Becky looked intensely at Julia. Clearly she and Charles did not get along very well.
"Julia, be reasonable." he said. "You're unsuited for the West. Be sensible and come back East. Perhaps I can get somebody to manage your share of the mine for you."
"Steal out from under me, more likely," Julia scoffed. "I rather like it out here. All I have in Boston is a bunch of dowry-hungry Harvard dolts. They'd likely squander whatever money they get."
Charles turned to Becky and said, "Could you talk sense into her?"
"I think she is making a great deal of sense," Becky said, "but I'll have a talk with her." She took Julia aside and said, "Look, I was waiting until you made your final decision about staying here, but I think I should tell you now." She whispered.
"Go ahead," Julia urged.
"I'm content with the ranch. You can have the mine all to yourself."
"I wouldn't dream of keeping it all to myself. Uncle Josh clearly left to all of his nieces and nephews, and that's us. Equal partners with the ranch and the mine."
"Fair enough. You'll have to see a few things and get to learn them. Besides, we'll have to go into town tomorrow, anyway."
"What about him?" Julia indicated Charles.
"I gathered you don't care much for your step brother," Becky said. "I hope that doesn't keep you from letting him stay the night."
"Only tonight."
"All right, let me change clothes. I've been wearing this dress too long."
Julia and Charles exchanged few words, civil or otherwise, the remainder of that day. Becky talked at length with Charles, and Julia noticed a sparkle in her eyes while they dined. Julia had trouble believing her stepbrother had just happened to wander into town. The only thing she found credible in his story was the part about asking how to get to the ranch.
Or am I simply reversing her suspicions of Henry Fulton? she thought, as she toyed with the slice of Magda's cherry pie. After all, Fulton's gallantry was a bit contrived. As soon as she put away the last forkful of pie, she excused herself and retired to her bedroom.
Early the next morning, all three set out for town. Charles went directly into town while Julia and Becky stopped off at the mine first. Julia rode Lillybelle, who had quickly become her favorite horse, while Becky rode a chestnut mare named Atalanta. They accompanied the water wagon to the mine, and the barrels were offloaded and replaced by gold from the mine. From there, the wagon, accompanied by the cousins and an armed escort, rode into town. A Wells Fargo stage was awaiting them. A short time later, two freight wagons lumbered into town. Becky showed Julia the procedures needed to transfer the gold, some of which would go to the Treasury Department, others to a bank in Denver. As usual, the arrival drew a crowd.
Many familiar faces were there. Burke was present, as was Charles, and their lawyer, Mr. Brown.
"Hello, ladies," he said. "I don't believe you and Miss Sterling have been introduced, Felicity."
"No, we have not," She said.
Her husband introduced her. Julia thought Brown to be in his mid thirties and his wife closer to the two cousins in age. "Delighted, Miss Sterling." she said. "I hope you will become a part of our community."
"I am considering it." Julia said.
"Then you and your cousin must attend the ball. I would not have it any other way."
"Yes, I would like an invitation."
"Then one is yours."
"Seems like a lot for such a small town," Charles commented.
"One is for the General Store," Becky confirmed. "The other one is for the Arapaho reservation. At least, where it's intended to go. Barlow, the Indian agent-" she indicated a bearded, stocky man standing next to wagon. "--makes a great deal of money." "Grafting off supplies?"
"More or less."
Henry Fulton then approached. "Well, its so good to see you two again."
"What exactly do you do, Mister Fulton?" Julia asked.
"Many things," he replied. "Despicable, that man Barlow."
"You have seen the Arapaho reservation?"
"Yes. Appalling conditions."
"I'd like to see it, if it isn't too dangerous," Julia added the last part hastily.
"It's not, honestly."
"Tomorrow isn't a bad choice," Becky said. "I'll go with you. Come on, Julia, let's see the sheriff while he's still sober."
Mr. Red and Mr. Blue, albeit unmasked, had been in the crowd. When it started to dissipate, they met with their boss.
"Any ideas?" Mr. Blue asked.
"Maybe we can get somebody to do our work for us," the boss said, looking intently at Barlow. Then the three men walked toward him.
"Mister Barlow?" he asked. "I'd like to speak with you, if you don't mind.
Julia and Becky found the sheriff at his midday meal: three slices of fried ham and half a bottle of bourbon. Fortunately, he had only started when they arrived. Unfortunately, he took a drink when Becky or Julia were speaking. "Lissen, you two," He said. "You ain't got any names or faces, so you ain't got anything to go on. Next time you catch somebody goin' after you before they tie you up."
"Let's leave this place, Becky," Julia said. "I thought we could get help here, but it's apparently we can't."
"That's the trouble nowadays," he said drunkenly. "Females thinkin'."
They set out for the reservation the following morning. It was a somewhat longer trip than to town, and in the opposite direction. Before they could do anything, Becky and Julia had to report to the cabin that served as Barlow's office. Anything connected to that man repelled Becky, while Julia was even more appalled than when she'd seen her mine for the first time. Nevertheless, they tied the horses to the hitching post and went inside.
The stranger, who insisted on not giving his name, had promised Barlow a share of the gold mine if he help to dispose of the cousins. Being naturally greedy, Barlow accepted. He knew just how to do it.
"Hello, ladies," he said. "Come for more gold?"
"Don't be such a fool, Barlow!" Becky began. "You-"
"Enough!" he exclaimed, cutting Becky off. He indicated three men who had entered the cabin behind them. All had dark hair and clothing of both hide and cloth. "These two women want to tear up this reservation to dig for gold. Others will follow and they will destroy what little you have left. Take them to one of tepees."
"You idiot!" Becky bellowed, waving a finger in Barlow's face.
"Take them away!" The girls were pulled out of the cabin.
"Unhand us!" Julia demanded.
"Silence!" demanded the tallest of the three. He took a piece of rawhide and used it to bind Julia's wrists. Becky, despite a tremendous struggle, was having her own wrists bound behind her in the same way. To her horror, Julia had another rawhide thong tied about her her mouth, and retched at the greasy leather contacting her tongue. The two prisoners were led away on a circuitous route to one of the tepees. Julia looked around frantically , but saw nobody notice them. They were busy going about their routine. Besides, she began to believe that Barlow had set the whole village against them. She decided the struggling would serve her no useful purpose, so she walked normally. Becky gave in and did likewise. They were unceremoniously shoved into the tepee. Once inside, they were shoved to its dirt floor and each had a final rawhide around their ankles. Soon after this, Barlow came in.
"Good work, boys." he said. "But that's not enough. I'll take care of it."
Not enough?, Julia wondered. Already, she could feel the rawhide cutting into her wrists and the corners of her mouth. Barlow, alone with his captives, took some rope and began to truss Becky's arms.
"Of course I know you two have no interest in mining gold here, "he said. "But I was promised a share of your mine if went along with this." He then took some rope and secured it around Becky's knees, near the hem of her skirt, as it had been pulled up by her seated position. This done, he turned his attentions to Julia. His hands came over her bodice as he looped the rope around her chest. "Don't you have two ripe ones, Missy!" he said.
"MMMMMMMMPH!" she cried in rage, then cringed in pain from her gag. Barlow grinned as he secured the knot.
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