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They buried him in Ravali in the small cemetery close to the low hills on the east side of town. A cold blustery wind swept up the river from the west, the sun, after an all morning effort to shine through finally gave in to the thick pasty clouds. “Winter’s here,” Eagle grunted and pulled the heavy collar around his ears. They all thanked the preacher and Eagle pressed a bill into his hand. They fell in behind for the short walk back to town. Elsa nudged close to Eagle’s side, snaked an arm around his waist and pulled him tight. “You said there was something I needed to know about you,” she spoke low. “When can I hear it?” He drew in a great sigh, let it out and said, “When I can rake in enough courage, I reckon.” Her questioning eyes searched his face, brows drawn tight. “What in Heaven’s name,” she breathed. “Tell me, Eagle. I have to know.” He stopped short and Fabil turned to stare. “We’ll be along,” he said and faced up close to Elsa Bain. “No use waitin’, I reckon. You remember me tellin’ you I found my wife up north?” She nodded, eyes held tight to his. “We had a night together. Renewed our love for each other.” “You seemed so happy but you haven’t mentioned her since.” “There’s a reason. She’s still my wife, but I’m not sure why. A day after me and Dohn left Fort Steele I took sick.” Her lips parted and her eyes clouded over. “Looks like you might’ve guessed. You’re right, she gave me a case of syphliss.” Elsa gasped, stepped back and turned away. Her hands went to her face, dropped again with fists balled tight. “You could have told me sooner,” as she whirled, her voice a near scream. “You could have said.” “Ma’am,” he sputtered, hands spread wide, “I asked you to get this out of your head.” He pulled in a deep breath and raised his arms. “You wouldn’t listen.” What kind of woman is this? he wondered, his own anger crawling up his neck. She’s blamin’ me for… Ain’t surprised though. Seems I been blamed for a lot of things. He pulled himself up, a hard set to his jaw. Danged if I’ll hold still for this. Woman or not she’s no cause to… “You made a fool of me, Mister,” she snarled. “You had no right…” Eagle dropped his arms and stepped ahead, a tight grin on his face. This lady needs knocked down a peg and I’m just the man who can do it. “You came on like a fool, I admit,” his voice coming up, “only it was you who did it.” Her mouth came open and the color rose to her face as Eagle stepped closer. “You listen and you listen close. You might recall, Missus Bain, your husband hadn’t been dead thirty minutes till you was makin’ goo-goo eyes at me.” She aimed a hard slap at his face, a vicious set to her mouth. Eagle’s hand shot up and seized her wrist. He yanked her close and stared into the hard eyes. “Oh,” she yelped as he tightened the grip. “Stop, you’re hurting me.” “Ain’t that a shame? Seems you were tryin’ to hurt me. That don’t count, I reckon.” He let go the arm and stepped back. “Now stand where you be you hussy. I got more to say.” “Hussy?” she squawked. “I’ll not take that,” turned and walked away. “You’ll not only take it,” as he grabbed an arm and yanked her back, “but you’ll stand and take the rest of it. Ain’t sure what better word you got for the likes of you than hussy,” his eyes on fire. “You knew I had a wife yet you came on strong. I let it be known I wasn’t interested but it made no difference.” He stopped, their eyes locked together. “You may not have any morals, Missus Bain,” he went on, “ but I do. Where you got the notion I don’t know but you figger whatever your want is yours for the takin’. I tried to herd you off on a respectable trail but you had your mind made up. You think you got what no man can resist. All you gotta’ do is whistle and they come runnin’.” “Now things sorta’ changed,” he nodded, “when I told you about this bug I got. Of a sudden I’m to blame for makin’ a fool of you.” He paused, his breath in great gulps. Sweat stood out on his forehead even in the face of the icy wind. She took a jerky step back and stood, her face a chalky white. Disbelief showed strong. Her wide eyes hard to the big man before her. Judas, he thought, did I say too much? Blame sure took the starch out of her. She needed it but… “Missus Bain,” he sighed after a moment, “I reckon I offended you and I apologize. Sometimes I say too much but the fact is I’m tired of being accused when I’m not at fault. It’s happened many times and something snapped I guess. That’s what came out. I surely hope,” and walked away slow, “that life treats you well from here on out.” She fell in behind, her face white and drawn. “When you find the man you want,” he spoke as he walked, “try to win him with love and decency. Some men like to be seduced but the good ones don’t. Be open and honest…” The sound of her feet stopped. Eagle turned. She sat beside the path, knees tucked up tight to her chin and her face pointed out across the small valley. He walked back, his breath choked off. “Missus Bain,” he spoke soft. “You alright?” She turned her eyes up to his and he could see the hurt. Not tears, only pain. Cripe, he thought, what have I done to her? She was hurtin’ like the dickens over Papa and George and Callie then I had to pile on more. He sat beside her and took a soft hand in his. “Elsa? Can I call you Elsa?” She nodded and he went on. “Something broke down the gate in my head and busted out. Can you forgive that?” “I can,” holding her eyes to the western mountains. “Only it’s me who needs forgiven.” She cleared her throat and continued, her voice no more than a whisper. “I only wish what you said of me was not true. It is and I know it. I’ve acted so foolish. A brazen hussy to be sure.” She stopped and fiddled with the pleats in her dress. Eagle sat quiet, giving her time. A minute went by. Another. She pushed a strand of hair from her face and turned to him. “You spoke what’s on your mind. Will you listen to what’s on mine? You spoke of when I find the man I want. I found him. Some time back.” A tear dribbled down her cheek. The small hankie wiped it away. “This man is married but perhaps not for long. There will be no other. I’ll simply wait.” She took his hand and squeezed it tight. “Mister Filbain,” she choked, “you said when I find the man I want to try to win him with love and respect.” A great sob convulsed her body. “Is it alright with you,” she wailed, “if I start now?” Book Titles Available | | The BANYON NETWORK | Betty Byers | Whitlow Synopsis | INNER-VIEWS WITH CELEBRITIES | ECLECTIC REVIEWS | BOOK REVIEWER'S CORNER | The NEWS | SHORT STORIES CORNER | | Return Home | GREAT LINKS | WHAT'S NEW? | CONTACT US | |
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