'ELEANOR WEBBER' (Con't) She Wanted A Husband. He Wanted Gold! ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Quickly the bandits moved in, barely waiting for the smoke to clear. The ruptured strongbox left a gaping hole in the rear of the stage, and its valuable contents were scattered over the roadway. "Hurry up, boys," the leader shouted, "before someone down the road figures out what caused the explosion." He tossed Eleanor's trunk back into the shattered stage, and waved at the group of bewildered passengers to board. Hitch up and get moving," he said to the driver. Scott gathered his frightened passengers on board the damaged coach. The top of the strongbox, now bent double, had blown through the roof, and portions of the lock were embedded in the fine woodwork. The coach lining was shredded and light filtered in from many spots. Fortunately, Scott found the running gear undamaged. He quickly hitched up the team and whipped at the air. Soon the ironshod hooves were moving across the road, the bandits having already disappeared into the tangled growth of the darkening mountains. In a short time the coach arrived at Grass Valley, and the driver then made an unscheduled stop at the address Eleanor had given him in Colfax. She alighted with her trunk in front of a small cottage on the outskirts of town Welcoming light gleamed onto the front porch; the door stood open awaiting Eleanor. A woman came out of the house and greeted the young bride. "You must be Eleanor Webber. We've been waiting for you." She put her arm about Eleanor s waist and the two went inside the cottage. Eleanor looked about, and seeing they were alone, broke into sobs. "I thought he would be here to meet me." "Louis will be here shortly," the woman said, attempting to relieve the girl s anguish. "He was called out on an emergency." "But I traveled so far and the journey was not easy." "Never you mind. He'll be back any time now and all will be well. Here, let me take your bag while you bathe. Then we'll have some supper. You'll feel better then." "I suppose you're right. I'm very tired and dirty." An hour or so later, having washed and rested and eaten a hot meal, Eleanor was feeling better. The excitement that earlier had caused her heart to quicken had returned and she awaited eagerly for her husband-to-be, Louis Dreibelbis, to arrive. After what seemed like hours, the woman announced that the bridegroom was here and the wedding would take place shortly. Eleanor had already unpacked her wedding gown, shaking out the wrinkles and hanging it by a window to freshen. Now she put it on. Catching sight of herself in the long mirror standing in the corner, she twirled about. "Oh, my!" she said aloud. "I do indeed look pretty." She happily entered the living room. The woman led her to a corner of the room, where a clergyman and a witness were sitting. The preacher got up abruptly. "Right here, young lady," he said, taking her by the arm. Eleanor looked about, catching sight of the tall, strikingly handsome man standing off to one side, his face partially shaded by a large bouquet of flowers. The preacher continued to busy himself, getting everyone in their correct positions for the wedding ceremony. Louis' voice sounded strangely familiar when he greeted Eleanor. And for some reason, she guessed shyness, he averted his face. He did not embrace her either, as she had secretly hoped he might. Eleanor demurely bowed her head as the preacher began the ceremony. The only thing missing was her family. If only they could be here to share this wonderful event with her. At the final moment, all her past fears about being plain were dispelled. To Eleanor Webber, and no doubt to everyone else present, she was the loveliest creature alive. Quietly she answered, "I do." "Then I now pronounce you man and wife," the preacher concluded. "Louis, you may kiss the bride." The smiling bridegroom reached down, bending his large body toward her. The light of the kerosene lamp shone directly on his face. "Oh, no!" Eleanor shrieked. "It's you!" The young man straightened, somewhat embarrassed, and backed away from his new bride. "How dare you!" she continued, tearing herself from his arms. Turning quickly, she ran from the room, her wedding gown brushing the furniture as she fled. Eleanor had recognized Louis Dreibelbis, her new husband, as the leader of the highwaymen who had earlier robbed the stagecoach. Dreibelbis, in an equal panic, rushed from the cottage. To the bewilderment of the preacher and the witnesses, Eleanor locked herself in the bedroom, refusing to come out. Needless to say, that night she cried herself into a fitful slumber. To Be Continued . . . The next morning......... -------------------------------------------------------------------- Copied by Nancee(McMurtrey)Seifert October 1, 2005 iggy29@rnetinc.net 'A Closed Mouth Gathers No Foot.'