Amelia asked.
"Dodge City, Kansas." Kitty answered. "Matt is the Marshal there."
All the way to St. Louis, Little Tommy Quinn engaged Kitty in conversation about Marshals, deputies and outlaws. She was fascinated with excitement and it kept Shaw quiet. He left her alone.
Before long, the stage pulled into St. Louis. William had a driver waiting with a carriage to escort her to the Lemp home.
When the driver pulled up in front of the house, Jasper was standing at the door. "Welcome, Miss Russell."
"Aw, Jasper, it's so nice to see you again."
"Its a pleasure to have you come and visit with us again. I'll get your things, Ma'am. Mr. and Mrs. Lemp are this way." He said, leading her to the library.
Knocking, he waited for a reply.
"Yes, Jasper?"
"Sir, Miss Russell has arrived."
Entering the library, Kitty smiled. "William, Claudia."
"Kitty!" The three hugged. Suddenly young Hilda came in.
"Miss Kitty!" Rushing to hug her. "I'm soooo glad you're here." As she hugged her, she whispered to her. "I need to talk to you privately."
"Kitty, I hope you don't mind. I'm expecting Hilda's fiancé. He's going to help us with some of Father's things, legal, banking, etc. And since he's going to be part of the family, I feel it would be good for him to sit in on some of the meetings. Father and I didn't really agree but things will change now so we need to stay on top of things. As I said, people react strangely when there's a death at the helm."
Smiling at her host and inhaling, "William, if you don't mind…"
Suddenly, Claudia stepped in. "Oh, William dear, Kitty must be exhausted from her travels." Waving Myra into the room, "Myra, please show Miss Russell to the room we've fixed for her."
Nodding, quietly. "Yes, Ma'am."
Kitty turned and followed Myra up the stairs. Just the thought of kicking off her shoes and relaxing after this journey sounded very appealing.
Jasper entered again. "Sir, Miss Hilda, your guest has arrived.
TBC
