Courting Faith

by Kay Stuart

  “Dear, don’t upset your self,” Mary Gaines said taking hold of her husband’s arm. “We don’t know that Mr. Cook has taken Faith.”

  “Who else,” Philip Gaines roared. “I was foolish enough to think the man would make Faith a good husband. After the way he treated her. The man is capable of anything. I want him arrested and locked up until he tells us what he has done with Faith!”

  “Was there a struggle when Miss Gaines, Faith disappeared,” Walden asked. The look Imogen gave him pierced his heart. “Perhaps I should see for myself,” he continued when no one answered his query. “On the way you can tell me everything you know.”

  “That rascal will get away. Skip town or whatever men like him do,” Reverend Gaines declared openly hostile. “I want him locked up before you do another thing. First things first,” he insisted pointing his finger at Sheriff Walden again.

  Walden wondered if Reverend Gaines was capable of shooting a man. In his fury the man was no longer his vague self. He was demanding answers.

  “I can’t arrest a man without probable cause,” Walden explained. How would he feel if his daughter turned up missing, providing he had a daughter. The way Imogen was looking at him his hopes on that subject was quickly vanishing. She was just as angry as her father. The light in her brown eyes was disappointment over his lack of action.

  “You have cause,” Reverend Gaines insisted after taking a deep breath. He was striving to stay calm. “I saw the bruises on Faith’s wrist. The man is a beast,” his voice rose to a shout once again.

  Walden picked up his hat and shouldered into his winter coat. “If you please,” he said indicating the door. “I want to see Faith’s bedroom before I do anything.”

  “There is nothing of interest to see,” Reverend Gaines shouted.

  “Let me be the judge,” Walden retorted calmly. He reached for Imogen’s elbow. She pulled away from him tilting her chin in the air and looked down her pretty nose in disgust.

  “Oh alright,” Reverend Gaines agreed. His shoulders slumped in discouragement. “You are wasting valuable time my poor Faith might be experiencing God only knows what.”

  Mary Gaines tucked her hand under her husband’s arm and walked beside him. She knew the strain Faith’s disappearance had on Philip. He was blaming himself for Mr. Cook’s behavior. If he had told the man no, Faith would not now be missing. “Come Dear,” she said. Her face was pale, her eyes haunted. As always she worried about Philip’s health. Faith? She would reserve judgment until Mr. Cook could be questioned. Perhaps they had eloped. She really did not see that possibility. Yet, young women were known to be impulsive and Faith was no different.

  Walden had always thought of Reverend Gaines as being a vague sort of person. Today the man was livid. “We don’t want to frighten the ladies,” Amos cautioned against wild accusations as he closed his office door.

  “Wild accusations,” Reverend Gaines retorted. “I have you know young man. I do not make wild accusations. Facts are what I am relying on.”

  “Yes Sir,” Walden replied.

  Walden entered the house through the backdoor. Dishes were still on the breakfast table. A pot of coffee boiled on the stove filling the room with a rich aroma. Reverend Gaines led the way upstairs. “Faith shares a room with Laurie and Lydia,” he explained. “I felt it best to send Lydia and Elizabeth on to school. Valerie has taken Laurie over to the church to clean after yesterday’s service. I don’t want to frighten my daughters,” he said.

  “You found the bed like it is now,” Walden asked looking around the crowded room. Three walls were taken up with narrow beds. A tall chest-of-drawers stood between two beds. A vanity dresser stood along the outside wall. Lace curtains hung over the windows. A feminine room that made Sheriff Walden feel uncomfortable when he glanced around.

  “The bed wasn’t slept in,” Reverend Gaines declared. His hands trembled as he spread one hand over the quilted coverlet.

  “She couldn’t have made the bed this morning,” Walden asked, “Before going off with a friend.”

  “We’ve covered this before. Faith would not go off without telling someone,” Philip Gaines shouted. He took a deep breath when Mary placed one hand on his arm.

  “No one has seen Faith since last evening,” Mary said calmly worried about Philip’s health. Her husband was not a young man.

  “Anything missing,” Walden asked. No one made a reply. “Right,” he said cryptically. “Miss Gaines, will you please make a search while I wait. Then I will have a talk with Jim Cook.”

  Chapter Twenty One

  Royce turned the horses loose in the field behind the barn. Then, he hurried through the trees towards the Secondary School coming out of the woods behind Miss Ferguson’s house. A few minutes later he unlocked the side door. In the rooms above the classroom he added wood to the stove and made coffee.

  He drank coffee while standing in front of his shaving mirror. Then he hastily changed into his black town suit. He would be glad when he could put the suit back in mothballs. His shoulder was throbbing painfully when Royce went to unlock the front door. His nerves were raw after spending a long night in the saddle.

  Icy crystals sparkled in the sunlight turning green grass to shining jewels. The sky overhead was pale blue appearing almost white. Children’s voices could be heard before Royce saw the group of young people walking along the boardwalk. A few snowflakes were falling.

  Lydia looked like a little ghost when she came into the classroom and took off her coat. Royce crossed the room and watched as Lydia held her coat over one arm a few minute before hanging the coat on a peg. “Lydia,” he asked knowing what the girl would say before she opened her mouth.

  “It will be alright,” Royce stated.

  “How will it be alright,” Lydia asked her voice trembling. “Faith has disappeared and Father doesn’t know where she has gone.”

  “Trust me,” Royce said hoping he was not giving himself away. He could see Lydia’s mind turning over. Her brown eyes were reflecting her thoughts. She possessed more than a little of Imogen’s intrusion.

  “You know where Faith is,” Lydia accused. Her eyes snapping fire as she looked at Royce. She was no longer the shy introvert that Royce had come to know and understand.

  “Faith’s life will be in danger if anyone finds out,” Royce replied. “You will keep her secret?”

  “Danger,” Lydia asked. “She is helping you!”

  Royce laid one hand on Lydia’s shoulder, “We will talk later,” he whispered. “Class, open your geography books.” Royce walked to the front of the classroom and picked up a stick of chalk. “Today’s lesson is on China.”

  In the middle of the morning lessons Elizabeth took over the class. Royce sat wearily in his chair and listened. His color was gray, his shoulder a burning ache while his head throbbed.

  Miss Ferguson rang the dinner bell.

  “You are ill,” Elizabeth said noticing Royce’s hands trembling as he leaned against his desk for support. “Do you want me to send Bobby for Doctor Thomas?”

  Sweat popped out on Royce’s forehead. The room began to spin. “I think that might be a good idea,” he said collapsing back onto his chair. Elizabeth’s hand was cool when she touched his forehead. He was burning with fever.

  “Bobby, Johnny, help Mr. Hargadon upstairs. Colin, go for Doctor Thomas. Tell him Mr. Hargadon has taken ill,” Elizabeth ordered.

  “I think it would be best if I waited down here,” Royce declared his voice sounded far away. “I’m too heavy for Bobby and Johnny to help up the stairs.”

  * * * * *

  It was late afternoon when the stagecoach arrived in Carrington City. Faith glanced at the setting sun, took a deep breath and exited the stage.

  Joe extended his hand giving Faith a gentle look as she gripped his fingers. The stage driver was a middle aged bowlegged man with a face full of whiskers and bushy eyebrows. From the moment he laid eyes on Faith, Joe was astounded by her beauty. Royce was one lucky ma
n. Fulfilling his obligation of looking after Faith had been a pleasure. Faith arrived safely at Carrington City like Marshal Hargadon had ordered.

  Faith felt stiff after riding inside the stage. The constant movement had unsettled her stomach. She took another deep breath of fresh air hoping the wobbling in her knees would soon go away.

  “Could you tell me where Mrs. Paige’s Boardinghouse is located,” Faith asked shaking out the wrinkles from her long skirt and brushing dust off her winter coat. Three days on the stage and staying at various Stagecoach Stations left her nerves feeling frazzled. The sooner she could relax for a few hours the better.

  Joe scratched the back of his head knocking his hat low over his eyes. “Mrs. Paige,” the man repeated. “She is full up the last time I heard.”

  “Mr. Hargadon instructed me to use his room,” Faith replied with a shy tilt to her chin. “I don’t know anyone in Carrington City and Mr. Hargadon wants to know I will be well looked after.”

  Joe did not dispute Faith’s words. He had been given orders to see to the young woman’s safety. “In that case, wait inside the office while I tend to my horses. I will take you along as soon as I am done,” Joe replied. Royce was seeing to his young lady even though the Marshal was miles away. “Mrs. Paige is a right proper woman. She won’t fancy you taking Royce’s room. I’ll see if I can smooth things over.”

  “Thank you,” Faith replied. So far Royce had taken care of her every concern. From asking Robby to see she was safely aboard the stage to Joe hovering over her protectively during her trip. The small office was heated by a potbellied stove. Faith took a chair and placed the toes of her boots against the stove’s black apron.

  “Something I can do for you,” the man behind the desk asked.

  “I am waiting for Joe,” Faith replied. She gripped the small valise resting on her lap.

  “You’re Hargadon’s intended,” the man asked. He was short and dark complexioned with black eyes that glowed when he looked at Faith.

  Soft color crept up Faith’s cheeks. Was that what Royce had told Joe? That she was his future wife. The thought sent butterflies fluttering inside her stomach. Her hands shook with some emotion Faith could not readily identify.

  Joe came into the stage office stomping snow off his boots. The wind whipping through the door sent icy fingers down Faith’s spine. “Pete said he would see to the horses,” the stage driver explained. “I will take you along and introduce you to Mrs. Paige.”

  “Thank you,” Faith replied.

  Mrs. Paige’s Boardinghouse was a large three storied structure of wood and stone. A wrap around porch shielded the front door from falling snow. The lamp on a table in a front room window gave out a cheery golden glow. Joe dislodged snow off his boots before knocking on the front door.

  A tall thinly built woman answered his knock. “Mr. Joseph,” Mrs. Paige greeted. She folded her hands together in front of her and looked past Joe at Faith. “You know I don’t have any rooms available,” she spoke sharply.

  Faith stepped forward extending her hand in greeting. “I am Faith Gaines. Mr. Hargadon sent me,” she declared not flinching at Mrs. Paige’s critical look. “He told me before I left Clear Creek. I am to use his room while on business in Carrington City.”

  Mrs. Paige’s mouth dropped open. Color rose in her cheeks. “This is a respectable establishment,” she said caustically.

  “I am sure,” Faith replied pleasantly, “Otherwise Mr. Hargadon would not have told me to come here. He said you are a kind generous woman and I would have nothing to fear while under your roof.”

  “This is unheard of,” Mrs. Paige retorted scandalized. “I have never allowed a woman inside a man’s room.”

  “Mr. Hargadon is miles away,” Faith stated shyly willing her self not to blush to her hairline. “What possible harm can come of my using his room,” Faith asked with an innocence that left Mrs. Paige flabbergasted. The woman made soft disapproving sounds in the back of her throat unable to find plausible reasons for denying Faith’s request.

  “Marshal Hargadon put Miss Gaines on the stage in Clear Creek. He said I was to look after her and see she arrived safely. If he intends for Miss Gaines to use his room Hargadon will have more than a few words to say if his wishes are not carried out.”

  Mrs. Paige gave Joe a piercing glare. She pulled her shoulders back in a fussy manner tilting back her head. Mrs. Paige could be a formidable adversary.

  “Hargadon threatened to stake me over an anthill if any harm came to Miss Gaines,” Joe relayed.

  “Very well then,” Mrs. Paige said giving Faith closer inspection. She did not approve but would bow her better judgment to Marshal Hargadon’s demands.

  “Thank You,” Faith said extending her hand to Joe.

  “I will be taking the stage out in the morning. You need anything between now and then send one of Mrs. Paige’s men for me.”

  “I am sure Mrs. Paige will see to any needs that arise,” Faith replied. “Goodbye.”

  Mrs. Paige coughed and patted her black hair with one hand. “If you will follow me,” she said disapproval dripping from her words. Faith followed the woman upstairs and along the hall until she stopped in front of a door. “You conduct yourself properly,” the woman ordered.

  “Yes ma’am,” Faith replied. “I am a Minister’s daughter I know proper etiquette.” Mrs. Paige looked Faith up and down. Her look plainly saying she did not believe what Faith confessed. “Father says it is a blessing my sisters and I take after our mother.”

  Mrs. Paige scoffed noisily before unlocking the door. Faith did not look like any Minister’s daughter she had ever met!

  The room was austere containing a wide bed and a five drawer dresser. Green broadcloth curtains hung over the window. A round crocheted rag rug covered bare floor boards. A shaving mirror was on one wall a washstand with porcelain bow and pitcher beneath. There was nothing inside the room to indicate Royce lived inside these walls. It was simply a place to hang his hat between assignments.

  “Thank you,” Faith said turning to Mrs. Paige.

  “Not my doing,” the woman replied tight lipped dismissing any responsibility in the action. “Supper is at seven. Don’t be late.”

  Faith did not reply. She doubted Mrs. Paige would have let her have Royce’s room if not for Joe’s insisting. Removing her stiff brimmed bonnet Faith set the hat on top of the dresser. Faith was removing her winter coat when there was a knock on her door. “Yes,” she called.

  The door opened and a young woman entered the room carrying a pitcher of warm water. “Mrs. Paige said I was to bring you water,” the girl stated. She looked at Faith with open curiosity. Mrs. Paige was in a flap over this young woman’s presence.

  “Thank you,” Faith said. Vickie opened her mouth as if to speak then thought better of her enquiry. “Your name is,” Faith asked.

  “Vickie,” the young woman replied.

  “Are you Mrs. Paige’s daughter,” Faith asked.

  “No Miss,” Vickie said. “I work here ever since my Ma died.”

  “And your father,” Faith asked in a friendly tone. She was finding the room overly warm dressed in layers of clothing as she was. Taking out her handkerchief Faith mopped moisture off her cheeks.

  “I never knew my Pa,” Vickie replied. He was killed when I was just a baby.”

  “I am sorry,” Faith said with sympathy. “My Father is a Minister. I can’t imagine what life would be like without him.”

  “Yes Miss,” Vickie said backing out of the room and closing the door. Blymme! A Minister’s daughter and sleeping in Mr. Hargadon’s bed! What was the world coming to!

  After the door closed Faith unbuttoned her dress and laid it across the bed. Then, she removed her flannel petticoats and peeled off her longjohns. Faith stretched lifting her arms above her head. She touched her toes and stretched again. Long days on the stage left her with kinks in her limbs and an ache in her joints. What she needed was a long walk out of doors. But that wo
uld have to wait until after she talked with Marshal Tinsley. She looked at the pitcher of hot water and wished she had enough gumption to ask for water to take a bath. Oh! For the comforts of home! Where she did not need to ask permission if she wanted to bathe. She could heat the water and soak away her weariness whenever she wanted.

  * * * * *

  Snow covered the walk when Faith closed the front door to the Rooming House. The air was crisp as she walked down the front steps pulling gloves over her hands. Mrs. Paige had told her Marshal Tinsley’s office was just off Main Street and two doors down from the Cattleman’s Bank. She would not have any trouble finding the office.

  Faith opened the white gate and resisted an impulse to glance back. She was sure Mrs. Paige was watching through the front window. The woman had been kind if somewhat distant in her treatment. A proper woman, Joe had called Mrs. Paige. Snobbery was the word Faith would have used. The woman was sure Faith was a fallen woman committing unspeakable sins with Marshal Hargadon.

  Breathing deeply of the cold air Faith knew she could not dispel the woman’s low opinion of her. Whatever she said would not be believed. Why this fact bothered her, she was not sure. Opinions mattered. She had been taught this belief her entire life. Now, to be considered less than genteel was disturbing.

  Shrugging off her misgivings Faith walked towards Main Street. The town of Carrington City was little different than Junction City. The general store took up one entire block with a sign painted on the front of the building. Billings General Store. The Newspaper Office was a corner building. The hats displayed in the Millinery Shop window were different and yet very similar to the ones on display in Mrs. Hock’s window.