THE HORSE THIEVES
Chapter One: The Stables
It wasn't unusual for Mary Slane to check her horses before turning in for the night. She and her husband raised some of the finest mounts in the county. She would never admit to it in public, but she found riding these sleek, stong, and proud animals to be a thrilling experience not unlike making love. She checked each stall one last time. Every thing was in order and right with the world. The only flame in the stable was in the kerosene lamp she carried, and that would leave with her.
Satisfied, she started out the door. She had barely stepped outside when she was seized from behind and a hand was placed over her mouth. She was dragged back into the barn, and was followed she saw three other figures enter as well. All were masked, no hooded. White sacks were pulled over their heads, with cut outs over the eyes. One of the intruders bound Mary's wrists and she protested "Who are you, and what are you doing?"
The quartet said nothing and to ensure Mary would do likewise, one of them crammed a bandanna deep into her mouth, then another was tied to secure the first one in place. A large piece of rope was produced, wound securely around her waist, chest and arms. To finish things off, singled lengths of rope were tied around Mary's knees and ankles.
The four intruders silently removed one horse from its stall. The four best on the ranch, Mary noted. Each animal was then saddled, and led out of the stable. Eventually, Mary imagined, the intruders would ride off into the night.
(More horseplay!) It'll be good to get home , she thought, then smiled at the thought. Julia Sterling had only been living in Cedar Springs for about a year, yet she already thought of it as home. She had been talking with a young lady named Harriet Longabeau who was on her way to Cedar Springs. "You'll enjoy the place." Julia said.
"I truly hope so." Harriet said.
Julia looked out the windows of the stage as it pulled up to the stage office. "He's here!" Julia squealed with delight when she saw a man standing in front of the office. When the door opened, she practically leaped out of the coach and threw her arms around her fiance, Henry Fulton. They hugged tightly and kissed on the mouth. "We can do a bit more in any place in town.", he said.
"On our wedding night and not a day before.", she said.
"Yes dear."
Julia's cousin Becky Carson came up. She and Julia jointly owned a horse ranch and gold mine, with Becky running the latter and Julia the former. Every few days, one or the other, perhaps both would go into town for supplies. "I have to get back to the bank." Henry said. "I'll see tomorrow.", and left with a perfunctory nod toward Becky and to Harriet, who simply took a valise and made her way toward a boarding house.
As they were about to leave, another man strode up. "Sheriff Burke." Julia said.
"Afternoon, Miss Sterling." he said "Good to see you're back."
"What goes?" Becky asked.
"The Slane place got hit last night." he said. "They took four of the best horses and left Mary trussed up and gagged. You might want to keep a look out for your horses."
"Then we shoudln't waste time here." Julia said. "We'd better get back, and soon."
Julia's luggage was already on the wagon when she and Becky mounted it. Becky got the horses moving and made the fastest time she could to the ranch. After Becky parked the wagon next to the stables, Julia leaped out. She ran into the stable and gave the stalls a quick inspection. All horses were accounted for and there was one in particular. Julia walked into the stall of her personal mount, Lilybelle. She stroked the mare's neck and said. "It's good to see you. There are people out to steal fine horses like yourself, but I won't let them."