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on your good nature.” She insisted.
                  “You’re new to the West, Miss Louisa. It wouldn’t be proper for us to allow you to do such a thing, not right away at least. Please do us this kindness.”
                  She nodded. “As you say, then. I’m ever so grateful.”
                  As Ann got up to clear away the table, Louisa joined her. Though her hostess tried to stop her, Louisa explained, “I don’t mind being a guest, but if you’ll allow me to be of some use it’d be very fine with me. I’ve been cooped up on a train for so long, a touch of work would be welcome.”
                  Ann consented and they took the dishes for washing up. As Louisa dried and Ann washed, she thought it best to say as little as possible. It was Ann who broke the silence.
                  “It’s been peaceful here for a long time. The war passed us by, praise God.” Ann said quietly.
                  “That’s good.” Louisa suggested.
                  “Yes, it was. But it couldn’t last, of course. Nothing good ever does.” Ann bitterly complained.
                  “Don’t say that. It’s not so.”
                  “It is. We were a quiet town until the saloon opened up. Frank Durant brought in gambling, dancing, a brothel, and a criminal element. My brother was trying to do something about it, until he was gunned down.”
     
                  Until then, the family hadn’t revealed the way in which Louisa’s suitor had died. Her breath caught at this revelation.
                  “I’m so sorry.” She said. Ann patted her hand.
                  “Nothing to be done about it. He stood up to Durant and he and his ilk killed him. I’d warned him, begged him not to confront him. Of course, we can’t prove it was Durant. Thomas was found dead on the road, alone; his horse had run off.
                  The Bradfords lived on a small horse and sheep ranch only a mile outside of town. Louisa had been brought back to their home by horse and cart.
                  After they’d finished the work, Louisa went to the front room, where she found Big Jim reading a Bible. “You’re an industrious sort, Louisa. Thank you for helping Ann.”
                  “It was nothing, really.”
                  “I’m afraid we’re short on entertainment. Jeb is a passable fiddle player and…” he hesitated. “I was about to say Thomas can play banjo very well. Could, of course. I suppose the habit of saying he’s with us will take some time to pass. At any rate, Jeb is out checking up on the stock.”
                  “No matter. I have a few books I’ve brought with me for reading.” She settled in to a chair and soon Ann joined them. “I was just hearing about Thomas. From his letters, he was a wonderful man. I really am so sorry.”
                  Jim looked uncomfortable. “I’ve a small confession to make there. You see, Thomas never wrote those letters.”
                  This came as a shock. “What? What are you saying?”
     
                  The older man sighed. “Thomas wasn’t very keen on taking a wife. But I didn’t think it was right for him to be alone, so I asked that the letters be written for him. It’s not as though he was a very good writer anyway. Well- Jeb was the one who did the writing, I’m afraid.”
                  This was all too much for her. She found herself shaking from upset. “All of this time, I’ve been talking to someone completely different. It was nothing but a trick, and I’ve been meant as the punchline!”
                  “Not at all!” Jim protested. “It was an honorable intention. You must believe, Thomas was a good man. I am sure given time, you two would have gotten on very