March 4, 1872
"Ariadne!" At the sound of her name, Ariadne turned and looked at the door of the school with surprise. The students had all left and she was grading their examinations alone. So far her goal of advancing everyone to the levels in writing and reading was slowly working. Every week the kids were retaining more and more knowledge. Now she saw her friend rushing through the desks towards her table.
"Abigail! Hi, what brings you out here this afternoon? It's been so windy today; you didn't have to walk all the way out here!" Ariadne had started going over to the Wilde house a few afternoons a week to have tea with Abigail and her mother. But now, rather than going over there, Abigail had come to her.
"Ariadne, I came as soon as I heard! My father got a paper from Cheyenne, like he does every time the general store receives a shipment. But anyway, I was reading it and guess what!" Abigail had come into the schoolhouse but she was still walking around, looking too excited to sit down.
Originally Ariadne had feared something was wrong but now she laughed at the sight, what could possibly be getting Abigail so riled up!? "What is it; tell me quickly so I don't explode with curiosity!"
"There is a rally next week in Laramie for the women's suffrage movement! I know we've talked about going, but this is our chance! We could see what all the fuss is about and what the people have to say! Oh please tell me you will come with me!" Abigail was almost jumping up and down with excitement.
Ariadne should have guessed it would be something to do with politics. Abigail loved everything to do with elections and political groups. "Of course I will come with you! When is it?"
"Next Sunday. It's at 11:00 outside the Mayor's office." Abigail said, smiling with approval at Ariadne's willingness to get involved.
"How will we get there? Isn't Laramie like three hours away by carriage? Do you think anyone will be willing to drive us?" Ariadne hoped maybe a certain young man might be up for the challenge.
"Arthur pleeease…" Abigail was almost as tall as he was so she was able to look him right in the eyes but those damn puppy dog eyes were no match for his resolve.
"I shouldn't leave town Abigail. Not with everything that's been going on. Just yesterday the Fosters told me someone's been stealing their cattle…" It probably didn't have anything to do with Nash… Cattle rustling was a typical crime for thieves passing through and Indians alike. But still, Arthur felt nervous about leaving the city unattended.
"Arthur that kind of thing happens all the time; there isn't a rhyme or reason for it. Besides, no one would know you'd be leaving." Abigail took his hand and started trying to slowly pull him from behind his desk. "Come on, Ariadne and I really want to go and Dad isn't keen on letting us go that far on our own. Roy and Eames are both busy today so it has to be you!"
Arthur laughed and raised his brow, "Oh so I'm your last resort?" He pulled his hand away from hers and crossed his arms.
Abigail rolled her eyes, "Ah! No that's not what I meant! I think you were Ariadne's first resort to be honest… But anyway I know you love politics… Don't pretend you won't enjoy it too!"
Oh sister of mine, you are a smart one… 'I think you were Ariadne's first resort' Arthur thought almost laughing out loud at her tactics. He did have to wonder though, did she know about his interest in the young school teacher? Was it obvious? Well maybe it was a good thing if it was obvious. Maybe this could be his chance to have some alone time with her.
Abigail seemed to sense his acceptance of her plea and started off on her plans, "So we will have to leave here pretty early, probably around 7:00 to get there in time. It starts at 11:00 in the morning."
"Ok, you win." She smiled triumphantly. "I'll talk to Roy and Dom to let them know where I'll be in case anything happens."
"You know what you need? A deputy… I bet there are a few boys in town that would love to take the post. That would take a burden off of your shoulders to be sure." Abigail said as she started to walk towards the door.
"I suppose you are right… But I barely feel qualified to be Sherriff, let alone train someone else to be one." Arthur said, showing his rare feelings of anxiety and self-doubt.
"Oh pssshhh… You are doing a great job, everyone says so." Abigail winked and walked out the door.
"Thanks sis, I'll see you tomorrow at 7:00!" He called out after her.
"Alright ladies, ready?!" Arthur ran up behind his sister and picked her up and twirled her around.
Abigail laughed and turned after he put her down. "So much excitement from the man who didn't even want to come!"
Arthur smiled, "Hey I never said I didn't want to… I can't just give in every time you want something… You would turn me into your personal slave if I gave in that easily."
Abigail laughed as he helped her into the carriage, "Ya, you're right…"
"Thank you so much for taking us Arthur" Ariadne said to him as he helped her up.
"My pleasure, Miss Nicola." He said with a wink. Abigail had let Ariadne sit up front with Arthur while she relaxed in the back seat.
They chatted about this and that, nothing special, for about an hour but then Arthur said something that whole heartedly captured her interest. "Ruth is leaving Juniper Springs. She's moving to Denver in a couple weeks."
"What! Really? Oh my gosh Arthur, did something happen?" Ariadne looked at him with concern.
He looked mildly uncomfortable. "No… Uh, well nope… She just wants a change of scenery I guess. She's going to live with my Aunt."
"I'm so… uh, sorry Arthur, you must be so upset." Could this really be happening? Ariadne felt so guilty at being so excited about this news.
"Well we've been friends for so long that it will be strange to have her gone… But I think it's the best thing for her future in the end."
Why does he always act like this? Aren't they dating!? "But… What about the two of you?" For the first time Ariadne said the words aloud.
"What do you mean the two of us?" Arthur looked at her, looking for confused than ever.
Ariadne stared at him for a few seconds, her mouth slightly open. "Um… Well, you've been courting her…" with the look on his face Ariadne felt her heart constrict in a wonderfully awful way. Maybe her suspicions had been right and they weren't together after all. "Aren't you courting her?"
Arthur looked bewildered, "No… Why would you ever think that?"
At that Abigail, who up until now had been sitting quietly in the back seat, piped up. "To be fair Arthur, I've wondered myself if you and Ruth have been courting."
Arthur looked back at her, mouth agape, "No, no we definitely aren't courting…"
"Oh. Well that's… Uh, I guess as long as you're happy that's good." Ariadne fumbled over her words trying not to look too gleeful.
Arthur looked at her and smiled, "I am happy. I'm exactly where I want to be with my two favorite ladies." Abigail rolled her eyes and Ariadne looked away smiling.
The trio got to Laramie around 10:30. After Arthur found a spot to park he tended to the horses while the girls went towards the rally. There was a make shift stage set up by the Mayor's office in a nice little field and luckily it hadn't snowed in the last week so the ground was dry. There were probably about fifty people standing, waiting. Ariadne could see almost as many men as women in the audience.
There were three women on stage, as well as a man, who later announced he was the mayor of Laramie. All of the women had a chance to speak, talking about new and exciting opportunities for women in politics. They had such conviction!
"Fifty years ago who would have thought that this is where we would be today?" One of the ladies yelled and the crowd cheered. "To any man who says that women do not have the mental capacity to understand politics… I say, if we have the abilities to raise the men who run this country, why can't we participate ourselves?!" At that Abigail cheered. Ariadne laughed and clapped excitedly.
"Is this everything you wanted it to be?" Arthur asked, his lips almost brushing against her ear, he was so close. Ariadne felt the chills down her spine. She knew he was only so close because it was so loud but she wouldn't mind if he spoke to her like this all the time
"It's more! It's wonderful! Come on!" Arthur smiled at her and she clasped onto his hand and dragged him closer to the stage.
After it was over they walked back to the carriage. Arthur positioned himself next to Ariadne. So many things made sense now… She thought he was courting Ruth. So she did see the New Year's kiss. That had to be it; there was no other instance that would have been interpreted as such. He wished that she had said something earlier. For more than three months he's been pining over her, not knowing why she was so standoffish, but here it was.
Did this mean anything? Is this an opportunity I need to seize? Arthur wondered looking at her.
"So does this mean you'll be moving to a big city to pursue a career in politics now?" Arthur teased Ariadne as she still looked star struck.
"Oh, you!" Ariadne looked at him and laughed, "No, of course not! I did enjoy it though, things are changing. It's amazing that women are able to give such impassioned speeches, by themselves! I've never see anything like that in New York."
"Well a lot of people don't like it, it's very radical. But I think we can expect it to continue to grow. I'd bet fifty years from now women everywhere will be able to vote and hold office." He said, absolutely believing that was where this country was headed.
"Thank you for bringing us today, Arthur. It was very kind. I was beginning to think we weren't going to be able to go." Those big eyes were Arthur's weakness. It was hard to look at her without going weak at the knees. Stop being such a sap Arthur, he thought to himself as he cleared his throat and looked ahead and away from her vixen stare.
"You're welcome, Abigail was right, I did enjoy myself. Also…" Arthur took a nervous gulp, "I'm glad we were able to clear up some things on the ride over."
Abigail looked up at him, "Yes, you and Ruth… Or should I say the lack of a connection between you and Ruth."
"Well. Yea. She is a dear friend. But just a friend…" Arthur felt his heart rate quicken. This was the perfect opportunity. Ask her… Ask her to go with you. Somewhere, anywhere… Just… Ask her, say the words… Arthur knew he was staring at her, his mind running wild with all the things he wanted to say.
"Guys! My Lord, will you wait up!" Abigail came running up behind them, ruining the moment. "I turned my back for one second and you two almost left me behind!"
Arthur couldn't help the look of anger and annoyance that he gave her.
"What?" She asked, looking confused.
Sorry the chapters have been taking so long lately! I know what I want to happen in this part of the story but it all has to happen in the right sequence and I've been having a bit of writers block for certain parts. The next chapter is soon to come though! Thanks for reading!